December 26, 2007
SF Zoo's Official Statement Released
(Why, yes, we do plan on running this into the ground. Thank you for asking.)
SF Zoo just released an official statement about yesterday's attack, expressing their "deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the victim killed in the December 25, 2007." They also mention that it "is anticipated that the Zoo will reopen tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For information please visit www.sfzoo.org."
While this fatal and accidental meeting of man and beast is devastating, we can only hope -- guiltily, of course -- that yesterday's tiger attack results in an appearance by four-on-the-floor Neda Ruiz on behalf of Tatiana. Really, no fatal mauling story would be complete without her.
Anyway, check out the SF Zoo's full statement after the jump.
Update: The SF zoo will remain closed tomorrow, December 27.
The San Francisco Zoo wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the victim killed in the December 25, 2007 incident involving a Siberian tiger at the San Francisco Zoo. Out thoughts are also with the two people injured, we wish them a full recovery.At approximately 5:00 p.m., on Friday December 25, 2007 the San Francisco Police Department and San Francisco Fire Department responded to an incident involving a Siberian tiger and San Francisco Zoo guests. One guest was killed and two others were injured. The situation required that the tiger be killed. There is an ongoing police investigation, and the Zoo will also mount its own internal investigation.
Zoo Director Manual A. Mollinedo wants to commend and express deep gratitude to the individuals involved with yesterday’s activities, including the staff and respondents from the San Francisco police and fire departments.
The Zoo is closed today, December 26, 2007 while the investigation continues. It is anticipated that the Zoo will reopen tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For information please visit www.sfzoo.org.
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Zoos are an anachronism left over from the Middle Ages. Abolish all zoos now. What have animals done to deserve life imprisonment in cages without even the possibility of parole? Humans are the most vile, vicious exploitative species to ever exist on earth. Mother Nature views all plants and animals as equals. Zoos are set up for human voyeurs to gawk at imprisoned animals. If people need to watch animals, they can observe them in their natural habitats (the few remaining natural habitats that they haven’t destroyed by covering with developments, such as condos, malls, offices, roads and parking lots), watch a video or look at their images on the Internet. Abolish all zoos now.
Why would they re-open without first determining how the tiger got out? Isn't that kind of irresponsible? I mean, there are other tigers still being kept in that same enclosure, right?
Who in their right mind, would go to the zoo today?
Tony (Tatiana's partner and "...the Tiger") shared the pen. We here at SFist can't help but worry about how he's feeling today.
"deeply saddened"
"deepest sympathy"
"deep gratitude"
Funny
Zoo's do serve a purpose, they teach children and adults the value of animals. Have you been to the zoo lately? Also animals in the zoo is actually being saved my those in third-world countries who kill them on a daily basis. There are only est. 2000 tiger left in the world. in the whole world ... 20% of those are in Zoos. If you abolish zoo's 1-50 species of animals would become extinct each year.
Support the zoo and adopt an animal
A) My deepest sympathies to these men's families, and my very best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to those gentlemen still in the hospital.
B) I certainly *do* hope you run this into the ground; otherwise I'll be forced to go back to the comments section at the Gate, and I'd rather not, thank you.
C) PAH, the European Middle Ages postdate the exhibition of animals for the amusement and edification of humans in the West. Just because you think it's barbaric does not make it medieval. I agree with you completely, in fact, but can't let your nag slip by. Signed, a student of Arthurian Medieval Literature.
I would go to the zoo, and I would adopt poor Tony. I would also adopt this little puppy. http://sfist.com/2007/12/24/sfist_photo_san_5.php
Our thoughts are also with the two people injured
Siegfried and Roy?
I hear admission is free this week if you bring your shotgun.
Betcha city gov't caves in to NIMBY hysteria and animal rights wackos and the zoo is closed in a year.
BTW Siegfried says Roy (or is it the other way around?) is just about ready to work again. Viva Las Vegas!
I'm surprised they didn't tell us that they were Taking It Seriously; that term is all the rage in corporate communications for damage control these days.
As a former SF Zoo employee I agree that Zoos do help animals who wouldnt have a home (and can't be placed back into their "natural habitat"). Zoos dont pluck animals out of the wild, but rescue animals from situations that endanger their lives.
While I don't think living in a Zoo is ideal for some of the animals, I can say that it is better than what could happen to them.
I also saw so many children get educated about animals in a way that you cant get in a classroom.
Then again... what do I know. I obviously quit working at the Zoo for a reason.
Dan Berkes: Don't forget the "vigorous investigation."
It takes a village to raise a tiger.
this is a sad and horrendous event, but abolishing
zoos and cursing humans is no answer.
modern zoos are not about entertainment and exploitation,
rather they are about education and conservation.
these institutions are valuable and important, and they're
put in place to care for displaced and endangered species.
this is a terrible incident, but we are lucky to have open
access to such an organization.