SFist: SF Zoo's Official Statement Released

lisa

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:06:11 -0800

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'reput 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.

KWillets

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:16:36 -0800

It takes a village to raise a tiger.

manys

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:12:17 -0800

Dan Berkes: Don't forget the "vigorous investigation."

nouseforaname

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:55:29 -0800

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

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:43:13 -0800

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.

wsanders

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:33:17 -0800

BTW Siegfried says Roy (or is it the other way around?) is just about ready to work again. Viva Las Vegas!

wsanders

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:31:57 -0800

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.

DJTennessee

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:40:50 -0800

Our thoughts are also with the two people injured Siegfried and Roy?

Deborah

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:06:33 -0800

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

KatyG

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:03:33 -0800

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.

spysea

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:47:26 -0800

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

manys

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:40:46 -0800

"deeply saddened" "deepest sympathy" "deep gratitude"

Brock Keeling

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:26:21 -0800

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.

Spencer Williams

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:17:49 -0800

Who in their right mind, would go to the zoo today?

LisaLives

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:14:10 -0800

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?

Palo Alto Hippie

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:02:18 -0800

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.