SFist: SF Zoo Lacks Animal-Mindedness, Says World Zoo Leaders

beserk62

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:18:36 -0800

beserk62

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:17:03 -0800

aleph1

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:18:04 -0800

I have to agree with theo. That was just a hit piece. The zoo is no panacea. Some exhibits are obviously extremely old and outdated, but the zoo is slowly remodeling exhibits as it gets money to do so. They did so with the African savanna, and then with the bear grotto. Given how much money it takes to do this renovations, you can't do them all at once. Also, why are these guys comparing a zoo to an animal park? Obviously they are not the same thing, and you won't have the same amount of space in each. As wonderful as the San Diego Zoo is, it can't compare to the San Diego Animal Park outside the city.

feliceinsf

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:01:30 -0800

Another third hand rumor is that there was a bet about the Dhaliwal brothers, hitting Tatiana with a jacket . . . ? The cries to close the zoo down are more proof to those who have children and take them to the zoo regularly that they are not wanted in San Francisco. Just a middle-class family oriented activity, not a tourist attraction, and it deserves more support than it gets.

cowsaysmeow

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:44:29 -0800

Much as I'd like to visit the zoo since I still haven't been there yet, between Tatiana, The Lion King movie marathon and now this most recent report I believe I'll hold off until they make improvements. It's too bad, I'm not anti-zoo in general but this one sounds like it really sucks.

jacksevanroo

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:12:10 -0800

I think they should post an audio recording of Sam Singer at every exhibit, explaining why the conditions are just fine.

theo

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:30:59 -0800

A third of the exhibits are fine. Two thirds could be a lot better. Problem is, there's no space to renovate the crummy exhibits. It's true that the SF Zoo needs to focus more and not try to do everything. But this article smells like a PR hit (rewritten press release) from the crazies at In Defense of Animals. A few unanswered questions: Who are these former zookeepers? Are they an official committee of inspectors and applying professional standards to their judgments? (Apparently not.) Have they compared other urban zoos -- which are not the same as Wild Animal Parks and cannot be held to the same standards at present, because of their expensive legacy facilities? (Unclear.) Who flew them out here to inspect SF? (In Defense of Animals, I assume.)

bluecanary

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:28:48 -0800

Yes. Boycott. There is simply no excuse for aiding and abetting such cruel behavior. Zoos have long since outlived their usefulness. Watch the Discovery Channel to see animals in their native and natural habitat. There is nothing "natural" about staring at bored, miserable, mistreated animals. It's sick and disgusting, like watching a snuff film. I can't see how anyone can bear the dismal sadness of zoos. The zoo needs to be shut down. Period.

theo

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:28:04 -0800

A third of the exhibits are fine. Two thirds could be a lot better. Problem is, there's no space to renovate the crummy exhibits. It's true that the SF Zoo needs to focus more and not try to do everything. But this article smells like a PR hit from the crazies at In Defense of Animals. A few unanswered questions: Who are these former zookeepers? Are they an official committee of inspectors? (Apparently not.) Have they looked at other urban zoos -- which are not the same as Wild Animal Parks and cannot be held to the same standards at present, because of their expensive legacy facilities? (Unclear.) Who flew them out here to inspect SF? (In Defense of Animals, I assume.)

underachieving

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:17:52 -0800

So... if I like going to the zoo and seeing the animals, should I boycott until the zoo gets its act together? I'm conflicted.

sf_bikebike

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:59:02 -0800

the real zoo is 6th and market. "6th and market is like something from the 19th century...like a street you would see in Eastern Europe."

yatdave

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:41:13 -0800

I repeat: Can we please just close this zoo now? Seriously.