San Francisco Zoo Re-Opens Lion And Tiger Grottoes

Here's the zoo's point of view, in their own words:

Press Release SAN FRANCISCO ZOO’S BIG CAT GROTTOES REOPEN Lions and tigers’ acclimation to outdoor enclosure upgrades goes smoothly SAN FRANCISCO, (February 21, 2008) – After giving the big cats three days to familiarize themselves with their outdoor enclosures and properly adjust to the exhibit upgrades, the San Francisco Zoo reopened its big cat grottoes today. This is the first time visitors can view all of the Zoo’s four lions and four tigers in their exhibits since the tragic occurrence of events that transpired on Christmas Day. The Zoo also announced today it will resume its big cat feeding demonstrations on Tuesday, February 26 at 2 p.m.

“Today has been a long-awaited day for the staff and thousands of San Francisco Zoo supporters,” said Bob Jenkins, director of animal care and conservation. “We want to commend the dedication and work by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction in building a safe enclosure that both meets and exceeds the national recommended guidelines.”

Phase I of improvements to the lion and tiger grotto area, overseen by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, included the following:
Extension of the concrete moat wall up to the minimum Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ guideline of 16’ – 4” from the bottom of the moat to the top of the wall at all four grottoes;
Installation of glazing and fencing on top of the wall to extend the barrier height to a minimum of 19 feet;
Installation of hotwire along the moat wall; and
Miscellaneous site work, including installation of new storm sewer, irrigation system, paving and landscaping

The Zoo’s big cat grotto exhibits had been closed for nearly two months after the Zoo’s female Siberian tiger Tatiana fled from her exhibit, killing a teenager and injuring two other visitors. Although emergency officials tried to distract the animal away from the injured guests and those attempting to rescue them, the tiger approached police officers, requiring a lethal response. Police and other investigations into the matter are ongoing.

With the completion of big cat exhibit upgrades, the Zoo also is incorporating additional safety measures. These enhancements include the following:

Implementation of a public alert system;
A siren system with remote control capabilities that coincides with verbal radio transmission to alert staff of a Code 1 emergency (dangerous animal out);
Extended shifts for critical response team members
Graphics at key exhibits, advising guests to call the Zoo’s Animal Harassment Hotline if they witness anyone bothering or throwing foreign objects at the animals; and
Coordination with Taraval police station, including maps, master keys to Zoo and scheduled tours of the Zoo for all 104 officers.

While the big cats were kept indoors during the construction phase, the Zoo’s animal care staff went to great measures to keep the animals enriched and stimulated during the indoor stay. The staff used different techniques to appeal to all of the cats’ senses, including the pouring of spices, perfumes or urine from other animals on bales of hay, boxes, balls and anything the cats like to play with and rub on. Another form of cat enrichment used was visual stimulus. During the course of the day the animal keepers would wheel in a television, showing Disney’s Lion King, and various nature and wildlife movies.

“The animal care staff has done an excellent job at managing the big cats while they have been indoors and with their acclimation period,” said Jacqueline Jencek, DVM, chief of veterinary services at the Zoo. “Thanks in large part to the keepers’ care and creativeness, our big cats are settling comfortably back into their daily routine.”

Recognized as historical city landmarks, the San Francisco Zoo’s big cat grotto exhibits and Lion House were built in the 1930s by the depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA). The big cat enclosure first opened on October 6, 1940 along with several other major exhibits, and has housed lions and tigers at the Zoo for 68 years.

Encompassing 100 acres, the historic San Francisco Zoo is Northern California’s largest zoological park serving more than one million visitors annually. Located on the Great Highway between Skyline and Sloat Boulevards, across from the Pacific Ocean, the Zoo is open daily, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.