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Goldrock95 (talk | contribs) Removed non-notable external link (SFZooWatch) per WP:ELNO and WP:NPOV. Moved excessive criticism from lead section to the existing 'Criticism' subsection for better neutrality and balance per WP:LEAD and WP:UNDUE. Also removed misplaced 2024 criticism from the history section, as it was inaccurately placed within a discussion of the 1950s-60s and was already covered in the 'Criticism' section. Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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The '''San Francisco Zoo''' is a {{Convert|100|acre|adj=on}} [[zoo]] located in the southwestern corner of [[San Francisco]], [[California]], between [[Lake Merced]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]] along the [[Great Highway]]. The zoo's main entrance (one located on the north side across Sloat Boulevard and one block south of the [[Muni Metro]] [[L Taraval|L Taraval line]]) is to the west, on the ocean side. The SF Zoo is owned by the [[San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department]],<ref name="sfgate/ZooLawyer">{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Stephanie |title=Lawyer leading S.F. Zoo back from dark chapter – Sunday Profile: Tanya Peterson |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lawyer-leading-S-F-Zoo-back-from-dark-chapter-2395228.php |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[sfgate.com]] |date=Dec 11, 2011}}</ref> and managed by the San Francisco Zoological Society,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diversity & Inclusion |url=https://www.sfzoo.org/diversity-and-inclusion/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=San Francisco Zoo & Gardens |language=en-US}}</ref> a non-profit [[501(c)(3) organization]].<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Andrea |last1=Suozzo |first2=Ken |last2=Schwencke |first3= Mike |last3=Tigas |first4=Sisi |last4=Wei |first5=Alec |last5=Glassford |first6=Brandon |last6=Roberts |date=2013-05-09 |title=San Francisco Zoological Society, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/941429538/201720449349301232/full |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}</ref> under a public-private partnership since 1993, receives $4.2 million annually from the city. As of 2016, the zoo housed more than one thousand individual animals, representing more than 250 species. It is noted as the birthplace of [[Koko (gorilla)|Koko the gorilla]], and, from 1974 to 2016, the home of Elly, the oldest black rhinoceros in North America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Har |first=Janie |date=2016-01-01 |title=Oldest black rhinoceros in North America turns 45 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/oldest-black-rhinoceros-in-north-america-turns-45-1.2720839 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>
Described as "The worst-run city zoo in America" by critics,<ref name="sfstandard.com">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=Opinion {{!}} Worst city zoo in America? Why the San Francisco Zoo needs a total overhaul |url=https://sfstandard.com/opinion/2024/09/26/worst-city-zoo-in-america/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The San Francisco Standard |language=en}}</ref> The San Francisco Zoo has faced criticism over its leadership and management practices, with concerns raised about animal welfare, outdated facilities, and misaligned priorities. A city report described the zoo as ‘unsafe for visitors and animals,’ further intensifying scrutiny on its conditions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Tara |date=October 10, 2024 |title=San Francisco Zoo described as ‘unsafe for visitors and animals’ in scathing city report |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-report-19827454.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> Despite a recent internal investigation by the San Francisco Zoological Society affirming CEO Tanya Peterson's position,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Tara |date=September 18, 2024 |title=S.F. Zoo’s embattled CEO keeps job after months-long internal investigation |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/zoo-ceo-19592394.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> critics argue that her tenure has been marked by neglect and poor conditions for the animals.<ref name="sfstandard.com"/> High-profile projects, such as a proposed $70 million panda plan,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Tara |date=June 22, 2024 |title=Here’s the new estimate for how much pandas at the S.F. Zoo could cost |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/panda-san-francisco-zoo-19524414.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> have drawn ire for diverting resources from necessary improvements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=Opinion {{!}} The broken and neglected San Francisco Zoo is no place for giant pandas |url=https://sfstandard.com/opinion/2024/04/23/mayor-breed-return-the-pandas-and-fix-the-san-francisco-zoo/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=The San Francisco Standard |language=en}}</ref> [https://www.sfzoo.watch/ SF Zoo Watch], are calling for reforms, suggesting that the zoo's management be transferred to an organization focused on conservation and animal welfare.▼
==History==
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In 1955, [[The Daily News (San Francisco)|The San Francisco News]] launched a nationwide fund-raising campaign, "The News Elephant Fund" and children around the country sent in small change, even [[Ed Sullivan]] contributed, then purchased a baby female [[Asian elephant]], named Pennie, for the pennies donated to buy her.<ref name="elephant/1995">{{cite news |title=San Francisco's Elephant Put to Sleep |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/04/03/san-franciscos-elephant-put-to-sleep/ |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=3 April 1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915202025/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/04/03/san-franciscos-elephant-put-to-sleep/ |archive-date=15 September 2024}}</ref> In October 1990, zoo officials announced an elephant exhibit renovation.<ref name="Pennie/1990">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Johnny |title=Wayback Machine: Making life better for Tinkerbelle, Pennie |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Wayback-Machine-Making-life-better-for-6561615.php |access-date=15 September 2024 |date=October 9, 2015}}</ref> In 1995, Pennie was put to sleep.<ref name="elephant/1995"/>
Over the next forty years, the Zoological Society became a powerful fundraising source for the San Francisco Zoo, just as Fleishhacker had hoped when he envisioned: "…a Zoological Society similar to those established in other large cities. The Zoological Society will aid the Parks Commission in the acquisition of rare animals and in the operation of the zoo." {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} True to its charter, the Society immediately exerted its influence on the zoo, obtaining more than 1,300 annual memberships in its first ten years (nearly 25,000 today). It also funded projects like the renovation of the Children’s Zoo in 1964, development of the African Scene in 1967, the purchase of medical equipment for the new zoo Hospital in 1975, and the establishment of the Avian Conservation Center in 1978.
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=== City Report: San Francisco Zoo ‘Unsafe’ for Both Animals and Visitors ===
In October 2024, the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission released a scathing report on the San Francisco Zoo, describing the 95-year-old facility as “extremely outdated” and “unsafe for visitors and animals.” The Commission, an advisory body to the city, unanimously supported the report’s recommendations, including a call for an audit by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The Commission found that many of the zoo’s enclosures failed to meet basic animal welfare standards, calling the facility "dilapidated" and in need of a comprehensive, strategic redesign. Despite recent inspections from the USDA and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) confirming the zoo's compliance with minimum standards, the Commission deemed these measures insufficient, highlighting the dangers to both animals and visitors.<ref name=":0" />
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=== Criticism of Use of Bond Funds ===
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