Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2025

California lawmakers are attempting to pass two bills that would overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act:
After half a century, California legislators on the verge of overhauling a landmark environmental law — Los Angeles Times
Why is this important for the LA zoo? Many of the issues the zoo faced while trying to implement its master plan came from the comment period after the environmental impact report was created. The general idea of the two bills is to allow construction (specifically housing projects) to pass through the approval period much faster. This means a major road block would be removed from any future zoo developments. The bills have not been approved yet and could see changes as they pass through legislature, and it sounds like there are some aspects to the bill that leave options for cities to make their own decisions. However these amendments could become an incentive for the zoo to attempt larger developments.
 
Westcoastperson said:
California lawmakers are attempting to pass two bills that would overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act:
After half a century, California legislators on the verge of overhauling a landmark environmental law — Los Angeles Times
Why is this important for the LA zoo? Many of the issues the zoo faced while trying to implement its master plan came from the comment period after the environmental impact report was created. The general idea of the two bills is to allow construction (specifically housing projects) to pass through the approval period much faster. This means a major road block would be removed from any future zoo developments. The bills have not been approved yet and could see changes as they pass through legislature, and it sounds like there are some aspects to the bill that leave options for cities to make their own decisions. However these amendments could become an incentive for the zoo to attempt larger developments.
Click to expand...

This would be a welcome development. It seems in line with the “abundance agenda” that has gotten some traction within the Democratic Party, following the release of Ezra Klein’s book of the same name. Well worth the read, if you already haven’t!
 
Westcoastperson said:
California lawmakers are attempting to pass two bills that would overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act:
After half a century, California legislators on the verge of overhauling a landmark environmental law — Los Angeles Times
Why is this important for the LA zoo? Many of the issues the zoo faced while trying to implement its master plan came from the comment period after the environmental impact report was created. The general idea of the two bills is to allow construction (specifically housing projects) to pass through the approval period much faster. This means a major road block would be removed from any future zoo developments. The bills have not been approved yet and could see changes as they pass through legislature, and it sounds like there are some aspects to the bill that leave options for cities to make their own decisions. However these amendments could become an incentive for the zoo to attempt larger developments.
Click to expand...
what does this mean for the master plan?
 
Got my renewal letter today and I have to admit: for the first time since ever, I'm not in a rush. I realize the situation with the elephants wasn't entirely the zoo's fault, but with the lions, elephants, black bear, hippos, seemingly hot and cold big cat program....it's hard to feel enthusiastic.

I'm aware I just listed off a bunch of charismatic megafauna, and that I'll renew shortly when the mood strikes, but it's kind of a sorry state of affairs.
 
jpc323 said:
Got my renewal letter today and I have to admit: for the first time since ever, I'm not in a rush. I realize the situation with the elephants wasn't entirely the zoo's fault, but with the lions, elephants, black bear, hippos, seemingly hot and cold big cat program....it's hard to feel enthusiastic.

I'm aware I just listed off a bunch of charismatic megafauna, and that I'll renew shortly when the mood strikes, but it's kind of a sorry state of affairs.
Click to expand...
I suggest you and others concerned for the LA Zoo do remain members of the zoo, ... however, having said that ... do use their power to choose and voice their concerns by association along with the LA Zoo staff and the ex-donor community to oust the current clearly unfit and inept management.
 
jpc323 said:
Got my renewal letter today and I have to admit: for the first time since ever, I'm not in a rush. I realize the situation with the elephants wasn't entirely the zoo's fault, but with the lions, elephants, black bear, hippos, seemingly hot and cold big cat program....it's hard to feel enthusiastic.

I'm aware I just listed off a bunch of charismatic megafauna, and that I'll renew shortly when the mood strikes, but it's kind of a sorry state of affairs.
Click to expand...

There is often stigma on this forum when U.S. zoo enthusiasts cite megafauna as our favourites, or a reason for visiting zoos, but I don’t think that’s unfair. I might be uncultured compared to other members but I love seeing the bears, giraffes, elephants, sealions, and lions whenever I go to a zoo. A balance is nice but a zoo never feels complete without these ABC species!
 
Cat-Man said:
There is often stigma on this forum when U.S. zoo enthusiasts cite megafauna as our favourites, or a reason for visiting zoos, but I don’t think that’s unfair. I might be uncultured compared to other members but I love seeing the bears, giraffes, elephants, sealions, and lions whenever I go to a zoo. A balance is nice but a zoo never feels complete without these ABC species!
Click to expand...
Funny enough, the development of Elephants of Asia and the LAIR went hand in hand, as the old reptile house was torn down in favor of the elephant expansion and the LAIR was built with sustainability/species maximization in mind.

Honestly, I'd say this was a case of the ABCs paying for the XYZs - shame about Billy and Tina being caught in the crossfire of egotistical, narcissistic, hyperventilating, performative slacktivists who wouldn't know the effect of ex-situ conservation programs, community outreach and education if it smacked them upside the head. That being said, at least we got an AMAZING reptile, amphibian and invertebrate facility out of it.
 
StoppableSan said:
Funny enough, the development of Elephants of Asia and the LAIR went hand in hand, as the old reptile house was torn down in favor of the elephant expansion and the LAIR was built with sustainability/species maximization in mind.

Honestly, I'd say this was a case of the ABCs paying for the XYZs - shame about Billy and Tina being caught in the crossfire of egotistical, narcissistic, hyperventilating, performative slacktivists who wouldn't know the effect of ex-situ conservation programs, community outreach and education if it smacked them upside the head. That being said, at least we got an AMAZING reptile, amphibian and invertebrate facility out of it.
Click to expand...

Both good points well made. Unfortunately, in the case of LA, it leaves a gap in the literal heart of the zoo, as well as the metaphorical heart.
 
Cat-Man said:
There is often stigma on this forum when U.S. zoo enthusiasts cite megafauna as our favourites, or a reason for visiting zoos, but I don’t think that’s unfair. I might be uncultured compared to other members but I love seeing the bears, giraffes, elephants, sealions, and lions whenever I go to a zoo. A balance is nice but a zoo never feels complete without these ABC species!
Click to expand...

I meant to say us, not U.S, of course!
 
SharkFinatic said:
Sorry. Wasn’t aware they already had the species in their collection. But they could possibly acquire another rhino of the opposite sex and have them be a breeding pair.
Click to expand...
The bull is as yet fairly young and I guess way too to send them a cow for breeding. It will take at least 4+ years before the current one is anything like a real breeding proposition.
 
June animal transactions: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-6.2025.pdf
April meeting minutes: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Zoo-Commission-Minutes-APPROVED-4.152025.pdf
This meeting minutes mentions how one unnamed U.S. zoo is importing two Giant river otters from South America and is hoping to import four more otters from Europe. Two of these otters will go to the Los Angeles zoo and two will go to another U.S. facility to revitalize the Giant river otter breeding program.
 
African Grey said:
June animal transactions: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-6.2025.pdf
April meeting minutes: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Zoo-Commission-Minutes-APPROVED-4.152025.pdf
This meeting minutes mentions how one unnamed U.S. zoo is importing two Giant river otters from South America and is hoping to import four more otters from Europe. Two of these otters will go to the Los Angeles zoo and two will go to another U.S. facility to revitalize the Giant river otter breeding program.
Click to expand...
Maybe Santa Ana Zoo, as they have been getting ready for their new habitat for years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top