I always thought it was weird that three zoos in the southeastern United States ended up with giant pandas, but no midwestern zoos.
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I always thought it was weird that three zoos in the southeastern United States ended up with giant pandas, but no midwestern zoos.
I was discussing this in DMs with someone recently -- if Atlanta, National and San Diego stay firm to pandas, with or without San Francisco involved, the regional distribution is pretty clear - northeast, south, and the west all have at least one representative. Nothing in the midwest despite multiple interested parties.
Already the panda plan has hit a snag. The mayor’s fundraising plan was rejected by the city committee, along with some previously mentioned concerns about the Zoo’s track record.
Mayor Breed's plans to bring pandas to San Francisco Zoo hits roadblock
Mayor Breed's plans to bring pandas to San Francisco Zoo hits roadblock
Using the Zoo's now deep space historical track record ... from yonkers is now stiffling progress on developing the zoo. I do agree that first and foremost some of that senior management element including the current executive director (cum President, ... who come the same individual is on both ledgers...) needs to go,
The current zoo management are part and Parcel of the issue that is actually preventing a new vision for the zoo and the SFZoo moving forward. Alongside, the way some of the Council is handling the interests of the zoo is again a major stumbling block to progress and partially bc some Councillors seem to have an almost dinosaur view of ex situ and conservation edcuation zoos in this modern day and age. Where Council fails also is the lack of expediency in major infrastructure and services in the City of SF itself. ....
Actually had seen this article pop up on my social media feed from my local news station. The zoo is facing an uphill battle already and that’s even without the panda acquisition being burdened on the citizens of San Francisco. The mayor did say it would be through donations rather than taxpayers. At least one less hurdle to overcome. However, the concerns from the council are some of what I echoed last time.
The care of the pandas was brought forth as a major concern. Seeing as the history with animal welfare the zoo has had, the pandas are a lightning rod for the city. I do like that the fundraising will be solely donations as that’s one way to lessen the tension with the people of San Francisco. But I can only imagine what else down the line the zoo will face in regards to this endeavor
Well what else is coming down the road. Surprise, surprise there is a whole NEW zoo going to be built in Sacramento. Looking in the rear view mirror gets gaining traction and approaching fast. What does this mean for San Francisco future? Well if San Fran just won't get it together they'll be real losers to competition to the surrounding zoo's in the area. Would you rather enjoy a state of the art Orangutan in a new zoo, or are you comfortablely numb with a tragedy exhibit the Orangutans in San Francisco? How can we get excited about being concerned of welfare of wild animals when the welfare of those controlling the reins have a death grip on operations!Actually had seen this article pop up on my social media feed from my local news station. The zoo is facing an uphill battle already and that’s even without the panda acquisition being burdened on the citizens of San Francisco. The mayor did say it would be through donations rather than taxpayers. At least one less hurdle to overcome. However, the concerns from the council are some of what I echoed last time.
The care of the pandas was brought forth as a major concern. Seeing as the history with animal welfare the zoo has had, the pandas are a lightning rod for the city. I do like that the fundraising will be solely donations as that’s one way to lessen the tension with the people of San Francisco. But I can only imagine what else down the line the zoo will face in regards to this endeavor
The city seeks to have the pandas by 2025. Preliminary steps to begin raising the $25 million needed have started - but there's a long road ahead to start a program from scratch.
San Francisco’s panda project moves forward | KRON4
San Francisco’s panda project moves forward | KRON4
San Francisco is 100 miles from Sacramento, so they are not really in competition. Your general point is valid though in terms of people are not going to support the San Francisco Zoo if its standards keep degrading as they are.
King of Komodo Dragons
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that's the opposite of what I got told during my Giant Panda encounter back in December, but I suppose plans can change, still I have a gut feeling Atlanta will get more pandas, it just may be a longer waiting period than it was for the National Zoo
Panda_Fan
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I hope that the SF zoo gives the pandas a good space and life in their facilities. I don't want to see another story like Memphis.
Memphis had more to do with bad luck when it came to a skin condition for the female, rather than any substandard facility.
The Memphis "story" was literally completely unavoidable. Animals die- it's simply a part of life- and the panda at Memphis was a geriatric individual with known health problems. Frankly, sooner or later a giant panda was bound to pass away before returning to China, and if it didn't happen to Memphis, it could've just as easily happened to San Diego, National Zoo, Beauval, Singapore, or Tiergarten Schonbrunn. Criticizing Memphis for the death of this panda is no different than when Animal Rights Activists criticize zoos for the deaths of geriatric elephants.
While I similarly hope that SF Zoo gives the pandas a "good space and life", shouldn't we be hoping that all zoos provide this for all of their residents- simply because it is the right thing to do?
Nile Hippo Expert
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I wouldn't say Le Le's death was unexpected or premature because at 25, Le Le was past the median life expectancy of 20 years for a giant panda and he had some health problems related to his age so I will say that his time had come. Also, just to be clear on this, providing the animals with a good space and life in their facilities is literally the whole point of zoos as it is part of animal conservation. Nonetheless, I do agree with you that San Francisco provides a nice home for their pandas and hopefully they can live nice long lives.
SF Chronicle has run some great articles on the troubles at the Zoo and the sheer cost of bring pandas to a cash strapped institution.
Here’s the new estimate for how much pandas at the S.F. Zoo could cost
Here’s the new estimate for how much pandas at the S.F. Zoo could cost
TBH: a good part of it is - I am afraid - pure xenophobia coupled with the Western response to PR China's economic success being an unhealthy wave of protectionism. All this is fuelling further the atmosphere for this P.R. China narrative and an xenophobic attitude towards East Asians to get more traction.
I am afraid the Municipal administration and political establishment have a perspective that is not supported by the economic realities of this giant panda deal. This apart from the fact of thei basically very unsupportive attitude towards culture and education in the city - particularly also singling out the zoo - and the socio-economic problems the city is facing.
Genuinely asking, not sarcasm -- are you suggesting the online groups accusing the zoo of abusing the panda were motivated by xenophobia themselves, or responding to xenophobia from elsewhere?
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