FW: This FRIDAY @ 9A: Please Help Animals @ SF Zoo

January 10, 2008

Please contact Deniz if you have any questions about this. I believe the SF Zoos are also a topic at the forthcoming 1/20 SF letter writing party too.

Tammy

Deniz Bolbol [deniz_b] Wednesday, January 09, 2008 1:24 PMdeniz_bSubject: Fwd: This FRIDAY @ 9A: Please Help Animals @ SF Zoo

This Friday, 9 am: Please Attend Important Hearing on SF Zoo Crisis

What: Hearing on the SF Zoo Tiger Mauling at a Special Meeting of the Recreation and Park Commission and the Joint Zoo Committee

When: January 11, 2008; 9:00 a.m.

Where: SF City Hall

Legislative Chamber – Second Floor

1 Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

Mayor Gavin Newsom has called for the city’s Recreation and Park Commission to hold hearings on the tragic tiger mauling that led to the deaths of the beautiful tiger Tatiana and a young man named Carlos Sousa.

However, the Rec. and Park Commission is responsible for overseeing zoo management, so it is highly inappropriate for this entity to hold hearings on the management and oversight failings at the zoo. This is a recipe for whitewashing of the tragic incident and the fundamental problems at the zoo.

Your voice is needed to tell the Mayor and Rec & Park Commission that it's inappropriate for them to review their own oversight and that the Board of Supervisors must hold independent and fair hearings to explore new management opportunities for the zoo.

The Chronicle has reported that the zoo has emailed its members urging to attend this meeting to support zoo management, we need a strong turnout on the side of the animals.

It’s time to stop cramming animals into tiny enclosures while using the majority of the zoo for people amenities. The zoo must place a top priority on the well-being of individual animals and their quality of life, as well as on public safety and employee relations. Mr. Mollinedo must be replaced with a zoo director who has a background in and commitment to animal welfare.

Please join us on Friday to help make the vision or a humane zoo for our city a reality.

Talking Points:

It’s inappropriate for Recreation and Parks Commission for hold investigative hearings. This Commission is responsible for oversight of the zoo management and has been derelict in its responsibilities for years. A prime example is the elephant crisis where it took no action during the one-year ordeal that resulted in the deaths three elephants.

Fair and independent Board of Supervisors hearings are needed.

SF Zoo’s problems run deeper than the tiger tragedy.

Zoo management and oversight have failed; Zoo Director Manuel Mollinedo must step down.

Zoo priorities are wrong. Animal well-being is second to increasing attendance and revenues. The zoo crams nearly 1,000 animals onto less than 10 percent of its property; the vast majority of space is dedicated to people amenities.

A change in management and direction of the zoo is urgently needed.

If you have questions please call 650.654.9955