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San Francisco Zoo reports animal deaths are within long‑term averages; announces 117 San Francisco garter snake births
Summary
Zoo staff told the Recreation and Park Commission that recent animal deaths are within historical averages and described conservation successes including 117 live births of the endangered San Francisco garter snake.
San Francisco Zoo staff reported to the Recreation and Park Commission on Sept. 18 that a recent cluster of animal deaths is consistent with the zoo’s five‑year averages and provided updates on veterinary investigations and conservation work.
The zoo representative said staff reviewed five years of data for major species and concluded that 14 deaths over four months were “pretty much on average” compared with the historical monthly average of roughly four deaths. The zoo said some deaths undergo necropsy and laboratory analysis at partner institutions including UC Davis and UC Berkeley; the zoo is awaiting specialist findings for a recent red panda death and has submitted samples to outside experts to determine possible causes including viral or bacterial infection.
The zoo also described a conservation success: staff said they collected nine gravid (pregnant) San Francisco garter snakes, supported them through gestation and reported 117 live births. Eight of the nine adult females were returned to the wild; the offspring will be used in repopulation efforts for this highly endangered subspecies, staff said.
Budget and audit questions: commissioners asked about a recent audit begun by the city’s controller’s office (BLA). Zoo staff reported renewed cooperation with auditors and said a $3 million reserve previously held was released after an analyst’s recommendation; staff said they are providing large amounts of documentation and are meeting regularly with auditors.
Other items reported: the zoo described a recent volunteer “Renew the Zoo” cleanup, a veterans’ day at the zoo for about 240 attendees, and the relaunch of a Little Learners program for preschool‑aged children.
Ending: commissioners thanked zoo staff for cooperation with auditors and requested any forthcoming necropsy findings and audit updates be shared with the commission.
