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San Francisco Zoo interim leaders highlight conservation successes, commissioners probe audit and animal deaths
Summary
Interim zoo co-leaders told the Recreation and Park Commission about recent conservation releases and new exhibits, while commissioners pressed for updates on a city audit, a recent spate of animal deaths and a pending admission-fee review.
The Recreation and Park Commission on August 23 heard an update from interim co‑CEOs of the San Francisco Zoo on operations, conservation work and upcoming events. Cassandra Costello, who is serving as co‑interim CEO with Jeff Pace, summarized recent conservation milestones and staff activities and answered commissioners’ questions about audits, animal deaths and proposed admission‑price changes.
Costello said the zoo reared and released wildlife in several coordinated conservation programs: more than 500 federally listed red‑legged frogs were released in a single day, a breeding colony of fork‑tailed damselflies was established in partnership with the Presidio Trust, and the zoo participated in releases for federally endangered yellow‑legged frogs. She also described a new educational exhibit, Under the Canopy, developed with a local artist, and said the zoo served 1,400 youth through summer camp programs.
Commissioners pressed staff on three persistent issues: the status of a city audit, a recent cluster of animal deaths, and a possible admission‑fee increase. Costello said the zoo is in “phase 2” of the audit process and is actively responding; Jeff Pace added the audit scope had shifted and the zoo expected to deliver a slate of requested documents by a September 5 deadline. On animal deaths, commissioners asked for context. Costello said she would provide follow‑up information about cause and baseline historical death rates; another commissioner noted many recent deaths were among older animals and that necropsies were performed to determine causes such as heart disease or parasitic infection.
On admissions, commissioners said a fee analysis and recommendation will be returned to the board. Jeff Pace said staff are benchmarking regional comparators and that recommendations could range from no change to other options. Commissioners recalled that in a prior review they had authorized a one‑time higher increase to avoid repeat yearly adjustments and asked for a formal recommendation showing impacts on attendance and equity.
Commissioners also asked about governance and documentation: Costello acknowledged prior document-delivery problems and said the zoo had improved responsiveness to audit requests. Commissioners asked staff to provide specific follow‑ups on 1) the audit phase‑2 status and schedule, 2) a comparative report on animal mortality covering recent months vs prior years, and 3) the admissions-pricing analysis and any recommendations.
No formal action was taken; commissioners said they wanted written responses to the questions and a timeline for the audit deliverables.
