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San Francisco Zoo touts youth programs and passes USDA inspection while public urges audits and transparency
Summary
Zoo staff reported passing a USDA inspection and outlined summer youth programs; public speakers and commissioners pressed for compliance with Sunshine Ordinance requests and audits amid ongoing transparency concerns about the zoo's finances and operations.
Representatives of the San Francisco Zoo reported that the institution passed a recent unannounced USDA inspection and outlined summer youth programs, while public commenters and commissioners urged the zoo to comply with public-records requests and audits.
At the Recreation and Park Commission meeting, a zoo staff member identified as Lamar, who said he heads the zoo’s belongings program, told commissioners the zoo passed an unannounced USDA inspection in May that followed an earlier January inspection that left the zoo certified for three years. Lamar summarized planned youth internships, zoo camp leadership fellows and partnerships with local high schools.
But public commenters used the zoo report item to press elected officials on transparency. Justin Barker of San Francisco Zoo Watch said the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force found the zoo in violation of local and state transparency rules and the zoo’s contract with the city, and urged the department to insist the zoo provide records and comply with audit requests. “The lack of transparency is very problematic,” Barker said.
Commission members echoed the concerns. Commissioner Mazzola, who chairs the commission’s zoo committee, said the advisory committee has repeatedly requested simple documents — such as subcontractor lists — and that the zoo’s refusal to provide records has hampered oversight. In strongly worded remarks, Mazzola said he had reached the limit of his efforts to get information from zoo leadership and suggested the city should consider seeking new management for the institution.
Other public commenters described animal-care and management concerns and urged the city to withhold public funds until audits are complete. Several speakers recommended the commission and department examine alternatives and urged visits to other successful institutions, such as the Oakland Zoo, to study best practices.
Department and commission staff said the day-to-day operations and financial management of the zoo are not under direct Rec and Park operational control: the zoo operates under a lease or contract arrangement for which compliance with reporting requirements is part of the department’s oversight. Commissioners said they will watch for responses to public-records requests and audit findings and expect the zoo to comply with its contractual obligations to provide records when requested.
No formal enforcement action or change of management was taken at the meeting; commissioners requested that staff continue to press for transparency and to report back on audit outcomes.
