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Jul 17, 2008 5:12 pm US/Pacific
SF Supes Postpone Vote On Rescue Zoo Proposal
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
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The current entrance of the San Francisco Zoo.
AP
Following a marathon meeting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee postponed a decision Thursday on a proposal that would transform the San Francisco Zoo into an animal rescue facility.
The ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Chris Daly, would transition the zoo into a facility that primarily houses exotic wildlife and domestic animals rescued from inhumane care.
In addition, the legislation would create a Zoo Animal Oversight Committee responsible for holding public meetings on animal welfare and acquisitions, and advising the Board of Supervisors on the transition to the zoo to a rescue facility.
Daly said he has worked closely with animal rights activists in developing the legislation, which he says aims to enhance the quality of life for animals at zoo.
"There are conditions that are not ideal for animals that are there,'' he said at today's meeting.
The proposed ordinance is in part a response to December's fatal mauling of a zoo visitor by an escaped tiger and the deaths of zoo elephants about five years ago.
Speakers at today's meeting included San Francisco Zoo Interim Director Tanya Peterson, representatives of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, San Francisco Animal Care and Control, zoo docents and dozens of members of the public.
Peterson said the zoo already serves as a rescue facility and that it also strives to be a conservation park and "education gateway,'' and that the ordinance could compromise what the San Francisco Zoological Society is trying to accomplish.
Of the zoo's 756 major animals, more than 100 are rescued, according to zoo officials.
Peterson also said that conservation at the zoo responds to animals on a global context and opposed the legislation, which would limit breeding programs to certain species endorsed in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Programs.
Carl Friedman, director of Animal Care and Control, said he is optimistic the zoo is going to change under new leadership.
He opposed the ordinance, expressing concern that it would transfer ownership of the zoo back to the city.
The San Francisco Zoo is currently a partnership between the city of San Francisco and the San Francisco Zoological society.
Andrea Brooks, vice chair of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, who supports the ordinance, said at Thursday's meeting, "I think it makes San Franciscans excited about the zoo to know we're bringing in animals that really need help.''
The ordinance is scheduled to be considered again by the committee on Aug. 7 with amendments made by Daly.
The continuance was in part to give the Zoological Society and proponents of the legislation time to discuss the issues surrounding the zoo, according to the office of Bevan Dufty, one of three members of the rules committee. The other two members are Daly and Supervisor Tom Ammiano.
Ammiano did not attend Thursday's session.
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