News Conference Tuesday on San Francisco Zoo Reform Ordinance

Supervisor Daly and Proponents to Set the Record Straight About Zoo Distortions

San Francisco, Calif.—Supervisor Chris Daly, In Defense of Animals (IDA), and a veterinarian who has worked with the San Francisco Zoo will hold a news conference Tuesday to present the vision behind Ordinance 080818 to reform the San Francisco Zoo. They will also refute zoo mischaracterizations and distortions about the legislation, which will be considered for the first time by the full Board of Supervisors at its meeting Tuesday.

At the news conference, Daly and others will elaborate on the need for independent oversight of zoo animal welfare issues, and will explain the concept of promoting "rescue" as a more humane and progressive mandate for the city-owned zoo. The legislation's key components are:

WHAT: News Conference on San Francisco Zoo Reform Ordinance
WHEN: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, noon
WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, in front of Board of Supervisors' Chambers

  • Prioritization of Animal Welfare: "operate with animal welfare as the priority ... [to provide] the best possible care, environment and quality of life to individual animals. . ."
  • Commitment to Education: "be committed to education and interpretive concepts, exhibits and programs".
  • Commitment to Conservation: "stress the importance of preservation of local and world-wide ecosystems through conservation and education in all San Francisco Zoo programs".
  • Fulfill Current Animals' Needs Before Expanding Collection: "shall add no animals to the zoo unless the needs of all animals currently at the zoo have been met. An exemption to this restriction may be granted".
  • Acquire New Animals From Rescue Situations: "acquire new animals from the pool of available animals in the U.S. in situations such as confiscated wildlife, exotic animals or illegally imported animals or otherwise non-releasable wildlife."
  • Create Advisory Committee: "creates an advisory committee ... to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the transition of the zoo to a primarily animal rescue facility and on matters of animal welfare."

"We look forward to discussing the humane and progressive vision behind this ordinance, and correcting the numerous misconceptions the zoo has alleged in an attempt to prevent change," said Elliot M. Katz, DVM, IDA's president. "After more than a decade of animal welfare and management problems, the San Francisco Zoo needs major reform. This legislation will set the zoo on a path to better reflecting the humanitarian values of San Francisco."