SF Zoo Called Out—Again
After Missed Deadline and Appeal from SF Zoo Watch, Phil Ginsburg Again Presses SF Zoo
Just days after my direct plea to Phil Ginsburg during Monday’s Recreation and Park Commission meeting, the Rec and Park General Manager issued a June 11 follow-up letter demanding that the San Francisco Zoological Society (SFZS) comply with long-overdue public records requests.
As we previously reported, Ginsburg had issued a formal directive on April 21, citing Section 16.2 of the Zoo’s lease, which requires SFZS to follow the same transparency laws as any city department. He gave the Zoo until May 1 to comply.
Now, over a month later, Ginsburg confirms that SFZS has still failed to fully produce the requested documents tied to Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF) File No. 25003. He also acknowledges that the SOTF has closed the file and referred the matter to the Board of Supervisors due to the Zoo’s continued noncompliance.
Ginsburg also notes the Zoo’s failure to respond to the Board of Supervisors’ audit, which has been pending for months. Despite repeated outreach from the City’s Budget and Legislative Analyst, Zoo leadership has not turned over requested financial documents.
This renewed demand comes after years of the Zoo flouting transparency laws—and marks a critical step toward accountability following sustained pressure from the public and watchdogs.
We’ll continue to monitor what happens next.
Read the letter here:
