City Council Approves Compromise on Zoo

Ending years of feuding over who should control the Los Angeles Zoo, the City Council on Tuesday approved a compromise agreement between parks officials and a nonprofit group that gives ultimate authority to the zoo’s director.

Under the agreement, the director will have the clear authority to manage and set policy for the zoo, and to settle disputes between zoo staff and members of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn.

GLAZA will continue to be the only organization authorized to solicit funds for the zoo’s operations and improvements. The compromise was reached after GLAZA officials threatened to resign in protest of a Recreation and Parks Commission decision on Nov. 4 to consolidate zoo operations under one director and increase the commission’s authority over GLAZA.