Los Angeles Zoo Director Resigns

Re “L.A. Zoo Director Resigns Day After Critical Report,” Feb. 17:

While it is convenient to blame Mark Goldstein for the failure of the zoo, let us not forget who Goldstein’s boss is. The Department of Recreation and Parks and ultimately Mayor Richard Riordan are responsible for the appropriate governance of the zoo and the care and integrity of its habitants.

No matter how thick the red tape, how convoluted the labor disputes or how bureaucratic the bureaucracy, the animals still require food, cleaning and veterinary care on a daily basis. Replacing the zoo director without correcting the system will only provide fodder for a scapegoat while leaving the animals hungry.

The Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/Southern California Humane Society believes that the zoo should be governed to provide the kind of ease and flexibility for a new zoo director to manage in a humane fashion, possibly within a private, nonprofit system as suggested by Mayor Riordan.

Meanwhile, immediate aid to the zoo residents must be provided. Conditions such as those delineated in a recent report must be remedied with the utmost urgency and speed. Failing to do so could violate the state anti-cruelty laws, which will be enforced by the Los Angeles SPCA/SCHS.

MADELINE BERNSTEIN

Executive Director

Los Angeles SPCA/SCHS

* For the sake of Los Angeles taxpayers and the animals, let’s close the Los Angeles Zoo permanently.

BOB BARKER

Hollywood

* Mayor Riordan and Council President JohnFerraro are to be saluted for their efforts in exposing abuses at the Los Angeles Zoo (Feb. 16), which animal rights activists have known and protested about for years. However, in order to benefit both animals and people, wouldn’t it be better to close the zoo, relocate the animals to existing humane habitats and use the $50 million to revitalize Los Angeles?

BILL DYER

Venice

* Your Feb. 20 editorial asked the important question “why will it work this time?”

In addition to a mayor, council president and City Council who are committed to follow-through and completion, as well as a Recreation and Parks Department that is willing to immediately participate in a “public-private” partnership, we have:

-- $23 million in the bank, and priorities being finalized within days.

-- The commitment of continued involvement by the zoo directors from Atlanta, Seattle and Cincinnati to help implement their recommendations about the future ownership and management structures at our zoo.

-- Access to the methodology and cutting-edge ideas that transformed zoos (like Atlanta) from the “10 worst list” to the “10 best list.” We do not have to reinvent the wheel, just emulate.

-- A completed master plan which has been accepted by the independent zoo directors as first-rate. Exhibits like “the Great Apes” will become tourist attractions in their own right.

-- For the first time in 15 years, open communication, clear common goals, and “at the table experience” among City Hall, GLAZA, the ASPCA, the Ark Trust, Rec and Parks, and other zoo representatives.

-- Corporations, foundations and individuals that, with the positive changes being implemented, will hopefully provide the same financial support that they do in other cities with great zoos.

STEVEN SOBOROFF

President, Board of Recreation

and Parks Commission, Los Angeles

* We learn that the zoo could lose its accreditation (Feb. 17). We’re told a $100,000 study must be made.

Why not start by cleaning the zoo? Pools might be old, but clean water can do wonders. Sweep up the standing water. Decontaminate the food. Get the animals healthy. Move the four remaining penguins somewhere to keep them alive. All that cannot be too costly.

Look to the Santa Barbara Zoo for a pattern. Even during its very modest beginnings, it was immaculate and a delight to visit. Use head curator Les Schobert, who has the expertise to design and correct exhibits. Use the $100,000 that way.

NANCY MacCOON

Los Angeles

Well, that’s two zoo directors the Parks and Recreation Commission has driven out; the Police Commission is after its second chief, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has not had a director in ages. Maybe we should first start replacing commissioners!

HAL and SHIRLEY EDWARDS

Los Angeles