Another Advance for L.A. Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo is back in good standing. Last week the American Zoo and Aquarium Assn. reaccredited the facility, though it expressed concern about Los Angeles’ commitment to the zoo and asked for regular updates on its administration. Last fall the City Council approved the creation of a zoo department, independent of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, which at this point still oversees the operation. The sooner there’s a zoo department the better.

The Griffith Park facility had been in jeopardy of losing its accreditation because of problems in the maintenance and care of animals. It cleared that hurdle thanks to the commendable work of the City Council, Zoo Director Manuel A. Mollinedo and his staff.

In recent years the zoo has been through a series of directors and some very public squabbles with city officials and its private fund-raising arm, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. There has been confusion about zoo priorities and expenditures, even as the facility was falling into disrepair.

The zoo is now poised to move ahead. Take capital improvements made possible by the $23 million raised from a bond issue. Next month ground will be broken for a new $4.5-million chimpanzee exhibit. There are plans to start work on a $5-million orangutan exhibit next June. On the drawing board is a $10-million veterinary center and animal commissary.

Relations between the zoo and GLAZA have improved. They have a new operating agreement, which will give the zoo director more freedom in governing the facility and the development, with GLAZA, of a general budget. They also agreed to hire a consultant to study zoo concessions, now operated by GLAZA. The agreement is subject to approval by some city departments and the City Council.

Creating a separate zoo department would ensure progress at a time when zoo attendance is up for the first time in six years.