San Francisco Zoo secures $8.5M city loan amid financial strain and calls for management reform

San Francisco Zoo, managed by the San Francisco Zoological Society, an independent nonprofit, has received an $8.5 million loan from the city’s board of supervisors to stabilize operations and fund improvements at the nearly century-old facility. The financing supports animal care, a facilities assessment, and upgrades recommended by a city audit, enabling fundraising, and the execution of a new strategic plan, and a capital campaign to reintroduce giant pandas. The zoo has faced post-pandemic attendance declines and rising costs, along with nearly $12 million in unapproved capital spending that was identified by the audit. Loan conditions require a five-year strategic plan, 10 percent expense reductions, and quarterly reporting as city officials oversee recovery and governance reforms.