[8] Despite a recent internal investigation by the San Francisco Zoological Society affirming CEO Tanya Peterson's position,[9] critics argue that her tenure has been marked by neglect and poor conditions for the animals.

[16] Incidents, including the theft of a squirrel monkey[17] and lemur,[18] the death of a young gorilla due to a hydraulic door malfunction,[19] and a radio spying controversy,[20] fueled concerns about the zoo's operations.

[21] Amidst ongoing criticisms, the zoo faced incidents like a mountain lion killing marsupials[22] and a grizzly bear escaping primary containment,[16] prompting continued scrutiny[23] and calls for improved management and animal welfare practices.

[citation needed] True to its charter, the Society immediately exerted its influence on the zoo, obtaining more than 1,300 annual memberships in its first ten years (nearly 25,000 today).

In November 2004, Tinkerbelle, San Francisco Zoo's last Asian elephant, was moved to ARK 2000, a sanctuary run by PAWS-Performing Animal Welfare Society located in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

In April 2024, Mayor London Breed announced San Francisco Zoo will receive Giant Panda Bears from China in a signed memorandum of understanding.

The Commission found that many of the zoo’s enclosures failed to meet basic animal welfare standards, calling the facility "dilapidated" and in need of a comprehensive, strategic redesign.

[8] In 1997, the San Francisco Zoo secured $48 million through a bond measure aimed at revitalizing its facilities, with orangutans and chimpanzees serving as the focal points of the campaign.

Despite pledges to overhaul the aging infrastructure and create lush environments like the proposed Great Ape Forest, substantial enhancements remain incomplete decades later.

Critics argue that while the zoo focused on enhancing visitor amenities, animal welfare concerns persist, sparking debates over the management of taxpayer funds.

[15] On December 22, 2006, Tatiana, the 242-pound Siberian tiger, attacked zookeeper Lori Komejan, causing the keeper to be hospitalized for several weeks with lacerated limbs and shock.

Peterson faced criticisms of animal care practices,[36] and management decisions including the hiring of her daughter as a paid intern and her fiance to perform concerts at the zoo.

Complaints also arose over Peterson's social media presence, particularly a Facebook photo showing her in close proximity to a seal, contravening federal guidelines.

[38] Following the death of Kabibe, a young gorilla crushed by a door in her enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in November 2014, the facility faced repercussions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The zoo's executive director acknowledged breaches in protocol and highlighted routine USDA inspections that previously found no issues with the enclosure.

[19] In March 2015, San Francisco Zoo employees raised concerns over allegations that management had been using the radios they were required to wear for spying purposes.

[20] In April 2017 a dispute over the euthanization of a cancer-stricken monkey at the San Francisco Zoo revealed tensions between employees and management regarding animal care.

Although keepers managed to distract Hasani and relocate him safely, investigation revealed that the door malfunctioned due to hydraulic fluid leakage.

Despite improvements eventually made, including the orangutans gaining access to an outdoor yard, concerns persisted among former employees and animal welfare advocates.

[16] In May 2023, Kiona, the grizzly bear, breached primary containment, venturing into the zookeeper area, where only a gate, a regular door, and a chain-link barrier separated her from the public.

[16] In June 2023, an incident occurred involving a 1-year-old Magellanic penguin named Handy Harry, who was struck and killed by a guillotine shift door while being secured for pool cleaning.

[47] The zoo participates in more than 30 SSP programs, working to conserve species ranging from Madagascan radiated tortoises and reticulated giraffes to black rhinos and gorillas.