Zoo operations could be on the verge of major changes, after late vote on Friday, July 15. Report by CAO endorses private partnership for L.A. Zoo - LA Daily News
So the Zoo is going to be off of the city's hands for good now? I thought the LA Zoo was always kind of half private because it is ran by GLAZA, but still tied to public ownership. Do you guys think that the LA Zoo could fully sustain itself without the city's funds?
I am quite sure a key element of this proposal is some commitment of significant ongoing financial support by the city. This is typical of nearly every "privatization" that has occurred at other zoos in recent years. GLAZA has operated a few aspects of the zoo (concessions, membership and fundraising), but would assume responsibility for animal care and all other zoo functions under this new agreement.
LA Times article on zoo privatization possibilities that appeared Thursday July 28, 2011: Los Angeles considers putting its zoo operations in private hands - latimes.com The story mentions that GLAZA and a private, for-profit Spanish company called Parques Reunidos are the main possible zoo operators. Does anybody know anything about what this Parques Reunidos is and what the zoos that they run are like?
Here is a link showing the zoos/parks that Parques Reunidos operates: .: Parques Reunidos : . I just hope that if Parques Reunidos does indeed get chosen that the zoo does not get turned into a theme park...
I appears that there will be a city council vote this friday: City Council Could Vote to Privatize Zoo - Highland Park-Mount Washington, CA Patch EDIT: for some reason I thought today was Thursday......the vote did take place today with the city council voting 9-2 in favor of seeking proposals from prospective operators.
@Keeper: I don't really know how that company runs their zoos and parks, so what is the reason why you said that it is sad for them to pursue another zoo? Also, here are two more links about the vote that took place today: L.A. Council moves ahead with zoo privatization plan - latimes.com LA considers privatizing management of the zoo - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee
Hi mstickmanp, the reason why I say "sad"? Because Madrid zoo and Faunia (in Madrid too) are managed for this company and for my they give too much importance for the restaurants/bars, attractions for children's inside the own zoo, or put a lot of sponsors signs all around and "screaming" music all the time, before that put attention, and efforts in provide well designed exhibits for the animals. Or in l'Oceanogràfic in Valencia, too many times some facilities like "Red Sea auditorium" are closed for to developed inside " meetings or congress" or the walruses pool empty and "in revision" every two months... But in the top of my complaint: no too much competed workers in keeper talks committing very big mistakes, and more and more... And if we speak of animal shows, in the three parks that is pure circus, anything educational, with music blaring all the time. However, at the top of my complaint: not very competent workers in the educational lectures, they make very big mistakes sometimes, and more and more ... Here are my reasons to say I find it sad that a zoo is placed in the hands of this company. Greetings!
Here is your chance to run the Los Angeles Zoo....the city is taking proposals now! http://www.ci.la.ca.us/cao/RFP/Signed Cover Letter for Zoo RFP.pdf
Seems very odd that a zoo in America could potentially be run by a company in Spain. Interesting the contract says an organization or an individual. Either way, I hope (and expect) that it will result in an improvement of the zoo. This is one zoo that has always fallen short of its potential, considering where it is located.
Its not a very odd idea to somebody that lives over in the United kingdom,as we have 3 collections owned and run by the very same Spanish company,all of which have much improved since the Spanish took them over!
Sea Life Park in Hawaii is also owned by them, so it wouldn't be the first American zoo/animal park. I also hope that there will be an improvement of the zoo no matter who ends up running the zoo.
Nice Guns N Roses reference and totally fitting,givin the fact that Slash (legendary GNR guitarist) is so involved with the LA Zoo.In fact he was recently given an award by the zoo commending him for his many generous contributions to the zoo. Team Tapir
Well you learn something new every day,always liked Slash now he has my upmost respect for this,and to think I always use to think he was one of only 3 good things to come out of the City of Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom along with Reginald Mitchell and the Road OUT!!
Has anybody heard anything about "privatization" of the zoo recently? Are there negotiations and political maneuvering going on behind the scenes? The subject seems completely absent from any media.
