The San Francisco Zoo is pressing ahead with its ambitious plans for panda diplomacy, aiming to welcome a pair of giant pandas in the coming year.
At a recent Recreation and Park Commission meeting, Tanya Peterson, the zoo’s CEO and Executive Director, expressed optimism that the pandas could potentially arrive by next April.
Peterson shared insights from her recent meeting with a Chinese Friendship Delegation, which included scientists and government officials, to discuss the logistics of bringing the beloved bears to San Francisco — a project initiated last year by Mayor London Breed.
While the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China raise questions about potential complications, Peterson reassured attendees that there are currently no tariffs impacting endangered species, stating, “It’s safe to say, at this point, there are no tariffs on the endangered species.”
However, the future remains uncertain amidst diplomatic and economic fluctuations.
Previously, China announced a rental fee of $1 million per year for the pandas, a significant investment for the zoo.
Concerns about the zoo’s current conditions had surfaced, particularly from major donors like real estate magnate John McNellis, who criticized the initiative following a harsh report from the SF Animal Control and Welfare Commission about the zoo’s deteriorating state.
McNellis remarked, “Pursuing pandas while the zoo is in its worst shape ever is a serious mistake.”
He argued that the funds allocated for housing and renting the pandas would be better spent on essential renovations and care for the existing zoo facilities, many of which are in disrepair.
Adding to the uncertainty was an earlier suggestion by Peterson herself that the enthusiasm of the new mayor, Daniel Lurie, for the panda project might not match that of Breed, especially after her re-election effort failed.
The zoo, however, announced in late October that it is approaching a $20 million fundraising goal to support the establishment of a panda exhibit — including renovations to a former lion enclosure and the costs associated with the bears’ daily bamboo diet.
Yet, despite these ambitious plans, the initial fundraising may only cover the pandas’ arrival and possibly a year’s worth of care.
Should the pandas remain for the typical ten-year loan period, estimates from an animal welfare group suggest the total cost to the city could soar to $70 million.
Conversely, there are predictions that the zoo could potentially reap $320 million in additional ticket revenue during that same span, contingent on the attraction of the pandas.
Amid all this, the anticipation surrounding the arrival of the pandas remains tempered with caution.
David Towne, a retired former director of the Giant Panda Conservation Foundation, reminded audiences of the unpredictable nature of panda negotiations.
He noted that, “until you get the pandas in your facility anything is possible,” emphasizing the complexities involved since negotiations are influenced by a centralized Chinese government that operates on sometimes unpredictable policies, particularly given the current geopolitical tensions.
As the plan unfolds, the zoo community and panda enthusiasts alike are left hoping for a positive resolution to bring these iconic animals to the San Francisco Zoo.
For now, the prospect of giant pandas at the SF Zoo remains a dream, and excitement should be cautiously tempered until their arrival is confirmed.
image source from：https://sfist.com/2025/04/18/no-tariffs-on-endangered-species-the-sf-zoo-panda-plan-is-apparently-still-on/
