Lurie and SF Zoo CEO at Odds About Her Resignation

The zoo is now at risk of losing $4 million in annual funding for failing to comply with that audit.

Earlier this month, the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office accused Peterson and zoo management of being uncooperative with its process, failing to turn over dozens of doblockents requested as far back as January, while making false claims about the status of others and providing contradictory financial statements.

The city’s audit threatens to escalate to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for further action to force compliance. Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who told the San Francisco Chronicle that Lurie told her Peterson was planning to resign, has already asked the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee to hold the zoo’s annual funding in reserve until it complies. The board will vote on that request next month.

Amid disarray at the zoo, Peterson and city leaders, led by former mayor London Breed, have been negotiating a $25 million deal to bring a pair of giant pandas from China to the site next year.

In his statement Friday, Lurie said the plan, which aims to help the zoo rebound from low visitorship and profits, is among the reasons new leadership is needed.

“I am confident that stable, permanent leadership will strengthen the zoo and our city’s ability to welcome pandas,” he said, adding that the zoo’s board had made the decision to develop a plan to name a new CEO.