Cecil the Gorilla: In the Spotlight or the Hotseat?
The Zoo’s Newest Resident and Fundraiser.
• • • • • • • • October 2025 • • • • • • • •
The San Francisco Zoo is eagerly preparing for its annual Gala Fundraiser this October 18. Speaking on behalf of SF Zoo, Communications Director Nancy Chan said, “The recent arrival of San Francisco Zoo’s newest resident is an exciting time at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, as ‘Cecil,’ the Zoo’s new male silverback Western lowland gorilla, is in the spotlight.
Cecil arrived at the SF Zoo over two months ago from the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky in August of this year.
He was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. Cecil’s arrival in San Francisco at 27 years old marks his third place of residence within a zoo establishment.
As reported in July, Cecil’s relocation was part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) to allow him the opportunity to lead his own gorilla family group, a natural next step in a silverback’s life.
Moving captive wild animals such as gorillas, like Cecil, across the country is a way to continue the cycle of artificial, high-stakes social manipulation,” Barker said.”
Yet as animal welfare activists like Justin Barker point out. “Cecil’s transfer/relocation is just a maneuver.”
“Behind the ‘feel-good PR’ lies a disturbing truth,” says Barker. “This isn’t about animal welfare.” “It’s about control, breeding quotas, and the illusion of progress.”
Barker looks upon the SSP (and other such programs), which only seem to be an effort at protecting wildlife and promoting conservation, as artificial at best.
“Moving captive wild animals such as gorillas, like Cecil, across the country to keep his offspring on display, is a way to continue the cycle of artificial, high-stakes social manipulation,” Barker said.
Animal rights groups like In Defense of Animals USA (IDAUSA), which works with Barker, have been keeping a sharp eye on the SF Zoo for a considerable amount of time. Especially, as the ZF Zoo sought to acquire pandas from China, which were anticipated to arrive by 2026.
IDAUSA strongly opposed the project and asked then SF Zoo CEO Tanya Peterson to reconsider and recognize that the facilities at SF Zoo are inadequate. Peterson resigned this past July as CEO, amidst controversy.
Since being managed by nonprofit organizations in the early 1990s, SF Zoo has struggled to regain its former glory as a place for families to visit.
Back in 1929 (almost 100 years ago), when San Francisco established its own municipal zoo, it was more influenced by the mindset of the 19th Century. That was when it was common for animals and other “curiosities” to be studied, housed, and put on display.
After World War II, like many municipalities around the country, the zoo expanded to include a Fairytale/Storybook Land and a petting area. This, along with a kids train, special shuttle tours, and an elephant key, made SF Zoo a popular destination.
But similarly, just like the adjacent Fleishhacker Pool and ‘Playland at Ocean Beach,’ the appeal of the zoo began to wane during the 1960s and ‘70s. People flocked to places like Disneyland and other larger attractions, making the SF Zoo seem quaint and outdated.
Peterson’s efforts to revitalize the zoo were ambitious during her 18-year tenure. IDAUSA questioned each one of her projects as the zoo continued to fall under scrutiny.
For IDAUSA and other animal rights groups, zoos are a thing of the past. A wildlife sanctuary is a much better concept, more humane and appropriate for wild animals.
Speaking on behalf of IDAUSA, Lisa Levinson noted. “Mounting research shows that holding intelligent, social animals such as gorillas in captivity (in zoos) is an inexcusable cruelty.”
Ironically, this upcoming Gala for Cecil the Silverback gorilla occurs just as one of the most famous wildlife scientists and spokesperson for gorillas has died.
Jane Goodall spent her entire career studying and working to protect gorillas and primates in the wild. She would likely have questioned the adequacy of the conditions of the SF Zoo.
As IDAUSA’s Michael Angelo Torres noted, “We were actually hoping that Jane Goodall would join us in our campaign, and were in the process of contacting her.”
“Jane was a friend of Justin Barker and has worked with In Defense of Animals in the past; Jane was amazing,” Torres said.
Most importantly, as Torres pointed out.
“While we support efforts to raise funds for animal care and wellness, celebrating the arrival of a new gorilla at the San Francisco Zoo is deeply misguided.”
Torres and Barker both stated:
“Gorillas are intelligent, self-aware beings who form complex social bonds and suffer greatly in captivity, no matter how well their enclosures are designed.
“True care and concern for gorillas means respecting and protecting them in their natural habitats - not displaying them for entertainment or fundraising.”
Despite the criticism, SF Zoo officials see their efforts as noteworthy. “The Zoo connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action,” said Nancy Chan.
As communications director, she supports the nearly 100-year-old facility as “an urban oasis.”
“The Zoo & Gardens is home to nearly 1,500 exotic, endangered and rescued animals,” said Chan.
“The animals here, she added, represent up to 200 species as well as seven distinct gardens full of native and unusual plants.”
Chan says the Gala is “our biggest fundraising gala of the year.”
The annual ZooFest, she said, “is a much-anticipated event each year, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting our animal care and wellness.”
“The Gala helps the Zoo’s mission to connect people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature and advance conservation action,” she added.
Despite the Zoo’s aspirations and good intentions, Torres remains committed to IDAUSA’s view that zoos are outdated and should be replaced with wildlife sanctuaries.
“Cecil lived with his gorilla family for over 21 years before being abruptly moved to the San Francisco Zoo,” he said.
“This was done with little apparent regard for how this disruption could affect him.”
The idea of a “Silverback Soirée” fundraiser makes Torres and other activists cringe.
“No amount of ‘Gorilla’s Kiss’ or ‘Cecil Spritz cocktails’ (as promoted in the Zoo’s press release announcement) can make us forget the SF Zoo’s troubling legacy of animal deaths, or the current inadequate state of its enclosures and habitats,” said Torres.
“We urge the San Francisco Zoo and its supporters to redirect their compassion and resources toward genuine conservation, and the rehabilitation of native wildlife who truly need our help here at home.”
To learn more about SF Zoo’s upcoming annual Gala event on Oct 18, visit: https://www.sfzoo.org/zoofest-2025/
Jonathan Farrell is a local reporter.
October 2025
