Grand Jury Recommends LA Zoo Be Handed to Private Operator as Finances Collapse

LA Times—A Los Angeles County grand jury found the city zoo in severe financial distress, with plummeting membership and chronic funding shortfalls. The report calls for transferring management to a private operator capable of attracting investment and modernizing operations. The LA Zoo has struggled for years under city oversight, unable to compete with newer facilities.

• LA Times — membership and donations in sustained decline; city management called inadequate
• DNyuz — Grand jury finds LA Zoo financially troubled and recommends it be handed to a private operator