The front entry sign for the Los Angeles Zoo, featuring a giraffe billboard in the right foreground.

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Zoo Commission

The Board of Zoo Commissioners was created in 1997 when the Los Angeles Zoo became its own Department; previously it was part of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The Commission serves in advisory capacity and is comprised of five members. All are Mayoral appointees whose terms are five years in length.

Board of Zoo Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles

Members

Karen B. Winnick, President
Bernardo Silva, Vice President
Justin Mikita
Daryl Smith
Elnie Vannatim

Meeting Information

Meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Grand Room of the Andrew Norman Building at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Remaining MEETING DATES SCHEDULED for 2026

  • September 15, 2026
  • October 20, 2026
  • November 17, 2026
  • December 15, 2026

The meeting agenda is posted on this page the week before a scheduled meeting date. For more information, please call Zoo Commission staff at (323) 644-4218.

Agenda

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026; 10 AM

IN-PERSON MEETING
Los Angeles Zoo
Grand Room
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027

COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE HEARD ONLY AT THE TIME THE RESPECTIVE ITEM IS CONSIDERED. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON ALL OTHER MATTERS WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD WILL BE HEARD DURING THE “PUBLIC COMMENTS” PERIOD DESIGNATED ON THIS AGENDA. THE PUBLIC IS REQUESTED TO FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD TO ADDRESS ANY AGENDA ITEMS.

To attend the meeting, members of the public must enter at the Zoo’s Front Entry Gate. Zoo staff will direct members of the public to the Grand Room. Please arrive at the Front Entry Gate at least 15 minutes before the meeting start time, to allow sufficient time to walk from the Entry Gate to the Grand Room. Members of the public who arrive late may miss the opportunity to provide public comment.

Note: Sign Language Interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72-hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. For additional information, please contact the Commission office at (323) 644-4218. TDD available at (323) 644-6688.

  1. CALL TO ORDER
  2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2026
  3. PUBLIC COMMENT
    Public comments are limited to a total of three minutes per person.

    NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL COMMENTS
    Discussion with Neighborhood council representatives on Neighborhood Council Resolutions or
    Community Impact Statements filed with the City Clerk which relate to any agenda item listed or
    being considered on this agenda.
  4. PRESENTATION – ZOO CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
  5. GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS
    a. Animal Updates
    b. Zoo Director Updates
  6. OLD BUSINESS
  7. ADJOURNMENT

The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2026 at the Los Angeles Zoo Grand Room, 5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles CA 90027.

Commission Meeting Minutes

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