Here we go again. The federal government caught the city of Jackson running something that was severely understaffed. In this case, it is the Jackson Zoo.
The facility currently has only 5 out of 10 animal keepers who are working. The other 5 positions are functionally vacant due to personnel issues or true vacancies. As a result of the staffing shortage, employees are spending all day doing basic feeding and husbandry tasks while proactive maintenance programs, vegetation removal, and preventive pest control are not completed.
Additionally, upper level zoo management, including the Deputy Director and Senior Animal Care Supervisor, as well as the Veterinary Technician, are currently spending a large amount of time doing basic animal feeding and husbandry tasks, which are not normally part of their job, and to the detriment of their regular job duties. Adequate staffing is essential for animal health and safety, public safety, emergency response, pest control, and sanitization of animal and food prep areas. Staff who are exhausted or overworked may be injured or may make mistakes "that can affect animal- or public safety."
The USDA told the Jackson Zoo to "correct by February 1, 2023."
The inspection also found the city did not document employees were trained on the zoo's emergency response plan. The agency ordered the zoo to correct that deficiency by December 1. The USDA inspects the facilities twice a year.
JJ obtained a current employee roster through a public records request. The roster states the Jackson Zoo currently has 7 zookeeper on staff but has three vacant zookeeper positions. However, the roster may be inaccurate as there is at least one employee who is no longer employed at the zoo. HR apparently did not clear the employee's PIN. The last seven positions in the spreadsheet posted below are vacant.
Kingfish note: Hmmm..... Feds find Jackson facility is woefully understaffed. Administration keeps it quiet. Where have we heard this before?
57 comments:
Those poor animals. Lumbumda is a plague upon Jackson.
They need to shut the zoo down. It's not fair to the poor animals.
Lumumba has ruined everything in this city. There is nothing decent left here anymore.
This is zoological racism perpetuated by Tate Reeves!!!
When is somebody in Washington going to realize that the word "Jackson" keeps coming across their desk? Are we going to pin this one on the state also?
The zoo in Hattiesburg announces improvements and additions and Jackson's continues to struggle. Clear lack of competence in the leadership in Jackson.
It's very visible neglect to properly fund, manage, and staff. The decision not to relocate to the Lefleur's Bluff area because it is such a boon to the prosperity of Ward 3 was beyond contempt. The animals may be at the zoo, but the circus is in city administration.
Where are Jackson's Thought Leaders now?
This looks to me like the relatively few city employees who are willing to work get run into the ground doing other people's jobs until they burn out or quit.
I've worked in such an environment before, and it's a totally-dysfunctional management style.
Jackson will sue the state. It is racist not to give them money to run the zoo.
Please transfer those poor, under-cared for animals to competent zoos elsewhere. It certainly would be the humane thing to do. If they don’t want to give these animals away, just “loan” permanently to competently run zoos. We as a city don’t use the zoo, and unfortunately, these poor animals are suffering.
Letting this happen to a bunch of animals is just not right. Where are PETA et al ?
This is an obvious example of a lack of animal equity. Right?
1:16 - so, there is a big difference between the Jackson zoo and the Hattiesburg zoo? I wonder what the reason could be.
Where are the "woke" folks when you need them?
The time for zoos has long since passed. Kids can now learn about animals from the internet and wildlife television channels. Farm those poor animals out to well-run zoos and eliminate that drain on Jackson’s budget. Most people are scared to venture into that part of town even if it was a decent zoo.
EXACTLY what I expected. Close the damn zoo.
But this is "OUR" zoo!
city hides report 3 months-
Where the hell is PETA !
Forgot Chokwe isn't a republican.
I realize that Jackson's issues are not our own.. other city's have struggled too. but honestly.... its spiraling.. What has to happen to turn things around? It is fight or flight. I had so much hope, for so long.. and I am losing that.
I was very active in the Zoo for a number of years on the board. When they cleaned house and lost the management team they had, the writing was on the wall for the collapse. The only thing humane left to do is SHUT IT DOWN. It will never have the money it needs to survive in current location.
Damn, do we need for the State or Feds to take over the zoo too?
Did they ever reveal the cause of death for that young giraffe?
Assuming there are animals remaining at this alleged zoo that are covered by the Federal Animal Welfare Act, what is keeping the USDA from shutting it down and relocating those animals?
If this Lumamba group can't even get toilets to flush ... they damn sure can't perform a giraffe autopsy.
"Staff who are exhausted or overworked may be injured or may make mistakes........"
I would definitely opine there is no risk of this being true in the City of Jackson.
Where is the third party zoo keeper?
@1:17 fairly certain zoo is in Ward 5.
"The only thing humane left to do is SHUT IT DOWN. It will never have the money it needs to survive in current location."
Chokwe's foolish pride won't allow it.
4:29 PM
They bolted shortly after the city take over and left Lumumba holding the bag.
There was never any serious proposal to move the zoo. That would cost many millions. Just where do you think that money would come from?
Can anyone name one thing that has been successful in Jackson under chockwe's leadership?
January 27, 2023 at 6:06 PM
Chokwe Lumumba political career!
"Just where do you think that money would come from?"
From sponsors, merchants, ticket sales, and city/state subsidies -- just like any other zoo. Moving to a location that would increase attendance astronomically would attract investment. Where it is now, not so much.
Ladumba has been completely successful in what he set out to do. He got someone else to fix the water system and give him millions. It’s all going according to plan.
Yes! Sales of orange cones in Belhaven and surrounding area.
Sell the animals to raise money for a working water billing system?
Nah. The dissipation would just sideline the money again…
I’d love to see the balance sheet for the zoo, especially the line item for animal feed kickbacks.
Thought leader is busy slingin' king cakes and kissin' federal water mandate ass
I don’t care about all of those guilty people locked up in jails, but I do care about those imprisoned animals in zoos.
At one time the Zoo was a great place to visit. No longer it is a disgrace to keep what is left in such subpar conditions. Donate them to a facility that can properly care for them.
If you want to visit a good zoo with a qualified staff and strong public support come to Hattiesburg.
Generally speaking, the city administration stays out of racial issues and concentrates on public service.
Jackson is probably the most dysfunctional city in the country.
When I was young, my sister and I loved the monkey castle, and we fed apple slices to Margaret the elephant. The zoo was a great place to visit. I hope it can be restored, but that looks doubtful.
I am so grateful that I got to be a kid in the 1980s and early 90s. I get to remember a lot of great things about Jackson. I won’t enter the city very often. It is too depressing. I passed Metro center about 5 years ago and it was really sad to see. Like finding out your first love is now a meth addicted prostitute.
My wife is on her way to H’burg zoo right now with our grandkids…..1 and half hour drive but still safer and better value. I see clients close to the Jxn zoo regularly and safety is a huge issue on multiple fronts..
Could concerned parties not potion to have the zoo closed? Like everyone I can not reason why is still open. What would be the proper process in getting this instigated?….besides it’s just the right thing to do.
"...Zoo Woefully Understuffed" should be KF's headline. How much more successful would a zoo full of stuffed animals be out there in that blighted crime zone? A staff of two would suffice: one to sell shotgun shells and tickets and one to rake up the stuffed animal remains.
You could not pay me $1,000,000 to drive my car in that crime ridden and pot hole infested part of town.
The last time I went to that “zoo” for a fundraiser, I swore I’d never go there ever again.
Everything was dangerous and depressing! Those poor animals.
surely someone is heald responsible !!! consequences ... is a deadline a deadline
Please shut down the zoo and move those animals to a safe sanctuary. It is irresponsible not to take proper care of the animals! I have lived in Jackson area most of my life. Area around zoo is not safe for anyone and probably never will be. So sad the city is in such a state of disrepair and has such a high crime rate. With better leadership, Jackson could improve and thrive!
WAPT, WLBT, WJTV - any of y’all gonna cover this story?
Can't make this up. I just went to the Jackson Zoo website. The Zoo is only open 5 days a week from 10 - 4. The phones are out of order but you can email the director. All ticket sales are cash only. The concessions are closed BUT there is a Pepsi machine...Shut down is coming.
The zoo is a joke. I wonder how many people visit a year now?
What an embarrassing sh*t hole of a city. And the city leaders and residents around the zoo could not care less about any of this. Nor do they feel shame.
The zoo is not salvageable. But pride and negligence will prevail.
I suppose we can hope the animals at least die quickly from a stray bullet and don't have to suffer the wild dogs or poor conditions too long.
Yeah, they obviously gave you the wrong information. Six of those positions were cut prior to my departure and the salaries are wayyy off.
Wouldn't be the first time city has lied on public records requests. Got a JPD roster after Mayor took over. Roster included retirees and cops no longer with the force.
This is just one more example of a failure due to the current city administration. The government unfortunately needs to step in and close the Zoo for the sake of the animals. If this were not a demoncrat run city they probably would have closed it the last time the city was given a warning. It makes you wonder how bad it really is and how much they were able to lie about? Water, sewer, roads, garbage, zoo are all failing due to incompetent leadership. WHEN WILL ENOUGH BE ENOUGH FOR SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING??
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