Zoos

The Los Angeles City Council is poised to consider a measure that would in effect prevent elephants from performing in traveling shows and exhibitions in the city. It's hardly unusual for the council to sound off on any issue under the sun, but in this case, the proposal before it underscores a growing appreciation for the world's largest and most majestic land mammal. It deserves to be approved, and should prompt serious reflection on humanity's relationship with these noble animals.

A 22-year-old Idaho man has been arrested and charged with two felonies in connection with the apparent bludgeoning death of a Zoo Boise monkey -- a breed known for its tendency to be timid. According to Boise police, suspect Michael J. Watkins had to overcome "several zoo security measures" in the early morning hours Saturday to gain entry first to the zoo and then to the enclosure that held two Patas monkeys, a creature described as the fastest of all primates but also one of the least aggressive.

A break-in at Zoo Boise in Idaho's biggest city has left a Patas monkey dead and police searching for suspects. Zoo security reported spotting two men in dark clothing at the zoo before dawn Saturday morning, with one man outside the zoo near the primate exhibit and one man inside zoo grounds ( map ), according to the Boise Police Department. Both men ran after seeing the security guard and eluded police. Later, while searching for evidence, police and zoo employees found an injured Patas monkey "next to the perimeter fence near the primate exhibit where the suspects were last seen," police said in a statement.

The Lakers have officially announced the hiring of Mike D'Antoni. “After speaking with several excellent and well-respected coaching candidates, Dr. Buss, Jim and I all agreed that Mike was the right person at this time to lead the Lakers forward,” said General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “Knowing his style of play and given the current makeup of our roster, we feel Mike is a great fit, are excited to have him as our next head coach and hope he will help our team reach its full potential.” Interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff noted that he expects D'Antoni to arrive in Los Angeles around Wednesday.

Pittsburgh Zoo officials and police were trying to determine what happened after a 2-year-old boy fell into an African painted dog exhibit on Sunday and died before police could save him. A news conference was scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday. Police said the boy's unidentified 34-year-old mother, from Pleasant Hills, Pa., was holding her son over a four-foot railing in an elevated viewing area when he fell. The boy hit and then flipped over a mesh barrier before hitting the ground.

The 2-year-old Pennsylvania boy who died at the Pittsburgh Zoo over the weekend bounced two times on a protective netting after falling off a railing and into an African painted dog exhibit, where the dogs then attacked and killed him, the zoo's chief executive said Monday. Barbara Baker, who has been with the zoo since 1990, occasionally looked distressed during the morning news conference as she answered questions about Sunday's tragedy -- what she said is the first visitor death in the venue's more-than-100-year history.

Re "What to do about the zoo," Editorial, Oct. 26 I echo The Times' editorial regarding the L.A. Zoo and its relationship with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. As we move forward in these challenging budget times, partnerships are key. GLAZA and our city attorney should go back to the table and forge an operating agreement that works for everyone. We can take Los Angeles County as a great example of when strong partnerships work well, especially with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and, most notably, the Hollywood Bowl.

Re "What to do about the zoo," Editorial, Oct. 26 The biggest challenge faced by the Los Angeles Zoo isn't deciding who should run the place, it's the public's growing intolerance toward keeping animals in cages for entertainment. Given the entrenched problems at the L.A. Zoo and the millions squandered on a new elephant exhibit that has made little meaningful difference for the elephants, serious thought should be given to transforming this zoo to a private sanctuary for abused, abandoned and neglected exotic animals.

An outbreak of E. coli cases linked to a North Carolina fair is raising questions about the safety of petting zoos and animal exhibits. So far, Cleveland County Health Director Dorothea Wyant said 38 cases, including the death of a 2-year-old boy, have been linked to the Cleveland County Fair. Of the 16 adults and 22 children involved, eight were hospitalized. Many had stopped by to see the sheep, goats and pigs used for livestock competitions and in the "huge" petting zoo, Wyant said.

It's good to be a kid this month at the San Diego Zoo and the zoo's Safari Park. Children skip the $32 entrance fee at both venues and can take advantage of free activities inside, such as mingling with zoo characters, feeding a giraffe or taking in a Camp Critters Show. The deal: The zoo has been offering Kids Free in October for more than 25 years, for children 11 and younger. No need to show a ticket (usually $32), and there's no limit on the number of children you can bring, though they must be accompanied by an adult ($42)