Woodland Park Zoo Board of Directors is extending its public comment period at its Jan. 27 board meeting while it reviews its practices to accommodate more members of the community. The relocation of the zoo’s elephants is not on the agenda for the board meeting.

Per the zoo’s existing policy, an agenda for each board meeting is posted on the zoo’s website one week prior to each meeting at http://zoo.org/about/board.

“During our Board of Directors’ meeting in December, we experienced greater community interest for our public comment period than ever before. The board officers and Governance Committee are closely evaluating our practices and learning how we can better accommodate a larger group of community members, as well as media requests, at future meetings,” said Laurie Stewart, Chair of Woodland Park Zoo Board of Directors.

This year marks the 50-year anniversary for the Woodland Park Zoo Society (WPZS), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has an agreement with the City of Seattle to manage Woodland Park Zoo. The WPZS is governed by a Board of Directors. Similar to other private non-profit organizations, the zoo has rules and practices regarding public involvement including during its board meetings. The Zoo Society Board’s public comment period is designed for board members to hear input from community members.

“It is important for us to hear feedback from our community. Moving forward, we are researching best practices by other nonprofit organizations and reviewing our practices. We will share the new policies and procedures, which will be formally adopted by the board this spring,” added Stewart.

The business meeting will immediately follow the public comment period in an adjoining classroom. The agenda includes an introduction of new board members, a preview of the advertising campaign for the new Malayan tiger and sloth bear exhibit opening in May, and new animals coming to the zoo this year.

In November 2014 the zoo announced its plans to relocate its elephants, Bamboo and Chai, to another accredited zoo so they may live with a larger, social herd. Staff is still working on identifying a new home for these female elephants.

Visit http://zoo.org/about/reports for more information about the zoo’s public process and reporting to the City of Seattle.