Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Who is the San Francisco Zoo Educating?


I'm once again behind on posts I'd like to do, as thoughts swirl continuous with each Zoo visit.  

The Saturday before last, my visit was very short.  In and out within an hour.  Why?  There were just too many people for me.  That isn't the point of this, I'm glad Zoo attendance is up, hopefully that will mean extra money for the Animals. 

As I zoomed through visiting all the Friends as quickly as possible, I wondered, just Who is the Zoo Educating?

One of the Zoo's Mission Points is Education, yet beyond their advertised efforts, ZooMobile, Summer Nature Trail and Keeper Talks, the short times the ARC is open, and possibly a few others of the like, what efforts does the Zoo Staff make to Educate Visitors daily?

Many of my posts are words in regards to the Misbehavior of Visitors and the lack of Education, either by Staff/Volunteers (Docents) or in the use of more signage.  In my opinion Educating the people who visit the Zoo on how to Respect not only the Animals who live there, but Animals in general, is more important that Educating them on specific species.

I am a daily visitor to areas where Wildlife live.  With each visit, there is always someone acting the fool towards the Animals who live there.   Whether its ignorant (trying to pet a Duck in the Park) or malicious (everything else), its wrong.  

The issue of Mistreating Animals is rampant, not only locally, but globally.  

As I looked around and saw thousands of people that day at the Zoo, I was saddened that the Zoo doesn't make an effort to try and reach the people who visit the Zoo.  That would be some wide- spread outreach of Education on how to treat and share our planet with the other beings who live here.   I thought about all the people annually who could have been Educated.  Huge amount of people = huge amount of missed opportunity to make a difference.

I have posed many ideas about promoting more Education regarding Animal Respect, but there is still nothing more being done.  

This past Sunday, I noted at least six sandwich boards advertising everything from membership to liquor.  





Why can't the Zoo use sandwich boards for Educating messages?

The Oakland Zoo uses them to remind people that the Zoo is home to Animals and should be a peaceful place.  The message on many of their boards is "Quiet Please".  At the San Francisco Zoo people run all over the place screaming.  There is no quiet there, as people stand with their backs to the "Shoosh" signs.  






The San Francisco Zoo needs to adopt this way of using sandwich boards on the paths to Educate people as much as they do to sell liquor and pimp other stuff.  

Sandwich boards at the entry as well as in other areas, should read, "Respect the Animals" and "Animal Exhibits are Quiet Zones".

The San Francisco Zoo needs to step it up and start Educating people as stated in my highlighted paragraph above.  

Protect the Animals that live at our Zoo and others, while planting seeds of Respect for Animals everywhere.

Read more about misbehavior at the Zoo in several blog posts on my blog:


Read more about misbehavior at the Zoo in several blog posts on my blog:



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Happy Birthday Goober! - Bairds Tapir Bday!

Goober turns 18 today!
~ August 12 ~



Happy Birthday Goobie!
My Wonderful Friend and Fellow Leo!

You are My Sweet Happy Boy!
I Love You!

Goob gets three Birthday photos since I couldn't decide which was the cutest because they all are!!!  All of which will also adorn my festive wear for Goob's special day!  I will be there to sing you Happy Birthday! my sweet (zoo) boyfriend :)   I hope you get special treats and pats!  You are very special to me!  XO!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Dinosaurs at the Zoo! ... there should be.

I have long thought that the older unused exhibits across from the Bairds Tapir and former Grey Seal enclosures would make a wonderful site for some Dinosaur sculptures.  The train runs right by there so it would be perfect.   Everyone loves Dinosaurs and having them peer out from there would be awesome.  It would sure be a better (cheaper) way to add something for Children than spending money on a new playground.

I went to the Conservatory of Flowers (Golden Gate Park) a couple months ago, when they first opened their current exhibit featuring Dinosaurs.  I liked it and thought the Dino's there would be great for my idea, if the Zoo could get them.  The Recreation and Park is a managing partner to the Zoo, so the connection is already there.  As well, I asked a few people there and they said that there were no current plans for the Dino's once the Conservatory exhibit was done.  I have been lax in this posting, so "current plan" may not still be the present plan, but if these Dino's were still an option, the Zoo might want to think about trying to acquire these sculptures.

Anyway, just a thought.






Read more about the Conservatory if Flowers

Friday, August 10, 2012

RIP Balboa - Barbados Sheep Passes

Forever Loved
Forever Missed



Sadly I learned today that
we lost another precious Zoo Friend.  
Beautiful Balboa passed on Wednesday.
RIP Sweet Precious Girl  XO!

You and your wonderful smile 
will be greatly missed :(

Check back in a few days
I should have her Memorial Video done.