Some blog posts take me forever to get the energy to tackle, like one I've been trying to get finished for over a year. Sometimes there are ones that don't take as much effort and luckily I can get done in a timely manner. This is one of those.
When I started writing last night, (which I ended up too tired to finish), my post started with, ... I am so angry right now and for once, this time it's not at the San Francisco Zoo it's at the San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer Steve Rubenstein.
Last night I got home, and before getting ready to wash the day off I took a moment to scan through email. I have Google News alerts for about a dozen Animal and Zoo related topics. One came through about the Oakland Black Bear Cubs First Birthday. Those who have followed any of my social media forums know I love Animal Birthday Celebrations. I smiled and quickly started to read the article. I didn't even have a chance to get to the photos before getting upset. Over the course of the next couple hours as I did chores, thoughts for an email to the reporter circled through my mind and that upset escalated to being really pissed off and ended with being downright angry.
These are the words that were the source of my upset:
You can read the full article here:
So, obviously I have decided to write about this here, which will be sent to Rubenstein.
I'm not sure what anyone else feels after reading this, but my issue with it, is that it is plain Irresponcible. For me, that irresponcibility could affect lives.
So, Rubenstein, you slam the San Francisco Zoo for the size and placement of its Black Bear enclosure. Your flippant remarks that echo you obviously having a desperate need to be a novelist, shows a lack of understanding of what has happened at the SFZoo. So, let me educate you.
In short, there were Orphaned Bear Cubs in need of a home. San Francisco Zoo had an available home. Their Lives were Saved.
Steve Rubenstein, you should be ashamed.
Every Orphaned Bear Cub, or any wild Animal in need, that can not be returned to the wild, is vulnerable to losing its life. If there is no captive facility that can give them a forever home, they will be Euthanized. Adults most often don't even get the chance of being placed in a facility.
Oakland Zoo was in the process of building a new exhibit (California Trails) that would have multiple enclosures for native state species. Their rescue of these three Cubs, thankfully included saving the life of their Mama as well.
When San Francisco Zoo's beloved Ulu the Polar passed, her home was vacant for several months. When contacted by Alaska Wildlife Fish and Game about an Orphaned Cubs, the San Francisco Zoo had the space to give them a forever home. Thankfully their lives were spared because they had someplace to go.
If Wildlife authorities do not secure homes for wild Animals that can not go back to the wild, they are put down. Any captive facility that can save a life by rescuing them from that fate, should be praised, not knocked for the housing it provides, unless its inadequate, which does not describe the SFZoo enclosure. Rubenstein's words are a detriment to facilities that rescue Animals. So again, shame on this writer. His irresponsible words might make the San Francisco Zoo and other facilities think twice before rescuing animals from death just because they don't have a State of the Art Exhibit ready. That's just wrong. What's wrong with this guy?
Do I wish the SFZoo Cubs had a brand new exhibit? Sure. I even blogged about the space next to the Grizzly Bears, suggesting in the future it be built into an exhibit for them. Is the enclosure they are in now inadequate? No. In fact it was renovated very nicely for them. They are Happy, Healthy, and ALIVE. Another thing, obviously without measuring, I think the space is larger than Grizzly Gulch, which was a newly built enclosure for them, when they were rescued. ... Is the Train annoying? Sure it is. I wish the whistle didn't have to blow and bother the Animals, but they do get used to it, it seems, and in the Cubs case they don't even seem to notice it. They are food and play motivated and I rarely even see them look up at visitors.
Steve Rubenstein, I have seen your name in print for many years, you should have more integrity with your words. That whole paragraph was unnecessary and had nothing to do with the Oakland Bears Birthday.
I have been following the journey of the Oakland Zoo Black Bears since their arrival. They are a joy to experience, and I include them regularly on my Facebook Group Rescued Bear Cub Club, dedicated to Rescued Bears, featuring our San Francisco Zoo Cubs. I wish them a Happy First Birthday! There is video of their party on Oakland Zoo's Facebook. ... Also note the Oakland Zoo has rescued two Brown Bear Cubs from Alaska as well!
Its still unclear whether our SFZoo Cubs will get a Birthday Party, I've asked but have not heard anything yet. Happy Birthday to our babies! I made a video in honor of their First Year, you can view it here:
