HOT TOPIC! - Free Ndume From The Gorilla Foundation - Letter Writing Campaign - UPDATED 7.29.18

UPDATED 7.29.18 ... I updated the contact information for the AZA/SSP contact list at the end of this post.

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First I want to thank all my readers who usually follow this blog for San Francisco Zoo content.  I know I've written exclusively about Ndume for the last few posts.  Since The Gorilla Foundation is local, I've known about Koko almost my whole life, and since her passing all I can think about is the Gorilla she left behind.  I need to use this forum as a way to bring attention to the plight of Ndume.  Thank you for reading my posts, and hopefully sharing information about him.  Together hopefully we can all change his situation and get him a wonderful home for the rest of his life. 

The post before last, I noted several people (and their contact information) within the AZA/SSP organization that deals with Gorillas.  I will post that info again at the end of this post.  

What is the goal?  The end goal is to get the AZA/SSP to find Ndume a home suitable for a Gorilla, not continue to leave him in isolation.  Ndume has been without a Gorilla Family for 27 years.  Right now, this first round of letters, my goal is to get answers.  For the AZA/SSP to be transparent about their intentions with Ndume.  

The AZA/SSP has been aware of Ndume's situation for years.  Contrary to what they have been fed by The Gorilla Foundation, it has been documented for many years, by many who have left TGF, that Ndume, like Michael before him and always for Koko, have lived isolated from each other.  They may have seen each other for short periods of time, but allegedly TGF spin machine makes it seem like more, like they co-habitat.  That is simply not the truth.  Now that Koko is gone, there is not even the chance that Ndume will see another Gorilla.  How can authoritative cogs in the machine even morally continue to allow this to be a Great Apes life?  

Anyone who reads this, please take a moment to be a Voice for Ndume.  If you need to educate yourself more before getting involved please visit the Facebook Page,  https://www.facebook.com/TeamNdume  The person who started it , worked at The Gorilla Foundation and many of  the comments are posted by other former staff members.  All Caregivers to Ndume and Koko.  All who know first hand what really went on there and the need to get Ndume out of there.  Please help and let's not let Ndume spend the rest of his life alone.  To quote Jodi Carrigan, Asst Primate Curator from Zoo Atlanta, “Just like you have your Friends, Gorillas need Gorilla Friends."   

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AZA Animal Program Leaders (Gorilla)  ... Email Contacts listed below.

Ape TAG Chair:

>Tara Stoinski, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International  ... info@gorillafund.org  

ATTN: Tara Stoinski in subject line

Ape TAG Vice Chair:

>Tracy Fenn, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ... FennT@jacksonvillezoo.org

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Coordinator: 

>Kristen Lukas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo ... kel@clevelandmetroparks.com

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Vice Coordinator:

>Rachel Daneault, Disney's Animal Kingdom  ... guest.services@disneyworld.com 

Attn: Rachel Daneault in subject line.

Western Lowland Gorilla Studbook Keeper: 

>Roby Elsner, Audubon Zoo ... No longer at Audubon Zoo. Now at Bronx Zoo.  guestrelations@wcs.org ... ATTN Roby Elsner in subject line

Ape TAG Education Advisors:

>Connie Kassner, Cameron Park Zoo ... conniek@wacotx.gov

>Sandi Linn, SaveNature.Org ... No longer associated with AZA or TAG

>Nadine Kocanjer, Disney's Animal Kingdom ... guest.services@disneyworld.com 

Attn: Nadine Kocanjer in subject line.

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Conservation Advisors:

> Rich Bergl, North Carolina Zoological Park  ... richard.bergl@nczoo.org

>Tara Stoinski, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International ... see above contact info.

Additional Contacts. 

>Maureen Leahy,  Lincoln Park Zoo

... ealtimari@lpzoo.org  ...  ATTN Maureen Leahy in Subject line

>Hugh Bailey,  Woodland Park Zoo 

zooinfo@zoo.org ... ATTN Hugh Bailey in subject line

>Beth Schaeffer,  Los Angeles Zoo 

info@lazoo.org  ... ATTN Beth Schaeffer in subject line

>Dusty Lombardi,Columbus Zoo 

 info@columbuszoo.org ... ATTN Dusty Lombardi in subject line

I deliberately did not contact the following two people because Ndume has already been housed at both these Zoos unfavorably. 

Craig Demitros, Brookfield Zoo

Ron Evans, Cincinnati Zoo

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This is the letter I sent off to everyone on this list. 

Hello ... ,

I am writing to you as your name appears on the AZA website as a Program Leader for Gorillas.

I am inquiring about the future of Gorilla Ndume currently residing at The Gorilla Foundation.

Like most, I have known about Koko most of my life.  I am a San Francisco native and through my interest in Great Apes, I have come in contact with many who have known and worked with Koko, as well Michael and Ndume.  Sadly, I have been privvy to unfortunate truths about The Gorilla Foundation.  That said, I have concerns about Ndume.

In your position, you must know the simple fact,  Ndume has been living in isolation for 27 years.  How or why he was sent there to live a life without contact with other Gorillas, I don't know.  That is the past, what is his future?

With the passing of Koko, has there been any discussion in the AZA/SSP community to remove Ndume from The Gorilla Foundation, and find a more suitable, frankly more humane environment for him to live out his life in?  

The Gorilla Foundation has put forth via social media that they intend to ".. continue their mission" and "seek a Gorilla Family for Ndume" .  This is considered outrageous by many.  Project Penny, or rather Koko should not have lasted as long as it did in the first place, but Penny owned Koko so nothing could be done.  Ndume is in the AZA system and should never have been allowed to live without a Gorilla Family for 27 years.  Its unconscionable. 

From all research I have done, it is obvious Cincinnati Zoo who owns Ndume does not want him.  It is curious, that after the Harambe tragedy, when a vacant space for a Silverback was created, that he was not recalled.  Can you tell me why that is?  I understand Ndume is genetically not desirable in the breeding program at this time, but I was told the females in Harambe's group were non-breeding.  

Regardless of all, why has Ndume never been removed from the isolation at The Gorilla Foundation and placed with non-breeding females, or in a Bachelor group?

As a San Francisco Zoo visitor, I have presented in a blog post (linked at the end) some ideas for moving him there, it is geographically ideal, there is a Keeper on staff who has worked with Ndume in the past, and his Sister Bawang lives there. I have also noted another facility, Zoo Atlanta who helped Gorilla Ivan who came from an isolated situation as well.  

To quote Zoo Atlanta Asst Primate Curator Jodi Carrigan, “Just like you have your Friends, Gorillas need Gorilla Friends."   

Ndume needs Friends and the AZA/SSP has the authority to make that happen.  

Thank you.  Look forward to your reply.

Kim

blog link

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/could-should-and-would-san-francisco.html

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Related posts

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-crime-of-selling-koko.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/will-ndume-gorilla-become-gorilla_14.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/could-should-and-would-san-francisco.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/ndumes-sister-lives-at-sfzoo-blog.html