Orangutans - Where Will They Go?

I left off my previous post, from last month, "Orangutans On Their Way" , 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/02/orangutans-on-their-way.html

... with this paragraph:

> As there is an Orangutan on the GAP (Great Ape Passage) sign,  Triple Grotto is the only place they can permanently go, so, I sure hope there is a plan to make Triple Grotto better for the Orangutans, and BEFORE they get here! <

That post was made in relation to a news article out of Erie, PA announcing the departure of the Erie Zoo's nine year old Orangutan Ollie, who is headed for the San Francisco Zoo! ... I was shocked this was happening so soon, since there was no place ready for him or the mate that is intended for him.

Since that post, I have asked a few questions, since the arrival of the male sounded soon, ...

*When are they coming?

*Where are they going?

*What is the renovation plan for Triple Grotto?

No one I had the opportunity to ask even as recent as this past Wednesday, has an answer to any of those questions. In fact most people, including staff, volunteers and members I know, didn't even know there was a plan set for them to come anytime soon and responded by saying, "Where are they going?"  

Information straight from Erie Zoo, has our new SFZoo Male Orangutan Ollie's last day on exhibit this Sunday and him leaving as early as next week.  There are many posts to the Zoo's Facebook, as well as these two news video's about Ollie's departure.

https://www.yourerie.com/on-our-air/wild-stuff/wild-stuff-last-chance-to-visit-ollie-the-orangutan-this-weekend_20190328165421/1883166449?fbclid=IwAR21rjCFjouObz8pZryb57iVlQPdR-wX4vGs9Asg_C7X4qTl4vaReJGd90s

https://www.yourerie.com/on-our-air/wild-stuff/wild-stuff-ollie-leaving-part-2_20190328170009/1883176812?fbclid=IwAR0N1VtXdfcVTUcLTYu5bdp9Kh_8-EXyMryR4vKYakKwfFZni3p3CONJseI

So, its happening and its happening now!?  ... Some Ollie pix next and keep reading below for more about this curious timing of bring in Orangutans.  

Screencap from Erie Zoo Facebook Page

Visit this link for beautiful photos of adorable Ollie and his beautiful Family, through the years since his birth, at the Erie Zoo.  I hope the San Francisco Zoo will surprise me and not sell off his name to the highest bidder.  

https://www.goerie.com/photogallery/PA/20190328/NEWS/314009996/PH/1

So with all the confirmation on Erie Zoo's side, the question still remains, Where does the San Francisco Zoo plan to put the Orangutans?   

That said, let's consider these facts (as I know them):

*The new Great Ape Passage sign shows an Orangutan.  This Species will be housed in this area, and when all is completed, most likely be rotating with Chimps between surrounding habitat areas (Dayroom, new Yard attached to Pachy Building, and possibly (what I thought) a renovated Triple Grotto).  This will be nice for all involved. 

*As of over a week ago, Chimps no longer had access to Triple Grotto. Doors closed and signs down. A couple months ago, I heard this was imminent, and it made me sad. They had lived there for fifty years and I would think might still feel attached to it.  I would have liked to seen them retain access at least to the North Grotto, and at the very least, until the new yard was completed and full integration with new Chimp.  The issue of the new yard NOT even being finished, is in my opinion a big one. In fact it doesn't even look barely started, even though they have been working on it for many months, although last couple weeks haven't heard much.  You can see in the photo, it only looks like the perimeter is mapped out (left side).  As of last week, they were still putzing about with the second Skytrail, that has only had one pole up for over a week.  SO without Triple Grotto, they appear to have NO outside access, except for the Skytrail, which I haven't even seen, only heard its happened on occasion.

*Triple Grotto is in need of a renovation.  At the very least, something as simple as I've outlined before, which suggested filling moat and glass/fencing off perimeter. Also by doing that, the North and Middle Grottos would provide a huge space, and they could use the South Grotto which is off exhibit, to build new bedrooms. For thirty years, the Chimps literally sat like bumps on a log, upon the structures, staring out at the people.  The islands are small and with structures, leaving basically no topical area.  They need the structures, but also need space.  

*The second Skytrail is being attached to the Triple Grotto night quarters, at the South Grotto side.  This will provide access to the new Yard.  I was told many years ago the the night quarters were in bad shape.  There should have been some work done on the night quarters before that and definitely before the Orangutans would occupy.  I don't recall any upgrade taking place, as the Chimps still used those bedrooms up til less than two weeks ago.  So, this must mean the Orangutans will have to use the old bedrooms?  Forever?  Because seemingly, if new bedrooms aren't built or old ones renovated before they move in, when and how will they be done?

While this is a digression, I feel like this additional information in regard to Triple Grotto is on topic. ... The outdated Triple Grotto was one of the reasons our Chimps became vulnerable to losing their home.  Our group had lost a member, reducing the size to three, with AZA requirements of four or more.  The AZA would not send the Zoo more to live in Triple Grotto unless it was upgraded.  With the 1997 City Bond money that was in part for a new Chimp habitat, mysteriously disappeared, and not one Donor stepping up over the last two decades to fund a new habitat or even upgrade (shameful!) for the Chimps, that opened the door for Director Peterson to try and kick them out.  So, its documented as outdated and not a proper habitat.

Director Peterson and the Zoological Society have allegedly been pushing to acquire Orangutans for years.  Their wants were the main catalyst for Peterson trying to kick out the Chimps and replace them with Orangutans.  So it is not a surprise they are coming, the timing is what is so surprising to everyone.  No one thought it would be this soon, as in, before there was a proper habitat for them.  

The SFZoo seems to be in the habit of acquiring new Animals with no appropriate place to house them at the time of their arrival, so wondering what's going on isn't far fetched.  The order of construction projects is curious.  The Chimp project is not finished, and they start demolishing the Primate Center for the Madagascar project.  Snow Leopard Expansion area is cleared out and ready.  Now Triple Grotto?  That is four projects.  It seems logical that the Chimp Yard should have been finished first, even more so now that the Orangutans will seemingly need access to it immediately.  The Triple Grotto next, although that still begs the question where will their night quarters then be?  Then, the Snow Leopards (which frankly should have been done before we acquired a breeding pair, knowing within a year any Cubs would be adult size and need more room).  Other needs should then fall into order, including habitats for displaced Monkeys, Condor habitat, Bird Aviaries, Secure Barriers, and THEN the Primate Building should have come down, and THEN Madagascar.

To the nay-sayers who think I don't know what I'm talking about, let's then talk about these facts...

*The Chimps.  Yes for me it always goes back to the Chimps.  Disrespected and back-burnered for decades, left to just sit there year after year in the same old enclosure while new ones popped up around them for newly acquired Animals.  As I said, no one associated with donating funds or fundraising gave a shit about these poor Beings, only donating for their personal shiny new toys.  And again, I'm sorry for regular readers, but to those who say that's not true (because I've heard this repeatedly) they have a new Dayroom and are getting a new Yard.  Yes, that's because I crusaded on their behalf.  Left to the Zoo Director, they's be in Florida or dead, by some peoples opinions.  What they are getting now, is not because of something the Zoo wanted to do for them, its because the Zoo ended up with its back against the wall after my crusade created public outrage. 

*Moving along in order, Squirrel Monkeys.  They came with locked money for a new habitat.  Still haven't gotten it.  In fact a small group are living in a room and have had no outdoor access for at least three years.

*Komodo Dragon.  Promised a new habitat within a year of arrival.  The original "terrarium" was supposed to be temporary.  It became his home for over five years, until he was so big he could barely turn around in it.  Contrary to what the Zoo told people, his health had nothing to do with the original timeline for a proper habitat.

*Condors.  The female who used to live at the Puente, was only supposed to be here temporarily while her home Zoo built her a new habitat. Allegedly some covert change of hands happened and SFZoo became her permanent home, and her previous home Zoo was shit out of luck for a Condor when it was ready to open its new exhibit.  SF was sent a male to breed with her, even though there was no proper habitat for them.  She moved off exhibit to be introduced.  Over two years later, they have still never been in with eachother. They are still off exhibit, as the habitat that is still assumed for them on the east side of the Tropical Aviary, has still not been built.  What's taking so long?

*Fossa.  These poor Animals make me want to cry.  When they arrived almost three years ago, everyone's thought was, Why (at this time)?  There was no place for them.  Rumor was they would be built a habitat in the Primate Center, right away, but after almost two years of them living in quarantine and off exhibit caging, they still had nothing in the works.  The area where their habitat was supposed to be, THEN became the Madagascar project.  So, they must now wait til that's done. So, five years after arriving they may finally get a home.  Again, we all ask, Why? What was the rush in acquiring them before having a home for them?  They are fine now, they finally got moved to the FCC (Feline Conservation Center) with the other Animals without homes. They should have went there directly after quarantine. The short string cages they were in for near a year were awful.  Those cages and the Squirrel Monkeys in the room, are heartbreaking.

So yea, I think I've illustrated why bringing Orangutans, or any other Animals to the Zoo at this time is just not right.

I can only think of two scenarios, either they are going to just dump this poor guy and his intended missus into Triple Grotto as is, or leave him/them languish in quarantine til they do upgrades, if that is even in the plan.  Unfortunately that seems like the only logical and logistical scenarios.  If there were housing for them in the Pachy Building (which I have never heard there was), I could see them doing this and then when new Yard is done, rotate with Chimps in Dayroom, while Triple Grotto gets renovation, but they still need someplace to sleep, unless they use Triple Grotto night house or Dayroom, but using Triple Grotto night quarters would seem to mean those bedrooms never get upgraded?  I don't know, just going through possibilities that could work best for these new Residents, as it seems like things aren't going to be optimum for them.  At least not for some time.  I hope I'm wrong.

It is apparent by the info put forth by the Erie Zoo, that it is time for Ollie to find a new home, where he can mature naturally and eventually start his own Family.  BUT they have also noted in a comment, that this "time", could be within the next year.  SO, I must ask, What is the rush?  Why is he being moved out of his current home, right now?  To a place that has no appropriate housing for him?  Maybe I'm missing something, but I doubt it.  It seems someone, the AZA/SSP?, our SFZoo Director?, someone is rushing this, and for what reason I can't figure.  A move right now is NOT in the best interest of this Animal.  Shame on whoever has had a voice in Ollie's transfer at this time.  Its wrong.  His move should wait at the very least until the new Yard is done and new bedrooms built at Triple Grotto.

This is posted on the Erie Zoo Website in regards to Ollie's move.  It makes me sad.  They are under the delusion that there is a wonderful new habitat here waiting for him.  There currently is not. Yes he will have access to the Dayroom.  This can't happen until the new Yard is done, otherwise Chimps will be in lock-down in bedrooms.  Yes he will have access to the new Yard. Who knows when that will be done.  So, right now,  unless the Zoo works some magic quick, there is no other thought I can have than to assume he will be living and sleeping in old Triple Grotto as is. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*