I haven't been to the Zoo in almost a month. I also haven't heard of any changes to the Orangutans environment.
I never found the drawings I made, that I referred to in my previous post. I did find some photos of examples of what I was thinking would have been, or still could be, a great option for Middle Grotto.
I also made a new drawing, although the other one I actually input into a photo of the grotto. And, yes, I know I'm no artist! I'm a visionary and fixer!
The Triple Grotto status is as such (for those who haven't followed along)... After the Orangutans being here two years, modifications were made to North Grotto, to facilitate the Keepers being able to access the enclosure island. That is it. There was nothing new done FOR the Orangutans. ... Middle Grotto received the same modification, and also saw half the old structure removed because of deterioration. That is it. ... As of my last visit, the Orangutans still only had access to the North Grotto.
The Keeper Staff did an excellent job at utilizing hose and hammocks on the existing structure in North Grotto. They have always done the best they can with what they have. The point is, this enclosure could have been so much more, if the Zoo Director had a conscience and put some effort into the well-being of these Being's she wanted so badly to bring here. There should have been funds in place years ago, as her plan was hatched before she tried to kick the Chimpanzees out in 2015. The Director surely won't like my words, and will possibly retaliate because of them, but those are the facts she created and there is no other way to describe Ollie and Amoi's situation since coming to the San Francisco Zoo. They had no dedicated outdoor space for two years. Ollie spent eight straight months in the caged tube. The whole situation is disgraceful. AND yes, their names are Ollie and Amoi, not "Berani" and "Judy"!
In that previous post, I noted that I realized long after publishing, that the Orangutan Update before that was incomplete. No idea what happened, but what didn't save was a whole idea I had for Middle Grotto.
The idea was based on tree like structures similar to that image. The grotto islands are not sizable by any means, so as is, obviously can't have too much done. That doesn't mean do nothing, which is what the Zoo has done. Orangutans need vertical space to climb, and stretch. Taking down half a deteriorating structure is lame. The whole thing should have been removed and something new built. Why is it so hard to give these Beings, something new of their own?
Using Stumps and branches from around the Zoo, a nice vertical tree structure could have been built. I posted a photo of a "sling-shot" stump across from the northeast end of the Pachyderm Building that would be a perfect base. If Animal Care Staff thinks its a good idea, there is no reason not to build them something new. I floated the idea to a Keeper and was told it would be good and would work for them, but that the Zoo would say, no money. As stated, using material already there, the only cost would be for hardware to hold it together. I also asked someone in maintenance if it was possible to build something like that and they said yes.
Gardener and Landscape Artist Patricio recently built this. Maybe he and maintenance can build something cool for the Orangutans.
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/08/will-orangutans-languish-in-pit-as-is.html
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It's a disgrace, the disrespect the Orangutans have gotten since their arrival. It's actually abuse. The director should be ashamed but obviously doesn't care. I like your tree idea and Patricio's project. It would be nice if he could create something for them to enjoy. Thank you for your caring.
ReplyDelete@Andie ... Thank you for your comment. As always I apologize for the delay in replying. ... It is Disgraceful and Director Peterson doesn't care. Neither does the AZA or SSP as they sent them here and are well aware of the situation, as I have repeatedly informed them. ... It is abuse. Ollie's mental well-being was damaged by living in a caged tube for eight months. ... Patricio and Lorraine from Maintenance have created some cool stuff and could certainly build something for not much. It's unconscionable what has happened with the Orangutans, and continues to.
DeleteNO surprise all of zoo executives have better offices than the orangutans! All this chatter palm oil, destruction of rain forest means nothing. Heck why is the children's playground better than the ape grotto? Someone tell me why heaven forbit San Francisco Parks n Recreation can't even come up and use downed or cut trees ( HELLO FREE! )? Does this admin running the zoo have any clue? Clearly their results show a warped vision of concern value of they very animals they exhibit. If there was any visionary employed at the zoo, one could possiblely arrange a natural environment with free materials. In course of zoo actions more was said than done!!! And heck, another missed opportunity of not thinking outside vitural concepts of also including the Siamangs with the Orangutans! It's a zoo built for humans not for animals.
ReplyDelete@Junglejim ... Thank you for your comment. As always I apologize for the delay in replying. ... I can answer your question and good one to ask as it lends to many things that go on there. The Playground was funded by a locked donation, which means the donor would only give money for that project. The same has happened with others including the pitiful Madagascar craziness. I have a draft that addresses this ass backward way of being a part of a Zoo Board, yet only giving to wants not needs. ... We have tons of cut trees on the property. There is absolutely NO REASON why something new can't be made for the Orangutans. Although months later they still have not had access to the middle grotto, so even if ther was something new, they wouldnt be able to use it! Everything is whack there. ... Yes! with three grottos, Siamangs could have been included. In one of my early posts I noted that the logical (lol forgot there is no logic there) way to have renovated Triple Grotto was to fill and net south grotto before Orangs were out of quarentine. They could live there until north and middle were done properly , modernized and flowed with two new Chimp spaces to create and actual Great Ape Passage as the illusion has been sold, and what IS appropriate for not only the Animals, but the aesthetics of the Zoo layout. I then heard that allegedly an Animal Care Staffer suggested Siamangs be part of Triple Grotto. So the idea was evidentially put forth, and veto'd. ... Too wrap up, NO this admin sadly has no clue.
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