In my last post, the narrative was my feelings about the lack of recognition to the Animal Residents that pass away. The inconsistency of degree or even complete lack of, I find disrespectful and it hurts my soul.
This post is about Animal transfers, and the ocassions when Animals are taken off exhibit, and the lack of awareness given to those who are endeared to those Animals.
I do not remember a time over the last thirteen years, when an Animal has been transfered out, that the Zoo has alerted the public before it happened. Or after for that matter. The upcoming departure of Tucker the Hippo is a first. Why that is, I don't know. This is for all the others past and future, that will disappear without anyone knowing.
Over the years, luckily for the most part I have gotten a heads-up on Animals leaving. The times when I didn't left me feeling sad and at a loss. The first time I can remember was when Snow Leopard Rigel, who I was endeared to, moved off exhibit to the closed former FCC area. He lived there a couple years, until his passing. I never saw him again. Snow Leopard Niya, and Andean Condor Claudia, both moved to FCC without warning as well. I have a post to finish about them, as well the others moved to FCC. The point is, notice could have been given to the public that these Zoo Friends would be moving off exhibit.
As well, notice can be given when there is a planned transfer of an Animal to another Zoo. These transfers are not made last minute, so there is plenty of time for fans to visit these Animals that they have come to care about. I mentioned notice being given regarding Tucker's upcoming departure. If I had finished this post even a few weeks ago, the Zoo would still have not yet made a public announcement, even though they have known about it for two years. That said, when both Tucker and Ollie the Orangutan left their previous homes, Topeka and Erie respectively, those Zoo's well publicized their upcoming departures, and from the comments I read on their Facebook posts, fans of these Friends were happy to have been able to see them one last time.
Not being transparent about transfers, really says the Zoo doesn't care about the people who visit who are endeared to the Animals. Unfortunately it is no surprise, as our Zoo has never cared about creating a community among members and visitors, something I suggested twelve years ago to the Director, as a much needed tool to thriving.
In more recent times, the one transfer I didn't know about was for one of my besties, Black Swan Sydney. I had a conection with her, and she would always come over and talk to me when I greeted her. One day soon after the Zoo re-opened after its second shutdown, I went to the Puente and didn't see her. Or her sign. My heart sank. I thought she had passed away. I cried and spoke to her Spirit, as I do with all the Friends that pass. I was so sad that she was gone, and that I had found out like that. When I had a chance to ask someone, I thankfully learned that she had been transferred to another Zoo. Still sad that I won't see her again, but thankful she is alive. A sign at her home saying she had moved to a new home at Alexandria Zoo would have been a simple, respectful and courteous thing to do.
Gorilla Hasani moved to the Los Angeles Zoo in the fall of 2019. Born at SFZoo in 2008, Hasani had many fans who had followed his early life, through being raised by surrogate, to his first time on exhibit. The Zoo didn't say a word publicly that he was moving, until after he was gone. Thankfully I knew, and had a great visit with him a few days before, and was also able to alert Members I knew who love him, so they could see him before he left.
A couple months ago, a transfer that had been in the works for at least the eight months I have known about it, took place. Again without warning. Our Sumatran Tigers, Jillian and Teddy, were transferred to San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Jillian an instant fan favorite when she was born here in 2013. She was sent to Sacramento Zoo without warning in 2017. She didn't do well there and was brought back a year later. Genetically valuable, she got a breeding recommendation with highly valuable Teddy owned by SDZoo. He came here in 2019. SF failed to even introduce them, so allegedly San Diego recalled Teddy and because of the breeding recommendation, took Jillian with him. It's a bummer, that we weren't able to see Cubs born here again, but I'm actually ok with this move, like with Tucker I think their lives will be enriched in their new homes. The point of all this is, these Animals have fans, and like with all the rest, they show up to visit one day and find them gone.
Possibly the biggest shock to fans, would have been showing up one day back in 2015 to see Triple Grotto empty and our three senior Chimpanzees gone, after almost fifty years of living there. That could have very well happened if Director Peterson had got her way, and snuck them out in the dead of the night as the saying goes, which is what would have happened, because allegedly not many, including some Staff and Zoological Society Members even knew about it. As well, it was never brought up at any Joint Zoo Meetings, so that panel, which includes the Rec and Park Commission, probably had no clue either. Thankfully two Staff Members alerted me in time, and my efforts to stop that move were successful.
For those who have visited recently, and seen the home of our sweet little senior Squirrel Monkey Atlas empty, rest assured, he is fine! He was recently moved to Squirrel Monkey Haven, where he will be able to meet some new same species Friends! Sure do miss this precious little guy! Here's a clip of him having some Yums!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTUZ3-pK_k
So yeah, there you have it. Another fail. In my opinion, the Zoo needs to be more empathetic to those who love the Residents and let people know they are leaving and where they are going so they can follow them in their new homes.
Previous/Related Post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/08/acknowledging-eight-zoo-friends-who.html
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