SFZoo Slated For January Accreditation Inspection By AZA

I have written about what I consider fails by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Species Survival Plan before.  I also had started another post about it since.  I abandoned that when I narrowed down the posts I felt contained more important stuff to document.  My disgust for so many things that the AZA/SSP have done over the past decade plus that I have been monitoring the Zoo, came to a head when they allowed San Francisco Zoo to acquire Orangutans.  For those who haven't been following along, two Orangutans were sent to SFZoo without there being a dedicated outdoor space for them.  The AZA/SSP knowingly let them be a victim to a cruel and severe Animal Welfare situation.  A situation that two and a half years later, is in my opinion, still not appropriately resolved.

The reason I've chosen to write about it now is because San Francisco Zoo has their AZA Accreditation inspection in January.  There have been several Zoo's in the past month or so that have also been up for renewal, and did not get re-accredited.   Columbus Zoo was the first one, and it shocked me.  I started writing about it, but than decided to wait to post until the week of SFZoo's inspection.  Now, more Zoo's have not passed inspection, and something curious has happened at SFZoo that I think I'd like to include, before the subject matter snowballs any further.

Without rehashing all the fails at SFZoo, there are two things I want to note in relation to some of the Zoo's who did not get accreditation renewed.  

In a previous blog post, I referenced the Santa Ana Zoo failing to get re-accredited in 2017.  Here is a screencap from that.  For further reading, you can search this blog for "Santa Ana Zoo" and "Squirrel Monkeys".

That reasoning, by the AZA is similar to the reasoning repeated in news articles for a couple Zoos who recently lost their accreditation.  I have no further knowledge of the state of enclosures the inspection team took issue with, I only take note because of the enclosure our Orangutans are living in. 

Again for those not following along, our Orangutans, have only been given a dedicated outdoor space a few months ago.  This is the space that was "renovated" for them.  Not one thing was done for the Orangutans.  This enclosure is a small island built in the mid 60s.  The structure was built in the 80s.  The addition of more concrete and the metal bridge was put there in 2021 to provide access for Keepers, in lieu of filling the moat and adding containment netting, something that would have negated the need for more concrete and metal, plus it would have upgraded size with more topical space.

For more on the Orangutan situation, search this blog for "Orangutans" or "Triple Grotto".

These words by the AZA are heavily repeated in all news articles and on their website, in regard to Accreditation.

Based solely on the Orangutan enclosure, it will be very interesting to see what the AZA has to say about the SFZoo Orangutan enclosure. In my opinion, it does not appear to be "modern" in any way.  

The Columbus Zoo was denied accreditation based on misappropriation of funds by previous management.  This of course made me think of the $250,000 that was donated specifically for the Squirrel Monkeys to have a new enclosure built for them after their arrival at SFZoo in 2013. I've asked over the years what happened to that money and no one can tell me.  Additionally, some of those poor Beings, who came to SFZoo from a Stanford University research facility, ended up living in a concrete room with no outside access for over four years.  That certainly is not in line with "modern" standards.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/squirrel-monkeys-havent-been-outside-in.html

Chahinkapa Zoo, which I had never heard of, had an interesting situation.  Part of why they were denied was because they have a lone senior male Orangutan and AZA said he should not be alone.  This sparked so many questions for me, mostly ones I've already asked here in this blog, but also about exactly what the relationship is between the AZA and the SSP. 

I have written about Animals I thought had been or could have been jerked around by the AZA/SSP, as well curiosities about why they allowed Animals to come here with no dedicated space (not just Orangutans).  After our Hippo left, and his departure shined a light one that fact that Hippos live in large social groups, I have wondered Why? they allowed him to remain in SF alone for ten years.  It made me think of Ndume Gorilla who I wrote about extensively a few years ago.  The AZA/SSP/Cincinnati Zoo all left him to live alone for twenty-seven years, at the NON-Accredited facility The Gorilla Foundation.  

In addition to the SFZoo Orangutan situation, which I find to be the current core example of all that is wrong at the Zoo, all these circumstances led me to think the AZA is not the leader they claim to be.   Now, with the AZA failing Chahinkapa, I had to wonder if I even really knew how the AZA and SSP worked.  My understanding was that the SSP was a part of the AZA.  So how is it that the AZA can ding a Zoo for housing a lone Orangutan, when the SSP controls who goes where?  Surely the SSP knew that this Orangutan should have a companion.  Were there no non-breeding females available to introduce him to at some point over the years?  Chahinkapa Zoo posted this, which even furthered my curiosity about the AZA and SSP.

I asked around and evidentially they are not part of the same organization?, which the above letter seems to reflect.  Yet, this from the AZA website, either confuses things or I'm missing something.

The Salisbury Zoo, had "no Vet on staff" listed as one of their reasons for not getting accreditation renewed last year.  San Francisco Zoo had no Vet on staff for two months in 2017.  They had per diem Vets scheduled most days, but from what I was told the issue with not having a Vet on staff is, if a medication was needed that was not something regular that was kept on premises, those non-staff Vets could not write prescriptions.   So, we are damn lucky that no Animal was in dire need of medicine during that time.  

And talking about going without, what about when the SFZoo Lion House didn't have heat for six months?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/heater-in-lion-house-out-for-six-months.html

So many disturbing offences happen, and what, because it's an off year for inspection, there's no consequences?  AZA inspection is every five years.  In my opinion that's a very long time for there to be no checking in with facilities.  There is supposed to be a USDA inspection every year, who knows.  All I know is what I see and I see bad stuff too often.  If the AZA is the "gold standard" they claim to be, they need to do a damn better job at monitoring on so many levels than they do.  Annual inspections should be a must.  ON site could be every five years, but there should be updated paperwork and virtual tours annually.  Otherwise all kinds of wrong continues, and Zoos like SF seemingly do things as accreditation approaches, only to appease the inspectors.

The last thing I want to note is something I find very curious timing.  Actually suspicious.  Last year the SFZoo's former VP of Animal Care David Bocian was brought back specifically to handle the accreditation process, including filing paperwork, and getting the Zoo ready for inspection.  With the exit of the Deputy Director in early summer, Bocian was named Deputy Director.  He resigned after holding that position only a few months, and many months before the Accreditation inspection.  Why would somebody give up a promotion with hefty pay, and even more curious, before they follow through with the job they were hired to do?  I had to wonder if he was jumping ship for some reason?  Did he have a premonition?  Time will tell.  His exit directly leaves Director Tanya Peterson holding the bag if SFZoo fails their accreditation inspection.  With all the wrongs over the years and specifically in regard to the Orangutans, it would be rightfully so. 

It's gonna be a very interesting next couple months at our San Francisco Zoo.

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"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:

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Zoo Farm Re-Opening ... Curious Timing

I wrote this post last weekend and never got to proof-reading it, or posting it.  

As I previously mentioned I have a post about fundraising, rather the serious lack of, almost done and wanted it posted next.  Over the past few weeks there have been some surprising developements in other facilities with their AZA Accreditation status.  I planned to post about that and relation to our San Francisco Zoo's upcoming inspection, when it came closer to that time, which would hopefully be after I finished the three remaining posts in draft.  Now that's also being moved up.  In fact it was next, til yesterday (Nov 19), when the Zoo's email Newsletter came through.  

I swear, when I think I can try and catch up, it just never happens.  Unfortunately, there will always be something.  

So, the Farm.  For several reasons, I'm disappointed by this.  It's a very curious time to be Re-Opening.  In my opinion it's irresponsible and risky.  Foremost, there still a Pandemic going on.  The last thing that should be happening, is random people being hands-on with the Animals.  Seems like a no-brainer to me, but then so many decisions made there are head-shakers.

During the past thirteen years, a majority of my time at the Zoo has been spent at the Family Farm.  Many of my most memorable Zoo experiences, have been the friendships I developed with the Farm Friends.  When Covid hit and the Farm closed, I missed having that face to face and hands-on contact with them.   I still feel that loss not being close to those still there, and even a greater loss with so many that have passed away in the twenty months its been closed.  

Like everyone else who loves the Farm, I would love to get back in there and be up-close to the friends, but for several reasons, when it closed I felt it was better for the Animals and hoped it remained that way permanently.

The contact yard has never had enough staff monitoring the amount of people that are in there at a given time, especially on weekends and other notable busy days. Over the years I have seen some serious Animal endangerment behavior from the public, as well as cruelty.  I was never comfortable with the set-up there.

With the yard closed, the Animals have more much needed space.  Animals that were previously locked into small areas, are out roaming the yard.  Unfortunately there is still work to be done, one is rotating Slider the Cow.  He is not out and visible as much as he could be.  As much as he had been in his early years at the Zoo.  As much as he should still be.

I had hoped these factors would have prompted an alteration to how it was, creating a better situation for the Animals.  Either severely limiting the amount of visitors in the yard at a time, or by bringing any hands-on animals (Goats, plus?) into the corrals that border the path and visitors could touch and feed them there, with a barrier between them.  And, that would be only when the time came that it was safe to do so.  That time is not now, or in the near future.

Time.  That is my main issue right now with this.  I wrote a post October 10, in regard to the female Snow Leopard Baya from the Great Plains Zoo.  She was the first Animal in a Zoo to lose her life to Covid.  Since then, three other Snow Leopards, have sadly passed away due to the virus.

In early November, it was reported that two Hyenas at the Denver Zoo had contracted Covid.  So far I think the captive species that have been infected have been isolated to Big Cats and Apes.  That said, it shows that no one knows what species are vulnerable.  So, why are Zoos taking chances with other species?

Since our Hippo Tucker moved to Cincinnati, I have been following the Facebook Group, Fiona the Hippo.  People from all over post Hippo related experiences, including their Animal Encounters at Cincinnati and other Zoos.  Around the Hippos, no one was masked, not even Keepers!  I found it outrageous and risky.  After several of these, at Cincy, I messaged them and not only expressed my concern, but asked Why this was?  Maybe they could give some insight to understanding what seemed irresponcible.  Instead of replying, the next Hippo Encounter posted from there, everyone had masks on.  

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if random people are masked in the above situation, or in regard to SFZoo Farm mask mandate, it's still risky.  Keepers in all Zoos are allegedly following safety protocols that include mask wearing, yet Zoo Animals are still contracting Covid.  I think there has to be a connection to hygiene protocol, and there is no way to monitor that.

When I researched if any Zoos had Vaccinated their Farm Animals, two came up in my short search.  Once of them was Cincinnati.  Goats were on their list of Vaccinated.  Hippos weren't.  Seeing that at least two Zoos that made the news, had Goats on their Vaccination list, shows that there is validity to my concern about our San Francisco Zoo Farm Animals.  They are not Vaccinated, and even if they were, the Covid Vaccine is not Immunity.

I have been content with no up-close contact, because that meant the Animals were staying safe.  I didn't think there was ever going to be another kissy face op with my precious friend Slider, and I was (and am) ok with that, because he was staying safe.   

Bless all the Animals, I pray they stay safe.

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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

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New This and That - Small Item Notes

I forgot a notation and a few items in my last This and That.  As well, of course there are also a couple new ones.  Looking like this may be a regular feature post.

>I posted this pic at the empty Hippo enclosure.  

This is what I wrote.

What I forgot to comment on was the wording at the bottom, "Please excuse our mess as we remodel this area".  If there are allegedly no funds for the Orangutans to even get a new structure, let alone anything new FOR them, where are funds coming from to remodel this area?  Maybe this is just an empty statement, like the one that was up at the Andean Bear enclosure for over a year before anything was done. 

Fast Forward... Curiously, this week I noticed there were boards up in the enclosure path the leads from the Hippo pool to the bedroom, and sand piles in the back.  So, maybe they are working quicker than in previous times.  If so, why can't they be transparent about what the plan is?  And as stated,  super curious about where the funds then came from. 

Back to what I previously wrote (Oct 10).  Curiously (but not really), the Zoo posted this to their Twitter on Oct 20.

>An item I forgot was about the fence at the WalkAbout.  This has irritated me for near a decade.  Seriously, it has to have been at least seven years, I'd say more since the back of the enclosure got damaged in a storm.  Trees at the back, that boarder the perimeter fence on Sloat, toppled into the enclosure.  The large trunks were chopped up and some removed, but you can still see alot of debris behind the fence that was put up.  The fence is my issue.  I hate a chain link fence IN an animal enclosure.  This was put up as what I thought was temporary with mesh tarping.  Hasn't changed since.  Could no natural fence be put in place? Bamboo or some other wood?  And like I said, you can see the debris behind it.  Why was this never cleared out?  It just looks sloppy.  This used to be one of the nicest enclosures.  Now with only three Animals, and this fence to look at, it's even sadder.

>Tree massacre at Bald Eagle.  This is disgraceful.  Before Sureshot was moved into this enclosure, she lived on the island in the lake next to Grizzly Gulch.  The tree that was her home base, was full branched and provided her shade, shelter and places to hide.  When she was supposed to be moved to this enclosure (former Patas Monkey), her move in day was postponed because there was not enough tree covering for her needs.  So, imagine my irritation when I walked up to see the tree she spends most her time by has been butchered. There is no shade, no shelter and no places to hide.  Who made this call?  Management?  Horticulture?  BIG FAIL!

And they know it was a mistake, because a shade cloth has been added to the area where it was once full branched. 

Tree with full branches

Tree after massacre

Sureshot wondering...

I asked Sureshot what happened to her tree and she answered me!  https://youtu.be/SXk5r6IohYA

>The new paint in Gauhati's enclosure.  Personally, I hate this green paint.  I hated it the first time it was done years ago, and I still hate it.  Aside from hating it, I don't get the choice of color.  Why can't the walls be painted the same beige color as the other side?  Painting the walls that color or another color in the natural pallet of his skin color would solve the biggest of my irks, his body getting green paint all over it when he rubs against the wall. Sure he'd still get paint, but a lighter (so he doesn't blend in with wall) color closer to his natural color would be better.  Maybe I'm just being picky, but that green on him really bothers me, always has.  They could still make it colorful if that's what they were going for, by painting the top part of the walls, above his body line, with tree tops, even painting tree trunks on the lower part, in a skin neutral color.  

>Additional Conservation Signs.  I had this pic when I wrote my last This and That and noted the larger sign at the entrance.  I didn't bother with this one, but now I am because there are two!  Both are at Lemurs.  They are approx 11x17, bigger than any sign that's ever been posted in reference to barrier abuse.  Shameful.  But hey, gotta look good for Accreditation inspection, the hell with someone possibly falling into a code red animal enclosure and getting one of our animals murdered. 

They could have used funds to replace this sign this sign at Big Cats, that has been worn like this for over two years.  Maybe they are going for shabby chic.

>Water Filling Stations.  Using funds to purchase these has been an issue for me for the near three years since I first heard about it. Six months before the Orangutans got here, the Zoo posted to their Social Media a plea for donations to help buy more water filling stations.  There was already one (maybe two).  The cost was either 10 or 15,000 dollars.  Not only outrageous to use funds in this way, but to solicit donations for it?  The Zoo should not be focusing funds on anything but NEEDS.  After the Orangutans got here I questioned the then Deputy Director, who's goal it was to get these fountains.   He could not grasp the logical presentation of facts as to why this was ridiculous. When the Zoo reopened from one of the shutdowns, there was a newly installed watering station.  So, we still had Orangutans living in caged tubes, because as that same person tried to reason to me, 'it takes money',  but we had a watering fountain that upwards of ten thousand dollars was spent on.  Someone help me, because my effing brain hurts.  That money could have paid for netting at Prairie Dogs, Meerkats, and finished at Flamingos, so maybe we could stop witnessing Mallard Ducklings getting eaten by Gulls.

Posts referenced as related to water station issue

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/12/enrichment-and-soliciting-donations-for.html

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/02/oakland-zoo-bans-single-use-plastic-why.html

My next post will be about Fundraising.  Stay tuned. 

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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

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News Flash! ... Gorilla Born At SFZoo Gives Birth At Cleveland Zoo!

Congratulations to our Resident Matriarch Bawang on becoming a Grandma for the second time.  Bawang's Daughter Nneka, who was born at the San Francisco Zoo in 1998, gave birth to her second babie, last Friday!  

Screencap Cleveland Zoo Facebook

Unfortunately, Nneka once again showed no interest in her newborn infant. Another troop female named Freddy (Fredrika) has now assumed the role of the little boy's Mother.

Here is a link to one of the News articles, that also includes a video of the babie and Freddy.

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/11/gorilla-born-for-first-time-ever-at-cleveland-metroparks-zoo.html

I am happy the birth was successful, for both the health of the babie and Nneka, and I am thankful for Freddy, who was available to be a surrogate Mama. 

In 2013, when Nneka gave birth in SF, it was on exhibit.  She had it and then walked away. Thankfully her Mama had been trained to surrogate, when five years earlier, our female Monifa did the same thing.  Both ladies had not been around breeding females, and their first-time experiences were chalked up to just not knowing what to do.  

View an SFZoo visitor video of the birth here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bGIlI1_JMP0

At the time, considering this had happened twice now, I asked if there had been any prepping in hopes for a maternal connection, via some kind of education.  There had not been.  I questioned whether using videos of other Apes, even Humans giving birth would be a good tool?   Response was favorable, saying that was a good idea.  One would also think, watching a surrogate to be education, but I'm wondering if from the Gorilla's perspective, that triggers anything more than, drop it and someone else will come by and pick it up. 

Nneka moved to the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo around three years ago.  She was moved there on a breeding recommendation.  I thought I heard that there were other breeding females, for her to learn from, but I can't be certain I'm not confusing that with our current SFZoo situation.  Our Monifa, who walked away from her newborn in 2008, still has a breeding recommendation.  Before breeding her again, it is my understanding that they want her to experience a birth and care by a biological Mother before that.  Two years ago female Kimani was transferred to SF to be that teacher.  Kimani had seen births and care by other females in her previous troop.  Neither of our ladies has gotten pregnant yet, so it remains to be seen if that will be teachable in Monifa, or Kimani for that matter, as it would be her first-time.

So, I have to wonder, considering this birth at Cleveland Zoo is reportedly the first in 139 years, What, if anything, was done to prepare Nneka to be interested in her babie after giving birth?  ... Likewise, I have to wonder if anything has been done with our females to help them learn what they should do, to avoid possibly needing Bawang to take care of a third babie.

I also am concerned that in the future Cleveland/AZA/SSP,  may still want her genetics represented and they will try to breed her again, regardless of her history.  I hope this will not happen and all parties will take her cue and not put her through a third pregnancy, when she obviously does not want to be a Mom. 

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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

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