What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt Two - Detailing All The Construction

Note this post is part two.  This is a trilogy and links to part one and three will be included at the end of this post.

There are currently many areas under some sort of construction.  As I've worked on this post, I've had friends who are Members ask me "What's going on...?"   So, at least I know there is some interest past my documentation and personal comments.   It would be a post no matter, but it's good to be able to share whatever I know about stuff.  It would be even better if the Zoo was more forth-coming with what's going on, so it doesn't leave people wondering, especially Members.

>Bird Row

A couple weeks after that downer day I mentioned before, I visited again.  I arrived at what I call, Bird Row (across from Orangutans), to see all the caging being dismantled. I immediately thought, the outdated enclosures were probably noted as a fix by the AZA inspection team.  I don't know that for sure, but it seems coincidental in timing, and the Zoo has never wanted to fix this Need on their own.  Oddly, for some reason I thought the caging was the only thing being replaced.  On my next visit a few weeks later, the night quarters in each of the four? enclosures were being demolished.  That area was soon leveled.  While I assumed installing aviary style enclosures for the Birds would be the obvious plan, no one I asked seemed to know what the plan was for the area.  Unfortunately two of my favorites, Hercules the Great Hornbill and Quetzal the Spectacled Owl are now off exhibit and who knows when or if they'll ever be in public view again.   Would be nice to have a heads-up when Animals are taken off exhibit.  Hercules has been my first stop and "Hello" of my visit for over ten years, and Quetzal who had been moved from the Children's Zoo about a year ago, was just getting comfortable in his new area, only to now be moved again.  If this area had been rebuilt years ago, only one move would have been necessary for him.  

My issue now is that this demolition, has been done at a time when there has been so much construction and chaos to the landscape of the Zoo, and now that its leveled, rumor has it there are no immediate plans for a rebuild.  As I said, I have thought that this may have been dictated as an accreditation fix, but with no rebuild plans, as long as it didn't house Animals, demolition could have waited.

I think my main issue is as I mentioned above, this could have been done years ago, as it is not a new Need.  If the Zoo had been better managed over the last fourteen years, funds could have been raised to do this along time ago, and it would have been because it was Needed, not because it was something they were seemingly forced to do.  Again, the Zoo's priorities of Wants over Needs, together with their lack of fundraising, are both key factors in why this and other Needs are not done in a timely manner, and directly related to the continued downward spiral of the Zoo. 

> The Carousel, Giraffe Barn, and California Conservation Corner

The Carousel closed soon after the AZA accreditation inspection as well.  So again I assume there was a fix issue.  Allegedly there are some wood rot issues.  It remains closed at this time, while work being done is active.

As well, another post AZA inspection project was the work being done on the Giraffe Barn roof.  Allegedly wood rot there too.  Work lasted a few weeks and is done.

It was just all too much at one time.  I get, getting stuff done, but again, if things had been done in a better managed way, all this disarray at the same time and over the last few years, with paths closed off, exhibits closed, animals gone, could jave been avoided.  It just doesn't make for a good showing to visitors, which has to affect attracting members.

Roof work was done to the California Conservation Corner as well.  Now complete.

> Train Tunnel

When I first saw the work being done at the Train Tunnel, it seemed to be another roof issue.  As the weeks have gone on its developed into a build project.  There was a dumpster outside labeled Asbestos, so obviously there was some removal as well as repairs.  Then came the extention to the roof, and the wall to enclose it.  No idea why that was done, but assume the roof situation was AZA related, or just something they knew needed to be done and never did.

> Hippo Enclosure

And then there's the Hippo enclosure shit-show.   This is possibly the worst thing going on there right now.  I can't even with the craziness of this, but obviously I have to.   So, I'm dedicating a whole post to just this.  

See my next post, What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt Three - Pygmy Hippo Edition

A couple weeks ago this would have been the end of this post, but now there is more under construction at the Zoo.  On a good note, these are two builds I feel good about, and one I'm hopeful for. 

> New Home for Spectacled Owl

There has been a unused space in the Puente exhibit for several years.  It is finally being renovated as the new home for Quetzal the Spectacled Owl!  So glad he will be back in view.  It looks great.  I hope there will be a shaded area added as he seems to like having that comfort zone.  

I wish they would have done this when they first decided to move him from the Children's Zoo, then he wouldn't have had to move a third time (from CZ to Bird Row to FCC to Puente).  The space has been vacant, and his species goes with the geographical theme.  So yea, less disruption to his life would have been ideal.   Can't wait to see how he likes it!  

Now if they can create a place on view for Hercules Hornbill, all his fans will be grateful. 

> Roof on Komodo Yard

The outside yard meant for the Komodo Dragon is now being covered as a rumored space for the Aldabra Tortoises, Ida and Earl.  While I'm kinda bummed that the Komodo will no longer have the option of a fresh air space, I'm glad that possibly consideration for the Tortoises is being taken. 

When the Komodo exhibit was built, I liked that it had an outdoor yard.  Falcor, the first Komodo to live in this exhibit, made use of the yard on several occasions that I saw, and he really liked it.  I have never seen Sally Komodo have access to it.  Allegedly there was some concern for her being able to climb out.  I have been waiting for them to make adjustments, to prevent that so she could get fresh air, but that never happened.  

Like with the Komodos, the weather has to be a certain degree for the Tortoises to be able to go outside.  In our climate, that is probably less time than more.   When the Tortoises first got to the Zoo they were housed in a holding area in Komodo bedrooms, with access to the yard.   I'd say I saw them in the yard a good portion of the time, but the days they couldn't go out, bothered me as the bedroom area couldn't be an appropriate space for all the time dictated by weather.   I was also concerned about the access door as they grew.  When they first got there no one could tell me what the plan was for them.  I assumed they were going to Madagascar but with continued inquiry that thought has still only been semi-confirmed.  

Last Fall the Tortoises moved to the Farm.  I assumed it was related to (not because of!) my concern about the access door size and their growth.  A great outdoor space for them at this size, but again, the bedroom is not a good size for days they would have to be shut-in. 

Note that since this photo was taken, there has been some thick plastic stripping added to the top half of the bedroom door, the length of the bottom half, which allows them to go into the heated bedroom if they want to.  This may be a situation fix for the door to partially stay open at any temperature.  

So, that brings us to their alledged impending move back to the Komodo area.   I'm all for this roofing project, because it will give them a space they can use daily regardless of weather. Although there would still seem to be a door size issue at some point.  So, I do hope they will be eventually moving to Madagascar.  I cover that in my future MAD post.  If that happens, I hope they can figure out a way to climb proof that yard and remove the roof so the Komodo can have a fresh air option.  Maybe a caging cover like at Fishing Cats.

Update: Since this writing, I have visited the Zoo.  I am happy to report the the roof of the yard includes a mesh panel.  Ha!  The Zoo must have been reading my mind!  So it will seemingly insulate the enclosure to some degree, while also providing fresh air.   My only thought is the mesh panel might have been better placed at one end instead of in the middle?  It seems if keeping the enclosure warm is foremost, having that sheltered space be the majority of the space would best achieve that?   As well, it would make more sense to have open air over the area where the pond is (where I'm pointing in the photo)?  While this seems like a curious design, at least its something that will be useful, and not just sitting there unsed for three years.

Update: Cover added to outside viewing window.

Additionally, a curious but necessary addition was being added to the viewing window at Komodo Dragon a few weeks ago.  An over-head shelter was being built.  In several previous posts I have mentioned the need for more covered areas, most recently in one of my Snow Leopard expansion posts.  In  addition to hating the walk-in viewing in that new build, because it cut into the already limited enclosure space, I noted bamboo being used for the over-head, made absolutely no sense, as it would not provide shelter during inclement weather.  At least this new one appeared to have an actual solid roof being installed.  Now they need to put one outside the Chimp window.

Update:  Back panel added to window viewing

I think this is great for one reason, it cuts down on the window glare, which at most times is so bad you can't see in.  My only issue is the eyesore.  A big dark panel is not aesthetically pleasant.  I hope they plan to have a mural painted on it, to flow with the side walls.  At the very least a coordinating color would have been better. ... It can be argued that my drawing skills need work, but there are talents there that could at the very least paint some grass on a blue background that would blend this eyesore into to the exhibit area.

>  The Space between Rhino and Komodo

This space.  Good grief I've been waiting fourteen years for something to happen here.  So much unused space in the Zoo, but this one is right out there and should have been renovated many years ago.  In 2018, I noted my thought that this space could be an expansion for Gauhati (One Horned Rhino).  Another thought I put forth at one point, was to create a universal temporary enclosure, so new acquisitions don't have to live in inappropriate enclosures or be hoarded away out of view.

Well, recently there has been work being done in there.  Too early to tell, but rumor has it, that west wall may come down and Gauhati will indeed get more room!  Crossing my fingers.

Update: 

Since this writing, I have visited the Zoo.  So, this development is a head shaker.  You can see in this photo that the pool in this enclosure has now had the side built-up.  If indeed the plan was to expand Gauhati's space, this makes no sense.   The topical space should be flat, not have an obstacle?   I would have expected that the pool would have been filled in as there is seemingly no need for a second pool.  So, at this point I have no idea what the plan or logic is.

> New VIP Entrance

I know, what?!   So yea, this is happening.  Two garden areas and two arbor structures.  Money being spent on this I don't even understand.  No offence to the team who puts these garden projects together, they always turn out lovely, but again when there are Animal Needs, these Wants should wait.  So much money has gone into the "Garden" part of the Zoo's title, which was allegedly sought out to attain by Director Peterson, that I think she forgets that the Zoo is an Animal Care Facility.  She even had a garden put in front of the Orangutans to distract (I suspect, the AZA) from that prison pit of an enclosure.  Money that could have gone to the Animals themselves.  I know how pricey garden supplies are, these beautifully designed gardens are not inexpensive to create.

I think I've covered everything going on there.  Some might wonder why spotlighting each one of these projects matters.  For me, it matters for several reasons that are connected to what I've been saying for years.  Our Zoo is Mismanaged.  

So, I end this part by reiterating what I started with and something that shouldn't be forgotten.  If our Zoo had a Director and managing Society, who actually cared about the Zoo's Needs before Want's over the last fourteen years,  upkeep and upgrades would have taken place as Needed, not all at once.   If the Director cared about the Zoo and it's Residents, she would have made sure there were fundraising ideas continuously in motion.  Instead, all I've heard for over a decade is staff being told, "There is no money".   Which now begs the question, where did Director Peterson all of a sudden get money for all these fixes?  She has sure never had any for the Orangutans.

Related Posts...

What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt One - Big Cat Grottos ... 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/07/whats-happening-at-to-our-zoo-pt-one.html

What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt Three - Pygmy Hippo Edition ... link tba

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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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What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt One - Big Cat Grottos

I mentioned in a previous post (5.15.22), that as I walked around the Zoo not long ago, I felt drear.  There has been too many things that have built up to that, without naming them, you can go over the post titles on this blog for the past decade plus, to see what's happened to our Zoo under the leadership of Director Tanya Peterson.  Currently, it's the addition of decisions being made with recent projects, that seem to have brought that feeling on.

The draft of this post started with words about mostly current projects, but when I picked it up again and I started to form the post, I ended up adding alot of project history.  I apologize, much is repeated from things I've documented over the years.  I try to make posts well-rounded and stand-alone, so I think it does lend to the overall understanding of the frustration of how things are prioritized there.  Read through a bit of history points or skip ahead to Big Cat Grottos (the catalyst that I witnessed the day of drear), which I'll precede with an arrow > for easy spotting.

I think the project issues started in 2013, when the Zoo acquired the Komodo Dragon.  The build for his enclosure was curious and frustrating, because if it's size.  He was not huge at the time of his arrival, so the space (noted as temporary), would have been ok, IF the Zoo had followed though with it's "promise" to build him an appropriate size enclosure within a year and a half of his arrival.  An enclosure that would accommodate the size he would soon start growing into.  Essentially, the build should have started at the same time he arrived.  Instead all design plans were allegedly veto'd by Director Peterson, and that poor Soul lived in that awful terrarium for over five years.  He got so big he couldn't fit in his night quarters, and sadly ended up with a health issue, that the Zoo blamed on genetics, but there are other more likely causes.  He was a favorite of mine and his life at the Zoo was heartbreaking.  I wrote so many times about his plight at SFZoo.  For more information, you can search this blog for those posts using his real name, "Falcor".  

As I write about Falcor, I remember my friend Wishbone the Andean Bear.  He and his mate Annie lived at the Zoo over twenty years.  Almost all those years were exclusively on concrete. After Annie passed away, I embarked on my first crusade to help a Zoo Friend. I started a dedicated blog, made a Petition, and wrote letters to Board Members.  I tired everything I could think of for Project Get Wishbone Grass to succeed.  I felt the least the Zoo could do was add a small patch of grass to his home.  A soft place for him to sit and lay.  Shamefully, at no time did anyone want to help him.  Choosing to move forward with other projects and ignore his physical needs.  I guess breaking-up some areas of concrete and putting some sod in was too much to ask to make a Bear that had given his life to the Zoo, more comfortable in his senior years.  Sadly, like Annie before him, Wishbone passed away because he eventually couldn't walk.  His mind was all there, but his legs wouldn't work for him.  A Keeper told me that the Zoo had known for years his bones were breaking down from walking on concrete.  So, they just didn't care.  They could have helped him, and they chose not to.  He died before he had to.  I suspect the same for his Annie.

The Chimpanzees had waited over twenty years to get a new enclosure.  In 1997, City taxpayers voted on a bond, which actually featured the Chimps on campaign posters.  The Zoo was awarded $48 million, which had the money designated for a Great Ape Forest, among other upgrades.  The Chimps never saw that money and the Orangutans were shipped out.  In 2015, Director Peterson chose to kick-out our three remaining senior Chimpanzees, rather than fundraise for a new home for them.  I foiled that plan, the Chimps stayed and eventually got two new enclosures.   

I need to throw shame to not only Director Peterson, but each Director since 1997, the Members of the Zoological Society, and the Rec and Park Dept.  Not one of those entities aka faux "management" groups, did anything to provide the Chimpanzees with an upgraded home.  They continued to live in an enclosure that was built in the 1960s, until 2018.  The three seniors had lived in that same enclosure, with eventual rusted structures and lead paint peeling off their night quarter building, for forty-eight years.

In 2015, when Director Peterson was forced by public pressure to keep the Chimpanzees and do right by them, but she didn't do it right away.   Not long after, she grabbed a check from a donor, back-burnered the Chimps, and went ahead with the donor Want of building a new area for Sifakas, an Animal that didn't even live at the Zoo.  So the Chimps sat and waited.  In my opinion, I think Director Peterson was also waiting.  Waiting for the Chimps number to go from three to two, so the AZA/SSP would move them because their group number had reduced even further below their recommended size.  Not having the Chimps there meant she could then bring in Orangutans, which was allegedly her reason for wanting the Chimps gone.   Construction on the Chimps new spaces finally got started two+ years later in 2017, but not before the Flamingos got an unnecessary upgrade to their enclosure. 

The acquisition of Orangutans came soon after the Chimps moved from the 60s Triple Grotto, to their new enclosures.  They arrived in 2019, and there was no dedicated enclosure for them. Director Peterson cried poor and the Orangutans only outside access was in the Sky-Trails, which were built to provide access between the Chimps new enclosures, and Triple Grotto, creating several new spaces for both species to rotate into.  That never happened.  Based on what has happened, my opinion is that was all a lie to sell an illusion to acquire Orangutans.  They came here and lived in those caged tubes for eight months.  Still crying poor near two years later, the renovations to Triple Grotto, ended up being a disturbing mess, with not one thing done FOR the Orangutans.  

In 2019, money seemingly fell from the sky, as no one apparently knows how the Snow Leopard project got funded.  In my opinion, it doesn't even matter.  Funds were secured for Snow Leopards, while nothing continued to happen for Orangutans, and that's wrong.  So a brand new enclosure, rumored to be part of a multi-phase project, was started, before anything was done at Triple Grotto.  Unfortunately, Triple Grotto will never be all that it can be (or was intended to be), until the Zoo has a Director who cares about these Beings. It's upsetting that the Orangutans will probably breed before that happens.  Triple Grotto is a sad place for a babie Great Ape.

Wishbone and Annie.  Falcor.  Cobby, Minnie, Maggie, and Tallulah (our Chimpanzees).  Ollie and Amoi (our Orangutans).  I ask Director Tanya Peterson, Why?  

In 2018, the Madagascar debacle got underway.   When I first heard about it, I was sickened.  Everything about that project confirmed so many things that are wrong with how our Zoo is managed.  My MAD post, as I call it, has gone through many drafts, adding more as time passes.  I was all about writing it back in 2018, but here it is four years later and still haven't put all my notes together to finish it.   At first it was just too upsetting.  Then it just became a whole thing and seemed too overwhelming to tackle.  It's coming, but I'm fast tracking a part of the build plans to be included in part three of this post.

That was then, this is now. 

> Big Cat Grottos 

So yeah, my visit almost two months ago now, started with getting a look at what was going on at Cats, but seemed to upset me further by the ticker tape of previous builds.  Still disgusted by what happened with Orangutans, then how the Snow Leopard enclosure was designed (so little space) and the phases planned out, and more recently, the filling in of the Sea Lion Pool to build an enclosure for the Condors, when the actual space they were supposed to go in is adjacent.  As well as it not making any sense, more upsetting is them getting rid of a historic fixture at the Zoo and one of, if not the only place locally that could provide a home for Sea Lions in need, in my opinion is a huge fail.  I don't think I'll ever stop being bothered by this.  Maybe there are issues because of age, but for the reasons I stated, it should have just been left as is, until there were funds to do whatever necessary to save it.  Read more in my post 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/01/say-goodbye-to-zoos-historic-sea-lion.html

I was initially bothered at the timing of the Cat yard expansion project.  I'm a fan of giving all the Animals better and more enriching homes,  but I'm more a fan of taking the Animals into consideration.  My main issue with this project starting at that point in time was the sound of the demolition to the concrete wall that was being taken down.  It seemed insensitive to our senior Cats.  There was seemingly no reason to move forward with this, at this time.   There is a long list of needs that could have been taken care of first.

To be fair, I asked about this, and was told, the noise bothered the Bongos more.  I hadn't considered that, as my concern was for the seniors, but I didn't like hearing that either.  Would have been ideal for the two unused spaces by Bongos to have been cleaned-up if possible so they could have temporarily used that space and not the one directly across the path from construction. 

Anyway, as I said, in my opinion there are other needs that could have been done before this, like Condors.  Those Birds have been waiting over six years for an enclosure.

So, my thoughts on the Cat yard expansion.   I heard about this plan early last year, but I didn't think it would materialize this soon.  It was accompanied by the dream of grandeur of building an additional Big Cat enclosure across the path from Grotto A in the space currently housing the Bongos.  That the dream may still be part of their plan, although realistically it seems unattainable, as it would require an enclosed build and new night quarters.  A costly venture, not to mention an eyesore for that area.  That said, we must remember while our Zoo cries poor for some things, they have also proven that they find money for Wants, while Needs continue to be ignored.

So, let's just think about the existing space.  So far, they have only taken down the finger wall between Grotto A and B.  

I don't know what their plan is, but in my opinion, that should be it.  Creating the one double space (A/B) than can be used to rotate Cats into, while maintaining two single spaces (C and D),  seems like the logical way to go.   My logic is that we currently only have Lions.  I don't know what the future acquisition species would be, but considering the Zoo would probably want to house at least one Tiger species, they may need two enclosures if they ever wanted to breed Tigers again.  My guess is that is not a future plan as they had a breeding pair that they were afraid to introduce, so they were sent to another Zoo.  I personally don't think we need to breed Tigers.  I think the SSP over breeds them anyway.  What I do know is this is what I would do. ...

Over the past couple years Oakland Zoo has cared for several rescued Mountain Lions that have been non-releasable.  These Cats have been placed in other Zoos.  Zoos and Sanctuaries are the only places these Cats can go.  It seems to be likely there could unfortunately be an amount of them that could eventually exhaust forever home options.  When they sent the last three to Columbus Zoo, I thought SFZoo should plan to eventually provide a home for Mountain Lions in the future. Not only are homes needed, its a good deed and a great way to promote awareness for the plight of these Cats who are being displaced by human encroachment and conflict, and it's happening in our own backyard.  This all said, the Oakland Zoo currently has two Cubs they will soon be looking for a home for.  I would try to provide a home for them.

Regarding Tigers.  Again I will mention Oakland Zoo, as they were in the news just last week, for giving a home to two Tigers rescued from a Roadside Zoo situation.  I would look to a rescue situation like this, which could be one, or two already bonded companions, of non-breeding Tiger (s).

That would fill our three Cat spaces.   Cats sleep most of the day, so again having just one expanded double wide space is enough.  Unless, we forgo both breeding and a third species, then two double wide is fine, but it's limiting and doesn't provide for rescuing two species in need.  

Update 6.23.22

Since this writing, I have visited the Zoo and unfortunately, another finger wall is coming down and the Zoo will be left with only two Cat Yards.  I'm bummed this was done, for the reason stated above.  I also wish I had got this post out in time to maybe knock some sense into the Zoo's thought process about this. ... I also witnessed two things.  Our young male Lion, is the one not happy about the noise.  During the six times in as many hours (as I checked for the female's Birthday celebration!) I circled back through the area, the Lions never moved.  The female slept the whole time, the male cowered on the shelf at the back wall til a half hour after the noise stopped.  He was literally in that spot from morning til after 4p. ... This was their second day in the expanded enclosure, and they stayed in the one yard they were used to.

I aspired to post the trilogy all at once, but since I'm still working on part three, and haven't proof-read part two, I gotta just publish each part as it's done.  Done, I thought I was with this one two yrs ago, I mean two hrs ago! (shit it feels like two yrs!... legit typo!) only to find my edits didn't save.  Good grief, these posts are a pain.  Hope they all get published this weekend.

Related Posts...

What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt Two - Detailing All The Construction ... 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/07/whats-happening-at-to-our-zoo-pt-two.html

What's Happening At (To?) Our Zoo - Pt Three - Pygmy Hippo Edition ... link tba

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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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SFZoo Tweet Disrespects The Memory Of A Beloved Resident

For Cici ...

I don't follow or regularly look at the Zoo's Socials, because there is most often something that rubs me the wrong way.  This afternoon, this tweet came through under my San Francisco follow on Twitter.

I was horrified.  Then sad.  Followed by mad and disgusted. I am not alone in my feelings, as other's have reacted to me about this with the same upset. ... Among them, one saying, "Everything about this makes me mad, poor CiCi" and another, "Ugh, that's gross".

The Bird featured is Cici, a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, who passed away in late April.  In his mid-forties, Cici was a beloved member of the Farm Family, for at least thirty years, longer I think.  Using a photo of a passed Zoo Friend is not right.  And the use in this way is extremely disrespectful to Cici's memory and his service to the Zoo.  Who ever wrote this should be ashamed.  As someone who was lucky to know and love him, I am telling you how I feel.  How do you think this makes his Animal Staff Caregivers feel?  Your own co-workers?  

This post was in very poor taste, no pun intended.  Not only for the use of CiCi's photo, but for the use of any Bird Resident, in an advert for Chicken BBQ.  Good Grief have you no empathy or compassion?  Regardless of your own diet or position regarding eating meat, the Residents of the Zoo should not be used in reference to anything meat industry related.   

Like I said, I'm sad and mad.  This is truly heartbreaking and disturbing.   

Bless You Cici, You Are Loved and Missed.  I'm So Sorry My Friend.  You Didn't Deserve This.

Please enjoy this short video of precious Cici I took a few years ago.

https://youtu.be/5YCG7FkU2-A

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

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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Sad News. Columbus Zoo Tiger Dies From Covid

Sadly (for this poor Soul), everyone thinks Covid is over.  The Government has led people to believe that the vaccine is immunity.  They have continued lead communities into the surge yo-yo.  Government has bowed to the self-entitled who boo-hoo about mask fatigue.  They have never been strong in enforcement, and now have reduced even further with the obvious position that they don't care if anyone gets sick or dies, just don't clog the hospitals.  And then there are the masses of asses who never thought Covid was a valid thing, so never followed good hygiene precautions, never wore masks, and rebelled against any requests to adhere to requested protocols.

Masking mandates for inside stores, especially those with food, should have never been removed.  Now we have even more people not only up our asses heavy breathing next us with no mask, but coughing all over without covering their mouth.  The free coughers have multiplied in the wake of mask removal.  No one covers their mouth.  They got used to not having to?  and that has carried over.  Think twice about how to handle your fresh produce people!  Even with masks during the start of pandemic, there was never any respect to distancing by others, you had to just make sure you kept your distance.  Everything was on us to keep ourselves safe.  There was never, as the tagline was touted, "We are in this together".  No, we have always been left to fend for ourselves. 

Unfortunately captive Animals are at the mercy of the establishments they live in and their caregivers. 

Unfortunately Zoo's have decided to follow State and Local Health Department guidelines, not only for visitors but for staff.  I have written much about SFZoo policies in regard to masking during the past two years.  I gave up because they too follow Government guidelines.   I'm not going to change their position, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be vocal that I think this is a big mistake and a negligent one. 

I have thought this since the change over a month ago, it could have been longer.  I may not have written about it, but reading this news I think it's important to document, that safety for those in captive care is still important.  Regardless of what Government guidelines are, protocols for those working with Animals, and for those visiting the enclosures of Covid Vulnerable Species, should not have changed at all.  Government Guidelines are for Humans and the areas they move about in.  That does not include areas where vulnerable species live.   Zoo's can dictate their own safety guidelines.  That is, if they want to.  If they care to keep the non-humans in their care safe.

I have seen a mash-up in regards to safety for vulnerable species at our SFZoo.  There is absolutely NO mask requirement for visitors at enclosure areas.  I have seen Animal Care Staff passing by those areas without a mask as well.  I have seen Keepers wearing a mask when interacting with the Animals, in areas visible to the public.  I do not know what the overall current protocol is, as early in the change, I did hear it was allegedly the Keepers choice.   That all said, I was very disappointed to learn Keepers who have been potentially exposed to Covid have been allowed to come to work.

In addition to masking flexibility, there should also be a concern for hygiene protocol.  While Keeper's (not specifically SFZoo) personal hygiene protocol may be lax, it can not be when touching food or other items used by the Animals.   All the captive Animals who have lost their lives to Covid, contracted it from somewhere.  All reports noted that Keepers follow safety protocol.  Again, they got it from somewhere.  There was and still is a factor that is causing infection. Whether that is lack of extreme hygiene protocol, lack of mask wearing by care staff, or by public, Covid is not over.  Animals can not wear masks.  Zoo's need to take every precaution to prevent innocents from losing their lives.  

Someone I shared the news of this loss with, put it simply...

"Very sad and preventable".

RIP Jupiter, Bless Your Soul.   I'm sorry.

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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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And Furthermore... Another Reponse From Rec And Park

Well, all I can say is Thank You Mother Nature.   She cried some tears onto the Bison Paddock the last few mornings.  Hopefully it will see some new sprouts this coming week.

I got a follow-up reply to my last response to the Rec and Park's nonsense that the Zoo is responsible for the enclosure.  I'm sorry, I know it sounds bitchy, but if a PR department is going to make a statement in regards to department policy, they need to get their facts straight before doing so.  I have zero patience for incompetence at most  levels, but especially at that level or any other when dealing with Animal issues.

Here is the most recent exchange, and possibly the last.  I think I'm done for now.  Gotta move on.

Their response to my last reply...

Again the Rec and Park have worded their statement to make it seem like this is on the Zoo.  It is not.  

My reply...

At this point, I feel that I have done all I can do to bring public awareness to this issue.  I have written about this issue, I have contacted all the appropriate entities in the Rec and Park and City, and I have made a Petition.  It is now up to the Zoo to make sure the Rec and Park hold up their part of the agreement.  Let's see if RecParkSF Manager Phil Ginsburg and RecParkSF Commission President Mark Buell can manage to do that.

I do not for one moment believe that this "irrigation" issue is new.  This is a long standing issue.  The Paddock has been left to dry out the majority of the last many years, with exception of those few months during the 150th celebration for the Park.  

Here is a video I took in October 2021

https://youtu.be/QCYKAn18Bhc

As I noted in my previous post, the sprinklers in the back meadow are working just fine.  So, Why haven't they been on daily to reinvigorate that dried vegetation?  The Bison are rotated to that meadow, so that meadow needs attention as well.  If there is an issue with "irrigation" in the front meadow, then that back meadow should have been consistently maintained with green vegetation, so the Bison had something to graze on while the "irrigation" in the front meadow is fixed.  The negligence is clear.  The ass-covering is clear.  

The Rec and Park need to fix the current issues, and stay on top of any future issues.  Not wait months, or even years to show it attention.  And not wait for the Zoo to call attention to it.  They have Gardeners who should be attending to both meadows in the Paddock at the first sign of dry-out.  

At this moment in time, those sprinklers, front and back need to be on daily to rectify this dry-out until green is restored.  Additionally, with the climate warming more each year, moving forward, the "timer" system needs to be adjusted to reflect that hydration need.

When I drove by Thursday morning, I saw a gardener going into the Paddock.  I don't know how long the Zoo has been in talks with the Rec and Park about this, but the timing of my efforts and this now being given attention is curious.  The question on my mind is, How long has the Zoo been asking the Rec and Park about the no watering issue?   The Paddock has been consistently dry for over a year.  Has the Rec and Park been questioned for that long?  They have certainly been ignoring the Bison Paddock needs, have they also been ignoring requests to fix this issue?

Bottom line.  The San Francisco Recreation and Park Dept, needs to pay attention to the Bison Paddock as much as they do the rest of the Park.  They already shirk their "management" responsibility to the Zoo (which I'll detail in a future post), as if it is not part of their Department.  The Bison are actually IN the Park.  The neglect to the Bison Paddock has not drawn the attention of just myself, everyone has seen the dry-out for years.   It is Shameful.

Original Post (contains link follow-up posts and to Petition)...

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/06/petition-to-rec-and-park-city-of-san.html