Zoo Director Tanya Peterson Is No Steward Of Asian Conservation

This was published yesterday in the Zoo's most recent email newsletter, Animail.

Everything that comes out of San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson's mouth makes me furious.  She really has no shame.  How can she talk about Asian Conservation after how she has treated two species in the Zoo's care, the Komodo Dragon and Orangutans, both whose wild habitat is in areas of Southeast Asia.  She has not been a Steward of Asian Conservation.  Our passed first Komodo Dragon and our Orangutans, are proof of that.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a post titled 

"San Francisco - Still Chasing After Pandas - Why It's Irresponsible".  Below is a screencap from it.

I felt bad not to include the full sad and cruel plight of my precious friend Falcor, the Zoo's first Komodo Dragon, in that post, but I thought it was best to focus on the Orangutans as they are still here and in need.  When a friend read the post, they said something about me not talking about the Komodo Dragon, and it made me feel awful. I explained that I mentioned him, but thought I should keep it current, and that it in no way takes away from what happened to Falcor, and certainly not what he meant to me.  I will never forget, or forgive the disrespect and disregard he was given.

Falcor arrived at the Zoo with much fanfare, he was the new shiny toy they had to have.  Still small enough for his temporary home, basically a large terrarium.  Promised a new home within a year, he would wait almost five, as Director Peterson allegedly vetoed all plans presented to her, with her favorite excuse, No Money.  The terrarium went from a lush green environment to a barren dirt pit.  He was living in a box of dirt, with little view of the outside.  He out grew the terrarium, to the point he could no longer fit in his night quarters nor turn around in the glass box.  He developed a small bump on his spine, that was not tended to for six months, when it was over three inches off his body, and he could barely walk.  He eventually had surgery, returning to the cramped space that wasn't even large enough for him to get exercise.  I can't even with the chute they rigged up for him to go outside.  It was a wood box almost the same size as him, that he walked in, sat and was left there, til they turned it around, so he could walk back in.  

It's painful to even think about, let alone even write about in full detail.  That said, I had to read a past post to make sure it was one that covered all the details of his life at the Zoo and Director Peterson's negligence in providing him an appropriate and healthy home.  Re-living it breaks my heart, and makes my stomach sick.  

Please honor Falcor's life and read the full details of what he endured at the SFZoo.  

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/02/komodo-dragon-to-finally-get.html

Tanya Peterson has no empathy or compassion.  She has been so awful to so many Animals at our Zoo.  It's disturbing that someone of her character is in charge or of an Animal Care facility.  Shame on her and the San Francisco Zoological Society for their negligence and ignorance, that has allowed this woman to remain in place for fifteen years.

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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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The Mayor Wants Our "Pandas To Be Happy"

San Francisco Mayor London Breed posted these words and a video of her visiting Giant Pandas on her trip to China last week.  

View the video at the link below

https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1782896048706642019

In the video she says,...

"We want to make sure that the Giant Pandas that come to San Francisco have the best habitat. ... Because we want our Pandas to be really happy."

I have to believe, that Mayor Breed has the best intentions for the care and welfare of the Pandas, I just want her to have the same empathy and compassion for the Animals that already live at our San Francisco Zoo.  I hope she does.

When I heard the words I've quoted above, of course I thought of our Orangutans, and memories of their sad faces, looking out from the caged tubes that were their only home for eight months.  Their "habitat".  I don't think our Orangutans have ever been happy here.  And they still don't have an appropriate, enriching habitat.  

Before bringing Pandas here, our Orangutans need, and should also have, "The Best Habitat".   They should "be Happy".  

Mayor Breed can make that happen.  

As I've said in previous posts, because I know how the San Francisco Zoological Society Board and the SF Recreation and Park Dept, have been negligent in their managing duties, deferring to whatever SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson says and does, I don't know if the Mayor has done the same, or if she has innocently bought the illusions that Peterson sells.  I hope the later and that with this Panda venture, she will see what's going on and help Fix Our Zoo.   

If Mayor Breed wants us to be a World-Class Zoo that can handle having Giant Pandas, then she needs to figure out how the money she raises is also going to help fix the state of things at our desperate Zoo.  

She needs to take a good look at the way Director Peterson has mismanaged the Zoo over the last fifteen years.  The way to do that is to engage with those who can enlighten her, not by further listening to those who have enabled the mismanagement.  

The Chronicle article last Wednesday, noted that the lease agreement had not been renegotiated since 1993.  I've known about this for many years, and I've always thought that was outrageous. As the years ticked on and Peterson has done absolutely no apparent fundraising (Zoofest does not count!) and there's more and more things that need to be done, the Zoo gets deeper under a pile of needs.  Many of those needs, in my opinion need to be taken care of before we get Pandas.  Maybe it seems that's not financially doable.  I say, there's thirty years of cost of living increases that should have been negotiated in the lease agreement.  Figure it out.

Additionally, as I have also mentioned, no way should any funds be used for two enclosures for the Pandas.  Build the permanent one, and the funds that are meant for the temporary one, use them for the Orangutans.

I have read Director Peterson referencing the influx of money the Pandas will bring to the Zoo.  That may be so, but the Orangutans will never see that and shouldn't have to wait any longer.  Influx can help fix all the other Needs, and pay for trucking in all the bamboo that will be needed to feed the Pandas. Hopefully by then the Zoo will have a new Director who will manage the Needs and Funds accordingly, unlike how Peterson has.

So many Needs at our Zoo, but most of all, our current Animal Residents deserve to be Happy too, not just the arriving Pandas.

Screencap from one of my many videos documenting the plight of our Orangutans.  Here Ollie is literally frowning as he watches the Chimpanzees in their yard.

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/YFDiUI_uAP0

Orangutan Enclosure Overview Feb 2024

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=67L2jhcWZGY&t

For anyone interested in more documentation of the Orangutans life at the San Francisco Zoo, here's the link to the search results from my YouTube channel.  

https://m.youtube.com/results?

sp=mAEB&search_query=leo811sf+orangutans

I got the full account from them living exclusively in the caged tubes, to them having access to the Chimp yard, to them being denied yard access, to their pit of a "new" home.  Aside from the joy they got in the yard, and climbing on the netting, it's mostly all been sad.  Keepers give them fun times, but they are still living in a sub-par environment.  

The Orangutans deserve the "best habitat" and want "to be Happy" too! 

Petition link:

San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

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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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Some Petition Comments - Locals Want Current Zoo Residents Taken Care Of First!

*Native SF, please fix our Zoo

*This city is constantly chasing the next big thing. Why can’t we first take care and meet the needs of the existing animals.

*Please add upgrades to the other zoo animals enclosure

*agree entirely, let's get our zoo up to decent standards for all our animals and not just sell out for a panda visit

*There are too many improvements to be made at the zoo. Why has there never been fundraising for those - first??

*I agree that funds are better suited for improvements to permanent environments for long-standing animal residents rather than spending 4 million on a temporary exhibit.

*Quality over quantity; please be good stewards of our resources and reconsider how we spend our money!

*I have to agree with KimF. I too love pandas, but since there have been many stories, about other things that have not been taken care or both animals and people that work there it seems almost criminal to spend 25+million just to bring them here

*I love animals and was very saddened to read of the way the SF Zoo is being mishandled at the behest of the beautiful animals. Going to the Zoo is my way of sharing love and positive energy with these precious creatures. Isn’t the SF Zoo and any Zoo suppose to be a sanctuary for those that can’t be placed back into their natural habitat? Or, if they can, then a temporary place to rehabilitate? Has the SF Zoo turned into one where only the staff cares and management is “for profit”? Priorities need to be reset!!! Animals first. Listen to those that actually care for the animals!! PLEASE!!!

*Our San Francisco Zoo is in Desperate Need of Change. So many things need fixing, someone with the authority to help needs to step-up. They need to listen to Staff. The ignorance to the reality of what's going on and the irresponsibility to remedy it, is killing our Zoo.

*Zoo officials estimate that it will cost $4 million to renovate an existing facility in order to bring Giant Pandas to the SF Zoo in 2025, to be followed by an additional $20 million for a new facility. This is only for the physical facility and does not take into account the annual fee that will be paid to China, and the considerable cost of providing specialized care and food for these delicate creatures. Before undertaking such a venture, the SF Zoo needs to upgrade the facilities for the animals they already have, for example the two adult orangutans. Furthermore, several years ago the zoo sent most of its monkey species to other zoos to make room for a new Madagascar project which was touted to become the best Madagascar exhibit in the country. To date the project is mostly unfinished and the only new Madagascar animals are a fossa, two tortoises, and a few invertebrates. The SF Zoo is not ready to take on the responsibility of Giant Pandas, and their priority should be the animals already in their care.

*We were members for over 10 years and let our membership lapse this last year due to how the zoo has been run. They really do need a new director and concentrate restoring the zoo to making it wonderful again.

*Last time I was there, few years back, felt sorry for the animals, some of the exhibits were sad to look at.

*The Mayor’s priorities are way off. Focus on SF and update our existing exhibits. This is a publicity stunt and it’s going to backfire.

*To those of us who live here San Francisco is more than an entertainment and event space to draw tourist dollars. But that seems to be the view of the current city administration. Whether it’s the 50,000 concert goers who will trample GGP for Outside Lands or dedicating precious millions to visiting Pandas when the Zoo and its animals are under-resourced, the administration’s priorities clearly don’t value residents and our institutions.

*Why why would we get pandas when we have so many problems in this city and the zoo. Horrible

*Love pandas! This seems to be being railroaded through, though. Would like to hear more voices about the whole scenario.

*I wish the Zoo were in better order, under good management.. before we play games, which is what spending money on Giant Pandas is. A game.

Link to the Petition: San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

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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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Expanding On My Reason For Doing A Petition - Another Slap In The Orangutans Faces

I would have liked this to immediately follow the post of my Petition Sunday, but I just didn't have the time to finish it, and in the days since I've been too tired.  Even though dealing with some other stuff, words haven't stopped circling my mind.  There's also been additional stuff to document, that I've barely allowed in, because it will just cause more thoughts!

The Petition is moving slow, despite my thinking it would have had more momentum out of the gate.  I'm trying to share it in every forum I can think of to reach locals.  If all it does is gain some awareness, then it's been successful.  There have been some good, rational comments, which I will publish in a post.  

I've read alot of applause on Twitter about the Pandas coming, which I'm not hating on,  I'll be happy to experience seeing them, I just want things to be fair to the current Zoo Residents in the process, and be in the Zoo's best interest thriving in the future.

I've already noted that the Petition is another forum for awareness, and that I am tired of reading slick PR Statements by Zoo Representatives.  But, in all my fury, writing the Petition, I failed to highlight what caused that fury.

One thing and one thing only, prompted the Petition.  That is the Disrespect and Cruelty the Organutans were shown by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, not having a dedicated and appropriate living space provided for them upon arrival. ... Yet the Pandas will get the Red Carpet to the tune of $25 million and two enclosures!!!  It sickens me.  My Soul has been sad at what happened to the Orangutans since they got here, and this makes it even worse.

The sheer thought of even suggesting this is a slap in the Orangutans face.  This notion, which is apparently fact, is so disgusting.  How can this be justified as the right thing?  It can't.

For those new to their plight, I will try to make it concise and precise as possible.  San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson had been trying to bring Orangutans to SFZoo for years.  It was the root of her plan to kick out our senior Chimpanzees, in favor of some bandaids to the Triple Grotto enclosure for the Orangutans, instead of much needed, AZA required, twenty years waiting upgrades even needed for when the Chimpanzees were living there.  After she tried to kick-out the Chimps, she was forced by public outrage to keep them and give them a new home in the Zoo.  While construction on their new home was being finished, news was Orangutans were on their way.  Myself and Staff wondered, Where they were going to live?  To all our disgust and shock, no enclosure was being prepared for them. The Orangutans arrived just weeks before the Chimps outdoor yard was finished.  The Chimps were so happy and enjoyed a very short time before they were locked out of their own enclosure, and the female Orangutan given access to the Chimp yard.  The male was so terrified of his experience here, he didn't leave the skytrails for eight months.  The female had access to the Chimp yard for seven weeks, while the Chimps were locked inside during a summer heat wave.  I reported it to the head of the Chimpanzee SSP who I was friends with, and who I had been reporting all the play by play to.  When he heard the Chimps were still locked in, he made a call and they were out the next day.  But, that was bittersweet as it meant the female Orangutan was back living in the caged tubes with the male.  These poor Beings would sit above, sadly looking down at the Chimpanzees in the yard, probably wondering why they can't go there.  It was heartbreaking to say the least.  After eighteen weeks on the tubes, a mini rotation that allowed for the Orangutans to have a few hrs a day a few times aweek came into play.  But, that was not a solution.  

As time ticked on, Triple Grotto just sat there.  Nothing being done to give the Orangutans a home of their own.  I waited and waited and finally, I had to report this to the USDA.  I stupidly did not give me name, I don't know why.  I've always been the face of my words and actions, and all not doing so accomplished was no report was documented on their website. So, I don't know what was determined.  What I do know is, I was there one day soon after, when non-staff people were in the grotto, taking measurements.  I asked someone if it was the result of my call to USDA, they just smiled big.  I took that as a yes, but can never know for sure.  Another day, I talked to the architect, who showed me the blue prints, and I was appalled by the design plan.  The renovation would be, raising the walls, removing the walk-way that Keepers used to get to the enclosure, and adding a huge metal bridge, because now the Keepers needed to access the enclosure from outside the enclosure.  Sheer Idiocracy!  ...  Oh, and a huge box on each of the already too small islands to catch the bridge.  Unbelievable!  I truly couldn't belive my eyes at what I was seeing.  The bridge is a completely unnecessary eye sore.  The project manager and Director Peterson should have both lost their jobs for that in itself.  Well, way before Peterson for Animal Cruelty keeping Great Apes in caged tubes.

Not one single thing for the Orangutans.  I made the suggestion of adding a tree sculpture for climbing, a Keeper told me, they were told no money for anything.  It would have literally been made of huge branches sourced from the Zoo grounds.  But no.  They were stuck with an existing stucture on each island, built in the 80s, one of which had been rusting with paint peeling for over ten years.  I asked why the grottos couldn't be filled in and netted over, as I had seen how much the female loved climbing the netting in the Chimp yard, and would have provided them with actual space to move around on the ground.  I was told Director said, no money.

So, there the poor Orangutans languish forever.

Now, Pandas are coming and get the Red Carpet treatment.  They have to because China keeps a close watch on everything regarding their Pandas.  Good for them, because things can go very f**k-y at SFZoo.   

It's not bringing Pandas here that I have an issue with.  I'd love to see Pandas, but I think our Zoo needs major work first.  I'd also like there to be a new Director and management structure in place.  That said,  Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is going to stop the rush to get the Pandas here next year.  Mayor London Breed and Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, are cheering and talking raising big money.  Peterson has failed to do any fundraising, big or small in the fifteen years she's been at the Zoo.  That's why no money excuse for everything.  Oh except when it's a garden or art installation, somehow money appears, yet the final third of the netting at Flamingos still hasn't been done.  Personally I think the amount it's going to cost in total for Pandas, is more than the Zoo can handle, even if initial costs come from Breeds efforts.  And what happens if Breed doesn't get re-elected, and the next person isn't as enthusiastic about paying the rental fee and other yearly expenses associated with having Pandas here? Because that has to be an expense The City takes  on.  Do they go back to China and we have yet another empty exhibit, and a costly one at that?

So let's talk about the initial cost, which is the one that is pissing me off.  Director Peterson has been quoted saying, $4 million will go to upgrading an existing enclosure, and $20 million for a permanent enclosure.  What the serious F?  I can't even with this.   Two enclosures, but Orangutans got nothing?  The permanent enclosure for Pandas is all that should be on tap.  If they have $4 million for temporary, then they should use it to renovate the grottos for the Orangutans the way it should have been done to begin with.  I'll expand on this in a separate post. 

The Chimpanzee's Dayroom and Yard was rumored to have cost under $2 million.  Let's see that for the Orangutans!  Some might be tired of me talking about the Orangutans, but I'll never get over what happened to them, and I'm never going to give up on trying to help them.  

The ball is in Mayor Breed and Director Peterson's court.  Will either of you use funds to give the Orangutans a better place to live, and fix other things, before the Pandas get here?

Related Post: Disgust At Triple Grotto Renovation - Our Poor Orangutans

iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/03/disgust-at-triple-grotto-renovation-our.html

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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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My Petition - San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

Another forum for awareness, I have started a Petition.  It had to be done.  I am sick of reading preposterous statements by representatives of Zoo management.  The disregard for truth of the matter is sickening.  

Someone has got to help us Save Our Zoo from this insanity, or we won't have a Zoo in the near future.

Please, sign, comment and share my Petition!  Thanks!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

Petition Text:

San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

Our San Francisco Zoo has been in the news this past week.  News of Animal Welfare and Safety concerns, Employee vs Management Turmoil, and Mayor London Breed securing Giant Pandas for our SFZoo.

I have been documenting all the Zoo issues I know of, via my Zoo related blog ( iamnotananteater.blogspot.com ) for over thirteen years.  I have shared my observations and upset with all managing entities, including the SF Zoological Society and the SF Recreation and Park Dept, both who are responsible for the checks and balances of what SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson does there.  Not one person takes any issues put forth by myself, or staff, seriously.  They give have allowed Peterson's mismanagement for over fifiteen years.  

Will anyone stop this insane cycle and help those of us who care, Save Our San Francisco Zoo?  

There is a long Fix List and it should be tended to before anything happens in regards to Pandas arriving in San Francisco!

There is reported initial costs for the Panda venture of $25 million, and that's just to build enclosures.  Enclosures plural, is obscene to me.  

At the top of the Fix List, should be a complete make-over of the Orangutan enclosure.  I have documented the plight of these poor Souls, at the hands of Director Peterson's cruelty in not providing them with a proper home.  They were kept in caged tubes for eight months, then given access to a sixty year old enclosure, where they will sadly remain for life, if something isn't done. This needs to be remedied before Pandas get not one, but two homes!?  What needs to happen is scrapping the $4 million temporary home for Pandas and using that for a new Orangutan home.  Building just one permanent enclosure for the Pandas, before they get here.  Anything else is misuse of funds and mismanagement.

There are other Fixes, including many Animal Needs, but there is also the Fix that needs to happen to prevent further mismanagement and ruin to our San Francisco Zoo.  That is replacing Director Tanya Peterson and examination of the neglect in management duties by the San Francisco Zoological Society Board of Directors and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.  

Our Zoo is owned by the City of San Francisco, and it's time the Mayor takes an interest in what's going on there.  Especially now when she wants Giant Pandas to be a success for Our City.

Please Sign and Share this Petition, & add a Comment with your signature, to Help Save Our Zoo.  Do it for the Animals who already live live there and the ones who someday will.  

Once the Petition comments reach 100, I will send this to all appropriate entities.  Remember you can comment Name Withheld for Anonymity.  

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/expanding-on-my-reason-for-doing.html

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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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My Reaction To The Statement By The San Francisco Zoo Re The Chronicle Article

I still have my reaction to yesterday's article to write, and within minutes of waking up, I was hipped to the Zoo's own reaction.  Here is a screencap, posted to their Instagram.  

Before I react to the Zoo's words, I want to say something about the comments I read.  I always read comments, because while there will be the annoying ones that have no place in a public forum, the frustrating ones made by those who have no clue and/or wear rose colored glasses, there are always gems from those who do know what's going on and who do get it.  It's time consuming, but important.  I like to know what everyone's opinion is, because that's how you know what your up against if your mission is awareness of truths.  

The first time I ever dived so deep into comments for any reason, not just regarding the Zoo, was after the Tiger event in 2007.  That had international publicity and you can imagine how many comments were even on the multitudes of local news forums.  It was days of long hours, just reading comments.  At the time, I was just a Zoo bystander.  I was a member, as I had been my whole life, but I only visited maybe  once a month, special events and holidays.  I didn't know any staff, I didn't know the Animals individually, I didn't know about anything that may have been going on there.  What I did know was this was a place that had been a part of my life, my whole life.  It was a part of me and I was protective of it.  I was extremely affected by that event, as I was there that day and have the last photo ever taken of Tatiana.  As I read the thousands of comments that bashed my happy place, I was deeply saddened by the words I read.  While there is too much to note here on that event, as this is not meant for that, it is meant to express why, like then, when I read or even hear bad stuff about the Zoo, it saddens me.  The Zoo has been like a second home to me, and the Animals like my outside non-human family.  My goal since that Christmas Day in 2007 has been to spread truths and try to enlighten, for our Zoo to be the best it can be.

As the years have gone on, I have been down many roads with my experiences at the Zoo.  A big turning point was when my character was attacked with lies put forth by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  She took my membership away (giving me the status of being the first person in the history of the Zoo to have that happen).  Her lies to created a stigma that had a majority of staff treating me like I was an enemy of the Zoo.  Her treatment of me resulted in my need to start documenting my experiences.  I had previously only wrote about the Animals as I tried to endear people to them, feeling that if people knew them like I did, it would help lift the dark cloud the Tiger event created.  Yet Director Peterson's actions against me were forcing me to also document the things that just weren't right.  Unfortunately her actions against me weren't isolated.  This was 2011, she had been Director three years and her reign of terror was gaining momentum.  All anyone has to do is read through my blog to see what she has done to the Zoo, that so many of us love dearly.  

I'm writing this post without any previous thoughts, so I apologize if my free flowing words are getting off topic.  What I want people to know is, the Zoo itself is not the problem.  The problem is isolated to Director Peterson, and the Zoological Society Board who has allowed her to mismanage the Zoo to ruin, because the Society in essence wants nothing to do with managing her or the Zoo.  Director Peterson has no experience with Animals, I don't even think she likes Animals, and in my opinion has a personal issue with Primates specifically, but I digress. Her inexperience in itself is not the problem,  it's her self-importance, lack of compassion, and general not giving a shit, that has prevented her from successfully managing the Zoo.  She has been surrounded by Animal Care Staff who have tried to educate, advise and guide her, and she has not listened to any of them, to the detriment of the Animals in many situations.  

When I read comments that are worded in ways that slant accuracy, especially in reference to the Animal's care, that bothers me.  With a few exceptions, the Animal Care Staff do everything they can to give the Animals the best life.  They are fed, have medical care, enrichment, and are loved by their caregivers.  Any issue outside of that, including improper housing, is a management issue.  Using the Orangutans as an example.  What happened to them, having no dedicated home before coming here and the emotional, mental, and physical repercussions of that, are solely on Director Peterson.  The care they got from Keepers was and is exceptional, given the circumstances.  Keepers did their best to provide the best life for them during the time those poor Souls were confined to decrepit night quarters and caged tubes.  

So, finally I will get to my reaction to the Zoo's official statement in regard to Wednesday's Chronicle article.  Like the statements made by ex-Society Board Chair Ed Poole, statements made by the Zoo, proxy to Director Tanya Peterson, are designed to do damage control.  They refer to things that really hold no value to what is being presented.  

In their first sentence they quote the article contains, "misrepresented information, ... and inaccurate facts".  Yet they do not expand on What they believe is untrue and Why.  This singularly is the problem with management.  They, Director Peterson, the Board Chair, et al, do not believe they have any responsibility to address anything or answer for anything, to anyone.  

Included in the nonsense of inspections, accreditation and attendance? mentioned, they go on to tout and praise their Animal Care teams, the very people they refuse to listen to advice from. And again like a broken record will say, How dare they, Director Tanya Peterson, I'm speaking directly to you, ... How dare you speak of taking Animal Care seriously, when (among other cruel offenses) you kept Great Apes in a caged tube for eight months!!!  The Animal Care Staff are the ones who took caring for the Orangutans and every other Animal that lives there seriously, not you.  You and the Society, the managing entities are the problem at the Zoo. 

Let's be very clear, all the Animal Care teams you speak of, they are the ones keeping the Zoo from being sucked down the drain your fifteen years of mismanagement is barreling it towards.  

And speaking of Proud, where is your Pride for the way the outside of the Zoo looks?  And again, I'm playing that old tune of "The Broke Ass Perimeter Fence".  While you take funds away from Animal Needs, to build Gardens and Art Installations, which the Zoo doesn't need, why don't you replace that near hundred year old fence.  You do little to earn your obscene salary for the part-time (at best) attention you give the Zoo, you should donate the funds to replace it.  

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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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My Reactions To Chronicle Article - Wednesday April 17, 2024

I've read the article once, and at that time, I made notes as I read on what I wanted to react to.  I'll expand on those points soon, but first I want to give my overall opinion.

While I've known about the article since the start, I never knew what the angle or goal was for the reporter.  I was happy that it focused on Animal Welfare, unlike the wasted unknown author Petition from last year.  Most of the issues brought up I knew about and have documented, with the exception of the Bear "chase" and Penguin death (RIP).  The later very upsetting, as it did echo what happened to Kabibe (infant Gorilla).  Both so horrific and heartbreaking.  Admittedly, I have trouble understanding these tragedies.  So many, too many incidents, that I was left wondering why nowhere in the article did the reporter, question the core of who is responsible in these incidents.  To me there was only reporting what was given to her in interviews, and the slick PR statements made by Zoo related Reps.  There seemed to be no additional investigating or questioning.  I would have pushed those Reps with questions that couldn't be answered so smoothly.  Indeed the article will peak minds but won't hold them long, and I don't think will do much to help get the change in management there that's desperately needed, which I have to assume was the goal of those who came forward and spoke out.

I'm very happy that ex-Orangutan Keeper Melissa brought the sad plight of Ollie and Amoi to the forefront.  Those who have been following my blog since before their arrival five years ago, know I have written extensively about their life here.  The cruelty that Director Tanya Peterson inflicted on them should have been enough to get her fired, yet she's still there ruining the place.  

Additionally, I had been doing endless documentation on the threat to our Animals lives by visitors breaching barriers.  The stream of people daily who hang their kids over the barrier at Code Red Animal enclosures, could one day get one of our Animals killed.  I've seen the Target team rifle ready and its scary and sad.  I stopped documenting because No one cares.  

Starting at the beginning of the article, with former Society Board Chair Ed Poole.  This guy is too much.  He makes multiple statements through-out the article, the first of which is, “predicated on outdated or simply untrue information” and were “uniformly objectionable and baseless.”    His inability to accept what's been presented to him, is truly disgusting, and not surprising.  No Zoo related Rep is going to admit even the possibility of wrong doing.  They are always going to have a general slick answer.  Him bringing up compliance, and other non-issue related wording to deflect is useless babel. And for him to note there was no safety issue to public, is offensive to Staff and Animals.  Staff could be in danger in a situation like with the Bears, and the Bears could get a bullet to the head if they had made contact with the Keeper. Those are both serious outcomes. Yet ok according to Poole because no public in danger? ... That all said, again, the reporter should have pushed and asked, Since you're so vehement to dismiss as untrue, what proof do you have that these things are untrue?  Do you go to the zoo and see what's going on?  Do you ask questions about what's going on?  Do you look at and for things with your own eyes to see what's going on?  Or do you just take Director Peterson's word on everything?  How many times did you walk the Zoo grounds last year?  How often do you talk to Animal Care Staff?  

Poole was asked about the Orangutans situation, which he did not talk about.  Yea, he didn't talk about because he either knew nothing about it, or didn't care. Either way, complete negligence of management duties.

Another Poole statement, "...the zoo has provided excellent care to its animals,..."  So, the San Francisco Zoological Society Board of Directors Chair, thinks that keeping two Great Apes living in caged tubes for eight months, is "excellent care"?  

Let me rehash when Director Peterson made a Pandemic joke about the Orangutans.  

Ed Poole and Tanya Peterson, shame on both of you.  You are despicable.  Neither one of you should a part of an Animal Care facility management team.

Additionally, the article mentioned a photo of Peterson near a Seal, shows her continued disrespect of non-human Beings.  In my opinion, from everything I've seen and heard about Tanya Peterson, I find it hard to believe she even likes Animals.

The article also brings up Peterson's nepotism.  The notations about her daughter and fiance, are allegedly not the only time this has happened.  I've heard of many family and friends of her and Board Members being given jobs.  She allegedly asked a Curator to take a pay cut, so she could up the pay of a friend in another position.  It's actually comical that Vitus Leung is quoted talking about this, as I heard he is tight with Peterson and was allegedly given the title of Deputy Director (in addition to being VP of HR), so he would get the pay raise.  Whether true or not, this guy shouldn't even be working at an Animal Care facility.  I once over heard him call an Animal ugly.  He obviously doesn't own a mirror.

More on statments.  Poole also notes passing USDA inspection.  The USDA inspection is confined to certain guidelines.  Not everything is covered in an inspection.  I know this because I've talked to USDA a few times and asked questions.  Something the reporter should have done.  It would have shown that Poole doesn't know anything about what really goes on at the Zoo, and that's because like everyone else, He doesn't care.

Another person quoted was former Community Zoological Society Board Member Elena Asturias.  "She praised Peterson’s fundraising abilities..."  Again, a missed opportunity, since Peterson cries poor and has done little to no fundraising for the Zoo in her fifteen years there.  Why wasn't Asturias asked for examples of the fundraising she is impressed by?  I'd also like to know in what way she represented Community concerns about management?

Quoting Dan Ashe from the AZA was useless.  He knows nothing.  He's the head of an organization that thought it was just fine to send Orangutans to SF when there was no enclosure for them.  Again the reporter could have asked details about why the Orangutans were sent here, with no place for them to live.  I'm not trying to hate on the reporter, just showing how by questioning these people who gave formulated responses, her article could have provided ammunition that proved there is blame on the Zoo Director for so much and a desperate need for change in leadership and in my opinion an examination of the whole management structure.

No surprise Director Tanya Peterson and RecPark GM Phil Ginsburg declined to be interviewed.  I've had experience with both.  Neither feels like they have to answer for anything.  I went to Ginsburg's Office in 2011 and while his receptionist lied to me, he hid in his office.  At a Joint Zoo Meeting in 2015, I questioned Peterson about the Chimpanzees and she literally put her head down and stared at the table, refusing to answer me.  As someone said to me the other day, "She's the worst"

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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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Pyramid Of Power - Understanding Who Is Supposed To Be Managing Our SFZoo

As I've mentioned this post has been in draft for several or more years, I will note that I may have an additional post on the subject, as for now, I'm not going to open the computer and read through old notes.  I'll just wing it as I write.  Winging it has been mentioned before, and a new style of posting in more recent times.  I have always prepared posts extensively, with endless notes, graphics, paragraph organization and other well thought out design.  These days, I just don't have it in me.  Even though I feel it's more loose, I hope I still present things in an informative way.  It often doesn't even save on actual writing time, just on prep time and mental anguish of reliving old thoughts.

I learned early on, from a few long-time Staffers, how the system works.  Rather how it's supposed to work.  How it has worked, unfortunately has played out in my fifteen+ years of monitoring the Zoo.  Whether that be things I've seen with my own eyes on Zoo grounds/Park Bison Paddock and at Joint Zoo Committee Meetings, conversations and/or correspondence I've had with Staff and/or managing entities,  what I've read in researching issues, or in any other way I have come to know these truths, it is all based on my personal experience.

My understanding of the way the power system works is as such.

*The City of San Francisco - Owns the SFZoo

*The SFZoo, is part of the SF Recreation and Park Department - Alleged managing Entity

*The SFZoo is "Managed" by the San Francisco Zoological Society.

*Tanya Peterson is the SFZoo Director and CEO (Shouldn't that be two separate positions?).

Those are the four main components. 

As I understand it, per the Lease Agreement of 1993 the SF Zoological Society, I assume meaning Board Members, are supposed to be managing the Zoo.  The SF Rec and Park is supposed to have a similar managing role as the Zoo is in their Dept. and they are part of the checks and balances (my term) that participates in the monitoring process.

The monitoring process is held in the form of The Joint Zoo Committee Meetings.  These Meetings are supposed to be eleven per calendar year. They consist of three Rec and Park Commissioners, three Zoological Society Board Members and two additional, one a DVM and one from Animal Control and Welfare.

The Meetings are intended as a monthly Wrap-up, FYIs, Animal Transaction notations and request for approval and Public comment.

In my experience, nothing in this system has worked as it has been described it is supposed to.  

*The City has been completely hands off.  

*The Rec and Park has been completely hands off, other than Commissioner presence at Meetings.

*The Zoological Society has been completely hands off, other than Board Members presence at Meetings, including one Board Member who is also a Docent. Note: It was brought to my attention years ago, that SF Zoological Society Member Mary Sutton (Docent), was elevated to Board Member, allegedly in violation of the guidelines for Board of Directors as outlined in the Lease Agreement.  Who knows if the second seat is even held by an unbiased community member.

In my experience, no one in the SF Zoological Society cares to take an active role managing the Zoo.  Instead defering to whatever Director Peterson says and does, including believing every word and action without question, and supporting her words and actions when approached. Society Members, specifically the Board of Directors rarely come to the Zoo, if at all outside of the annual Zoofest, or other special events and cocktail parties.  Apparently no one ever has questions about what goes on.  Why, because No one cares.

The same as above goes for the SF Rec and Park Dept.  No one cares.

The Joint Zoo Committee Meetings are a joke.  It's a paper-pushing, back patting ( I have literally seen a back pat!), twenty minute rush through.  No one on the panel has rarely ever asked any questions.  Things have passed right before them, that should have been questioned.  No one cares.

Zoo Director Peterson doesn't even go to the Joint Zoo Meetings any more.  Her attendance in the past several to more years has been sporatic, and from January 2023 to March 2024, she has only been to one out of eleven Meetings, and she didn't even give the administrative presentation at that one. So in addition to allegedly rarely making an appearance on Zoo grounds, she can't make it to a twenty minute meeting, once a month.  She doesn't care.

They can all dispute this, but take one look at our Zoo, inside and the perimeter fence that holds it, and that proves No one cares.  

If anyone of the Board of Directors wants to hip me to how many times they visited the Zoo in 2023, I'd be interested to know.  My guess is zero to two.

Anyone who wants a copy of the Lease Agreement can email the Rec and Park and request a copy.

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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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There's Just SO Much... Where To Begin Is The Question

Not sure where to start with posts today.  Time is ticking, I've been awake three hours, since 7:30a when I reached for my tablet that lies next to me in bed, and saw today's news article that someone had sent me.

Feeling alot of pressure.  I have a home project that needs immediate attention, but I also need to catch up on blog posts.  It's especially important to me now, as so much of what I've been saying for years is (I guess) being legitimatized by media. ... Too bad more people didn't take my ramblings seriously before this, the Zoo might be in better shape today.

That said, there's a time for everything.  I have been driven to much anxiety and upset about the Zoo over so many things, for so many years. I have beaten myself up a bit for not doing more in a timely manner.  I have felt guilt because of that.  I have felt like the physical and emotional effects that dealing with Zoo issues,  that kept me from finding the energy to document and chase change, has let the Animals down.  Even now as I write just this description, my ears are starting to pulsate and that's before I've even written a post that relays any issue documentation.  I know there's people who think I enjoy writing these posts.  I hate Zoo blogging.  I have spent too much time and to a detriment to my health, documenting.  The only reason I do it, is because I care about the Animals and the Zoo thriving.  Sometimes I wish I didn't care.

Last Sunday I posted the list of what my final three posts in draft were and my plan to work on publishing them.

The next day, the first Chronicle article came out, yesterday news of Pandas was announced, and today, another Chronicle article.  As I still lay here in bed, thumb typing this, after doing still half asleep research to my reactions from today's article, I'm already feeling overwhelmed. 

Where to begin?  I think my years in draft post, Pyramid of Power, needs to come before my reaction to today's article, but because I like things in chronological order, maybe I need to do my reaction to Monday's article first?  Then there's the Petition I started working on last night, but after writing last nights post, I was over it and ended the night deciding to abandon that idea.  Yet, now, I think it may still be an effective way to bring more awareness to the issues and possibly get some good done for the current Zoo Residents, before Panda madness starts.  

What to do.  My mind wants to forge on, but my energy wants to get a bowl of cereal and watch a movie in the sun with my kitten.

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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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SF Rec and Park Commissioner Doing Damage Control

Another day our San Francisco Zoo is in the news.  

This one thankfully touches on THE most important factor in our Zoo being in the desperate state it is.  That being, the neglect of duties of all managing entities as outlined in the Lease Agreement.  More from me to come, as I will again provide proof to back my statement up.  

San Francisco Chronicle - Saturday April 20, 2024 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-zoo-investigation-19410379.php

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-zoo-investigation-19410379.php

Chronicle’s S.F. Zoo investigation sparks concern, surprise among city officials

By Tara Duggan, Megan Fan Munce

April 20, 2024

Giraffes are seen at the San Francisco Zoo, where findings of a Chronicle investigation sparked concern among city officials.

Giraffes are seen at the San Francisco Zoo, where findings of a Chronicle investigation sparked concern among city officials.

Members of a San Francisco Zoo advisory committee expressed surprise and concern at issues of worker safety and animal welfare raised in a Chronicle investigation.

In an email to the Chronicle, Larry Mazzola, chair of the city’s Joint Zoo Committee, called for a full investigation into the accusations. 

The Chronicle report, published Wednesday, outlined complaints raised by 20 current and former employees and detailed troubling recent incidents, including a harrowing chase of a zookeeper by a grizzly bear and the death of a young penguin that was, according to keeper logs, struck by a “guillotine” door. Employees said the zoo’s upper management did not listen to their concerns. 

The Joint Zoo Committee discussed the Chronicle’s findings Thursday during its monthly meeting. The advisory group is made up of zoo representatives and members of the Recreation and Park Commission, the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, and the San Francisco Zoological Society board, which runs the zoo. 

Later that day, the 95-year-old institution was in the spotlight again when Mayor London Breed announced that China would lend giant pandas to the zoo for the first time in decades, likely by next year. 

Mazzola said he was surprised to learn about most of the issues in the Chronicle’s report. He said he would invite Tanya Peterson, CEO and executive director of the zoo, and Melinda Dunn, the Zoological Society’s new board chair, to attend the committee’s June meeting to answer questions about the article’s findings. 

In particular, Mazzola, a business manager with United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38, said he was concerned about allegations regarding worker safety and training.

“I want to make sure that the workers are being heard,” Mazzola said in the meeting. “Worker safety and the way that workers are being treated are the No. 1 priority, along with keeping the animals safe. That’s what this is all about.”

“There were some pretty serious allegations in the article,” said Jane Tobin, secretary of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. She added, “I’m not sure about the path forward.” 

On Friday, the zoo posted a statement on social media saying that the Chronicle’s report “misrepresented information and included many inaccurate facts.” The Chronicle asked the zoo to specify what facts it found to be inaccurate. 

In an ensuing email, board chair Dunn said “the evidence at the time (of the penguin’s death) was inconclusive as to the cause of death.” 

The Chronicle obtained the agenda from the July 20, 2023, Joint Zoo Committee meeting. On the report to the committee listing the five animals that died in the previous month, “head trauma” is noted next to the deceased penguin. 

Much of the rest of the email details items that were mentioned in the Chronicle report, including the fact that the zoo regularly passes inspections. Said Dunn: “We also have numerous safety protocols to ensure the safety of our staff, as well as safety and welfare committees responsible for reviewing staff concerns, evaluating the situation and resolving any issues. We are proud of the San Francisco Zoo and our teams.”

While San Francisco owns the zoo and its animals, the Zoological Society is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, passing needed inspections, doing maintenance and making capital improvements, according to its lease. The Joint Zoo Committee is informed of animal deaths, gives approval to animal acquisitions and approves the nonprofit’s operating budget and capital improvements above $50,000.

“We have to ask more questions. We have to have answers if the public asks us, or whoever,” Mazzola said in the meeting.

Corey Hallman, a representative of the zoo’s labor union, said that the union would meet with the Zoological Society board soon to talk about issues raised in the Chronicle’s report, many of which the union has raised previously.

Tobin suggested looking into what other zoos consider best practice. She specifically pointed to the Oakland Zoo’s policy of bringing in new animals only when their habitat is complete. Former employees at the San Francisco Zoo said that a pair of orangutans were brought in to live in an exhibit for two years before it was renovated. 

In a phone interview, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose district includes the zoo, would not comment on the Chronicle’s findings, but said she welcomed the news about pandas coming to the zoo. 

“I definitely see the benefits for the zoo and for the city.” Melgar said. “I hope that the zoo puts its best foot forward.”

Reach Tara Duggan: 

tduggan@sfchronicle.com

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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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Pandas For SFZoo, Great! But Fix The Place First!

I'm finally wrapping up my day and catching up on all the Panda media stories, starting with Mayor Breed's video announcement.

Not going to lie, I cried a bit at the joy I know I'll feel seeing Giant Pandas here again.  That said, I think a good many of those tears were for our Orangutans, just like the tears I shed for our Chimpanzees when they waited over twenty years for an upgraded home.

I've written a few posts already about why I don't think now is the right time, and I've noted in-depth that my primary reason is because of how the Orangutans have been treated since the day they got here.  They had no designated home, they were forced to live in caged tubes, and then thrown in a sixty year old enclosure.  They NEED an appropriate home!  I had hoped (obviously foolishly) that if this did become a reality, that there would be a reasonable and responsible timeline and Zoo-wide upgrades, with Orangutans at the top of the Need List, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be part of the plan.  

A News item from ABC notes,  "The Zoo's CEO spoke with our media partners at the San Francisco Standard.  She hopes to renovate an existing facility so the pandas can arrive by 2025.  That will cost around $4 million, followed by $20 million for a new exhibit. The zoo plans to launch a major fundraising effort.

That to me is a very sad statement, assuming made by San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  

So, "major fundraising", yet Director Peterson has not done any real fundraising for the Zoo in the fifteen+ years she's been there, which has left the Zoo in a desperate state, including with too many empty enclosures.  

The big question is, WHY was it not important to her to do major fundraising for the Orangutans to have a decent home? 

Instead I guess they are destined to live on the Ancient Triple Grotto Islands their whole lives.  Even worse, apparently the Pandas will be getting two fancy enclosures, a temporary one costing $4 mil and a permanent one costing $20 mil.  And again, the Orangutans have gotten not one thing for them, not even in the enclosure they are in. Every upgrade to that enclosure was done for containment and Keeper access.   No money for netting so they can not only climb, but so the topical area can be extended.  No money to even build them new tree like structures.  It's just really disturbing.

Additionally in regards to money, Mayor Breed was previously quoted saying she would raise $25 mil.  Is that still happening?  Cause the Zoo sure could use both efforts.

And I'd be curious to know where the temporary enclosure will be.  It's already been noted that the area "designated" is in the area next to Przwalski Horses.  I still think building an enclosure adjacent to Grizzly Gulch where there are two unused enclosures would be good.  That way if/when the Pandas stay is over, the Black Bears could move there.  

So, yeah, Pandas will be bittersweet.  I'll be happy to see them, but sad if the Zoo doesn't get alot of Needs fixed between now and then.  There's a big to do list, as too many things been piling up for over a decade, and there's also the big problem with mismanagement.  The whole way the Zoo is managed, from Director Peterson, to the Zoological Society Board, to the Rec and Park. All managing entities outlined in the lease agreement, yet the latter two have been negligent in their duties, and Peterson has been the worst. There is no checks and balances, which is why our Zoo is in a desperate state.  

It's a tall order, but many years in the making, before a big thing like Pandas happens, I'd like to see things fixed and new management.  That said, the later probably won't happen.  So, I'd be happy with at least this fix list completed...

*Netting over two Grotto enclosures for the Orangutans.  Moats filled to extend topical space.  And that damn bridge demolished! ... Netting the third grotto for another species.

*Finish netting Flamingos.  

*All empty enclosures occupied.  

*More Marsupials added to the WalkAbout

*Additional Monkey Species

*South Gate repopulated and reopened.

*New perimeter fence.  

The Zoo would most likely raise prices for day tickets and can't expect people to pay and there not to be enough Animals to see.  People are already complaining.  And it would be awful if people had to line-up along that broken down fence.

Additional thoughts, with expected spike in attendance, the Zoo would need to hire more people, security, ticket sales, gate house,...  As well, it's been said to me by some, that three isnt enough Bamboo on grounds to feed Red Pandas, so trucking it in would be another expense.

I still think fixing the Zoo first would have been the better timeline, not bring them here next year, but maybe it's a grab them when and while you can thing?  I just think if the Zoo was fixed and they arrived to an awesome Zoo in time to greet the new year, as the Zoo heads into its 100th Anniversary in 2029, that would be ideal and quite something to celebrate.

I just hope this all works out as successfully as the Mayor and Director think it will.  I worry for our Zoo.

I feel like I may have been all over the place in presenting thoughts, but it's alot, and I'm really getting tired of pointing out the right and obvious way things should be done.

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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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So, The Mayor Secured Pandas For SFZoo...

I can't even with this.  It's complete Madness.

It's too early, I still got the Chronicle article to react to, a ton of errands and now this Insanity.

Honestly, I haven't even listened to the Mayors video about this, or read one news article, I'm reacting to the headlines and I'm near tears.  

It's so upsetting.  As our Zoo crumbles, money that could go to fixing it up and foremost giving the Orangutans a proper home, is going to this.  

I hope I'm wrong and this doesn't end our Zoo, before those of us who care can crusade for better management, and save the place.

Screencap from Twitter 

of a few of the news articles

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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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Ugh - The Chronicle Has Sunk To Sensationalism, Why?

Been feeling pure exhaustion, so I still have not started my post reacting to yesterday's Chronicle article.  The last couple hours, I have been following-up on thoughts, and expanding on the points I noted on my initial read.  I checked Twitter to see if there were any additional public reactions to the article.  There was not.  Unfortunately, the article does not seem to have garnered much attention. Maybe there would be more reactions if The Chronicle had a comment section under it's articles.  One Zoo Staffer I spoke with, said they looked for one to make a comment. So, I think reactions have been lost because there is no forum attached to the actual article.  

So, while glancing at Twitter I see The Chronicle has published a second article about the Zoo today.  In my opinion, this is completely in bad taste and being near eighty-five years ago, it has absolutely no connection to current times and issues.  Is it beacaue it has to do with a Bear?  Additionally, no one wants to see horrific photos.  I wasn't going to even post the text, but there are lame attempts to connect the past and current issues.

It's seems to me they are desperate to keep yesterday's article relevant, as it may be already be fading, which is unfortunate because there were very valid issues documented.

It's disappointing that The Chronicle stooped to sensational, tabloid style attention grab, with this follow-up article.  

The Chronicle has posted excerpts from this article on Twitter (which are no pay), so it should be no problem for me to copy and paste the text here.  

If anyone associated with the Chronicle has an issue with this, use the comment form to message me, and include a name an email contact at the Chronicle.

If you are new to this blog, please view the post archives listed on the left side bar for most San Francisco Zoo issue information.

San Francisco Chronicle - Thursday April 18, 2024 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/vault/article/sf-zoo-polar-bears-19408090.php

Text from this SFChronicle article

appears below.

San Francisco’s mayor, emissaries from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration and hundreds of local school children arrived at the San Francisco Zoo on Oct. 6, 1940, to celebrate a massive expansion.

Instead, they witnessed a scene of unforgettable carnage. 

“A battle to death, a battle of the kind that shatters the white silence of the Arctic ice floes, yesterday intruded upon the dedication ceremonies at the new Fleishhacker Zoo and christened the polar bear pit in blood,” Chronicle reporter John Upton Terrell wrote the next day in front-page coverage.

More than 80 years later, the story reads like war correspondence: Two polar bears engaged in a death match, while zoo staff and police scrambled to intervene. The scene went on for a half hour, leaving visitors horrified and one animal dead.

The bear’s enclosure was part of a $2 million Works Progress Administration infrastructure project built in the 1930s that still houses animals today. A Chronicle story this week revealed safety concerns at the zoo, including a recent incident in which a grizzly bear escaped its den and chased a keeper. But the 84-year-old space saw disaster on the very first day. 

The violence was completely unexpected. The Chronicle’s articles leading up to the grand opening of the bear, lion and monkey enclosures — which more than doubled the zoo’s footprint — read like promotions. A family-friendly morning was promised, with choral groups, free food and animals frolicking in the October sun.

The exhibit’s largest attraction, a polar bear named “Big Bill,” didn’t get the message. 

Oct. 6, 1940: A polar bear named Big Bill killed his mate Min during the opening day of the polar bear and lion enclosures at the San Francisco Zoo. Keepers and police used guns and a hose to try distract the bear. This photo ran on the Chronicle front page the following day.

Oct. 6, 1940: A polar bear named Big Bill killed his mate Min during the opening day of the polar bear and lion enclosures at the San Francisco Zoo. Keepers and police used guns and a hose to try distract the bear. This photo ran on the Chronicle front page the following day.

As a crowd gathered around the new open-air pit, Bill took refuge in the enclosure’s cave. When a female bear named Min tried to join him, Bill growled a warning. But Min persisted and Bill eventually emerged, striking and grappling with the female bear, as a smaller male bear named Jerry stood to the side.

“The crowd, jamming against the railing around the pit, was delighted,” Terrell wrote. “Everyone thought the bears were having a pleasant Sunday romp.”

But then Big Bill clawed Min on the shoulder, creating a large gash that sprayed blood and launched a battle that stretched a full 30 minutes of escalating mayhem.

Min barely had a chance to fight back.

Big Bill, who reportedly had already killed one previous mate, unleashed repeated violence, eventually locking his jaws onto Min’s neck, and thrashing until the female bear was motionless. Policemen emptied their guns against the walls of the enclosure, zoo director Fred Chatton rained rocks from above the pit (“they might as well have been throwing peanuts,” Terrell wrote) and zoo keepers fired hoses at the bear.

“The roar of the fighting bears was deafening,” Terrell wrote. “Women spectators screamed, men’s faces were immobile with shock, children watched in terror.”

Big Bill ignored them all. Once Min stopped fighting, the larger bear slowly dragged her body to the enclosure’s new water feature and held her head underneath for five minutes. 

Finally Chatton secured an ammonia gun, firing the noxious liquid at the bear until it retreated. But it was too late for Min. The female bear was dead.

The polar bear murder dominated front-page coverage under the headline “Death Duel,” with eight photos of the fight running in the paper. A short story announcing the WPA’s transfer of the new construction to the city — the reason journalists were invited in the first place — landed at the bottom of Page 12.

Polar Bear Uulu, pictured in 2016, was one of the oldest polar bears in captivity, before she died at the San Francisco Zoo at age 36 in 2017.

Polar Bear Uulu, pictured in 2016, was one of the oldest polar bears in captivity, before she died at the San Francisco Zoo at age 36 in 2017.

The Chronicle followed the next day with the headline “Big Bill is not Grieving.” Min’s carcass was removed, and the newspaper reported that “attendants said Big Bill was not expected to be slain for his sins.”

It was nowhere near the end of problems for the WPA grottos. In the mid-1940s a lion attacked a keeper, and in 1949 a different polar bear mauled a house painter who tried to stick a sugar cube through the bars; his arm was amputated.

The San Francisco Zoo continued to display polar bears in the same bear pit until 2017, when Uulu, the zoo’s last polar bear, died at age 36.

Reach Peter Hartlaub: 

phartlaub@sfchronicle.com;

Related Post:  Yesterday's Article

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/in-full-san-francisco-chronicle-article.html

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