HOT TOPIC - SF Board Of Supervisors Puts Mayors Panda Fundraising Plan On Hold - In The News

I really wish the Zoo could stay out of the News for a few days!  Last month on April 14, I published a post titled, Nearing the Finish Line! - Wrapping Up Posts!  I was nearing my goal of finishing up longtime posts in draft.  Then exactly a month ago, just three days later, the long awaited Chronicle article came out, and the remaining two posts I had in draft are still not done.  I wanted to be done, at least done to date and possibly just write a random post here and there moving forward.  Unfortunately, the ignorant and negligent words from members of the Zoological Society Board, as well as the Recreation and Park, sparked too much outrage. I had no choice to rebutt their statements, by continuing my exhausting but necessary documentation.  At the same exact time, the irresponsible plan to bring Pandas to our Zoo, came barreling off the plane from China with our Mayor.  

So, Pandas and Zoo Mismanagement continue to lead the headlines, with no stop in sight.  Once again, I'm under a pile of posts, and my mind is overwhelmed.  Thirteen years of documenting Zoo issues, is enough, but I honestly don't know how to stop.  I feel like I have to keep going until our Zoo is fixed.  I need to see it through til our Zoo has a Director that cares.  Will that ever happen?  Who knows.  What I do know is the mismanagement situation is a sixteen year nest of neglect and bullshit that will take a bit to sort out, and that's if the new Board Chair has the care and balls to tackle it.  The Panda situation, that's a fast moving train, that will be docking in one way or another, and in my opinion, in it's current form could mean the end for our Zoo.

So, here we are, here I am.  Last night after publishing six posts yesterday, easy ones, prepping to dive into my reaction posts to the last news articles, I made the mistake of checking email.  My usual rule is no email after 6p.  I need to set boundries for peace. I don't want irritating or upsetting stuff coming through email to me when I'm home and settled.  Likewise with phone.  I'm not attached to the phone.  When I walk in the door, the phone is muted for the duration of my stay at home, whether it's overnight or a four day stretch.  So, at 11p when a commercial was on during streaming a movie, I checked email, so stupid.  There I saw two news articles, one from KRON, the other from SF Standard, both reporting on what transpired at yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting.  

The synopsis is, the BOS are questioning the Mayor's Plan to get private fundraising for the Panda costs, which would require approval from the BOS.  Several issues were brought up, but obviously since my care is regarding how the fundraising effects the Zoo, that is what my focus is on.  Brought up was of course the $25 million fundraising price tag, and how the money would be spent.  Thankfully there seems to be a couple of Supervisors that commented about fixing other Zoo Needs as well.  It was surface thoughts, but first thoughts of the like in all this Panda Talk.  

So, of course the three reaction posts in draft and at the top of my agenda for today have been back-burned with words and thoughts about reacting to this, and networking to capitalize on those Supervisors who seemingly care that $25 million should not go just to Pandas.  I believe my most recent ideas about the Panda Plan are logical and doable, and those I've gotten feedback from agree.  That said, will anyone with authority to re-envision the Panda Plan, actually make some compromises happen?

Those who follow this blog, have read my words.  I've written so many posts, with thoughts and ideas.  My brain never stops working trying to figure out how to make things work in the most ideal and with that, doable way.  Using that process in my care for the Zoo, is no different.  My initial thoughts about the Panda Plan have changed slightly, but have evolved into what could be a compromise that works.  I published a post on May 5, titled, Pandas - Here's What The Mayor Should Do!  

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/05/pandas-heres-what-mayor-should-do.html

It outlined what I think is a win-win for this situation.  Pandas are most likely coming, regardless of what the majority feel is the right thing at this time in our Zoo's current shape.  Foremost, the Mayor needs to scrap the initial plan to bring Pandas here for a permanent residency, and the $25 million price tag with it.  The Mayor needs to instead commit to hosting Pandas for two years.  During that two year time the Pandas would reside in the temporary enclosure.  After the first year, a financial evaluation needs to happen that will determine whether or not to proceed with keeping Pandas permanently, thus building an enclosure for them.  Financial factors would include, whether Panda focused attendance numbers are still up, and whether the Pandas have created a significant and continual influx in revenue, that would support having Pandas permanently. Note that would still mean the City would be responsible for all costs of construction, care and fees associated with having Pandas, including all extra staff it would require, with the Zoo financially benefiting from the influx of funds to use for long overdue Zoo Needs.  Money... While I understand having Pandas requires certain advice and guidelines that are closely monitored by China officials, I have researched other Panda enclosures and the temporary enclosure the Pandas will most likely be housed in, is already seemingly better than most.  There is no way it would cost the reported $3-5 million for upgrades.  That is outrageous, and frankly a slap in the face to our other Asian Conservation Species, our Orangutans.  

I have well documented the sad plight of our Orangutans life at our Zoo, starting before their arrival in 2019, through cruel containment in caged tubes, to their banishment in an ancient enclosure.  My idea would allow for Pandas, and for the Orangutans to be built a new home. I will be expanding on what their needs are and what should be done to their current living area to, "Make it the best habitat", because, the Orangutans want to be happy too.  Happiness and appropriate homes should not just be the goal for Pandas!

My idea would provide for the cost of Pandas for two years and their temporary housing in the assumed Cat Grotto.  It would give our Orangutans and future Primates an appropriate home in a redo of the current sixty year old Triple Grotto.  All for what has to be far less than half of $25 million.  It would see using the initial influx of Panda revenue, to make necessary upgrades and fixes to keep our Zoo thriving into the future.  Who doesn't want that?  Anyone who thinks spending $25 million on a permanent home for one species that is not even a current resident, that's who.

Related Posts:

April 14 - San Francisco - Still Chasing After Pandas - Why It's Irresponsible

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/san-francisco-still-chasing-after.html

April 19 - Pandas For SFZoo, Great!  But Fix The Place First!

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/pandas-for-sfzoo-great-but-fix-place.html

April 24 - HOT TOPIC - Expanding On My Reason For Doing A Petition - Another Slap In The Orangutans Faces

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

April 25 - HOT TOPIC - The Mayor Wants Our "Pandas To Be Happy"

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-mayor-wants-our-pandas-to-be-happy.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 Op-Ed Submission To The Chronicle

As noted in my previous post, I wrote and submitted an op-ed to the Chronicle two weeks ago, that didn't get published. I thought it was a decent synopsis of why I care about the Zoo and what is currently going on.  That said, considering their agenda now seems to be a series of articles, maybe my words were too much information (op-eds are 800-900 words, letters 200 max),    Who knows.  Anyway, I was going to see if it flowed with any blog posts and possibly publish it here in the future. In light of the Chronicle publishing a Letter to the Editor today, I figure this is the best spot for it.

Start Op-Ed

I have been writing about issues at our San Francisco Zoo for thirteen years.  As a Richmond District Native and life-long Resident, the Zoo has been a part of my life for all my sixty years.  The more active chapter, coincided with the start of Zoo Director Tanya Peterson's reign there.  I have seen and heard too many issues regarding both Animal Welfare, the treatment of Zoo Staff, the lack of funds for Needs, the misuse of funds for Wants, and the list goes on.

My full embrace of the Zoo, started after the Christmas 2007 Tiger event.  I was there that day and have the last photo of our beloved Tatiana.  It still haunts me that I wasn't there when she and her mate Tony were being taunted, as I know with how vocal I am against those who terrorize non-human Beings with words and actions, for their own sick entertainment, I would have stopped them and that event would not have happened.  Starting with the birth of our Sumatran Tiger Triplets a few months after that, and a personal loss a few months later,  my passion for the Zoo Animals grew and I set on a course to learn everything about them as individuals.  I started my first blog, documenting everything I learned, in hopes others would be endeared to them and Our Zoo the way I was and a bit of the dark clouds that hovered, would start to clear.  The Zoo became my happy place and I my interest in it being the best it could be, became a passion.  I wanted to know as much about what goes on there and because of issues that I was noticing, about how the pyramid of power works.  

The San Francisco Zoological Society, under the Department of SF Recreation and Park, are supposed to be managing entities, yet they have both been negligent of their duties the whole sixteen years that I have been monitoring the Zoo, and that Peterson has been at the helm.  Director Peterson has been left unmonitored to mismanage our Zoo, in every way, from Animal Cruelty, poor enclosure designs, lack of fundraising, misuse of funds, and so much more.  Since 2008, our Zoo has slowly been dismantled and left in ruin.  In my opinion, it can't take much more.  It would take massive funds and ideally new management to bring it back from the brink.  It needs a savior but who will that be?  Not one person has cared enough to help.  I know this because I've tried to shine a light on things, by continuous documentation, and past correspondence to the Recreation and Park Department and Board Members.  In addition to my crusade and victory to save our senior Chimpanzees from Director Peterson kicking them out after near fifty years of the Zoo being their home, there have been other disturbing issues involving Peterson highlighted in the media.  Still not one person from the Zoological Society Board ever chose to involve themselves with learning about what really goes on at the Zoo, a place per the Lease Agreement, they are in charge on managing.  It's disgusting, frustrating and sad.  

Now, they are getting Giant Pandas and on rush order.  Completely irresponsible at this time.  Pandas would be great, if the Zoo wasn't in such a desperate state.  So many Needs there are continuously overlooked for Wants. The is a long list of Animal Welfare needs that have been vetoed by Director Peterson, filed under the excuse, No Money.  The most recent involved the acquisition of Orangutans.  The last shiny new toy Peterson had to have.  The "Pandas" of 2019.  The Orangutans were brought to SFZoo with no home designated for them.  They lived eight months in the "skytrail" caged tubes.  Near two years later, after a curious and ridiculous "upgrade", they were tossed into the ancient sixty year old Triple Grotto, former home to the Chimpanzees, which was deemed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as not suitable for Chimpanzees, and denying any more be sent to the Zoo.  There in the old and sub-par grottos, the Orangutans will languish forever.  

Now, major fundraising by both Mayor London Breed and Director Tanya Peterson, are reported to begin, to fund not one, but two enclosures for the Pandas, to the tune of $4 million, for temporary, $20 million for permanent.  Completely outrageous and disrespectful to the Orangutans and other Animals that currently live at our Zoo.  There is obviously no way to stop the fast moving train bringing Pandas here, but there needs to be some attention to the Needs of our Zoo before they get here.  <*With the $25 million they plan to raise, they need to build the one permanent enclosure for the Pandas, and the money they would have spent on a temporary enclosure, should go to an appropriate enclosure for the Orangutans, who have gotten not one thing for them since their arrival here.>  It reportedly cost less than $2 million for the Chimpanzee Dayroom and Yard.  Let's see the same for the Orangutans.  

Mayor Breed and Director Peterson need to fix our San Francisco Zoo, before bringing Pandas here.  Anything else is a moral crime, against all the current Animal Residents, and a detriment to the future of our Zoo.

My Petition, "San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas".

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

End Op-Ed 

*You will see I have bracketed, a small portion of the next to last paragraph of my submitted text.  Since that writing, I realized what the only logical Panda Plan should be, and it's not spending $20 million on a permanent enclosure.  Which I never thought was a good idea, but the Mayor and Director are going to get Pandas on the plane here, no matter what any of us think.  My idea, which I put forth in a post (linked at end),  has the Mayor committing to hosting Pandas only two years, in the temporary location, which does not need $4 million in upgrades!  Then evaluating the financial aspect (costs, draw, revenue), after the first year, then deciding if having them here permanently is the best plan.  Meanwhile using funds raised to completely rebuild the Triple Grotto area for Orangutans (netted enclosure, dayroom, new night quarters and enclosures for additional Primates at that site), before Pandas get here.  Anything different in my opinion is a irresponsible.

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/05/pandas-heres-what-mayor-should-do.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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Area Resident Speaks Out In Letter To The Editor

As I work on several posts at a time, a friend messaged me that there is a Zoo related Letter to the Editor posted in today's Chronicle.

I support everyone's voice for wanting better for our Zoo, but aside from the last paragraph, I have to disagree with some things written here.  

In defense of Keepers, Maintenance and Horticulture, I can not think of an enclosure that is occupied, that is not clean and well-kept.  Despite the mismanagement, and other offenses by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, the above departments work hard to keep the Animals homes and Zoo grounds in good condition.  

Yes, there are too many vacant enclosures, but the only one I can think of that is visible to the public and "over-grown", is the former Seal Lion Pool, shown in the Chronicle article, that this letter is reacting to.  

I also appreciate people sharing their "fond" memories from the past, but the experiences noted in this letter, pertain to outdated "attractions", and that should be taken into consideration.  

Coincidentally, I had planned to write a Letter To The Editor myself this weekend, as I submitted an op-ed two weeks ago that did not get published.  Maybe too much for them (op-eds are 800-900 words, letters 200 max),  considering they seem to have extended their initial article into a multi-part series.  

I will publish my op-ed submission in the next post.

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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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Fix The Zoo Before Pandas, That Sounds Familiar! - News Article

This was a curious one.  I felt like I was reading notes from my blog posts, meaning it covered things I've written about, starting with the title.  My full reaction to come.  Check back if interested.

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.

San Francisco Chronicle - Tuesday May 14, 2024 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-pandas-exhibits-19432033.php

Text from this SFChronicle article

appears below.

Three years ago, the San Francisco Zoo enthusiastically shared plans to convert an old sea lion exhibit into a new habitat for a pair of Andean condors. 

The exhibit was supposed to open by last year, but today, a banner advertising the “future home of Andean Condor” hangs in front of an overgrown lot. While the birds were brought to the zoo eight years ago, the only sign of progress on their future home is that the sea lions’ former swimming pool is now filled with concrete.

The stalled condor habitat is one of several recent infrastructure projects at the zoo that have faced delays or remain unfinished, raising questions about whether the institution is equipped to take on its most ambitious project in decades: hosting a pair of giant pandas.

Under a tentative agreement reached by Mayor London Breed last month, the zoo plans to build housing for the pandas due from China in 2025. The project comes with an estimated price tag of up to $25 million for housing alone, including the $3 million to $5 million needed to construct a temporary home for the bears while a permanent enclosure is built.

While the zoo seeks to accomplish both at the same time, more than a dozen people with deep connections to the zoo, ranging from zookeepers to a major donor, told the Chronicle that the nearly century-old institution should consider fixing its aging facilities before taking on the internationally watched project. Some worried that getting the bears would divert attention and resources away from doing basic repairs and building exhibits for other animals, some of which have been housed in temporary facilities for years while construction is underway.

John McNellis, a longtime zoo donor, called facilities at the zoo “sadly dilapidated.”

“The $20 million it would cost to build a new panda enclosure might be better spent in bringing our zoo back into pristine, first-class condition,” McNellis wrote in an email.  

McNellis hoped that the panda gift would inspire the city to increase its annual financial support of the zoo, which has been set around $4 million since 1993, to at least $10 million, “so that the zoo can complete the long overdue repairs and capital improvements to its buildings, landscape and infrastructure.” (Such an increase could be a challenge to realize: San Francisco is expected to face a nearly $800 million budget deficit in the coming two fiscal years.)

“Ideally, however, we would have both a first-class zoo and a wonderful panda exhibit,” McNellis added.

Vitus Leung, deputy director at the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society, which operates the city-owned zoo, said in an email that the zoo “remains committed to supporting all of our planned projects, including improvements to some of our current animal habitats.”

“We are very grateful to our donors whose funds support these ongoing efforts,” Leung said. “We also look forward to adding new donors who are excited to support the San Francisco Zoo as we prepare for the momentous arrival of the giant pandas.”

Parisa Safarzadeh, a spokesperson for Breed, said the mayor is working closely with officials from the city, zoo and China to ensure the zoo is ready to host the pandas next year.

The mayor “has and will remain at the core of this effort, and continues to lead across all agencies to ensure the panda’s new habitat is a safe and healthy environment where they will thrive,” said Safarzadeh, who called the zoo “one of the city’s most prized attractions.”

Ed Poole, former chair of the nonprofit board overseeing the zoo, said the zoo plans to work with the mayor’s office to “ensure that fundraising initiatives bolster both the zoo’s ongoing operations and existing projects while also facilitating the creation of a new habitat for pandas.”

The panda enclosure would be the biggest project undertaken at the zoo in two decades, since the opening of the $18 million African savanna habitat in 2004 and the most ambitious since Tanya Peterson, the controversial director of the zoo, took the helm in 2008.

In recent years, smaller-scale projects such as the condor exhibit have gone beyond schedule, according to timelines zoo officials presented to the Recreation and Park Commission.  

Some of those projects have also had to overcome design flaws, according to current and former employees who asked to remain anonymous because they still work in the zoo or in the field and fear professional repercussions. The Chronicle agreed not to name them in accordance with its confidential sources policy.   

“We already have so many projects that are halfway finished or not started,” said one employee. “We barely have enough resources, and I feel like all of it will go to the pandas.”

Leung attributed the delays on some projects to pandemic-related issues such as lower revenue and supply-chain disruptions, which he said led the zoo to “reassess our priorities and project timelines.”

Brad Hange, a former zookeeper with the San Francisco Zoo whose 30-year career included five years at Washington D.C.’s National Zoo when it had pandas from China, said he is also concerned about San Francisco’s new panda project. 

“It’s a shiny new object, and directors love shiny new objects,” he said. “They would rather put money into building a new exhibit and bringing a new lovable animal into the zoo, rather than putting money into an 80-year-old exhibit.” 

One delayed improvement was the $1.5 million expansion of the zoo’s snow leopard exhibit. A month before the pandemic began, Peterson announced plans to complete the project by summer 2020, but it didn’t open until early 2022.

Another delayed project is the Lipman Family Madagascar Center, underway near the center of the zoo housing animals from the island such as lemurs and a catlike carnivore called a fossa. The project, funded with a $7 million gift to the zoo from donor Barry Lipman and his family, broke ground in 2018 and is not yet completed.

As with the condors, the San Francisco Zoo recently brought in several animals from other zoos before the work on their exhibit spaces had begun; workers said this practice is not always good for the animals. Unlike San Francisco, the Oakland Zoo has a policy of receiving new animals only after their enclosures are complete, with the exception of animals in need of immediate rescue. 

Construction delays have meant animals in San Francisco have spent even longer in temporary and at times subpar housing than originally intended, workers said.   

Poole, the former zoo board chair, pushed back in an email. He said assertions suggesting that the zoo’s exhibits, whether permanent or temporary, “fail to meet the needs of our animals are entirely unfounded.”

Poole noted the zoo is regularly inspected by outside regulators.

In a recent Chronicle investigation into worker safety and animal welfare issues at the zoo, former zookeepers described how a pair of orangutans brought to the zoo in 2019 were put in a 1950s-era cement enclosure — without enough room for them to swing with their arms and with limited outdoor space, they said  — for two years while the exhibit was being renovated.

Other rare animals that have remained in limbo include some brought in for the Madagascar Center. They include a male fossa that has lived in temporary housing for the past six years. Several Malagasy amphibians and reptiles acquired for the center in 2017 — such as a Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko, day gecko and a Sambava tomato frog — died before ever being put on view, according to zoo records.

The zoo did not respond to questions about the fossa living in temporary housing or about the other animals dying before the center opened. Leung said all animals at the zoo are housed in accordance with standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an accreditation organization, regardless of whether they are recently brought to the zoo or are housed out of sight from the public.

Shortly before the pandemic, Peterson told the Recreation and Park Commission in February 2020 that she hoped to complete the Madagascar project by the time the zoo completed its reaccreditation process with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. That process was completed in early 2022.

But the first phase of the project, which includes a giant replica baobab tree and an expanded habitat for a female fossa, wasn’t completed until 2023. The second phase, which includes a 9,000-square-foot garden and a new lemur habitat, is still underway.

In his email, Leung said the Madagascar Center faced “COVID-related issues and other matters that are now resolved.” He did not say when it would be completed.

Former employees said they noticed that progress on the Madagascar Center slowed down when the zoo began focusing on other initiatives, such as renovating an indoor habitat for its chimpanzees and working on the orangutan exhibit. 

“When they would start new projects, an existing project would be put on hold and they would keep redirecting attention to the new project,” said a former employee. That worker was concerned that type of situation would be repeated, with the pandas taking attention away from existing projects. Unlike those projects, though, the panda construction will be closely watched by China.

Lipman, the zoo donor whose family the center is named after, acknowledged in an interview that the Madagascar project encountered challenges. He said the zoo quickly demolished parts of an old primate center to make space for the project, leaving an “unsightly” hole in the ground, but ran into supply-chain issues during the pandemic. Still, Lipman said he never expected the project to be completed “overnight.”

Lipman said he believed the zoo is sufficiently prepared to build an enclosure for the pandas, as long as it has enough money and can find a good architect.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. 

In addition to delays, design flaws have come up in some recent projects when employees with animal-care knowledge were not consulted during planning stages, workers said.

Joe Knobbe, the zoo’s manager of primate exhibits from 2016 to 2021, said the mesh that the zoo planned to use on the lemur habitat for the Madagascar Center had larger holes than recommended and could allow baby lemurs to escape, putting them at risk from predators like raccoons and seagulls.

Knobbe said he was often not included in discussions during the planning of the Madagascar Center, despite his extensive experience with lemurs.

“They had gone ahead with some design features without even running them by someone who had worked with lemurs for more than 30 years,” said Knobbe, now deputy director of the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kan. “It frustrated the heck out of me.”

Another exhibit design issue: After construction on the snow leopard expansion, a worker said they realized the project enclosure lacked shade or a hiding place for the animal, which had to be addressed. 

The zoo did not comment on the alleged design problems on either project.

As construction for the Madagascar Center continues six years after it began, some animals that were displaced by the project are still in less than ideal housing, workers said.

In a far-off corner of the zoo, a troupe of endangered Francois’ langurs that were moved in 2018 live inside an old-school concrete exhibit.

Like the promised pandas, the monkeys, which are black with distinctive white mutton chops, were originally given to the zoo by China. The zoo would not say whether the exhibit is their permanent home, or whether the monkeys will someday enjoy a new enclosure.

End Article

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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 Zoological Society Is Investigating? - News Article

Good Grief.  My first reaction to this is, The San Francisco Zoological Society is the one who should BE investigated!  The Society Board needs investigation as to why it has not provided any oversight for at least a minimum of sixteen years, those being the reign of Tanya Peterson as Director?

I'm way behind posting my reactions to the words of Zoo related Officials quoted in these news articles.  My goal is this weekend.  Hope I succeed.  For this one, my reaction is a two-parter!  Check back if interested.

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.

San Francisco Chronicle - Friday May 10, 2024 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/zoo-investigation-19446885.php

Text from this SFChronicle article

appears below.

The organization that runs the San Francisco Zoo is conducting an internal investigation, an action that follows a Chronicle report that detailed employee allegations of mismanagement, safety lapses and animal welfare concerns, as well as a recent vote of no confidence in CEO and executive director Tanya Peterson by the zoo’s union. 

The investigation comes just as San Francisco has begun preparations to host a pair of high-profile pandas from China at the zoo as soon as next year.

On Thursday, executive board members of the San Francisco Zoological Society, the nonprofit organization that runs the city-owned zoo, held a meeting with investigator Harriet Lipkin, a Washington, D.C.-based labor lawyer, and members of the zoo’s union, according to sources familiar with the meeting. Melinda Dunn, the new chair of the Zoological Society board, has also encouraged employees to contact the investigator directly to discuss their concerns, emails obtained by the Chronicle show. 

“Engaging in due diligence is a fundamental aspect of board governance and should not be misconstrued as a negative reflection of the zoo’s leadership or its operational procedures,” Dunn said in a statement to the Chronicle.

Exactly who or what is being investigated is unclear. It is also unclear exactly when the investigation began. When asked for details, Dunn did not answer, but said, “The Zoological Society board is dedicated to collaborating with its leadership team and our labor partner to ensure a positive work environment for all our employees at the zoo. In alignment with this commitment and in cooperation with the union, we are utilizing several channels for gathering information.”

Thursday’s meeting was scheduled after 97% of the zoo’s union members cast a vote of no-confidence in Peterson in early April, according to an April 17 letter that union representative Corey Hallman sent to membership and was obtained by the Chronicle. A statement accompanying the vote alleged that Peterson had created a ‘toxic work environment’ and that the zoo suffered from staffing shortages and safety problems, such as concerns about the security of proposed housing for a new jaguar, among other issues.  

Peterson, who has led the zoo since 2008, did not respond to specific allegations raised by employees, but said in a statement to the Chronicle: “I fully endorse initiatives aimed at fostering positive dialogue and communication. I take immense pride in our dedicated employees and consider it an honor to collaborate with them in advancing the zoo’s mission.”  

Hallman declined to comment when contacted for this story. But in the April 17 letter, Hallman wrote that Dunn had informed the union that it was “conducting an investigation into the issues the union has raised.” The Chronicle’s investigation into the zoo was published online April 17.

Separately, Larry Mazzola, the chair of an advisory group within the Recreation and Park Commission called the Joint Zoo Committee, said he is doing his own research into similar issues. After the Chronicle published its article, which detailed concerns about safety, zoo management and animal welfare from 20 current and former employees, Mazzola said he would invite Peterson and Dunn to the committee’s June meeting, which is public, to discuss them.

Mazzola said he is “investigating these issues” in preparation for the June meeting.

“My goal is to have all of the facts out on the table with reasonable solutions so we can make the S.F. Zoo the best place to work for the employees, and the best place to live for the animals,” he said in an email.

The San Francisco Zoo has also been in the media spotlight since Mayor London Breed announced last month that she had secured the loan of a pair of pandas for the zoo from China, due to arrive in 2025. The zoo will spend an estimated $25 million to build housing for the bears and potentially pay $1 million a year for the loan of the animals. 

Breed spokesperson Parisa Safarzadeh said the mayor is focused on construction preparation and fundraising for the panda’s arrival, which she called a multiagency effort. “The S.F. Zoo is one of the city’s most prized attractions,” Safarzadeh said in a statement. She added that the mayor “supports the process actively in play for workers to report all concerns and raise issues. This process is happening as it should, and the mayor will continue to monitor all developments.”

In addition to the no-confidence union vote in early April, a group of 15 self-described nonunion staff members emailed Dunn anonymously last month to share their concerns about issues raised in the Chronicle’s report and other complaints, including “many years of inadequate leadership” at the zoo, according to a copy of the email obtained by the Chronicle. Peterson did not respond to a request to comment on the letter’s statement on zoo leadership.

In response to the email, Dunn said she appreciated them sharing their views and wrote, “We want to hear your concerns, suggestions and thoughts for the future.” 

Dunn also wrote that Lipkin, senior counsel at DLA Piper who specializes in hospitality and leisure, was “scheduling interviews with individuals with first-hand knowledge of the allegations, as necessary to conduct her investigation. Her charge is to conduct an unbiased investigation, without revealing the identity of her reliable sources.”

Earlier this year, the board also offered zoo employees a new online portal to report concerns. Dunn said that some kind of employee hotline had been in place since 2008.

The recent vote of no-confidence comes a decade after a similar one also raised concerns about Peterson’s leadership. 

End Article

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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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Today's Joint Zoo Meeting Cancelled - Curious Indeed!

I saw this Notice last weekend, and immediately thought, huh, that's curious!   

I don't remember ever seeing a Meeting Cancellation Notice with a reason attached.  "Due to an anticipated lack of quorum", what? My thoughts were, wow, so the Recreation and Park Commissioner Larry Mazzola goes on record calling for a full investigation of issues brought up in the April 17 Chronicle article, and all of a sudden there are not three members from the Commission and/or the Zoological Society available to make this meeting?  In my opinion it raises alot of suspicion, about the willingness of Committee Members to participate in truth finding and transparency.

Considering anticipated no-shows for today, I wonder what's going to happen for the June Meeting, since in the Chronicle follow-up article from April 20, where Mazzola makes his investigation statement, he also 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."

On Monday, I emailed the Rec and Park Commission regarding two things. First asking for follow-up on my previous email, and also asking about this Meeting curiosity.  No response about the Meeting, but it was noted that there was no additional information about my suggestion since our last correspondence.

I sent this email on April 29, ... 

>"I have long thought the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting should be streamed.  The Minutes never cover enough.

As someone who can not make it downtown, I am requesting the Joint Zoo Meeting be included in the Full Commission Meeting.

Streaming of the later starts at 10am, Joint Zoo is at 9am.  Starting an hour early should not be a hard task.

With the Zoo recently in the News, there are even more interested parties.  It is important that the Meetings are accessible to everyone and that means viewable online either by streaming or archived video or audio."<

The Rec and Park responded that my email/suggestion was forwarded to the Zoo and to the Rec and Park Committee Members.  

I think my suggestion is valid and doable.  It would be a valuable resource to those of us who care about the Zoo, and lend to the public's right to hear in full what is said at the Meetings.  So, let's see if this happens.  

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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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Still No Mention For Minnie - Thoughts On The Zoo's Recognition Of Losses

Yesterday was a week since our Beautiful Minnie left us.  Still no mention of her on the Zoo's social media.  In my opinion, it is so disrespectful.  Along with Maggie, Minnie was the longest living Resident of the Zoo.  She lived here 54 years.  All but maybe one year of her early life.  The San Francisco Zoo was the only home she ever knew, and for them to not recognize her, hurts my Soul.

One Friend of Minnie's wrote me after seeing the Zoo's gift shop post to their Instagram after her passing, yet they had still not recognized Minnie and expressed this, ... "Even if they have to block off the path for two weeks to give the chimps time to grieve, then do that!!!  But to disrespect her like that is horrible."

Those of us who care, get it.  I don't want to fault the wrong Zoo Staff, so I will say this...  I know everything goes through Director Peterson, so essentially even social media posts are micromanaged by her.  That said, something should have been mentioned by now.  

As I wrote in my previous post, my tribute to Minnie, I waited to publish, waiting for the Zoo to make an announcement.  I felt apprehensive to before them, but I also felt strongly about recognizing her for Mother's Day.  I'm glad I followed my heart and did what I thought was right to honor Minnie.  For her, and no one else. 

I hope the Zoo announces her passing soon, and has a Memorial set-up for her Friends to leave flowers.  At the very least, recognize she's left us, with some memories from those who cared for her.  If they don't know cause, just say it's pending.  To continue to say nothing is just not right.

I started a post a last month about Zoo Friend losses.  It was prompted by two Friends who's passings I heard about in the same week.  One had still been living at the Zoo and one had been transferred to a Sanctuary.  I have felt bad it didn't get posted, but maybe it was meant to be posted now.

I started my post... 

'I don't regularly post about Zoo Friend passings.  I used to, but then with all that goes on that delays me posting timely, I just never get to them all.  Additionally, in recent time, I've tried to concentrate on just posting issues that I feel should be documented.  

Each loss saddens me, especially those who I've had stronger connections with. I'm a believer in the otherside, so when I visit the Zoo, I always acknowledge those passed Spirits around me, when I pass by their homes, especially right after they pass away.  

I've written about this before, as there have been instances when two Zoo Friends have passed away close together.  One gets acknowledged and one doesn't.  It not only hurts my feelings for them, but I think it's incredibly disrespectful to the Animal and their life.  As well to those who cared about them.  It may be a Visitor, but it's also the Keeper who took care of them.  It has to affect them, when an Animal they have taken care of, doesn't get recognized.  I know the Zoo probably doesn't want to flood their social media with sad stuff, but sad stuff unfortunately happens to lives we care about.  All individuals should be recognized equally, not just the ones that may garner media attention.'

I have written posts before on Friends that have passed away.  Some individual, some mentioning several.  I do feel guilty not recognizing them all here, myself.  As I said, I am trying to just get through documenting the issues.  I've been writing about the Zoo a very long time, and it's tiring.  I do it for the Animals, but it has taken a toll on me, and continues to be an overwhelming weight.  So I do what I can, when I can.  If I don't post about the loss of a Friend, it's not because I don't care.  I take a moment while at the Zoo, to recognize what every Animal I've known has meant to me.

I mentioned there were two passings that prompted the start of this post last month.

Our Lulu Elephant who arrived at SFZoo in 1968, when she was just four years old.  She lived here thirty-eight years.  The Zoo never mentioned her passing.  Many people grew up with the Elephants and remember them fondly.   She should have been recognized, as the huge part of the Zoo Family she was.

Lulu was transferred to PAWS Sanctuary in 2005.  Here is their tribute to Lulu.  

Screencap from PAWS website

Just because an Animal leaves the Zoo, doesn't mean they leave people's thoughts and hearts.  Especially not one who lived at the Zoo for that many years and was high profile.  Sad not to mention her.

My photo from many years ago

RIP Lulu, Bless Your Soul.  Thank you for the joy you gave me as a child and young adult. In hindsight I appologize for that joy, now knowing Zoo life is probably not joyful for your species.  Hoping there were some good times, like when you got pumpkins!

The Zoo announced the loss of Oliver Anaconda on Friday April 12, 2024.  New articles reported his passing as "earlier in the week".  According to the Joint Zoo Documents, Oliver passed away on March 18th.  Over three weeks before the Zoo recognized his passing.  It's not only the time frame, it's the untruth about the date.

I had heard about Oliver's passing before it was announced.  When he finally got recognized, I was really bothered by their " tribute".  

So few words for such an "iconic" member of the Zoo Family.  Do they ask the Keepers who care for the Animals for words and memories?  I can't believe that is all they had to say.  So sad, for a resident of over twenty years.

I was lucky to catch Oliver's sweet face one day, years ago.  I love this photo as it looks like he's smiling!  This is how I will remember him.

RIP Oliver, Bless Your Soul

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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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Remembering Minnie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away

Collage of photos I made in 2017

View the accompanying video

https://tinyurl.com/yv5xz3mn

I started this memorial post to My Precious Friend, on Wednesday, the day after I heard the sad news.  I have been waiting for the Zoo to announce the passing of our beloved Minnie.  They have not. While they post about their gift shop, I will respect her, and no longer wait to acknowledge her life.  

As we head into Mother's Day, I want to share some words I expressed to some of my friends years ago.

Minnie was a Mother, but never allowed to be a Mom.  She had four babies with our Cobby.  Two males, one stillborn, one who didn't make it through the day, and two females who survived.  Both babie girls, were taken from her, hand raised and put on display in the Zoo's "nursery".  That's how they did it in those days.  No empathy, no compassion.  Actions all so people could pay extra to see them.  Minnie was taken from her Mother, and the same happened to her and her babies.  This horror has always been on my mind.  I hope it faded a bit from hers over the years.  

Yesterday started out a beautiful day.  It was warm by the early am, and not a cloud in the sky.  I headed to the Zoo for a peaceful walk and visit.  My first Friends to visit, are always the Chimps.  Seeing My Mins is priority every visit, and I didn't see her Monday.  The path around their yard was closed, and the dayroom was empty.  I asked the first person I saw, and was told they heard something was wrong with Minnie.  My insides sank, and I had a bad feeling about my Lady Friend.  My eyes were brimming with tears I held back, until I confirmed my fear.  My heart broke in that moment, and the flood of tears could not be stopped.  Full on sobbing, as I wandered about a bit aimlessly, until I just couldn't be there any longer.

It is the worst thing to get news that a dear Zoo Friend has passed, as you start your visit thinking about seeing them, then realizing, the last visit, was the last time.  

A couple weeks ago, I had what would be my last interaction with My Mins.  In the dayroom, I was alone with the Ladies.  They were on the top platform, Minnie was eating.  She made eye contact with me, giving me her knock wave greeting a few times, and I returned them.  It's how we'd say Hi.  While she ate, I stood and did some of my bend exercises.  She got up and gave me a couple head bobs, one of her ways of communicating, and started to sway her body a bit.  I said, "Oh Mins, you wanna dance with me Mama?"  I moved a bit flowy in dance motion and she swayed a bit more.  Precious girl was dancing with me! 

I have had so many wonderful moments with Minnie, that are cherished memories. So many Amazing gifts, like the one I shared above.  I could never express how much she means to me or how deeply the interactions we've shared have touched my soul.  I've known of her, as one of our Chimpanzees, since I was a little girl.  I've known her, as an individual for over fifteen years.  That's when my connection with her started.  Once you know these Beautiful Beings in a personal way, and they know you, it's an experience that warms you, and wows you.  

I Love this Lady so much. That may have been our last interaction on this physical plane, but I'll be talking to her spirit alot.  I talk to all the Friends who have passed.  Whether you believe or not, I know they are there and can hear me. 

I took a moment alone in the Dayroom after learning of her passing.  I said a few personal words to her, and finally I told her, now she is with her Cobby and their babies.  

As I was leaving the Zoo, a Priest was walking in.  I had never crossed paths with one at the Zoo.  I thought it serendipitous, and stopped him.  With tears streaming, I asked, "Can you do a special Blessing at Chimpanzees, for one of our ladies who just passed away."  He said, "Of course I can do that."  

Minnie turned 55 years old this year.  She was born in the wild, kidnapped from her Mother and Family, when she was a babie, and sold into the Exotic Pet Trade.  Soon she would meet another babie who suffered the same fate, our Maggie.  Within a year, they would come to the San Francisco Zoo.  My heart breaks for Maggie, her Sister for life.  She is in my thoughts, as I hope she will be ok.  

At the Zoo she met Cobby, Tallulah, and Candy. Along with Maggie they became a Family.  After Candy's passing in the early 80s, the four remaining, lived together over forty years.  I am so thankful they had eachother for so long.  

I have been watching the videos I have public on my YouTube channel, leo811sf.  Shedding many tears, through big smiles. 

If inclined, you can search my channel name + minnie (or chimps).  This is one of my favorites.  

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzee Minnie Checking Her Look Before Her Date With Cobby!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm4cY53M6O4&pp=ygUPbGVvODExc2YgbWlubmll

RIP Beautiful Minnie, Bless Your Soul.

Thank You For Your Friendship. 

I Love You Lady.

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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 - Here's What The Mayor Should Do!

*Why I think San Francisco should only committ to hosting Pandas for two years.

I have made it no secret that I think the Needs of our San Francisco Zoo, specifically those of our Orangutans, should be met before bringing Pandas here.  In seeking Pandas and touting Asian Conservation, our San Francisco Mayor London Breed should want to make sure all the Animals are "Happy", and that means fixing our Zoo and building a new home for the Orangutans, who are a major Being in Asian Conservation.

Since the last time I posted about Panda Talk, there have been many news articles noting all the costs, fundraising, hoops and hurdles, bringing Pandas to our San Francisco Zoo will entail.  In addition to my own reluctancy (and that of many I know), to be on board with this acquisition, at this time, opposition by many others have been expressed in articles, tweets, and comments. 

As noted previously, my main issue is the use of $25 million for this Want, when our Zoo has been breaking down for fifteen years under the mismanagement of SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson.  This Want, would ignore all the Needs, specifically the Orangutans.  If the Mayor and/or Director can raise $25 million to use for enclosure builds alone, they need to include building a new home for the Orangutans as well.

When Panda Talk started, Director Peterson apparently sold the illusion that the Zoo had created an "Asian Conservation Zone", that included a specific area for Pandas.  Mayor Breed apparently bought this illusion, and set-out on her quest.  Both have been quoted talking about the area, which has been used for the past many summers for Zoo Campers to run wild in.  My point in rehashing this is if Director Peterson was concerned, actually lets say, in the least bit interested, in Asian Conservation, she would have provided for the Orangutans, ideally before they got here, but definitely at some point in the five years they have been here. 

During my Zoo visit last Monday,  I had an idea, that frankly should become more than just an idea by a member of the public, but a serious consideration by Mayor Breed.  I think my thoughts, are the most logical way for the Zoo to  forge ahead with bringing Pandas here, because let's face it, if all the permits and financial obstacles are taken care of, there is no way of stopping those Pandas from boarding the plane.  That said, there should be room for compromising the plan into something that works for the overall good of the Zoo, and that would satisfy those who are against the outrageous cost being spent on one Animal, before any Need is fixed.

Aside from all the unknown costs that will be added to having Panda, the main number reported has been the $25 million that will be spent on housing alone.  As anyone who has read my posts knows, when that number got broken into $3-5 million for a temporary enclosure and $20 for a permanent one, is where I became enraged.  Zero dollars were spent for the Orangutans and now, an asinine amount will be spent for a new acquisition. It's outrageous and irresponsible.  And, let's not forget that the Pandas could be repossessed at any point in time. 

So, last Monday, there I was standing in front of the Big Cat Grottos, when the idea hit me. 

I had asked a few people weeks ago if they had heard where the temporary enclosure would be.  No one had even realized two enclosures were part of the plan.  I know there aren't many options that would fall into the "upgrading an existing enclosure" parameter, as it would have to be one that could hold an Animal the size and strength of a Panda.  I also feared in doing so, a current Zoo Resident would be displaced.  With the two Lions recently taken off view for introductions, I realized they would eventually be occupying only one Grotto and the other one would probably be where the Pandas would go.  The Pandas that were at the Zoo in the 1980s, were housed in one of the Cat Grottos.  I saw them, and always thought they were in Grotto A, but also remember it feeling dark, so I don't know.  The number of yards have been reduced and expanded from four to two since then.  Grotto C/D (now B) was renovated for the Jaguar, but he was never moved in.  So, I have to assume that B will be the temporary home of the Pandas.

Looking at B, it is already a huge enclosure, with lots of ground greenery, cave cubbies, and a platform.  It already looks better than other Panda enclosures I've seen online, and the current (permanent?) Orangutan enclosure for that matter.  Aside from some topical additions (more platforms, leaning items such as logs, etc., and possibly some planting), and work to night quarters, I don't see $3-5 million in upgrades needed.  I can't even imagine there being a million dollars worth. 

*The logical solution to this whole Panda Plan is to back-burner the Permanent Residency plan, and committ to Pandas for two years, of which they will remain in the renovated Cat Grotto.  After one year, the situation will be evaluated. 

*The factors to consider would be... Are there (still) crowds being drawn to the Zoo specifically to see the Pandas?  Is there (still) a significant increase in attendance and funds generated from that?  Those factors will determine if it's financially justifiable to move forward with investing in building a permanent enclosure.  If not, the Pandas are here for two years and that event will have been a great experience, just not a permanent one.  If it is, and the funds have been secured for a permanent enclosure, then it could be a welcome addition. 

That all said, those secured funds must be independant of increased attendance revenue, which should be used exclusively for fixing the Zoo.  And initial fundraising should include all Panda related costs for the two years, and funds for a new Orangutan enclosure.

Even without spending $20 million on a permanent enclosure, the costs will include a reported $1 million per Panda rental fee per year, transportation costs for bringing in Bamboo (of which would be at least 30 lbs for each per day), payroll for extra security, and I recently read a Panda specific Vet and possibly Keepers.  Those factors alone would exceed a few million minimum per year.  So if the Mayor believes she can raise $25 million for housing alone, she can surely swing an initial $10 million or so to cover the upgrades, two years of costs, and an Orangutan enclosure.  

Mayor Breed, can you make this happen, so everyone will be happy?

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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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Fix It's - Signage and Parking Needs

For years, well, now over a decade, I've been easily irked by the lack of signage, starting with barrier breaching warnings.  That's a lost cause, been trying for too many years, so I won't even bother.  No one cares.  Anyone interested can search the blog in upper left corner for "barriers", to read my many, many rants.

Last week, I over heard some people snickering at Jaguar.  People are going to be jerks no matter, but why is there no sign explaining what happened to Tikal's tail?  I Tweeted @ the Zoo immediately and said there needs to be a sign...  I'm still waiting.  Maybe next week.

Part of what gets me going is that the Zoo for some reason can not make signs on the spot.  They got computers, color printers and laminators, but just can't figure it out.  

I met a cool couple this week.  Enjoyable to talk to people who get things.  Both natives, like myself, and also been coming to the Zoo their whole life.  They love the Zoo, but can see the issues.  They mentioned that a group was knocking on the glass at Fossa.  There needs to be a sticker sign not to.  It took two years after I told the previous Deputy Director we need No Howling signs at Wolves.  Hopefully Violet doesn't have to wait that long.  More than an hour later, when I visited her, she was still pacing the window line.  I've never seen her doing that.

A Chronicle article from April 30, 2024, noted about the permanent closure of the south end of Great Highway next year.

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-great-highway-closed-to-cars-19431219.php

Seeing Supervisor Myrna Melgar's name, reminded me of her notation in the Chronicle's April 17th article about the Zoo.  The Zoo is in her District, yet she had no comment to offer, other than to ignorantly and selfishly say,...  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.”

So, yet another person who apparently has no interest in what goes on at the Zoo, in general, or what taking on Pandas before taking care of the Zoo's current Needs first, would do to the Zoo.  I'm getting really sick of people having no care for the Animals that already live there.  

Additionally, Melgar seemingly knows nothing about the Zoo, not even the neighborhood logistics.  She noted (about the eventual Great Highway closure), the Zoo is building a "new entrance around 47th ave".   Doesn't she know the existing entrance is on Sloat?  Yes, around 47th, but its on Sloat and, already there.  There is no space for a " new" entrance, just making one of the entrances into an exit.

The Zoo, should have changed the Sloat entrance to two-way years ago.  Every winter it pisses me off that the back exit that leads to Great Highway is open to unsuspecting visitors.  When it rains, the only road out gets flooded and at times the water is deeper than most cars should be driving through.  I drove through it once, that's how I know.  It didn't feel safe for my car.  Thankfully it was fine, but still, people should be warned.  I've seen the Sloat entrance, also be an exit when needed, so there is no reason when that road floods, for people to be forced to drive through it, potentially damaging their cars. Here's an idea, since this reconfigure of the exit is going happen at some point, the Zoo needs to just fix it now.  Or at least before winter.

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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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Halle-FUCKING-lujah! The Bison Sprinklers Are Finally Working!

Yesterday was a good day out!   Checked several things off my to-do list before even leaving the house.  On my way out and about, taking my usual route through the Park, I was stopped in my tracks by a beautiful sight.  That's right, ear to ear smile, giddy in my Being, four, maybe five, sprinkler streams in full force in the Bison Meadow!!

For people who have been following my ranting for years about the sprinklers in the Bison being broken, I guess I hit it at the right time this morning and was treated to seeing this fantasticness!

I was driving along, running through my lists of stops for the day, and was taken by complete surprise and shock, to actually see water in the Bison Meadow!  I literally gasped and yelled out, Sprinklers are on!!! as I quickly veered to the curb to jump out for a photo and video!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S1KXPPSSZl4

This has to be a new development, as a worker was near them, I assume checking them out?  As well, the Bison have been in the back enclosure, so maybe they were working on it.  GOOD!  because rainy season is almost over and Mother Nature ain't going to be doing the Rec and Parks job for much longer!

People, I am so happy for the Bison, I tried to help them with this for many years.  I contacted Rec and Park so many times, and they just didn't care.  I should have gotten media involved.  Listen up San Francisco Recreation and Park Dept.  If I ever see dried brown bullshit in the Bison again, I'm contacting media about your neglect to provide grazing Animals, with greenery to graze on.  

Those sprinklers better be fixed and if they break again, you need to be on it asap, not years later!  And the back enclosure needs to be tended to and consistently green as well.  Not taking care of the enclosure per the lease agreement is an Animal Welfare issue and a disgrace.  Shame on you.

For those new to this issue, search this blog in the upper left corner for "bison".

In other awesome day animal news...

The male and female Lions, Jasiri and Lulu, have made progress in their introductions, and were sharing Yard A/B yesterday!  When I got there Jasiri had already retreated to the cave, so even after circling back, neither's position had changed.

The Spectacled Owls, male Quetzal and his new lady Athena, have also made progress, as I spied them for the first time sitting side by side in a shelter box!

The Tapir has been spending more and more time up front, and yesterday was the first time I've seen him in the pond!

Video shows, Tapir, Owls, and Condor.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=V7k2QY-LH2Q&si=uOfo1PjVRJT2mG_i

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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 Removes This Statement - Curiously The Day After My Reaction To It.

As I gear-up for my weekend posts, I'm wondering if the San Francisco Zoo or Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, has responded to the Chronicle reporter's request for their defense in what they think was specifically, "..misrepresented information and.. inaccurate facts", as reported in the Chronicle article dated April 17, 2024?  

In my previous post, I concentrated on reacting to words (in Chronicle article dated April 20, 2024), by an SF Rec and Park Commissioner, Joint Zoo Committee panelist, and the new Zoological Society Board Chair.  Yet, there was another mention in one paragraph that should be noted.  

The Zoo issued a Statement April 19, 2024, via their Social Media, reacting to the first Chronicle article dated April 17.  

Since I dont regularly look at the Zoo's Socials, I didn't see this until someone messaged me about it two days later.  On April 21, I reacted to it in a post, and Tweeted it to the Zoo.  Curiously, the Zoo removed this Statement the next day.

I will reiterate what I've written before... San Francisco Zoo Officials do not think they have to justify their words and actions.  The San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, SF Zoological Society Board, SF Rec/Park Commissioners and SF Rec/Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg, have all deflected accusations by declining to comment or with non-related notations.  In this case, it's particularly ridiculous for the Zoo, assuming Director Peterson, to even call untrue, as she specifically declined to comment prior to the article being published.

So, Director Peterson, what exactly was written in any Chronicle articles, that was "misrepresented and/or inaccurate?"  

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/my-reaction-to-statement-by-san.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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