Are Our Chimpanzees At Risk For Leaving?

Hours after learning about Maggie's passing, I started reading the news articles.  One sparked the thought... Do the remaining three have a secured home at Our Zoo?

This shouldn't even be a question, but considering Director Tanya Peterson's history of transferring Residents out, aka taking the easy way out, instead of doing what's right by them, it's a valid question that comes to mind.  

In 2014, instead of working the last six years since taking the reins, towards raising funds to build the Chimps a new home, Peterson hatched her evil plan to try and kick out our senior Chimpanzee family, of Maggie, Minnie and Cobby.  They were the longest Zoo Residents, having lived there over forty-five years.

Since that unconscionable act, I am angered every time Tanya Peterson talks about Our Chimpanzees.  She has some gall saying anything about Our Chimpanzees, or Our Orangutans. Both species she has no care, compassion or empathy for, and frankly has treated like shit.  How dare she utter one word about them.  

Tanya Peterson's self-importance in speaking about any of the Chimpanzees, especially in the wake of their passing, is disturbing. Her words in media statements may seem heartfelt, but unless she has split personality, most of us know it's all show. More of her illusion of caring, that is non-existent.  She speaks empty words for these precious Beings who she tried to kick out of their life-long home at the Zoo.  She really has no shame.

That said, I'm glad she ran her mouth this time, as it made me wonder if she's hatching yet another plan against Our Chimpanzees.

In addition to Peterson's faux endearment words of Maggie that were sprinkled through-out news articles, she strongly alluded to her plans for the future of Our Chimpanzees.  At least that was my interpretation of the last paragraph in the Chronicle's article about Maggie's passing.

In my opinion, her ambiguous wording can be interpreted to mean, our three remaining Chimps home at Our Zoo is not secure.

“Regardless, we are working with AZA to ensure the best future for this particular group."

Many months after Minnie's passing last May, I heard the Zoo would be acquiring additional Chimpanzees. That never happened.  Why not?  Who knows.  Who know if it was even something that was serious at the time.  They have known for months that the troop number could reduce at anytime, a plan would certainly seem to be in motion.  Either we are holding at three indefinetly, or the AZA is working to find Chimps to send us, or they are working to find homes for our Chimps.  Not being clear about the future of our current Chimpanzees is suspicious.

Sadly, I would not be surprised if Director Peterson's plan is to transfer our three remaining Chimpanzees out.  Some may ask, Why would she?  I would not put it past her to empty the Chimps home, and move-in the Orangutans, to solve the Orangutan housing issue she created with her cruelty.  This would be an easy fix and easy win in her mind, as she proceeds with trying to acquire Pandas, displacing the Lions, and using funds to build a new Lion enclosure, when they already have one, in the Lion House (where she plans to put Pandas), while the Orangutans are the ones that have desperately needed a new home built since they got here.

Granted this is all my own thoughts, based on what I've unfortunately learned about Tanya Peterson over sixteen years. That said, it's not a far-fetched thought, that is concerning.  If this were to happen, I would be enraged.  This would be morally wrong and a selfish attempt for Peterson to fix her failure to plan to provide an appropriate home for the Orangutans before they got here, or during the six years since their arrival.  

This thought of mine is in no way intended to take a new space away from the Orangutans.  Everyone knows getting them a new home built has been my main focus since they got here.  It's about what's right and what's wrong.   

The Chimpanzee's should stay put, and the Orangutans should be the recipients of a new enclosure.  That all means, No Pandas. That is the only morally right thing to do.

I have to wonder... How would people who specifically donated back in 2015 to a new home for Chimpanzees feel about that space not being used by Chimps?  Those are considered locked funds, using that space other than as intended seems fraudulent.

Additionally, and primarily, our current three Chimpanzees have been an established Family for six years, with Twiggy and Nick, together longer at their previous home.  Qadeer arrived months before them, coming from a situation where he was the lowest rank of the troop, often attacked, leaving him with missing portions of his fingers and toes.  They have already formed bonds, and to disrupt that, especially after suffering through losing four members of their family in a short time, one being Twiggy's Sister, would be cruel.   In my opinion to move any of these three would be destructive to their well-being.  Not only, for them to have to relocate, but to also possibly be separated.  Contemplating anything but caring for these individuals healing and sense of security, would be unconscionable.

Today I saw all three together.  Nick at the doorway, Qadeer on the bridge with his arm around Twiggy.  

The Zoo should endeavor to initially acquire a single female to bond with Twiggy, as she is the lone lady now, adding in other females after that.  The balance between Qadeer and Nick seems to be in a good place, another male might disrupt that.  That is just my observation, the gender dynamic balance is best known by Senior Keeper and Wellness Staff.  I have deliberately not mentioned the Primate Curator, who made disrespectful comments about our Minnie after her passing.  Personal disgust aside, not only can I not believe he still has that job, but I have complete lack of confidence in his professional assessment of what would be best for Our Chimpanzees.

Unless Senior Keeper and Wellness Staff think this the best option, this would be just another callous and selfish action from Director Tanya Peterson.

As I noted, this is all my own thoughts, on a very likely hypothetical future for our Chimpanzees.

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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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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

The Chimpanzee Dayroom Gave New Life To Our Original Three

While Triple Grotto still holds nostalgic joy, it's use has faded over the years into obsolete status.  Built in the mid-1960s, it originally housed Orangutans, Chimpanzees, and Gorillas!  Hard to believe not only that each of those Great Ape species only had one grotto island to live on, but that they all resided together in that seemingly small night quarter building.  By the 80s, Gorillas had been moved to what is current Madrill's, and then to Gorilla World. In 2003, the last Orangutan was transferred out, and the Chimpanzees were the last Apes standing, occupying all three grotto islands.  Ten years later, with the passing of Tallulah, our three remaining Chimps were faced with future eviction.  The Chimpanzee SSP had guidelines that required Zoos to hold a minimum of four. They also deemed the aging Triple Grotto  not appropriate, refusing to send the Zoo additional Chimpanzees.  Despite a $48 million 1997 City Bond, that designated a new Chimpanzee enclosure, not one Director, not one Zoological Society Board Member, not one Rec and Park Commissioner, not one Mayor, no authoritative entity for our City owned Zoo, made sure that bond funds were used as designated.  Additionally, at no point since has any one of those entities cared to monitor the situation and dictate that funds need to be raised for a new Chimpanzee enclosure.  So, the Chimps continued to live in Triple Grotto, making them vulnerable to having to leave their home of over forty years.  In 2014, Director Peterson decided rather than lifting a finger to raise any funds for the Chimps at that time, or any time during her six years there, she would send them packing.  This disrespectful, disgusting, and callous plan was stopped, when a member of the public (me), got media attention that created public outrage.  Chimps stayed and got a new home built.  In addition to a new Yard, they got an indoor Dayroom with visitor viewing windows.  The Dayroom became what I consider the greatest source of enrichment Our Chimpanzees may have ever had.

While putting together Maggie's tribute post, I watched alot of my videos, especially those from Our Chimps first public day in the Dayroom.  I've watched them through and in parts many times.  It still makes me cry, tears of joy at My Chimpers happiness, and feel immense sadness of what it took to get them to this enriching point in their long lives.  As I say in the first video, "They should have had this a long time ago."

Cobby, Minnie and Maggie, had access to the Dayroom a couple times, prior to the public opening.  My video's show their first face-to-face encounters with visitors.

This video starts with me entering the Dayroom, Chimps start a few minutes in.  I kept rolling to capture the whole experience and not miss their entrance.

Minnie

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzees -New Playroom -Moment The Chimps Come Face To Face With Visitors For The First Time

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rNZ-YoQp2bw

Cobby

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzees New Playroom Interacting With Visitors For The First Time

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-J6TWOYbm3g

Maggie

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzee Maggie New Playroom Interacting With Visitors For The First Time

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HCdYKydiZ0A

Cobby, Maggie, Minnie

The new Yard created for the Chimps, also provided them with enriching new experiences.  Not only expanded outdoor space, four times the size of a Triple Grotto Island, but with netting that provided them to reach new heights.

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzees Enter New Yard For The First Time! Pt 1 5 30 19

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PDzKuG3xKM8

In a previous post, I included a screencap of Maggie climbing high, parallel to the trees.  Here's another from Pt Three.

Maggie

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ5Td9dA658

While Maggie was the first to adventure up to the top of the enclosure netting, Minnie and Cobby, gave it a go seven months later!  Luckily I was there for their first adventure, but it made me nervous watching them!

Cobby and Minnie

San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzees Cobby and Minnie Big Adventure to See The Ocean 12 30 19

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tGDUbxTvG4k

In my previous post, I wrote, "All the years the Chimps lived in Triple Grotto, I knew they knew me, but it wasn't until the move to the Dayroom, where we could interact at the glass, did I realize we had a bond."  That was based on what transpired between us, but watching them, what it's done FOR them is pure joy at the highest level.  I'm happy to have witnessed these amazing adventures that new environments provided them, but most of all, I'm happy for the experiences they had. The only other thing I would have wished for them, is that this would have happened in Tallulah's lifetime.  She deserved this too.  I'm sure she was there in spirit, right beside them.  

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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

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

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows. 

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

Remembering The Lives Of The Triple Grotto Chimpanzees

Another week has gone by since I started this post, and even longer since my last.  I'm just overwhelmed by so many things, and wearing down on Zoo bullshit, which could easily be fixed if anyone with authority had the balls to fire Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  My mind is heavy with so much to do, something that wasn't the case when I started documenting Zoo wrongs fourteen years ago.  The Peterson years have gone on far too long, sixteen to be exact, and still no one seems to give a shit.  Not the Zoological Society, not the Recreation and Park Commissioners, and not the Mayor.  It's disgusting.  

That said, before I get back to finishing this post as written last weekend, I need to note something.  The Zoo didn't release the date of Maggie's passing, the time frame that was alluded to has it being at least four weeks ago.  As of my visit this past Wednesday, there is still no Memorial sign or receptacle for her friends and fans to leave flowers.  While the Zoo is not obligated to so, a Memorial sign has been the recent tradition for Chimpanzee losses.  Minnie's sign and receptacle are still up a year later at the Keeper entrance, and a sign close by regarding respecting the troop's mourning of Maggie.  I have seen people read Minnie's sign, thinking it's Maggie.  

It is disrespectful to the loss of Maggie, that nearing a month later there is nothing for her.  Like with the delay in Gorilla Jonesy's sign, this is a mismanagement issue.  As was there never being a press release about Minnie's passing.  Director Peterson has a history of not caring about the Animals, particularly Our Great Apes, so it's no surprise these things that matter escape her.  

I didn't plan on there being such a lapse between my last post, and the mention in that post of two more to follow.  I noted that Maggie's passing had sparked many thoughts that became a three-part series in draft.  While writing Maggie's post, I was also writing the other two, but haven't gotten back to finish them.  

While nearing the finish of Maggie's post, I looked back to posts I made on the passings of Our Original Four.  Even though I knew I acknowledged Cobby's passing, I didn't remember writing a dedicated post.  I also looked back for Tallulah's acknowledgement and was surprised by how short it was.  Posts acknowledging other Zoo Friend losses in the same time frame, were equally as short.  I think it was during times when I struggled to deal with the never-ending mismanagement saga, and what I was focusing on documenting at the time.  

So, I've felt a need to share more about the Chimpanzees that we've lost, who were the first inhabitants of Triple Grotto (circa mid 1960s), but with so many thoughts and memories, my mind has been a bit chaotic on sorting how to do so.  Some may tire of, or be uninterested in all my Chimp posts, but these precious Beings have been an important part of my life, as well as others who knew them.  With Maggie's passing this may be the last opportunity to celebrate Our Originals, and share a bit more about them.  Hopefully readers will enjoy getting to know them alittle better.

After reading my Maggie post, many readers I know have commented the same response to me, "Beautiful".  People seem to appreciate the words and photo/video shares.  So, I think I'll just add a bit more of that for each one.

I always reference Our Original four, Tallulah, Cobby, Minnie and Maggie, because they were the ones I came to know.  Bimbo and Candy were obviously part of the troop I visited when I was growing up, but sadly, aside from a few Zoo Residents, I didn't know the Animals as individuals until much later in life.  There may have been others in the very early years of Triple Grotto, but these are the only ones I know for sure.  

Bimbo -

I assume Bimbo was Wild Born, as it seemed most at that time were.  I didn't find him listed in the Studbook, or in any of the research resources available.  I knew about him from the Chimps early Keeper.  I was also told by a friend who knew of him, that he was "kept in a storefront window and teased for years", before coming to Our Zoo.  Thankfully he was removed from that situation, and hopefully had a better life at Our Zoo.

Candy - March 21, 1956 - June 1983

Candy was Wild Born, arriving at Our Zoo in March 21, 1967.  The only reference to her I found was when I searched newspaper archives and she was mentioned in this 1975 article.  Fun bit about the lives and dynamics of the Triple Grotto troop at the time.

Tallulah - April 24, 1959 - January 2013

Tallulah was Wild Born, and came to Our Zoo April 24,1967.  She was taken from her wild family as an infant, and sold to a private owner as a pet, where she lived until age three.  She was then sold again, living as a pet the next five years, until the owners passing.  The family then sent her to Our Zoo.  Allegedly she was treated as a human child, and dressed as such.

I always wondered how she and Cobby must have felt, when they came into Zoo life, where they no longer wore clothes.  To me, the change would seem shocking, so makes me sad, but maybe welcomed by them?  Tallulah was always with a blanket.  Maybe a security from her early years.  One day she came out to the yard carrying a bandana.  I was standing with the Keeper as we watched her.  She used the bandana to wipe her brow.  I thought it was interesting she knew what to do with it.  The Keeper said he had done the same earlier while in her presence, and she had extended her hand, motioning for it.  He gave it to her.  Whether or not she was mimicking, or understood his action, Tallulah was a very smart lady.  

One day while at another place in the Zoo, I heard the Chimps screaming.  When I got back over there, I asked what had happened.  The Keeper said, Tallulah caught a Squirrel.  I asked what happened to the Squirrel.  She brought it inside and the Keeper tried to retrieve it from her.  She held it up by the tail, and pointed towards the cafe.  She was initiating a barter.  The Squirrel for a Burger.  The Keeper rushed over, and brought back a Burger.  Tallulah wouldn't take it.  Evidently she wanted cheese on her Burger!   Once the Cheeseburger arrived, she handed over the Squirrel!  I was told the Squirrel was taken to the hospital, lived and was released on grounds.  I know it all sounds like it could be made-up, but the Legend of Tallulah and her escapes out of Triple Grotto, make me a believer.  

Legend also has it that Lucas Film Artists came to the Zoo, and sketches of Tallulah were used in the creation of Yoda.  Which is pretty cool!   Without her, Yoda may have looked very different. ...  I use this photo I took of her, as my Star Wars Day graphic.

I love this video I captured of her making a nest outside.  She always had the most blankets, and was very dedicated to getting them arranged just right.    

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m3-hmRC_-p8

My blog post after her passing in 2013

Cobby - July 10, 1958 - June 2021

Cobby was Wild Born, and came to Our Zoo July 10,1968.  After being taken from his wild family, infant Cobby traveled from Africa to the States and to the man that bought him.  He was raised as part of the man's family, having his own room that he shared with another Chimpanzee.  They lived as members of the family, eating dinner at the table with the other children.  His purpose was to make money in the entertainment business.  Cobby had his own TV Show.  He was a good boy and did the work.  When his owner became disinterested in Chimpanzees, he dropped Cobby off at Our Zoo, on his way to pick-up an Elephant, his new toy.  That callous action was very stressful for Cobby.  His first Keeper told me stories of how difficult it was for Cobby to adjust to his new life.  Very sad hearing it first-hand, and being empathetic to what our wild born Chimpanzees have gone through. Thankfully Our Zoo became a stable and life-long refuge for another wild born Chimp that needed a home.

You can learn more about Cobby and the plight of wild born Chimps in the documentary Cobby The Other Side Of Cute.  It's streaming on many platforms, but Amazon Prime Video is probably the most common and included in membership.  

I was heavily involved with this project, so can highly recommend it.  It came out great with the exception of the (too long) part about his previous owner and his elephant interest.  I would have preferred the filmmakers interviewed Cobby and the Girls first Keeper at the Zoo.  I pushed for that, but it disappointingly didn't happen. Thankfully, Keeper John Alcaraz was interviewed by KGO Reporter Dan Noyes, for the story he did on my crusade to save Our Chimps when Director Peterson tried to kick them out.  

All the years the Chimps lived in Triple Grotto,  I knew they knew me, but it wasn't until the move to the dayroom, where we could interact at the glass, did I realize we had a bond.  I had a wonderful friendship with Cobby and Minnie, and cherish the time they spent with me.  This is one my favorite photos.

Cobby came to the window to greet me almost every visit.  Most of our greetings included The Daily Boot Check.  He loved to check out my boots.  They were always the same ones, but he still wanted to see them.  It never got old!  I Loved it and Miss it.  

When he met his first new Chimp friend in almost forty years, he came to tell me about it.

Minnie - April 25, 1969 - May 2024

Learn more about Minnie on my Tribute post:

Remembering Minnie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/05/remembering-minnie-chimpanzee-lady.html

Maggie - April 25, 1970 - March 2025

Learn more about Maggie on my Tribute post:

Farewell To Our Last Original Chimpanzee - RIP Maggie

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/03/farewell-to-our-last-original.html

Both Minnie and Maggie came to Our Zoo April 25, 1970.  Like those before them, they were taken as infants from their wild families, and sold for profit in the Wildlife Trade.  They arrived at Our Zoo during their first year and a half of life.  They seemingly spent their time from Africa to the States together, their families possibly from the same wild troop.  It was and sadly still is common for poachers to slaughter whole groups in their evil procurement of infants to sell.  Again, I'm thankful that Our Zoo became a life-long home for these little girls, to at least grow-up in a Chimpanzee family.

In 2019, Our Zoo acquired the first Chimpanzees since Minnie and Maggie's arrival in 1970.  Welcoming Qadeer, Nick, Twiggy and Jamie, expanded our troop to seven, enriching each of their lives, and the lives of those of us who love our Chimpanzees.

Sadly Jamie passed away in 2021.  She was born November 13, 1977 at Busch Gardens, Tampa.  Her Sister Twiggy, still lives at Our Zoo, with Nick and Qadeer.

Jamie was hand-raised and seemed to prefer the company of humans.  She and I became an instant besties.  

Learn more about Jamie on my Tribute post:

Remembering Jamie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/09/remembering-jamie-chimpanzee-lady.html

To all the Chimpanzees who we have been blessed to have in our lives, Thank you.  Love you and Miss you!

Chimp Greetings Never Get Old

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6beCSfHsUoM

I wish the Zoo would have taken the suggestion I made after Cobby and Jamie passed away. That was, to create a Remembrance wall with their photos, names and life years.  The Chimpanzees have been iconic Zoo Residents and should be forever recognized.  Maybe someday.  

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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

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

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison