Last Week At The Zoo ... Hits & Misses ... Week 8.25.25

I planned to start my (hopefully) regular weekend post, This Week At The Zoo, yesterday.  Obviously I didn't get that far.  I finished grabbing pix for this post, late last night, and as you can see, it is now titled, Last Week At The Zoo.  

Last week started with a Facebook post that came through my feed.  I think it's the perfect happy vibe to start this post.  Coincidentally, it's International Primate Day, which makes it even more perfect.

Many of you have lived through the debacle that is the Zoo's Mad(agascar) project.  The sad and ridiculous allowance and execution of such a project by the previous administration, that has left a huge space in Our Zoo a disaster.  Eight Primate species were the casualties of this Donor Want and mismanagement that left our Zoo losing six species of Monkeys, one species of Ape, and displacing (rumoured to be on the way out) one other Monkey species.   One of those that we lost were Our Howler Monkey Family.  After spending three years off exhibit after the demolition of their home in the Primate Center, the Howlers were moved to Brevard Zoo in 2021.  The Family was moved to Denver Zoo in June.  I hadn't checked in with Mama Baya for several months, so only learned of this recent move from the FB post.

When I first saw it, of course initially drawn to it for the obvious, the beyond precious cuddle between a Howler Monkey and a Capybara.  Then I saw it was Baya!   Some of you may have already seen this, since it immediately went viral, but for those who haven't, enjoy sweet Baya with her new bestie Rebecca. ... If only Our Zoo would have thought to keep the Howlers and create a mixed species exhibit.  Ahh, hindsight.  I will also add, as I think I have before, Our Zoo is long overdue for some Capybara!

I recently posted about the new development in introduction between Camel Ben and Przewalski Horse Bajkit, when I saw them a couple weeks ago finally sharing yards.  I was unsuccessful saving video, but now have.  Here's a short clip, the longer version wouldn't upload as yet.  Very happy about this new friendship, and this larger area being used by both species.

https://youtu.be/KenZTo95pso

I was happy to finally catch Anteater Evita out in the Puente meadow this week.  I knew she had access on days when the pool was being filled, but had never seen her out.  I have long hated the fencing that contains her in a very small area.  I understand why it was installed, but there really is seemingly no longer a need for it.  That said, at the very least a personal sized opening could be cut into the fence that would allow Evita access to the meadow at all times, and to keep-out others while she retreats to her inner sanctum.

https://youtu.be/hrEAWX7tJ4M

I don't usually Zoo on Wednesday, but a change in my schedule had that be my last visit of the week.  Very happy to see something that has long been on my, What I Want To See At Our Zoo list, which is also a long running post in draft, materializing!

It's been years since Our beautiful Lion Fountain has been a working Fountain.  Big Fail when it was drained under the guise of water conservation, even though it used recycled water.  It's been a revolving sad case since.  First it was empty, kids running through it, which presented a potential hazzard when they tripped and fell.  It was then used as a giant planter, which had it's moments of pretty, only to be ripped up annually so the ZooFest tent could go over it.  Such a waste of money, as then it would be replanted.  This happened year after year.  I took photos of it too many times, to document my irritation, but never got that far.

I happened upon a thing of beauty, the Fountain soil was being removed!  I've confirmed, Our beautiful Lion Fountain, will once again, be a working Fountain!   I can't wait to see it's water glistening in the sunshine, that I hope Mother Nature will continue to bless us with for awhile longer.

Now if they can just reverse what they did to the the little pond in the Children's Zoo.  It was a wonderful Duck Pond, but had predator issues.  With some adjustments, including a predator proof night house, that could have been again used for Ducks.  There is an epidemic in Our Parks of abandoned Domestic Ducks.  Often they are in need of care that is just not available. I know, because I've rescued three in need and luckily found them Sanctuary homes, but there aren't many.  Providing them a home, would not only allow them care, but would be a much needed educational forum.  Domestic Ducks are considered Farm Ducks.  The proximity of this pond to Our Zoo Farm makes it ideal.

Anyway, the pond was drained and a sign noted closure for Water Conservation.  When filled in over a year ago, a sign noted it would be used to grow edible vegetation, but any likes of that quickly faded and it's just looked like not much for sometime.  

While on the Children's Zoo, another area that has sadly gone downhill, is the Butterfly Garden.  It is completely void of Flowers.  I'm not sure any of the plants in there are for Pollinators.  All I know is it used to be colorful, and cheerful with Butterflies and Flowers.  Now it's drab and brown.

Now, for the weeks visual issue notes.  The first thing I was hit with was the removal of Gorilla Zura's banner that leads to Gorillas.  Zura pased away in 2020.  She was one of my besties, so I really miss her, and seeing her face as I headed to Gorillas was always a beautiful thing.  

Well, now it's gone.  My heart sank at the vacant site where her beautiful face once was.  I immediately assumed it will be changed to add one of our new Gorilla Cecil.  It saddens me once again there is no respect for history, for passed residents.  Zura was a long-timer, Our Zoo was her home since the age of one, living thirty-eight years here.  There is absolutely no reason to have removed her banner.  None At All!  Very big Fail.

Today makes seven weeks since Jaguar Tikal passed away.  I immediately assumed that Snow Leopard Tikka who has been living off exhibit since Tikal's arrival, would most likely be moved back.  I was right.  She has been back three weeks and still there is no sign at that enclosure.  Big Fail.  

Every visit I see people standing there looking, wondering if it's occupied.  These little things matter.  I've said this before,  the Zoo has a computer, color printer, and laminator, there is no reason for any enclosure to ever be without signage, even if temporary.

Speaking of signage, the computer printed, laminated signs around Chimpanzees, regarding mourning, need to go, or be reworded.   Continuing to have signs up that say a Memorial for Maggie who passed away in March, is coming soon, is a continued show of disrespect to her memory.  

Finally, a follow-up to the Fail to have any mention of World Orangutan Day, on the actual day.  I wrote a post about this major Fail.  The Zoo decided to get it together and had their own O-Day, four days later.  My issue is that there was not even a sign for this important Species Awareness Day, on the actual date.  No sandwich board, no laminated sign, no nothing to educate visitors of the plight that wild Orangutans face.  And it was Free Day, the Zoo was packed!  Such a huge failure.  So, signs from the weekend event were still up at Orangutans on Monday. There were seven. No reason these info signs attached to the fencing could not have been up on the actual day.  This is the kind of thing, that I repeat, makes a difference

You know, I'm going to end this post here.  I had half dozen other things I was going to document in this post, but they are not specific to last week, and do fall into another post topic, so I think I'll do that.  Additionally I've had a post in draft for over a week, about the first month of new leadership, which is now today.  So, I'm going to get some lunch, take a rest, and tackle finishing that one to hopefully publish tonight.