This Week At The Zoo - Week 9.7.25

Last Sunday (7th), was International Vulture Awareness Day.  A bittersweet start the week.  I almost forgot I had Our Precious Monty on this photo of mine, that I made for the Day many years ago ❤  

My heart broke when I found out Monty recently passed away.  I would talk to her every visit and sometimes she would come over to me.  Always gave a look though.  She knew my voice and that I was her Friend.  Walking by her empty aviary the last couple times has been very sad.  I Love and Miss this Beautiful Lady.  RIP Monty, Bless Your Soul.

Something serendipitous happened while I was in Marin this past Friday.  A Turkey Vulture caught my eye.  I turned and drove toward it.  It danced in the sky all around me, often so close and toward me, I couldn't keep it in frame as I tried to film it.  Soon a second one came and did the same.  I hadn't seen a wild Vulture in decades.  I felt like I was being gifted this amazing experience as a message from Monty.

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Early in the week I stopped in the Taraval Police Station to pick-up some signs.  While waiting, I looked up and saw an Orangutan.  The top of the room was trimmed with old large tiles, many depicting Animal scenes from Our Zoo.  There were at least four featuring Orangutans, but many others including those with Goats, Donkeys, and a Polar Bear.  It was a nice surprise, and treat to see.  The Officer on duty had no information about the history of the tiles.   I sent an email inquiry earlier today.  Hopefully someone will know.

Two of at least four featuring Orangutans.  Orangutans have a long history at Our Zoo.

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My first stop is usually Orangutans.  Amoi was sitting on that ugly bridge box.  It made me sad.  And mad.  It just rings wrong.  New management has to make the Orangutans a priority.  More on that soon!

This box is an eye sore, and has no place in the design of an Animal enclosure.  Whoever supported this design should be ashamed.   It not only takes up topical space, after four years, it looks like shit.  A Great Ape should not be sitting on a concrete box, or living on a tiny concrete island.   

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I hadn't stopped into the Farm in a couple weeks, so the Aldabra Tortoise mud bath was new to me.   It was a hot one, and Earl was fully enjoying cooling down in it.

https://youtu.be/35I6YFzRCRA

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Wolverines Molly and Villi, were enjoying ice treats of two different flavors.  Here, Molly on the left has one flavored Lemon Pepper, and Villi on the right, has a Pumpkin one.

https://youtu.be/cYe0JouFpEc?si=v_vt9WpXC5But821

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Mad Project News

Got lucky and saw the Radiated Tortoises Thursday am. I viewed them under the heat lamps inside their new night quarters.  

Learned they were set to have access to the new enclosure for the first time at some point that day.  Unfortunately they weren't out by the time I left.  Should be warm enough next week to see them outside in their new enclosure.

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I'm loving the Zoo's Dog Days.  I've met some wonderful, adorable Pups.  Giving kudos to whoever got these signs made.  I saw them in a few areas.  I liked that the wording was simple, and clear effort to control exhibit areas.

Prior to Dog Days, I'd seen Service Dogs who were allowed in, a few times in close range of Animals, often forced into those positions by their owners.  I sometimes wondered if those situations were ok for both Dogs and Zoo Animals.  I asked about restrictions at those times, but info was very vague.

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Following up from previous mention about the Lion Fountain restoration.  I had hoped to see it filled and flowing this week, but it looks like there's work to be done on it first.  Definitely needs a paint job.  That said, it's been two weeks,  they need a sign at the Fountain that says, Restoration in progress. 

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In my last post, published this past Wednesday, I referred to the Zoo's weekend Renew the Zoo event, that mentions the words, "...part of an overall beautification project" and "...making your Zoo presentable".   An earlier Newsletter noted that Gorillas would be closed while they, "...spruced up the gardens".  I'm not only looking forward to seeing the renewal of the Sloat fence line, but hoping when Gorillas reopens this week, I will see if they cleared-up all of that tree litter (piles of leaves, broken branches, ect), as I call it, that has been gathering for some time.  I actually said out loud to myself the last time I was there, how it was building up and needed to be cleared.  

It's looked untidy for too long, like it's just been left there with no attention which I know has happened before.  I waited years for them to clean-up behind that fence line at the Walkabout so long that I think I gave-up monitoring it, and can't even remember if it's still a mess.  Will try to remember to look at it when I visit Boomer this week.

I also noted in reference to the fence area that I'd like to see the area that leads to the parking lot get some attention.  The sand along the fence needs to be leveled and the aged tarp replaced and put on Zoo side (inside) of chain link fence.  I took some photos to illustrate why the sand needs to be leveled.  You can tell by my position at the top of the fence! Note that the tarp actually looks in decent condition, it must have been changed recently.  It does need to go on the Zoo side, to prevent graffiti.  It's also slouching on the sand.

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These plants at Black Rhino were new and not yet planted.

I can see where this addition will make a barren area look nice, but attention still needs to be paid to the barriers, this being one of them, at Code Red Animals (which includes Bears).  People still hanging their kids into enclosures, like this two weeks ago.  A slip of the hand, and a tumble into enclosure and Our Rhino loses his life. 

Will expand on this again in a future post, for the millionth time in well over a dozen years.

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Ugh this Train expansion, not only was it a waste of over a million dollars, but the whole grass area surrounding the lake was ripped out, leaving it bare and ugly.  It needs landscaping desperately.   Photo is view of largest area (west side).

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I recently posted my disappointment in the Zoo not acknowledging World Orangutan Day on the actual Awareness date.  Along with not acknowledging Lion Jasiri's Birthday just under two weeks later.  Both Fails, major missed opportunities.  Acknowledging Animal celebration events, make a difference, both in educating the public, and endearing them to Our Animals and Zoo.

The Zoo's most recent Newsletter highlighted these three Awareness Days happening next week.  So, maybe something is changing in this respect.

International Red Panda Day, Saturday, September 20th

World Rhino Day, Monday September 22nd

World Gorilla Day, Wednesday September 24th

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Yesterday was Zura's Birthday.  I remembered earlier in the week, but not until I saw the actual date, did it remind me.  I'm still saddened by the disrespect of removing Zura's photo from the path signage leading to Gorillas.  There is absolutely no reason for that to have happened.  There doesn't need to be a different Gorilla pictured there.  Seeing her face there was a bright spot for my myself and those of us who knew Zura.  It was also a nod to her long life at here.  Born in 1981,  Our Zoo was her home for over fourty-three years.  It's just not right. ...  I miss my Lady Friend.  Love you Princess ❤ 

View this Sweet Interaction from 2016

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

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Today, per usual, I didn't publish this post as early as I planned.  Often, when that happens there sometimes seems to be a reason.  I have an alarm set at 8:11p to look through Facebook Memories.  This was among tonight's Memories. Everyone who was on the journey to Save Our Chimps, knows how much this step in Cobby, Minnie, and Maggie's new adventure meant.

Always a wonderful Memory!  I miss my Precious long-timer Chimp Friends, but hold dear the enriching life they got to experience in their new home, and happy their new friends have a great home here because of my efforts.  Fantasies can come true ❤

September 14, 2018