Cecil First Glance! - Well My First Glance.

I planned to post this last night, but the day was long, as I went to the Zoo twice.  That's how many times it took to see Cecil, and even then, it was just luck!  ... Scroll down if you just want to see photos.

When I parked, a thought crossed my mind.  Something I hadn't thought of all weekend... I hope they didn't close Gorillas again.  Why would I have thought that, seemingly everything was on track as reopening was announced for Saturday.   I got there and yep, my premonition was right, Gorillas was closed.  Not going to sugar coat it, I was a bit irritated.  In my opinion, at this point the closure was getting ridiculous.  Downright outrageous.  

I walked around, chatted and mini ranted my disappointment to a few people.  I learned it was allegedly closed off and on during the weekend, and that Cecil had barely been out.  Also that when he was out, it was solo, and the girls out separately.

To me, this indicated that introductions probably needed some more time.  Which is fine, and I completely understand that.  The last twenty-three years, he has lived in a Bachelor group, so he hasn't been with females since his birth family group.  Additionally Oscar Jonesy had been the Silverback for decades.  It was an adjustment for the girls too.  Whatever works best for the Gorilla's or any Animal, I'm all for.  

That said, while I understand that, it sounds like everyone has access at some time during the day, if so, I don't understand why it was closed when the girls were out alone, reportedly in the morning. Regardless, I think considering the announcement about Saturday's reopening, the area shouldn't be closed randomly, without a notice that's a possibility.  Maybe even could have been tacked onto the reopening announcement, just in case.  Something to the effect of, ... While we planned for Gorillas to reopen, group dynamics are still being worked out. The area may be closed randomly at times, as we monitor their interactions when the group is out together. These closures are hard to predict.  Please understand for the foreseeable future, that you may not see Gorillas on view. ... If not included on original announcement, something like that should have been posted to social media when this seemingly became apparent on the weekend and a revised sign at the enclosure.  

I was bummed, but I also look at it from a visitor prospective other than myself.  It's not a chore for me to come to the Zoo.  Meaning I'm in the area, here regularly, etc.  Some people have to plan, and in this case maybe that plan included seeing Cecil.  Example, one of my friends did plan for yesterday, but overslept.  She can't drive, so she would have spent $40 on a cab across town, and not been able to see him.  I have written about the need for community building many times.  In my opinion, letting the people know what's going on, is one aspect of that.  One of my ideas from years ago, is having push alerts via text messaging.  Something people have access to about in the moment events while visiting the Zoo, Impromptu Enrichment,  Keeper Talks, etc.  In the case of Animals off exhibit, they could also receive alerts prior to coming to the Zoo.  The Zoo recently rolled out an App, and maybe there is something like that on there, I don't know because I have no space on my phone at this time.  If there's not, it's an idea that might be considered.

Anyway, after my hour walk, I decided to go on errands and check back after the Keeper's lunchtime.  No real big deal, aside from being out later than I usually plan for my day.  Considering I passed up Saturday's Member viewing opportunity, as I don't like going out on the weekends, the goal for the day was to see Cecil, so I gave it another try.  

I met up with a friend and when we arrived it was just a bit after they opened Gorillas at 2:30, and Cecil had access.  We were told by a Staffer that he came out before it opened and grabbed four heads of lettuce and went back in.  I saw another head of lettuce, so we waited it out, and almost an hour later, he peeked out, then came out, grabbed the lettuce and went back in.  It was quick, but we got to see him!  Mission for the day accomplished.  

That said, of course I have a suggestion to offer, ... If viewing him is going to be slight, maybe letting him out after letting visitors in, would give more opportunity for catching a glimpse of him.

My friend Grace got great photos and kindly allowed for posting here.  Thank you Grace.

In my last post, I added in my Gorilla History Tree diagram, that I had planned for the post when I actually saw Cecil, which would have been this one.  When I opened this draft,  I had forgotten that I wrote text to go along with the diagram.  So, I'm posting it again, with the text.

While waiting for Cecil to go on view, I made a History Tree of all Our Gorillas, dating back to possibly the original four, Pogo, Missus, Jacqueline, and Bwana, all Wild Born in the late 1950s.  These four, like other Great Ape's born to wild parents, were most likely stolen from their forest families, arriving in Zoo within the first year of their life.  

Family Notations.  In a prior post, I wrote that my research showed that Cecil and Our Bawang were related.  Cecil's Mother Muke is Bawang's Sister.  Bawang is also half-Sister to Ndume, who's name might be familiar to those who followed The Gorilla Foundation scandal that started after the passing of Koko in 2018, and ended the following year with a court case allowing Ndume to be removed from TGF.  Koko, the Gorilla made famous by TGF for her sign language skill, was born at SFZoo.  Horrifically, she was stolen from her Gorilla Mama Jacqueline and Family, and sold to the woman who then started TGF.  I'm sure there are many who like me grew-up aware of and endeared to Koko, unfortunately the ugly truth behind the Gorilla Foundation, revealed the sad life Koko led.  On a brighter note, Our Zura and Oscar Jonesy, are the Grandchildren of famed Gorilla Colo, the first Gorilla born in captivity.  This Grand Dame lived to be Sixty years old.  She and Granddaughter Zura are close to mirror images of eachother.  The last offspring born at SFZoo will be the last connection Our Zoo will have to Colo.  With the arrival of Cecil, Our Gorilla Family Tree grows a new branch, as he has breeding recommendations with Kimani and Monifa, who joined our group in more recent times.  All three have bloodlines independent of previous connections, with the exception of Cecil's relationship to Bawang.

While I greatly miss Oscar Jonesy, he will always be in my heart, and never forgotten, I look forward to the family that will hopefully grow from this new life Our Gorillas are now building together.