Last Week At The Zoo & Freeing Myself From Burdens

It's 230a and I just woke-up. I missed finishing this and publishing by midnight.  I'm probably going to regret doing so now, since I probably won't get back to sleep before I have to get-up for the Street Cleaning BS, but I want it done going into this week.

The beginning and end to last week, presented the same curiosity, Why is Gorillas still closed, when the Zoo states it will be open?

I'm not writing this to complain for me personally, I just really think it's not a good look for the Zoo.  As I've written before my priorities are, What's best for the Animals, and for the Zoo thriving at optimum.  It always has been.  Starting back in 2007, when I made and wore a button of my photo of Tatiana (the last taken of her that tragic day), with the text, "I Support SFZoo".   I want what's best for the Zoo, and in this case, presentation matters.

I've also written about Community, and the Zoo's need to build Community, in light of the lack of, during the Peterson years (seventeen long ones).  In my opinion, the Zoo is at a stage where there really can't be any mistakes.  They've had seventeen years of mismanagement.  Now is the time to get things right and start to build community and part of building community is not providing misinformation that could mess-up someone's visit.  

It's easy for me to visit.  I'm close by, I visit regularly, and when I do, it's not my whole days plan.  For some, especially those from outside the immediate area, it is their whole day plan, and maybe they make that plan based on information from the Zoo.  A common scenario could have a family, come from outside the City.  Get to the Zoo, shell out $100+, anticipate to see Gorillas, one of the Zoo's main attractions, and it's closed.

You may have read the update I did in a full Cecil sighting post Tuesday morning.   In it I included that even though the Zoo had announced previously that Gorillas would reopen, and Cecil would have access starting Saturday (18th), I heard it was still closed at times throughout the weekend.  

I briefly saw Cecil late afternoon Monday, and got super lucky Tuesday mid-afternoon, for an extended time.  He seemed more comfortable than Monday.  He came out six times in a half hour.  He looked at us a lot as he ventured from the doorway, and chose to sit facing us while eating?  Maybe he recognized the same handful of people from the day before?  He jammed to the doorway twice when loud people came by and went right to window.  The last time, leaving his reaction scent behind.

Here's a couple of videos from that day.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ct0b-dMjrHA

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/dI7aQnf3qQI

I was only going out Monday and Tuesday, but also went on Friday because Monday and Tuesday I was pretty concentrated on seeing Cecil but I had not seen any of the other Zoo Friends.  I went around and saw everybody and on my way out I swung by Gorillas and the barricades were up.  It was 11:20a.  Since I got lucky seeing Cecil for an extended time on Tuesday, I wasn't disappointed, as from Tuesday on, any other time I get to see Cecil or any of the Gorillas, is just a bonus.  

Gorillas being closed yet again was a head-shaker.  I just don't understand it.  And again, for the last time, because I'm seriously not going to write about this anymore, the closures are getting ridiculous.  I completely understand when the Girls and Cecil are out together and need to be monitored as introductions continue, but I don't understand closing it when each are out separately.  I wouldn't be so stuck on this if just the night before in the Zoo's email Newsletter it didn't specifically note Gorillas would be open in the early part of the day.

It reads a bit wonky, but clearly states a daily time-frame, which people will use as a guideline for their visit.  If it's going to randomly close, stating this is curious, and it's the second time.  They need to just say, as well as post at exhibit and entrance, "Introduction of a new Gorilla is on-going.  Habitat will be closed at times randomly.  Thank you for understanding."  ... Anything else in my opinion is misleading, and damages perception.

I woke-up Friday morning and had an epiphany.  I was ready to take break from the three issues I have concentrated on for years.  It's time.  Management needs to care.  I've done my part trying to help these issues.  I need to free myself.   So, just like letting go of the Gorilla closure craziness, I think I'm done, or at least taking a break from the saga's that have been, too many years of documenting about the Bison Paddock, the Perimeter Fence, and the Orangutans home in Triple Grotto.

*Bison Paddock

On Monday I had a chance to talk to Horticulture about my idea for doing a Renew the Zoo at Bison.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/09/bison-meadow-saga-fall-update-my-new.html

It was received well,  so hopefully he can get a crew to clear out the inedible weeds, and better grazing vegetation will grow, at least during the rainy season.  Interest was also shown regarding the whole situation with the ongoing (for years) broken Sprinkler issue, as well as.  Maybe that can be rectified.  I'll continue to make note of the landscape status, which during the rainy season isn't a problem, as Mother Natures tears enrich the meadow.  A month after the rain stops will be the tell-tale sign once again, whether the Sprinkler system has been fixed or not.  I'll revisit in June (2026).   Til then, I'm passing the buck to the Zoo's Horticulture Dept.

*The Perimeter Fence

That Damn Fence as I call it.  I have been on this too many years.  The Zoo recently did a Renew the Zoo to clean-up the fence line on Sloat along the portion where the Perimeter Fence has been in shambles for decades.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/09/lordy-be-can-it-be-do-we-finally-have.html

A Zoo Staffer liked my ideas and sent this post to the Interim CEO.  She is now aware of the saga and some ideas for fixing this issue.  So, I'm passing the buck on this one too.  Someone other than myself has to care about the Zoo's exterior appearance.  Either someone will, or it will continue to look like the Zoo is in a third world country.  Will update after the Holidays.

*Orangutans/Triple Grotto

Last month I posted about the Chimpanzees being transferred out.  The Zoo has yet to make any statement about it.  Hopefully, they will before the Chimps leave, so their fans can see them one last time.  That has not been their MO with other residents, so, fingers crossed those who care about them get wind of their move.

The Chimps departure mean the Orangutans will move into the Pachyderm building enclosures.  This will once again leave the Triple Grotto site empty, as it was for two years previously (2019-2021).  I have written extensively about the "Orangutans" and "Triple Grotto".  The disrespect and welfare issue to the Orangutans, and ideas for reinventing the site, which have also included sharing newer ideas with appropriate Staff.  Anyone wanting more information can use this blog's search option with those keywords.  

I hope a design plan for Triple Grotto is in the process, as well a plan for funding the rebuild of that site.  It will be a detriment to the Zoo to have it in limbo too long, especially with the 100th Anniversary in four years.  That site is a focal point in the Zoo.  It can not have a fence up around it for six years like Madagascar.   I have no idea when the Chimps are leaving, so I guess time will tell how this plays out, and when I'll revisit documenting the situation.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/09/for-first-time-in-its-history-our-zoo.html

I still plan to closely watch the development of the continued irresponsible Panda Plan.  

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/08/unaware-mayor-officials-still-pushing.html

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/10/its-time-for-zoo-to-wake-up-let-go-of.html

As well, I had thought to put forth ideas to the Interim CEO, but didn't get that far, and frankly, I need to spend time tending to finishing personal projects that have been in the works for years, while my attention and energy has been spent on Zoo issues.  I'll see how the Zoo handles opportunities with the upcoming Holidays, and revisit sharing ideas in the New Year.

On thing I have had in the queue to re-tackle is the former Director's shutdown of the Zoo's participation in the Museums For All Program.  I will not only alert the Interim CEO, but network that back around to the Mayor, RecPark Commissioners, and Board of Supervisors.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/01/director-ends-zoos-participation-in.html

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/04/how-zoo-directors-decision-to-end-low.html

I will still be posting, right now not sure on what!  I'm putting aside the few in draft, and currently looking at a blank slate through the end of the year.