In my recent post dated September 23, regarding Our Chimpanzees being transferred out of Our Zoo, I wrote:
I still can't shake the sadness about this happening. Sadness for them, and sadness for those of us who love them.
An hour ago, I didn't even plan to write this post. I sat here feeling sick from something I heard (the title quote). I shared it with a friend who loves Our Chimps as well. I thought, I have to document this in a post. I didn't know what that post would be, but thoughts came flowing in and snips formed. As I've tried to piece them together, tears also formed. Again, sadness for what is going to happen to Our Chimpanzees, and for what has happened to Our Orangutans. Five individuals who have suffered here. Our Chimpanzees, group losses, and future trauma from relocation. Our Orangutans, inhumane housing, and the trauma from that.
Those traumas caused by former Director Tanya Peterson's lack of care, mismanagement and sinister plans.
In that same post I wrote, "I will continue to push for a rebuild of the Triple Grotto site, in hopes that Our Zoo will one day be home to Chimpanzees again, even though it won't be Our Three that have a piece of my heart."
If this plan does indeed go through, and it is seemingly a done deal, I will push for that, but right now I need to be vocal about how I feel, and every thought I have about this, and that is, that this should not be happening. This is not right.
I know this post is going to ruffle feathers. I am prepared that Staff I have been friendly with for years, may not want to continue talking to me. That would be unfortunate, but I can not hold something that means so much to me inside. It's not healthy for me, and it certainly is an injustice to the innocents it involves.
Last weekend I was researching something about Our Chimps and came across a Facebook post in 2019 by Zoo Tampa, just after sending their Chimpanzees to Our Zoo.
"This week, Zoo Tampa bid an emotional goodbye to its Chimpanzees as they move to their new home at the San Francisco Zoo. The relocation was coordinated as part of the Species Survival Plan and will enable the three aging primates to live with a larger, senior group of Chimps in a new social environment. The Chimps, Nick, Jaime and Twiggy, have been part of the ZooTampa family for approximately 30 years and will be missed by our team of animal care professionals, members and guests."
As I noted in that previous post, and mentioned here, our remaining Chimps have suffered losses, two losses a few months apart in 2021, one being Twiggy's sister Jamie, and two in the past year. Six years ago Tampa labels them "aging". Twiggy turns 40 in December, Qadeer turned 40 in February, and Nick will be 35 in December. These senior Beings should not have to be crated, transported and have to acclimate to new homes.
In my opinion, Our Zoo should find a way to keep Our remaining three Chimpanzees and manage them and Our Orangutans between the Chimp enclosures and enclosure that could first be built for a future primate species adjacent to South Grotto, while Orangutans are still occupying North Grotto.
In that recent previous post, I wrote my idea.
This afternoon, I realized I never watched the video from September's RecPark Full Commission Meeting. The Zoo's CFO and interim Co-CEO, Jeff Pace gave the presentation. Pace started by answering questions asked by the Commissioners at the last meeting, one being whether the passing of that many Animals was typical. His answer noted the average amount, as well basically that the Zoo houses many senior Animals. Adding,...
"Our Zoo Is A Forever Home"
I was like what? Tell that to Twiggy, Nick and Qadeer!
It was this statement that literally sent me reeling. As I write this, knowing this is what prompted this post, I realize this has slipped too far down the page, and I'm changing the title of this post. ... The original title was, Righting Past Wrongs - The UnDoing of Tanya Peterson - Chimpanzee & Orangutan Edition. There is a long list of things to Undo, that title can wait.
So, if Our Zoo is supposed to be the last stop for senior Animals, meaning no more being transferred to other Zoos, How is Our Zoo not these three Chimpanzees Forever Home?
In April, a month after Maggie passed away, I contacted someone outside the Zoo regarding our remaining three Chimpanzees, as I had a strong feeling their future at Our Zoo was not secure. I was told, "For all of the reasons that you outline below, the SSP does not have a hard & fast rule for minimum group size, though we do prefer that institutions hold at least 5 individuals. We do worry about a facility ending up with just 1 or 2 animals eventually, and for that reason, we make it a rule to prioritize recommending that they receive additional animals before we hit that tipping point. As such, we have tried to engage in conversations with San Fran about recommendations for additional animals but have not had any success."
Since then, there have been changes in Staff and Management. I continued to ask those I talk to, everyone saying they haven't heard anything.
A few weeks ago, I again inquired to my source outside the Zoo. This was their their reply... "At the request of San Francisco, we are working to move the remaining three chimpanzees out to other facilitates. We have located placement for Twiggy, and are working to find placement for the boys, who will not be separated. ... I hope that this helps clarify some things for you. Though we're sad to lose San Fran as a holder, we must work with our member institutions to adhere to their collection plans."
That said, the information differs from what I've heard from the Zoo's end. That being, "It was recommended that the three be rehomed." Whether there was miscommunication, or they were told that based on SF saying they did not want to acquire more Chimps, or something else, I don't know.
I am resigned to Twiggy, Nick, and Qadeer leaving. That doesn't mean I'm not hoping for that to change.
Make no mistake, I am pissed and sad that Our Zoo Is Not Their "Forever Home".
Related Post:
*For The First Time In It's History, Our Zoo Will Soon Be Without Chimpanzees
Video Link:
From Zoo Tampa Facebook. Video of Tampa Staff visiting SF, with Jamie and Twiggy's reactions and interactions. It's a tearjerker!
I have no words.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard for me to understand who, besides you, is considering what is best for our chimps. Is SF Zoo pushing them out, while still seeking to get pandas?
Seems like that, and it’s so disappointing that the ‘promise’ to give them a forever home will be broken.
I’m grateful for larger (primate) organizations that will (hopefully) oversee the welfare of our chimps, especially that SF Zoo management - former and new - will let them down.
Twiggy will be the most hurt. And it breaks my heart.
Be pissed. I am too.