This Week At The Zoo - 9.29.25

I didn't do a week wrap-up last weekend, and as I'm starting this Sunday nearing 8p, not sure I'm even posting this.  Going to put down some thoughts and see how it goes.  I hate blogging now, and have made progress not to constantly think about Zoo stuff for the most part, and definitely not have it take over a large part of my peaceful days in, hence the late start.

The last post I planned and bagged was for World Gorilla Day on Wednesday September 24.  I did a history chart of Our Zoo's Gorillas, and it had been rumored that new male Gorilla Cecil would be out, so I thought I'd wait to include that first glance sighting.  Eleven days later, he has still yet to be seen.  The exhibit area was finally open on Gorilla Day, after being closed since several days prior to Cecil's arrival on August 12th.  Unfortunately, it has been closed again since Gorilla Day.  Many have asked me when it will open.

Early this past week, I was told introductions to the females were still in progress, but that Cecil had access to yard.  At the end of the week, I was told all Gorillas had access, but Cecil is still hesitant to explore the yard.  I was happy to hear that integration has allegedly been successful, and hope in the near future, Gorillas will be open.  I think it's important that Animal Staff take time to monitor how he navigates the yard, and the groups interaction while out together.  I had heard he was "a climber", so the enclosure has been upgraded with hot wire that covers the entire perimeter wall.  In hindsight, I couldn't remember if there was any before, and if not, of course wondered why.  Another curiosity is why after painting the barrier bar, they didn't reinstall the secondary barrier wire that was attached below the bar.   Kids will still gravitate to the window, but maybe that's not an issue.

While I understand the need to give the Gorillas time, and I am all for whatever is best for them, I maintain that the radio silence on Cecil has been a disservice to what little Community Our Zoo has, and to his fans in Louisville.  In my opinion, updates should have been coming out of Our Zoo since his arrival.  There doesn't seem like a logical reason to not share at least a photo and some words about him since arriving here.

I pulled some video clips of Cecil for friends, and was going to add to that Gorilla Day post.  Sharing here for those interested.  My favorite is the Drumming one.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/725706035681667/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1150559616055639/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

While waiting for a chance to see Cecil, I have documented things that in my opinion should have been done in the last two months, since new management has taken over.  I still have faith, and continue to be reassured of that.  I have been told things take time.  I understand that, but there are also things that can be done immediately, that make a difference.  Those are things that stick in my mind.  I walk the grounds and look through eyes of visitors.  After the last year/half of bad press, I am even more hypersensitive to appearance.  The need for establishing and building a Community that Cares, remains one of my top issues.  More on that another time.

These are some of the things I think need attention.  Hopefully I can be short on words, as photos are self-explanatory.

First, a follow-up to the Renew the Zoo efforts to clean-up the perimeter fence line along Sloat.  The Monday after the Saturday event, the garbage and weeds were definitely cleaned-up, but I was expecting the sand in the corner that catches trash to be removed.  In hindsight, maybe it runs deep and can't be?  Maybe additional attention to preventing that is needed, as it continues to be a catch zone.  That said, the other catch zone at the curb could have had sand removed.  This needs to happen routinely to avoid trash build-up.  As well that sand corner needs to be cleaned daily.  The removal of the weeds along fence line, has exposed even more wear on the fence.  I reiterate my broken record, that the fence and pillars need to go.  The fence also had the same graffiti on my visits, Monday and Friday, and Friday part of the fence was detached and just propped up.  The fence is screaming for help, does anyone but me hear it?

The plants I documented that had been layed out at Black Rhino barrier, have been planted.  While it looks nice to create a landscaped area, like with other funds spent on "gardens", I would prefer to see jagged fencing along the barriers of code red animal enclosures, as it continues to be a breaching issue that puts Our Animals lives in danger.  I continue to sing this broken record of mine as well.  Been documenting this dire Need at Black Rhino, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears, since the beginning of time.

After many years of complaining, a jagged barrier was finally added to former Anteater enclosure, now Pudu.  This idea has been successful and could be added to Bears and Rhino.  Additional height above existing barrier needed.  This one has areas that are too close to existing height and at Bears and Rhino would not prevent people from still hanging their kids over.

This type of fence, in place at Chimp yard, with spacing would probably keep people off barrier best!

Every visit, someone has got their kids hanging over barriers. The last post I mentioned this in a couple weeks ago, I showed at Black Rhino.  This one from last week, at Grizzly Bears.  Two kids were over the barrier.

While on Bears...  The windows have been an eye-sore for too long.  I understand there's a cost to replacing the film, but geez, people got to see in there!   

Additionally, we need the Monarch statue reinstalled. As well the info sign. It was taken off site, which was across from Grizzly Bears in a beautiful spot, along our once beautiful lake, which was destroyed with the waste of a Million Dollars, for BS Train extension.  It has sat where they left it, behind the south gate, and continues to be ignored.

Statue in original spot.

I deco'd the photo for some use in 2013.

Monarch, abandoned at South Gate.  

New location idea.  I like the placement under the flag pole, where the State Flag bearing Monarch's image flies.  Get rid of the rocks, and expand concrete cut-out area. ... Move the blue sign to the X spot.  

Over-head view of Lake landscaping before destroyed for Train BS. ... Monarch was at orange dot.

Destruction to Lake area for Train BS.  This area eventually needs attention, it looks so ugly.

Speaking of ugly, seriously What The Hell with this eye-sore?  This area is sad.  This is the former Pygmy Hippo enclosure.  They added plants on the stair to the pool months ago.  I was told it was supposed to be some Asian Garden?  I can't even with that.  The sign says Temporarily Empty.  As far as I know there is unfortunately no plan to acquire another Pygmy Hippo.  They use these signs sometimes for a year+.  Just make a sign that says This Enclosure Currently Empty.   

The pool is nasty.  The plants are dying and the water is dark and has clumps of waste in it.  This needs to be cleaned-up and left empty.

Who knows what the plan was here.  Months ago the Plexiglass panels were removed, and these trees propped up against the wood panels.

This drives me crazy.  The Plexiglass has been laying against the fencing since it was removed.  The top corners on some are broken.  As well, some other random wood against the enclosure.  Looks messy and needs to be moved out of sight.

Sorry for all the complaints, but again little things matter.  All it takes is a walk around the property by caring eyes to see these issues.  That said, finally there are signs at Snow Leopard and Tortoises.  Maybe in the future they can have signage in place when the Animal moves into the enclosure.

I think I'm going to end here, as I've noted enough (and added additional) that Needs immediate attention, for both the benefit of the Zoo's appearance, but most important, for the safety of Our Black Rhino, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears.