This week was all about Super Bowl Enrichment and Gorilla Troop Dynamics.
Before I document those on-site happenings, I want to note something from last Friday.
I'm sure most are aware of the viral TShirt craze associated with Our Zoo that happened last week. If not, the previous weekend a members of a KPop group visited Our Zoo, their visiting group all bought the same style shirt from the Gift shop and then posted their photos on social media, creating a hype for that shirt among their fans. The Zoo's Gift Shop had an overwhelming sales spike for that shirt. It made National news. Give it a Google for more info and photos.
Friday afternoon, I was catching-up on email, one being my google alerts for the Zoo. One that led me to look-up something related to the shirt craze, and what popped-up was multiple knock-off sites selling the shirt design. I immediately sent it to a Staffer, noting that they need to get the lawyers on this. These sites were not only selling Tshirts, but other apparel and merchandise. In my opinion, there should be a Cease and Desist sent to every site, and a request to report all sales. The Zoo should get restitution. This could be a windfall for the Zoo.
I purposely did not post about it at the time, as I thought best to not call attention and give these sites any additional business. I waited the week so the Zoo could take action. I have not heard that any action was taken, and at least a dozen are still advertising and selling these unauthorized products.
Super Bowl Enrichment and Commentary
I visited the Zoo Tuesday and Wednesday. Both days, the Animals were given Football themed enrichment toys. Zoo Staff and Media documented the fun for use on social media, and rumored during a slot on the Super Bowl Pre-Game Show.
As soon as I got there Tuesday, I lucked out and crossed paths with a staffer who mentioned the soon happening Meerkat fun. Happily I was able to see and enjoy that.
While there I heard later that day the Red Panda would get some themed fun, and the Kune Kune's Pigs would the next morning. I got there Wednesday morning before 10, in case the Pig fun would be visible from outside the gate (Farm opens at 11). It was visible, but near over by the time I got there. I continued on my walk.
I was on my way to loop around Cats, and again by chance, I crossed paths with someone, who alerted me to the fun at Lions and after that at Black Rhino. Thanks to that person, I was able to enjoy them both getting their enrichment toy fun. No Thanks to the person I asked the day before to give me a heads-up if there was anymore fun to be seen in the coming days.
The issue of planned fun events like this and Birthdays not being shared with the public, has been a longtime chronic problem with the Zoo and it's relationship with it's Zoo going community. I had hoped with new management, there would be strides to start endearing members of the public, in an effort to create a caring community, but that seemingly is still not a priority.
The Zoo can maintain like they have in the past that Birthdays and other fun Animal events, like holiday and other special enrichment displays (like this one), aren't planned, or may not follow or adhere to a schedule, but that is rarely true. They know, and they just don't want to share it. There is no reason they can't post about these fun events, even noting days, times, and scheduling conflicts could delay or cancel events. Then people can decide whether to visit and take a chance they may see some fun enrichment.
I have mentioned that I have been making notes on ideas for well over a decade. One from several years ago was for Push Alerts. People can sign-up to receive Text Alerts of things happening that day at the Zoo. That could be an in the moment type thing, like Birthday at... in twenty minutes, or even 24 hr notice of possible happening. They launched an app not long ago, there might even be a way to do it in association with that.
These observations and feelings are not just my own. Over the years, I have had Members express the same to me. People think it's "pretty shitty", and don't understand why it's a secret. All wishing they knew about these things. People like seeing the Animals get fun, themed toys. One would think any chance to give the public the opportunity to see the Animals active, would be of value.
Apologies for the digress. More fun continues...
The Lions had Team boxes filled with a meat treats. Lulu went right for the Patriots box, grabbed her treat and walked off. Jasiri was unsure of the whole situation, and waited before finally approaching the Seahawks box, then choosing to abandon without his treat. Lulu eventually got his treat too, and the Keeper ended up throwing a treat to Jasiri, so he got one too.
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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget. I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that. Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags. Does it help in searches, who knows.
#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees , #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison
