This Past Week At The Zoo... TShirt Piracy, Zoo Fun Secrecy, & Gorilla Love

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.  

 Ducky and her son Langa had fun 

searching the playing field for treats!

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.

After a bit of usual apprehension, Black Rhino Balozi (aka "Boone"), picked the 49er's!  Nice that Keeper Katie included some hometown vibes.   Runner-up was the Patriots.   After pooping in front of the barrels, Mr B gave the Seahawks the butt and back kicked some shit dirt at it lol!   He was clearly making a statement about them preventing our Niners from a shot at the Bowl.

Gorilla Troop Dynamics

I had not gotten any updates about Gorillas for about a month.  Last I heard, the girls and Cecil were still being managed separately, and that the girls were back on public view.  Two weeks ago I finally saw the girls for the first time in the five months since Cecil's arrival.  Last week the exhibit area was closed again.  When I walked up Tuesday, I saw Monifa and Bawang.  While looking for Kimani, a Gorilla came from behind the rock structure, but it wasn't Kimani, it was Cecil! They were all out together!   I was super surprised, but happy to watch them all coexisting peacefully.   Not only no drama, but shocked when Kimani went straight to Cecil and stood face-to-face with him. 

I was so happy to see this.  When I heard Cecil was moving here, I hoped that Kimani and him would form the first bond, because Kimani needed a friend.  Since her arrival just over six years ago, she has seemingly been an outcast with the other girls, and since Jonesy's passing, her isolation has been even more noticeable.   Seeing her initiate face-time with Cecil was a big yay! from me.  That was no fluke, as Wednesday Cecil was again the object of her thoughts.  He sat separated from the girls, with Kimani not far from him at any time during the near hour I was there.  Cecil never moved, but the girls rotated positions around him, with Kimani staying closest to him.  Anytime Monifa or Bawang moved toward him, Kimani would position herself between them and Cecil.  Kimani eventually moved in closer, first sitting side by side a few feet away, then once again, face-to-face.  The dynamics of the troop will be interesting to follow.

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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. 

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