Follow-Ups & Holiday Fun - Bison, Pandas, Lions and Yaks!

Hoping everyone is enjoying their Holidays, and finding Peace within the madness of the season.  

With the exception of a bullshit trip to Target at the end of last week, I've been able to spend my recent days out embracing joy with Animals, and not in stores.  If you haven't already experienced CalAcademy's rotating trio of babies, you can still catch the babie Yaks til Jan 5.  I loved the babie Reindeer and Camels, but as a Cow fan, seeing Yaks for the first time was highly anticipated.  They are outrageously cute, and tiny. 

 Four month old Little Girl, on photo left,

and six month old Little Boy on the right.

Sweet pink noses and mini horns!

I also went to the Aquarium of the Bay, to try and pet the juvenile Bat Rays.  The one I gave a light touch to, curled it's fin around my finger, as if to hug it!  Yesterday, I got lucky on my Zoo walk.  It was Twiggy Chimpanzee's Birthday, so I was hoping for a celebration, and got lucky to also enjoy Grinchmas with Ollie and Amoi Orangutan.  

Birthday Girl Twiggy on photo left, 

Maggie on the right.  Both enjoying 

yums at the Unicorn themed party.

Ollie and Amoi foraged for 

yums in gift wrapped boxes 

and Grinch themed bags.

The Monday after the storm, I emailed the RecPark a letter I'd been working on regarding the longtime negligence of sprinklers and state of the meadow in non-rainy season.  I added in a mention about the fences and my concerns after seeing a friends photos, that it makes the Bison vulnerable. After looking at the fence myself, I emailed again the next day and asked if they ordered replacement fencing for the Bison Paddock.  I have not got an answer.  In my opinion, the fence panels should have been ordered that Monday.  The semi-tornado storm Saturday took down entire portions of fencing on the West and East sides and in the front along JFK, at least four panels are damaged and being held together with Zip ties.  I know they are busy with downed tree clean-up, but there should be immediate attention to secure an area where there are Living Beings.  I did see them in the front Meadow digging?  Crossing my fingers, maybe they're working on sprinklers, as well there was work being done on the feeding structure roof.

I still can't wrap my mind around the logic of not only displacing the Lions from THE LION HOUSE, but spending money to build the Lions a new home when they already have one.  While I was never on board with using funds on two enclosures for Pandas, when the Orangutans don't even have one appropriate enclosue, if money is going to be spent on a new enclosure in this Panda Plan Chaos, it should be for Pandas.  Not to Displace the Lions.

I've already written two posts about this, but was compelled to make a video before beginning my Holiday Peace.  It's basically a synopsis of the bullshit, but also calls out all the selfish people who support Pandas being brought to Our Zoo without considering the hardship on the Animals and Zoo it's causing.  I also wanted to make a video while at the Zoo showing the proposed area for the Lion move at ground level.  It's the area that was part of the original Savanna area plan twenty-five+ years ago, when the then Director was designing an African region.  I'm personally glad that never materialized.  I like Cats all together and don't necessarily think there needs to be geographic areas in Zoos.  Anyway, I forgot to make that video.  But, if you need an uncomfortable laugh, or cry about the Panda Chaos, check out my video... Cuz no one delivers Zoo News quite like Tiki Kim lol!  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ImbOD0wH4

That all said, tonights Mega Millions Lottery is nearing a Billion Bucks!   If you're out and about get a ticket!   Maybe one of us will win the Big One and Save Our Zoo!   

My Fantasy Fix for Our Zoo has long been in place.  Considering current Needs, and what would help the Zoo thrive, how does your Fantasy Master Plan look?

Related Posts:  See the last Weeks worth.

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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

Lion Relocation Plans - Disgusting That This Is Even A Thing!

So, let's just list some of the Nonsense.

Zoo Director Tanya Peterson...

2014-2019

* Pursues and Acquires Orangutans, yet has no enclosure for them.

* Keeps Orangutans in caged tubes for eight months straight.  Followed by sporadic access to Chimpanzee yard next seventeen months.

2021

* Two years after arrival Orangutans gain access to a dedicated enclosure, the sixty year old Triple Grotto.  No renovations FOR them.  Peterson allegedly claims, No Money.

2024

* Mayor Breed Pursues Giant Pandas.  Vowing to raise $25 Million to "...make sure our Pandas have the best habitat..."

* Five years after their arrival, Orangutans still living in ancient inappropriate "habitat".

* Breed's Panda Plan is for a $20 Million new enclosure build, and $5 Million for renovation of a temporary enclosure.  

* Director Peterson beats Mayor Breed to the punch and states she's raised near $20 Million for Pandas. 

* Peterson can't raise funds for Orangutans who live at the Zoo, but can for Pandas who don't.

* Plan to house Pandas temporarily in Lion House, are now the permanent housing plan.

* Plan to renovate one of the two Big Cat Yards for Pandas, will change landscape in such a way, no Cat Species could ever inhabit that yard.

* Plan now is to relocate the Lions, from THE LION HOUSE.  So, the Pandas can have the whole LION HOUSE and both CAT YARDS. 

So, to wrap it up, ... 

There was no money for a new anything for Orangutans.  Yet there was a preliminary spend of $25 million (Mayor) on two enclosures for Pandas.  Then, the new amount of $20 million (Director) came with the plan for no new enclosure build (to save money) for Pandas. Now, there's a new enclosure build plan for Lions.  BUT Lions already have a home, in the LION HOUSE!!!  So, Why aren't they just building a new enclosure for Pandas?  Rather than displacing the Lions?  And not only altering a Cat enclosure that can't be used for Cats in the future, but screwing up the Lion House completely?  It's a historic building, leave it alone.  Use the money marked for the new Lion enclosure, to build a new Panda enclosure.  Good grief, the insanity is painful.

Someone, Please Help Me, because my mind is fucking mush making sense of this.  I know Tanya Peterson lacks logic and care, but this is a whole other level of insanity, and sheer bullshit manuever for the Zoo.  

I feel sad for Our Lions and Our Zoo. 

Here's the relocation plan for Our poor Lions.

Related Post:

*Zoo Director Plans To Kick The Lions Out Of The Historic LION HOUSE?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/12/zoo-director-plans-to-kick-lions-out-of.html

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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

Zoo Director Eyeing City Community Funds For Pandas, But Never Sought For Orangutans?

After my post last night, my plan was only one more post before the end of the year.  It's already in draft.  I started this morning with the goal of reading only.  I toyed with not even catching up on all the Zoo fodder, but I figured after near seventeen years, I better not miss any details.  I still feel like everything that can be said about mismanagement and a case for change has been said, and repeatedly by me.  It just needs someone to listen with a logical mind, and act on the best interest of Our Zoo.  

That said, I've now finished the Chronicle article from yesterday, and of course I got words.  I'll copy the article text I want to comment on.  If you want to read the full article...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/zoo-panda-funding-19974449.php

> In the report, $9 million is due to come from SSA Group in donations and investments, while the zoo plans to receive $15 million via the San Francisco Community Investment Fund. <

THE details above are the single reason I decided to proceed with this post.  It says all you need to know about the character of Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  She is morally incapable of caring about anything that is not her personal Want.

If Director Peterson can tap into a City Community Fund for an Animal that doesn't even live at the Zoo, then Why didn't she do so to provide an appropriate home for the Orangutans? 

Stop The Panda Plan and if that resource is available, use it to build the Orangutans the enclosure they Need and deserve.

> The budget also includes $10 million in “conservation gifts” to China ... <

This is just insanity.  How is anyone taking the Panda Plan seriously?  People have lost all logical sense.  

> SSA Group’s (the company that runs the Zoo's concessions) projection that a panda exhibit could bring the zoo $320 million in extra revenue over 10 years

“I don’t know where they’re coming up with that forecast” of $320 million, said Snyder, who  previously worked in Zoo Atlanta’s panda program.

Snyder said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which administers permits to zoos that want to import giant pandas into the United States, requires zoos to provide annual financial reports and does not allow them to keep any profit from pandas. Instead, she said, it expects extra money to go to back to panda conservation in China.<

So, no extra revenue brought in by Pandas benefits the Zoo?  THEN what is the draw of this outrageous and expensive pursuit of Pandas?

> The report answers a question... Where will the zoo get bamboo the bears depend on for 90% of their diets in the wild? <

Their answer mentions a multi-sourcing plan, including their own 5-acre bamboo garden?  Never heard of such.  Maybe it's another one of Peterson's Illusions.  So yea, very curious about this, as it's allegedly a struggle sourcing enough bamboo for the Red Pandas.

> Joel Parrott, former director of the Oakland Zoo spent a decade on a Panda deal for Oakland that never came to fruition. Parrott said that if the San Francisco deal is “at the bureaucratic staff level, it’s meaningless. It can all be undone by one incident with China.” <

I read that Oakland spent a million building an enclosure.  I have thought about the waste of funds, though not in that exact way, but similar and relevant to Parrott's "undone" word.  China can repossess the Pandas at any time, as well the Zoo could have to return them when they can't afford them.  The amount of money involved is a huge red flag, that should be heeded.  Money of those amounts should be used for current Animal and Zoo Needs.

Zoo Deputy Director is quoted, "...we expect the incoming mayor of San Francisco to maintain support for the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, regardless of the ultimate decision on the giant pandas.”

A bit presumptuous.  Maybe the new Mayor doesn't own rose colored glasses.

Directly Related Post:

*Zoo Director Plans To Kick The Lions Out Of The Historic LION HOUSE?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/12/zoo-director-plans-to-kick-lions-out-of.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

Zoo Director Plans To Kick The Lions Out Of The Historic LION HOUSE?

The Weight Of All The Bullshit Makes Me Want To Cry.

It's been a long week, and with the City scam that is Street Cleaning this Monday, I only got two days of peace at home, before having to people again.  When I sat down to relax last evening, I already had several Zoo news pieces from the week, to get back to, when a Chronicle article came my way.  I had to just say no, not looking.  

Twenty-four hours later, I still haven't read it.  I'm making progress in my effort to protect myself from the bullshit.  I mean let's be serious, it's been alot of the same old thing lately, all the Official Zoo entities, Director Peterson, Deputy Director Leung, Zoological Board Chair Melinda Dunn, and others, all complaining and touting their innocence.  It's disturbing and tiresome.  So, I still haven't read Thursday's article, which is the entities rebuttal to the Welfare Report.  

I ended today deciding to continue to not to let any Zoo bullshit in, and then I made the mistake again to look at email after my cut-off time, which delivered yet another *Chronicle article published today.  The article headline noted detailing who's funding Pandas.  How much harm can there be to take a peek?  And then there was this...

> However, that does not account for the cost of building a new exhibit for "the lions that will be ousted from the Historic Lion House", according to a recent newsletter sent to staff from Tanya Peterson, the zoo’s CEO and executive director. <

What the Serious F*ck with this!!!  Ousting Lions from The Historic LION HOUSE?  That should be a BIG Hell No! 

This shit-show just gets more and more outrageous and disgusting! Tanya Peterson continues to prove time and time again, that her selfish Wants have no regard for the Animals, or the Zoo for that matter.  Only a twisted mind would think altering a Historic building and displacing the name bearing Resident Species that lives there, to insert another Animal, is ok.  IT IS NOT!

I can't even.  This is what I'm talking about, in regards to not wanting to read anymore.  The audacity of Tanya Peterson and her henchmen, at every turn, is increasingly sickening.  Whether it's making distructive decisions like this about the Zoo, keeping Animals in inappropriate housing, patting herself on the back, and literally flat-out lying, among so many other offenses, it's insanity that this woman is still allowed to run Our Zoo.  It's insanity that the Zoological Society Board supports her.  It's insanity that the Animals, myself, staff and other members of the public have had to deal with the gross mismanagement by these entities.

I didn't even finish reading today's article past the crazy Lion House statement, and I keep nodding off while writing this, so I'm going to end this now.  I guess I'll just pray that someone will come to their senses, not only about Pandas, but about replacing Tanya Peterson and restructuring the Zoo's management structure, because THAT is the only thing that's going to save Our Zoo.

Articles:

*12.21.24 ... Exclusive: Who will pay for S.F. Zoo’s giant pandas? Internal report details funders

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/zoo-panda-funding-19974449.php

*12.19.14 ... San Francisco Zoo Slams Animal Welfare Report From City Commission

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-report-19986460.php

*12.19.24  ... As China Seeks Influence, It Has a Cuddly Way Into City Hall: Pandas

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/world/asia/china-influence-city-local-government-pandas-intelligence.html

Video Links:  SFgov TV ... Click on Zoo Item

*12.5.24 ... Board Of Supervisors Meeting 

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/47930?view_id=192&redirect=true

*12.19.24 ... RecPark Full Commission Meeting 

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie, 

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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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

Storm Takes Down Fence At Bison - Will RecPark Make Repair A Priority?

830a. I started words for a letter to Supervisors and RecPark. It immediately took a different shape and I paused to publish the previous post.  Then I ate and watched a movie.  Never got to emails, but made dents in drafts and turns out, those draft words prompted what would be this post. The day is coming to a close and I'm just now publishing.

As I was laying in bed this rainy Monday morning, about to launch into those emails, the first thing that started to flow was, the Bison issue.  The same old thing about the dried out meadow I've been Roaring about for years.  And now, after Saturday's storm, portions of the fence are down.

A friend was out yesterday, so I asked her to check on the Bison.  You can see by her photos, the storm ripped through JFK right at the Bison. 

📷GraceR.

Damage visible on fence that lines JFK (above), and reportedly along east side fence, where a tree has fallen into the enclosure (below).

📷GraceR.

Also destroyed in that same stretch were two very familiar trees. One in front of the Bison, that caused the JFK fence damage, has been a Hawk nesting tree for many years.  The other, located directly across the road, was the massive tree that Great Horned Owls nested in for decades, until switching a few years ago after a branch was removed.  A pair of Hawks also nested in the same tree.  I spent hours, almost daily for years watching the Owls raise their babies.  Seeing these trees both uprooted is sad.  The damage to that whole area is devastating to the wildlife and my memories.  

📷GraceR.

Whether or not the damage was done in that 6a "tornado" time frame, I don't know, so I don't know if the Bison were in the front meadow at the time.  When my friend went by in the afternoon, they were thankfully safe in the back.  

I know there's alot of work to be done clearing out the fallen trees everywhere, but I hope the RecPark is going to prioritize repairing the fence at the Bison Paddock.  They've ignored needs there for so many years, I hope this won't fall into neglect like the *Sprinklers.

I worry that Coyotes will be able to breach the fence and harm the Bison, as they have been reported to present as a pack, so it's in the realm of possibility.  I think back to the young Bison that lost their life, when a Dog was able to get into the enclosure under the fence, scaring it into the electric fence, causing internal injuries. When I went out the next day and checked the fence, it had thirty-six holes in the ground line along the perimeter, because of RecPark negligence.  Hopefully they make sure the replacement fence is installed down into the ground, they way it should always be.

I'll be out tomorrow, and I hope to see that the fence has been secured.

Related Post:

*SF RecPark Knowingly Lets Bison Meadow Dry Out, Preventing Grazing Animals From Grazing

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/10/sf-recpark-knowingly-lets-bison-meadow.html

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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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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 ,  #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

The Zoo Charade, Sad and Irresponsible - Time For New Management - Guest Post

I took a break the last couple days, and started early working on emails networking my posts to necessary City players.  An early morning comment to my last blog *post came in from a regular reader and until recent times, a Zoo Member.  

We became friends visiting the Chimpanzees.  When the Orangutans arrived, we cried together as we watched them, watching the Chimps, everyday for eight months. Their sad faces pressed against the caged tubes that were their only outside access, looking down at the Chimps in their yard, moving freely in a large space, climbing and stretching, something they couldn't do, because they didn't have an enclosure, only cages.  

The posts on this blog are mostly only my words.  Opinions, thoughts, ideas, all of it, based on my experience.  I'm not alone with my words, my feelings.  To my knowledge, no other Members who visit regularly have been vocal.  This year we have heard from Staff via media and Activists whose agendas are questionable. Thankful to have other members of the public who get what's going on.  This person is one of them.

Guest Contributor...

"It is way past time for the SF Zoo management to be held accountable for its deterioration. The focus of the Panda project should be ‘what is best for the Pandas?’ but an entity which purports to care for Animals is putting potential dollars first.

And as the plan has been amended, I understand the sensitive Pandas will be sleeping next to Lions??  How atrocious!!!

It’s a sad day when an irresponsible entity tries to call off an audit they may not pass, just so they can keep the charade going.  Let the audit begin, and may it be honest enough to require big changes at the Zoo. Zoo visitors deserve it. Zookeepers - the good ones - deserve it. And most importantly, the Animals deserve a team that puts them FIRST.

Get rid of Tanya! 

I get the feeling that people are getting very tired of established authorities who screw us over and over. We are tired of their excuses and defensive quips. They take big salaries and pat themselves on the back for jobs others could do with better results. 

It’s time for new management at the San Francisco Zoo….

… Perhaps a team that operates with transparency and empathy. 

… Perhaps other people with good will towards the community and compassion for animals. 

Please keep up the good fight!"

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Previous Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/12/will-panda-plan-crumble-lets-hope-so.html

*******

This post is the reaction by a member of the public, to recent and current issues surrounding Our San Francisco Zoo, put forth in News Media.

If any member of the public who is connected to Our Zoo, has words they want to share, you can submit them via the comment section.

Will The Panda Plan Crumble? Let's Hope So! - Zoo In The News

With my out of the house days done for the week, I woke this Friday morning, and within minutes was starting this post.  Get it out of the way, is the goal.  Hopefully nothing else surfaces this weekend.  

After my documentation efforts last weekend, six blog posts and a petition, I thought I'd get a break this weekend, but evidently with no rest from the wicked side of things, I guess that's not possible.  

Like most everyone else, I'm disgusted, frustrated and exhausted by everything and everyone associated with running Our Zoo.  

The incompetence of all managing entities is overwhelming, and the allowance of this management shit-show to continue is outrageous and mind-numbing.  

I was sent three write-ups about the Zoo in the last couple days.  The one from the news source The SF Standard, is the one I want to comment on.  

https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/11/sf-zoo-audit-panda/

First, seriousness a bit aside, I love that Vitus Leung, the "Deputy Director" has his panties in a twist about the audit possibly preventing the Zoo getting Pandas.  Things often happen the way they should, although Why our poor Zoo has been subjected to Tanya Peterson for sixteen years has still not presented itself.

Let me rant some on Vitus, because I haven't enough.  This guy shouldn't even be allowed to clean toilets at the Zoo, let alone be Deputy Director.  I didn't know who this guy was, when I heard him call one of Our Goats ugly.  He's been on my shit list ever since.  No one who has the opportunity to work in an Animal Care Facility, should Disrespect the Animals.  I was vocal about what he said, and for that matter about Primate Curator Robbie, who made horrible comments about Minnie Chimpanzee after her passing, yet both these disgusting humans are still employed by the Zoo.  As is Director Peterson, who kept Orangutans in caged tubes. 

Our Zoo not only Needs a management overhaul, it needs a good house cleaning.

Ok, so my rant about Vitus turned into a mini-outting of three people who should be immediately kicked to the curb.  That said, the list is much longer.  It is my opinion that Vitus Leung does nothing to add to the management of the Zoo.  He has seemingly only been an extra mouth-piece for Director Tanya Peterson, who refuses to speak much for herself, although we continue to hear the slap from the huge pat on the back she gives herself.  In addition to the rumor on the grounds that allegedly Peterson added the Deputy Director title to Leung's VP of HR position, was to bump his salary, ahead of his retirement, it seems maybe he is playing an aggressive role in the Panda Plan?

So, the audit.  Reported to take up to a year to complete, I guess that means another year of Our Zoo languishing under Director Peterson and her sucking $320,000+ from the payroll, for allegedly working less than part-time, as well as digging a deeper grave for Our Zoo.

Tanya Peterson should at the very least, be removed as Zoo Director, during the duration of the audit.  

Beyond the very least, the Mayor needs to over-ride all current managing entities and Restructure Zoo Management, starting with lifting the weight that the Panda Plan has put on the Zoo.

These statements from the Standard article, have warranted my reaction.

> “Having this audit may significantly diminish our chance of bringing giant pandas back to the San Francisco Zoo,” deputy director Vitus Leung told The Standard. “While we respect the board’s decision, we are disappointed by their approach and timing.” <

This guy, talking about timing.  Too bad.  What about all the time, sixteen years to be specific, that's been wasted because of Tanya Peterson's mismanagement as Director?  So much time in which the Zoo could have been moving forward into reaching it's potential.  Ugh, this guy.

> Leung criticized the October report’s methodology as severely flawed and said zoo leadership will present a rebuttal next week. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and passed the 2022 inspection with no significant safety issue identified. <

Good grief.  You can see what the angle of that document will be, just by him calling it a rebuttal.   Will the rebuttal include reasoning on Why the Orangutans are still waiting for an appropriate home?  The audacity of this guy and historically of Peterson, is sickening.  Can't wait.  I'll clear my calendar because I'm sure the "rebuttal" will be a doozy.

Also, the Accreditation by the AZA, is hugely flawed.  One of the things they look for in the accreditation process is what they call, the "gold standard for a modern zoological facility". The indisputable fact that San Francisco Zoo was given re-Accreditation for housing Orangutans in an ancient (sixty-year old) enclosure, that they themselves previously deemed unacceptable to house Chimpanzees, is disturbing, curious and suspicious.  They have denied other facilities for less, yet SFZoo continues to pass.  

Keeping Orangutans in caged tubes, Squirrel Monkeys in a concrete room and a Komodo Dragon in a terrarium, is considered gold standard modern practices to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

> The zoo will likely spend $40 million for the panda project in the next decade; the cost will be borne by private donations. <

It has not been reported that private donations with cover the costs of the Pandas for a ten-year lease, only costs to get the here, and possibly sustain them in the first year. Until it is confirmed that private donors will foot the bill for the rental fees, exclusive staff (Keepers and Vets), additional Security, and outside sourcing of Bamboo, for the duration of their stay, no one should be making that assumption.  

And, considering the Board of Supervisors stipulation that funds raised by the Mayor for Pandas, also be used for current Animal Needs, does not apply to funds raised by the Zoo Director, any "attendance bump" monies brought in by the Pandas should hugely go to current Animal Needs and other upgrades.

> Last week, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan suggested at the audit hearing that if the zoo needs to pause its panda project to address financial and safety issues, “so be it.” <

Supervisor Chan, seems to be the only one with a reasonable thought.

Supervisor Myrna Melgar on the other hand, makes this delusional statement,...

> Despite the tensions, Melgar remains enthusiastic about the pandas. “I am 110% in support of the panda deal,” she said. “I think it will be great for our city and for the west side.” <

Considering no sense has come to the Zoological Society Board, the RecPark Commissioners or Mayor Breed,  let's hope this audit does put the necessary stop to the Zoo aquiring Pandas at this time.  

Going to end this one here, because at this point it's the same old, same old.  Knocking on empty brains, hoping someday, someone will be home.

Related Posts: 

*The Change That's Needed To Save Our Zoo - Part Two - Restructuring Management

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-change-thats-needed-to-save-our-zoo_19.html

*AZA Extends SFZoo Accreditation Another Five Years

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/05/aza-extends-sfzoo-accreditation-another.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 ,  #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison