San Francisco Zoo Newsletter and continual PR FAIL

I have been silent as I grieve for the loss of my very dear Zoo Friend Wakoda.   This is not his memorial post, because I don't have it in me to do that yet.  In fact I didn't think I had it in me to do any posts at the time.   That was until I got the Zoo's monthly newsletter Animail via email minutes ago.  Can't even grieve in peace, the Zoo never fails to do something unconscionable.

The upper level Staff which includes the Public Relations Department continue to do and say things in poor taste.  

Not long ago someone relayed a blurb in an internal Zoo email in regards to the future Bear Grotto plans.  There were a few notations that I had planned to post about in regards to this but hadn't gotten to yet.  That is for another time.  The part that struck me about what I was told was a quote from the Zoo's illustrious leader Director Tanya Peterson.  After sharing the future plans she added, "This was made possible by the passing of the Spectacled Bear."   Nice Tanya, Nice.   I'm sure Wishbone is looking down glad he was able to help you out by dying.  You're probably waiting for the Polars to die too before you do anything to get those animals off concrete.

Now my poor precious Wakoda, is being used so they can pat themselves on the back yet again, regardless that the poor guy just passed away.  They had time to put in a footnote, yet it was more important to proceed with their selfish boast than to post a photo of his face and a nice farewell, maybe adding in that they did acupuncture on him.   Nice going.  SFZoo always empathetic and compassionate.  Oh, and classy too.  NOT!    

This is what they included.

Stay tuned for a proper tribute to Wakoda, when I can emotionally deal with doing one.   Til then with tears streaming I say RIP my Sweet Precious Friend.  I miss you so very much.  XO.

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

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Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

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tanyap@sfzoo.org

News Article on SFZoo Tiger Cub Public Viewing - Misinformation?

So, I thought I was done blogging for today, but then I get a Google Alert for yet another News Article about the Public Viewing of the Tiger Cub.

When I got home Friday, after the surprise of being let into the Lion House for the first opportunity to get to see the Cub,  I had alerts for three different articles.  Those articles noted that the Zoo had planned to open the Lion House on the weekend for two hours each day, so the public could view the live cam feed from the nest box, with the possibility of seeing the Cub in person.

When I read the articles, I didn't notice the wording (and havn't went back to re-read), but while I was there, many people came up to the Keepers on hand and asked about seeing the Cub, noting that the articles stated she woudl be visible.  Keepers apologized for the Zoo information being misquoted.  I wondered if I didn't get that sense because I already knew what  the situation was.   

Now, this article come out and it is not only curious, but as I lean more from curious to accusing, it makes me mad.  You can read the full article at this link, but I have copy and pasted the part that bothers me the most.  .. Note that this is by an Associated Press writer, John Marshall.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_22861724/tiger-born-at-san-francisco-zoo-delights-visitors

>>> "The enthusiasm was apparent Saturday, the first day of display, when the crowd gasped as the cub made her appearance. Zoo workers brought her back inside so that she would not be disturbed by the noise." <<<

So, apparently this writer was not there.  So, where did he get this information?  Was it fed to him by the Zoo?  OR Did he just make this crap up?   The Cub never made an appearance on Saturday.  I stood there the whole two hours,  I know this for a fact.

>>>"The cub needs to be used to the public, so we are not taking the cub out if its nest box if it's not quiet," said Abbie Tuller, a spokeswoman for the zoo.<<<

I don't know this spokesperson, but if this is truly her quote, she clearly knows as little about the Zoo as her predecessors.   There is no way the Cub would be physically taken out of the nest box for the public to view.  As much as I find fault with many of the Zoo Staff, I would guarantee this would never happen.   

So, the point of this post?  For the most part an outlet to vent.  BUT, it still remains, what was the actual information this writer used to create this article?   Was it made up or actual erroneous information from San Francisco Zoo Staff? 

Note that the viewing of the Cub is such, that if the Cub is visible, it will be up to the Mother to bring her out.  Visitors are allowed into the Lion House, for the opportunity at a CHANCE to see the Cub, not a guarantee.  Visitors will be able to view the Cub in the nest box via live feed on a monitor.