HOT TOPIC! - Top 10 Zoo FAILS of 2014

These are all Fails in regard to Animal Care.  The only bigger Fail is that the Zoo built new areas for both Humans and new Animals, before they successfully tended to the Animals currently living there.

These are only the issues that I can personally witness.

Chimps -  Obviously the lack of attention to their Home is at the top of my list every year.
Please read my recent post:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/sfzoo-chimpanzees-need-some-love.html
There are also two immediately following this one, if you are inclined to learn more.

Female Black Rhino -  Still doesn't get oiled regularly.  They wait until she is chalky white and then often slop it on her, often getting it in her eyes, or they just don't do her face.  .. You can search my blog for many notations on this.  It has gotten better but still isn't the best it can be and certainly not in comparison to her Grandson Belozi.  You can see this photo from last week and from her shoulders forward she is getting chalky.

Black Swans - We had, yes had, two Black Swans.  Now one of the Sisters is alone.  The Zoo has screwed around with these poor girls for over two years.  First moving them to the Puente,  from a path they decided to close. Then moving them to the old Grey Seal Pool.  Then back to the Puente.  Then to the big lake where the White Pelicans live.  So much moving, sadly one ended up dying from related circumstances.  Now the surviving one is back at the Puente.  If the Zoo had left these poor girls alone and at the Puente the first time they moved them, both would still be alive.  The Zoo is more concerned about Geographical segregation than keeping the Animals in the best homes for them.   Yes, that is the reason they moved them out of the Puente so many times, because they didn't fit into that area in natures geography.  Ridiculous.

Falcor - Komodo Dragon's home has been void of any vegetation landscaping for over four months.  Read my post here:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/komodo-dragon-lives-in-barren-dirt-pit.html

Lion House -  No Heat for Six Months!  This one is a two-fer, involving both the Cats and the holding area for the Tropical Building Animals.
My recent post:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/heater-in-lion-house-out-for-six-months.html

Capybara - This poor little guy makes me want to cry.  Crackle is the newest Capybara.  A young male he came to the Zoo to be a companion for a female that has since passed.  They Rheas and Guanacos chase him, so he is always stuck cowering in this same spot.  At one time the Capybara used to spend the day in a side yard, yet that yard is now closed?  and poor Crackle has no choice but to seek refuge in this "creep" space.  He shouldn't be living in fear.

keeping an eye on the enemy

 hiding

Great Hornbill - Hercules is a huge Bird, he deserves a decent sized home.  He can never really fly as his wing-span is near the same size as the width of his home.
Lear more here:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/09/homes-of-hornbills.html

Polar Bear Grotto B - It was my idea to expand the Polar Bear Grotto, but while taking cue from me on the idea, the Zoo failed in execution of the Meadow.  Building a dirt mound in the center, instead of a flat surface area, Ulu who loves the dirt, is constantly covered in it.  She loves it but the point is, with so much extra and unnecessary dirt, she is never able to get clean.  The entrance to her night quarters is through the "meadow", so even if she goes to the pool to wash off, she must walk through the dirt to get inside.  Then she touches her eyes and they are often caked with dirt and sometimes closed.  The Zoo needs to flatten that mountain and removed all that extra dirt.  If they were smart the meadow would have been in the opposite Grotto, but ,...

Sea Lions - The Sea Lion Pool was "renovated" early in 2014.  It was a big project, with the Sea Lions relocating to the old Grey Seal Pool.   One would think they would have done a good job, considering how long it took.  Yet, the paint on the whole bottom of the Pool began peeling and coming lose soon after it reopened.  Good Grief.  Couldn't they get people who knew what they were doing?  I'm sure the paint that has come loose isn't good for the Sea Lions.

Photo to come

Chickens - So, a box of Six Chickens was left in the Zoo Parking lot.  The story goes as such.  The box was fumbled and they all escaped, fleeing in flight into the Zoo.  After being spotted here and there, an attempt was made to catch them, but it failed.  SO, the Curator in charge allegedly said they didn't care and the Chickens were left to fend for themselves.  OMG!  Unbelievable, that a Curator would actually say/feel this, but hey its the SFZoo and why am I surprised.  As well, one of the Security Guards who I was talking to about this one I saw at Polar Bears said laughing, "oh well, if it flies into the Polar Bears and gets eaten <haha>"

Rescuing Research Chimps? Would Be An Awesome Zoo Move!

My brain is always working.  I admit its mostly working on ways for the Zoo to do right by the Animals.  I love Animals and these Zoo Friends are one of the biggest passions in my life.  Especially the Senior Friends, who have given so much to everyone.  Their life has been the Zoo and they deserve everything.  The Chimps and Elly the Black Rhino have been there over 40 years and the Polars over 30.  All have been disrespected.

I heard rumor a few years ago that the Zoo didn't plan to get more Bears and were not doing upgrades because they were waiting, ....   I assume the same of the Chimps.  To me, that is an unexceptable way of looking at something.  Giving them best lives possible without disrupting their current living situation because of their age should be optimal.  

In the first post of this Chimp series, I noted ways to bring upgrades to their current home, much like I did for the Polar Bear Grotto.  In addition to those upgrades, I have an additional thought, that the Zoo should look at "adopting" > literally!

This plan took shape as an more doable version of my own Lotto Win Fantasy.  Because of the Zoo not making any upgrades to the Chimps in near 30 years,  I formed a fantasy idea to build a Chimp Sanctuary for our Chimps and the UCSF Chimps, that I would call Tallulah's place after our passed Lady.  This of course, pending one of the SFZOO Keepers who has taken care of ours, came on board to be with them. The facility would be a two-sided house with night quarters where all could see each other and an outside area that had a partition with a "howdy" fence so the two groups could meet and hopefully be slowly integrated.  

There are 2000+ Chimpanzees in reserach facilities.  Research using Chimpanzees from what I understand has been suspended and these Animals are waiting to start their life of freedom.  Many Chimpanzees have found homes in Sanctuaries.  There aren't enough Sanctuaries to house them all.   The Companies who used them didn't provide fore their retirement , most likely because they thought they would die in the research facility.  

Chimpanzees are an Animal most everyone has a fondness for.  We have grown up seeing them in Zoos, and in Entertainment.  In Zoos they are one of the most popular attractions.  I have seen students more visits than not, observing the Chimps behavior, documenting and sketching.

It would be a wonderful thing if Zoos started giving homes to these Research Chimps.  Rescuing them and giving them forever homes.   The San Francisco Zoo has rescued other Animals, including a large group of Squirrel Monkeys from Stanford.   They should look at rescuing the UCSF Chimpanzees who are waiting for a home and are allegedly currently still living in the research facility in the Zoos own neighborhood.

Not sure why I hadn't thought of this before, but in light of our Chimps getting up there in age and the loss of the Family Matriach Tallulah in 2013, rescuing the UCSF Chimps and at some point possibly intergrating the two groups would be a wonderful thing.  This would give the research Chimps a much needed home and never allow for one of our Senior Chimps to be left alone.

A plan like this would be good for both our own SFZoo Chimps and the UCSF Chimps.  

Several years ago it went to City Ballot whether to change the Zoo into a Rescue Zoo only.  Obviously it didn't pass, and I wasn't in support of that at the time, as I wasn't well informed on all things SFZOO, and I didn't think an across the board mansate should be made imposed.  That said, now, there is something to be said for that in part.  I think the Powers that be, whether the City, Rec and Park, whoever, should put a halt to the Zoo bringing in any new Animals, if they are not rescues, until all the current Animal Residents have adequite homes.  This includes back-burnering all current Master Plans for new Exhibit areas.

Don't know who has to approve the Zoo's Master Plan, or new exhibits, but I'll find out.  I think the Zoo should be forced to scrap the current long in effect plan for North American Region and put into priority action, a plan for a version of the Great Ape Forest that was supposed to be ... That way, our Chimpanzees get a new home, and the UCSF Research Chimps get rescued to a life of freedom.

It would be the height of an Act of Conservation.  Our Zoo needs to do something good in light of the recent past.  Giving the UCSF CHimps a home would be a good tribute to our lost Gorilla Kabibe.  A sort of an Ape for an Ape.

I have read the San Francisco Zoo allegedly has 40+ Million in reserve.  Not sure exactly what that means but sounds like they have money even thought they cry poor too often.  They do seem to find money when they want to build Tiki Huts and such.  

The Zoo should launch a fundraiser for this effort specifically, but since they already misappropriated funds designated years ago, they should not wait or count on those donations, yet use them for the future care ect.  

San Francisco Zoo Steals Money for New Chimpanzee Home

In 1997, the Voters of City of San Francisco Elected  a Monetary Bond,  for upgrades to the San Francisco Zoo.  Part of the Money was designated for the construction of The Great Ape Forest.   Seventeen Years later, no such Exhibit has been built.   Additionally, not one bit of upgrade has been made to the exisiting Chimpanzee Exhibit.  

When the Zoo opened the new Playground in Fall 2013,  the hypocritical Zoo Officials put out a TV Commecial, stating what has long been overlooked by the same Zoo Officials when making any descisions.  Boasting its "Our Zoo", meaning the Zoo belongs to the City and Citizens of San Francisco.   A truth that is non-existent.  What else is non-existent is that the Zoo should also belong to the Animals that live there, with them being a priority.  Instead the Zoo has become a  "pet project" of a mob of  Society folk.

In the wake of the KGO-TV Safety investigation, I think its time that some kind of investigation into what happend to the money for the Great Ape Forest take place.  Where did the Money go?  Who was responcible for the misappropriation?  Isn't this some legal issue regarding misuse of these funds?  Was it a Director at the time descision?  Was the Society involved?  Was the Rec and Park involved?   How and Why did the City of San Francisco let this happen?  These questions can start to be answered by asking long time Finacical Manager Wayne Reading.  When I first met him, he introduced himself as "The Money Man",  SO,  Mr Money Man,  you hold the check book,  WHERE?  is the money that the Citizens of San Francisco voted to be allocated for a new home for the Chimpanzees?  

I guarentee you, when the money was donated for the new Playground, not a penny went elsewhere.  In fact, additional funds needed to be raised.

Ten Years later, at the end of 2007, this news article was published.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-Zoo-s-history-of-mismanagement-morale-down-3299116.php

Snips of relevance:

>"Meanwhile, plans were quietly killed for the Great Ape Forest exhibit, highlighted in a $48 million city bond measure approved by voters in 1997 to upgrade the zoo. And four would-be inhabitants - aging wild-born chimpanzees- are still living in a concrete grotto while their handler continues her lonely quest to make sure their rare and invaluable genes are passed on through breeding.

The chimps' longtime zookeeper, Lisa Hamburger, has occasionally appeared at monthly meetings of the Joint Zoo Committee, a city panel that oversees the zoo, to plead her case. As she prepared to speak one afternoon, Mollinedo got up and walked out of the room." <

Sadly Lisa left the Zoo and has since passed.  Her obituary noting her love and mentioning her Friends, Tallulah, Cobby, Maggie and Minnie, among her survivors.

Since Lisa, the Chimps have had no one champioining for them.  Not one of the Curators or Keepers since have cared enough to be their voice.

In the spring of 2008, this article was published:

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Critics-blast-S-F-zoo-s-use-of-bond-funds-3220164.php#photo-2362866

Snips of relevance:

>"Flyers distributed to voters showed pictures of the primates' exhibits, which bond backers called "awful cement islands." Officials promised that two-thirds of the aging facility would be rebuilt, moving the zoo "from concrete to grass." Included in the list of projects was a new Great Ape Forest, a "natural habitat with climbing vines, trees, a stream and high nesting areas for these magnificent, intelligent animals." 

Eleven years later, the orangutans are gone, the chimpanzees are still living on those awful cement islands - albeit with a bit more shrubbery - and the lions and rhinos haven't yet been given their new digs. While the zoo has added new exhibits, including the African Savanna, critics charge that the zoo has placed more emphasis on visitor amenities than animal welfare. They also argue that the zoo has spent millions of taxpayer dollars on inadequate new exhibits."<

While the Rhinos did get a new home, even if with an odd layout and not much of a landscape upgrade to what the location was previous to the renovation.  The lions are still in the same place, but their homes are not of issue in my opinion.

What is of issue is the continued slight the Chimps have gotten.  Literally less than D-listed, they aren't even on a list of priority and apparently they haven't been for 17 years.  

The question is WHY?   

SFZoo Chimpanzees Need Some Love!

I mentioned this in a post about the Gorilla Death, but since this subject has been in the making for over a year, the following are the posts as I've intended.

In relation to the Gorillas, the Terry Maples rehire, and what I'm about to write about the Chimps and other Animals in need, please take a look at this post from 2012.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/07/exhibit-visionist-thoughts-continued.html

The Chimpanzees are the one Animal at the Zoo I remember most from my Childhood.  When I started learning about the Animals as individuals in 2008,  I learned they were the same ones I have visited my whole life.   I think learning this was initial to strengthening my connection to our Chimps, and since then, our Chimpanzee Family has had my Heart. 

I've previously wrote about the Chimps, but over the past near year, I didn't get to important issues about the Chimps.  It takes alot of thought and emotion to write posts of passion, and while gearing up these posts, something else came up and I delayed further.  I held off because of a Filmmakers dream to make a documentary on our Male Chimp Cobby.   Since Zoo Officials act weird about so many things, I didn't want to shine the light too bright and ruin anything for that Project.  In hindsight, I wish I had done things differently.  I really feel like I've let the Chimps down by not posting a continuous focus on how the Zoo Fails them.  They are the oldest Animals there, they deserve to be a Priority.

I have two main issues in regards to the Chimps.   The continued disregard of attention to the Environment of their Home and to the lack of Enrichment they get.

Over the past two years, the Zoo has been bringing in new Animals, either building new exhibits, or renovating old ones, as well building "party" areas for Humans.   With each one, my heart breaks for the Chimps just a bit more.

The Triple Grotto where the Chimps live was built in the 60s.  Prior to that the previous Zoo Chimps lived in the metal cages across from them, that now house Birds.  Cobby came to the Zoo at age 10 in 1968 and Maggie and Minnie as infants in 1970.   

The Triple Grottos originally housed the Orangutans in Grotto 1, the Chimps in 2, and I believe Mandrils in 3.   The Mandrils moved to the Primate Center and the last Orangutan, a Female named Lipz, was transferred to another Zoo.  She is still there and...    The last upgrade to those Grottos was in the mid 80s when climbing structures and landscaping were added to the barren cement islands.

In 1997 a City Bond was voted in that designated funds for the Zoo, with one project being The Great Ape Forest.  Please read the following post for more details and News Article links in regard to this.

That money was misappropriated and the Great Ape Forest never built.  Not one Director since then has made upgrading the Chimpanzee home/enclosure a priority.  

I'm asking every one of them WHY?!

Why has money been spent for other Animals, including new, non-rescue Animals being brought in?   

I have enjoyed seeing new Animals, but I would have more enjoyed seeing the Chimps and other Animals in the current collection who are in need, get upgrades.  I have no problem with bumping some things to provide a home for Animals facing euthanasia, therefore in need of rescuing.  But, the shift back to the current Resident Animals need as a priority should happen.

In addition to new Animal exhibits, I should not walk around the Zoo and see things like a Tiki Hut being built so the Director and other mucky mucks can have Cocktail Parties and such.  I should not see a Safari Style Camp Site being built, so Humans can come and stay over night there on occasion.

This attention to Human need came to an all time high when construction started ont he new Playground.  While its been shoved down our throats that money was donated specifically for this, the issue is, WHY?  Doesn't the Director let Donors know what NEEDS there are?  WHY?  When over 3 million was donated for this playground, didn't the Director say, Wow thats generous, but we can make a nice playgound for half that, would you consider us using the other half for Animal upgrades?  NO!  That doesn't and would never happen!  Why?  Because I honestly do not believe the thought of the Animals ever enters Director Tanya Petersons mind. She let poor Wishbone (oh YES I will bring how they killed him up every chance I get!)  pound his bones to a literal death, living on concrete his whole life.  They, the Director, the Board, the Rec and Park, two Donors specifically, they all knew this for over a year before his death.  How do I know this?  I personally sent them post letters in regard to this.  Please read my blog for more info .. link

I can go on about several Animals in need, but I will make a separate post as I know this one is already getting lengthy and I appreciate the time readers take to hear my voice for the Animals.

SO, what we do know at this point is since 1997 the Zoo has not made any plan to build a new Home for the Chimpanzees.  They have not even made a plan to upgrade the Chimpanzees Home.   

Their current home includes a main building with peeling paint.  A structure (Grotto 2) that is rusting with peeling paint.  A rusting twigging box (used to "fish" out molasses and honey.  Regarless of any other upgrades, these points are a disgrace.  

Since I mentioned "plans", let me digress for a bit and question to anyone out there, were there ever drawn plans for the Great Ape Forest?  If so, please let me know and if they can be obtained.

Continuing on.  I have not kept an eye on any other Administration, so yes, I will focus on the current one.  As I mentioned Director Tanya Peterson has failed to highlight any of the current Animals in need.  Instead, focusing on raising funds for new Animals.

Not one ZooFest since Director Peterson's reign stared in 2008 have been to raise funds for the Chimpanzees.   Nor have they been on any recent Master Plan.

SO, let's talk about the Chimps.  My precious Zoo Friends, Cobby, Maggie, and Minnie.   These incredible beings have lived at the Zoo for over 40 years.  

Don't the Chimps deserve to be a priority?

Over the past seven years, I have had so many ideas run through my mind at how their home can be made better.  Over the past couple years, I've tweaked that a bit based on their age and how sensitive Cobby is.  I once witnessed construction on one of the Bird cages across from the Chimps and Cobby was so upset by the sound of the saw on metal, that I thought not too much can be done, at least not for an extended amount of time, but that doesn't mean there aren't things that could be done.

It isn't all awful, but they need stuff done for them.    There is no room for them to run and play.  they go out and up to the structure where they sit all day.  There is no big grassy area.  It can be made to resemble other grotto style exhibits.  Its just no one has put the Chimps at the front of the line.  Sadly, I don't even think they are in the line.  

Leave the first grotto as their familar, public foraging and lounging area.  change the second and third grottos into a large grassy area, that they can move about in, instead of the small island that they go out to, climb rusty bars with peeling paint and sit.  They've been sitting there for 30 years.  Its time for a change.  

A few years ago, one of the structures in the far Grotto (I call 3) had to be taken down for safety reasons.  For along time they didn't even have access to that area and even now I don't know that its available to them all the time, although after a huge tree trunk was added, I have seen them on occasion in there.  A new structure was not built, but in not doing that it does provide them with some extra movement space, which the other two Grottos having structures do not because they take up most of the island ground space.  This I like.

When I saw the construction of the Bobcat and Anteaters new homes, with man-made tree and feeder mounds, I wondered WHY? Something like this has never been done for the Chimps?  I'm sure the Chimps would love some natural feeling trees to climb on instead of the rusted metal jungle gym they have now.  I'm sure they would love to have a fabricated structure for Twigging, rather than the old rusted metal box they have now.  I'm sure the Chimps would love ANYTHING!

anteater forage mound

(misplaced photo of bobcat tree structures, will post later. but these of the playground banyan trees are comparable)

The new Favorite "sons" the Red Pandas keep getting additions to their home.  I'm adding this in as only in the past few weeks have I noticed that they now have three tree houses.  I'm sure the Chimps would love even one.

Like wise when I saw the construction of the Playground, again with the man-made trees with the addition of rope made swings, I pictured Cobby sitting in one of those swing seats and it made me smile.  WHY? hasn't something similar been made for the Chimps?  The (noisey?) construction for the base of those trees could be done off exhibit and securely added and then built up around that with not much noise.   These are upgrades that could be done Grotto by Grotto.  

Making upgrades revitalizes an old area and the Animals life.  To me that should be a priority.  Why hasn't it been?   It wouldn't be the cost of a new exhibit, but would at least bring something new and enriching into their lives.

I noted the noise issue because of what I previously stated, yet it illustrates that the Zoo continually lets Visitors upset Cobby, which makes me think the distrubance while my consideration is not the root of the issue here.  I think the current Management just doens't put the Chimps at priority status.  Its really sad because they haven't been a priority there since the 80s evidentially.  These are Animals who are most closely related to Humans, with thoughts linear to ours.   WHY? Can't they have more?  

Additional thoughts on upgrading the existing exhibit.  While thinking over the past few years about how to upgrade the current enclosure, because of noise factor my original thoughts have changed a bit.   My main thought was they needed to make a larger movement area, that could only be accomplished by demolishing the islands in two of the three grottos or filling in the moats.  Any demolision would be too noisey at this point in their lives.   The later is not only the least noisey, but would also provide a viewing area for Visitors.  The only things it would require are A- Take down the existing structure in Grotto 2.  B- Build a "bridge" for the middle and far Grottos (2 and 3) to become a connected flat surface area.  C- Fill the moat.  Possibly extending the surface area, if possible to create different barrier.  D-Landscape the surface.  E- If possible, build up the surrounding walls using both probably using both concrete, but mostly glass, and possibly some fencing?  I'm not a professional, so I don't know what kind of non-moat barrier would be needed.  This would not take much construction, could be done in shifts to lessen disturbance.  After the trees, swings, and twigging mounds could be added.   Obviously I'm just throwing ideas out there, but at least I'm thinking about the Chimps, which is less than Zoo Officials have done in near two decades.

 two views of Grotto 2 and 3.  Much unused space 

could be connected to form large grass area

The Zoo needs to stop being lazy and disinterested in the Chimps.  More Visitors than there are ones who harass them, Love them.   For many, like me, they have been there my whole life.  They are the one Animal at the Zoo that almost every visit I see students observing.  Because of their use in Entertainment, Chimpanzees are probably one of the most Personalized Animals in Zoos.  And while there is a whole other message in that last sentence, the point is, Chimps are well loved Animals, and the San Francisco Zoo Needs to Show our wonderful Chimps Some Love!

There is no reason these types of upgrades can't be made.  There is no reason they can't be kept inside most of the day on weekdays while this gets done.  They can be kept busy watching movies, painting,whatever other inside activities and entertainment they are provided. 

The Enrichment issue Zoo-wide has been a passion point for me for years.   When I learned what Enrichment was and I was able to participate in making "enrichment" Toys for the Big Cats and Bears,  it became one of the things I focus on.  I have a post in draft about Enrichment specifically, so for now I'll just note that while there is several different aspects to Enrichment, I can obviously only write about what I can see and that is the Enrichment that is put out while the Animals are "on exhibit".  That said, exhibit hours make up most of the time the Keepers are there, which is basically the same time frame, so in my opinion, what we see is probably mostly, what they get. 

In regard to the Chimps specifically, the Keepers routine is to clean Grotto 1 and put their Enrichment Items out.  To me, the offerings are most often not so much.  They only get fun and different stuff for the Halloween Event and if the Zoo can use them for a Media pimp.   Each Holiday goes by and they get nothing new, even though stores like Target and Michaels have inexpensive themed items that could be given to them.   I know this because I fantasize about them having these things, everytime I'm in a store.   What they do get is the same Halloween buckets from a few years ago, weekly year-round.  They get disgarded glove and Keeper food boxes and grocery bags.  I wouldn't complain about these items, as they do provide a container for treats, but this has been the consistent extent of the effort for years.   I don't see them get Ice Treats very often anymore, and that puts a smile on their face everytime.   In my opinion, they get very little fun and a whole lot of bored.

Anytime there is something different than their normal daily "food" forage, (which I don't even list as Enrichment unless its presented in a different or challenging way), they are so happy!  They go crazy for fun stuff and they hardly get it.  When preparation is on for Halloween Event, the go insane with anticipation.  It is a joy to watch how happy they are.  WHY? Don't they have this more often?  They don't even get Birthday celebrations, which ironically have been noted by the Chimpanzee SSP Facebook page, which they do for al the Chimps in North American Zoos, often saying "I know your Keepers wil give you special treats.."  Well, not at the San Francisco Zoo they won't.  The last Birthday celebration was in 2009 when Cobby had a Party only because I shamed them into it when my Friend and I wanted to make a Card for Cobby.  

Chimps whose brains are very close to humans, and in my experience,surpass that of many humans.  They should be provided with daily mental stimulation and yet they aren't.  In my opinion it shows a lack of compassion and care, in addition to severe laziness on the part of the Animal Management Staff, specifically Primate Curator Corinne MacDonald.  In my opinion any fails in the Animal Dept.  falls on the Curators.  They dictate to the Keepers what can and can not be done for the Animals.  So, if a Keeper isn't doing something, its because of the Curator's word or from laziness.  If laziness, then again that falls on the Curator, who then doesn't manage their Team properly. 

Gorilla Tragedy Wrap-Up - Why No One Apparently Cares

So, now that all is said and done one the subject of the Gorilla Tragedy, I think its a good idea to evaluate further why this happened.

The Zoo Staff is made up with too many people who just don't care.  Who think its just a job.  This is a job where almost every decision made is connected to the Animals that live there.   Their life, their safety, their environment, and the respect they deserve.  I have written endlessly about all, so will try to keep on the topic of this post.

The off site "Officials" who are or should be watching over (checks and balances) what the in house Officials are doing, include the San Francisco Zoological Society and the San Francisco Recreation and Park.

I meant to post these when I first saw them as I was appalled.  Maybe a greater power held me off from posting them directly after the 2014 ZooFest.  Maybe they will make a bigger statement in the wake of this Tragedy and my maintain that the Zoological Society Members and Zoo Donors have no real care about Animals.

I have written that there is no checks and balance s from the “governing board” of the Zoo, the Zoological Society.  I have written that the make-up of these people are not those that are true Animal people.  I would wager that none of these people are even regular Zoo Visitors or even go to the Zoo once a year if that, other than when theres a cocktail party.

One of my main issues is Animal name changing and Donors just write checks without questioning about the Animals as individuals, therefore giving money to change their given names, instead of just contributing to their care.   There was also one Donor who I believe is also a Society Member, who donated a Million Dollars at a ZooFest years back, allegedly with no stipulation on how it was to be used.  I just wish that those who have the luxury of helping these Animals, took a better look and participation when donating.

That all said, and I’m sure there’s more but my brain is about to burst on the subject of non-caring that goes on at the Zoo,  check out these screen caps I saved from the News Article about last years annual ZooFest Fundraiser. ... Who wears Fur to a Zoo Fundraiser?  These people do!  WTF?  And these are just the ones who got in photos.  Disgusting.  There is no disputing these are not Animal Compassionate people.  Yes, I admit it, I'm profiling.  I just don't think this is a group who wears faux.  

Additionally I want to note that it is not surprising that the Rec and Park doesn't care enough to check or question anything the Zoo does further than surface things at the Joint Zoo Committee Meetings, for which they take Director Tanya Peterson and other in house Zoo Officials at their word.

I am active in the issues surrounding my Park Friends as well and have corresponded with the Park Manager, so I know there is a lack of care in regards to safety issues for the Animals who call the Park home.   ... Not as direct a threat to Waterfowl and Wildlife Safety as other issues I have approached the Park about, but trash is a big deal in certain areas.  I have seen the same pile of trash sometimes for weeks, even though I've alerted them a need for pick-up.   It amazes me the lack of care that comes down from General Manager Phil Ginsburg because allegedly the man makes a call if the Gardening Staff doesn't keep his morning run route clean.

With such non-caring people as our Director, the Zoological Society Members, Recreation and Park Officials, how is the San Francisco Zoo ever going to be run right and be all that it can be?

Gorilla Tragedy - News Article 11.26.14 & 11.27.14

Written 11.27.14  

In reference to 11.26.14 News Article:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-Zoo-will-alter-doors-after-death-of-baby-5920410.php

and the one the following day.  I can't find the link, but I have a screen photo I took for reference.

After reading both post investigation reports, the whole thing just makes my head spin.  As the title suggests, I have to say, No Shit the doors will be altered.  This was bigger news than the April 2014 Safety investigation.  Whether or not much else will be changed, I guess is a wait and see.  Public probably won’t hear about any pitfalls until another Animal or Human, loses their life.

This article is laden with he said, she said, and contradictions.  There is so much double talk that comes out of the Zoo, no wonder most people have a hard time keeping up.  They may just be how the Zoo Officials get away with so much.

I have read that Keepers maintain that this Tragedy happened because Zoo Officials and Management failed to listen to them about the faulty doors and shifting issues.  That said, the most important statement to highlight is:

>”Maple said in his report, “Keepers agreed that mechanical failure was not the cause” of the accident that killed Kabibe.”<

In this they are agreeing that faulty doors were not the issue.  That leaves the obvious, that the Keeper could not see the Gorillas while operating the door and original reports of hands and eyes not on the door are accurate.  This without doubt lays blame, accidental or not on the Director, Curators and Keepers.  All committing a negligence.

For one, again, Maples states something he should have noted during his first tenure as an “expert in residence”.  … 

But the panel is behind a metal screen and a plastic wall, and the operator’s view is “partially obstructed by metal poles, which makes it difficult to monitor all of the gorillas simultaneously,” Maple said in his report.

>”The zoo will also require that two keepers be present while the apes are moved from their daytime exhibit into their night quarters. Management put the policy, known as a buddy system, into place the day after Kabibe was crushed.”<

This was allegedly supposed to be a protocol in place even prior to the accident.  SO Who’s fault is it that it was not in action?  The Director?  The Curators?

Also mentioned is the AZA.  This is not the first time an Animal in an AZA facility has been injured or died from door safety.  This issue dates backs years and the AZA should have made mandatory guideline changes at that time.  It disgusts me that governing groups such as the AZA and SFZOO don’t make changes unless there’s a Tragedy or they are forced to. 

Zoo Security - Animal Safety

Written 11.23.14

It was mentioned in a comment portion to one of my Survey questions that the San Francisco Zoo now employs Armed Security Guards.   I'm making it a stand alone post as I had it in draft to be a post, and I just hadn't gotten to it and its something that I have concerns about and therefore I think should be documented.

I know for a fact that Security Guards in most circumstances do not carry any weapons.  I went through Security training (this was before I ended up being public enemy number one there) as I thought the Guards at the Zoo sucked and since I was reporting so many offenders that maybe I would do a better job at protecting them.  The Zoo eventually got a new Security company so I never followed through with that.  Additionally, that time frame coincided with the Zoo Director slandering me as Public Enemy Number One, so I would not have been hired anyway.

The lack of attention to Visitors behavior at the Zoo has always puzzled me.  Starting with my first hard core look at the situation, the Tiger event of 2007.  After that I was hyper-sensitive to everyone around me at the Zoo.  When you really care to pay attention for the sake of the Animals safety, you see all kinds of wrong.  I can't even count the amount of times I have reported Visitors breaching barriers, in addition to blowing cigarette smoke at Animals, throwing rocks into habitats, chasing the free roaming Peacocks, trying to pull their feathers out, riding the farm Animals, yanking on the goats horns, giving them suckers, just all kinds of awful stuff.  I think reports from myself and a friend when we saw Visitors with a gun and knife respectively, were the only times it was reported.  More Staffers need to be aware of what goes on, because if I'm seeing all this shit, I can only imagine what's happening when I'm not there.

Thats just back-story of this issue.  My immediate concern (as was noted in the Survey comment) when I heard that the Zoo had hired Armed Guards, was, so what happens when some idiot drops their kid into an Animal enclosure as a result of barrier breaching, OR someone volunterialy enters an enclosure?  In short, if someone ends up at risk with an Animal out of stupidity or evil intention (not by Animal escape), wil the Animal lose its life?  The answer to that is YES!  The first day I saw these armed guards I asked someone, "Do the Guards have the authority to shoot to kill?"   The answer is YES!   WTF?

So, these Guards who are ex-military, not trained in Animal situations, are now allowed to make judgement calls in whether an Animal lives or dies.  They alledgedly have the go-ahead to shoot any Animal when a Human is at risk.   This is outrageous.  I have noted in the past I am no humanitarian, but I am especially on the Animals side if they are the innocents in the situation.  I sure as hell still feel absolute in the fact that Tatiana lost her life in an effort to save those Criminals.

So, Zoo Officials upon hiring Armed Guards have allegedly done away with the Target Team.  The Team was comprised of Animal Care Staff, trained to use tranquilizer guns on the Animals.   Just another descision made by Zoo Officials that doesn't have the Animals who live there as a priority.  More non-Animal people making life or deaths descisions.   

I will also note in regard to Security that Director Peterson had a metal detector installed at the Joint Zoo Committee Meetings when they were held at the Zoo.  This came a month after she lied and slandered myself and my Friend, for the Zoo's faulty ER Safety Protocol, which resulted in her revoking our Memberships.  I had contacted many City and outside Zoo Officials in relation to the matter and its was noted by her that the metal detector was reflective of  "persons contacting ...."  Smells of paranoia and self preservation while she apparently could care less about the safety of her Staff and the Animals.  

Gorilla Tragedy - Survey Comments

UPDATE 1.31.15

I finally have internet at home again, starting right now.  First thing I wanted to do was note here that I haven't forgotten this and appreciate all the comments that were left on the survey.  Right now, the situation with the Chimps is primary for me because its time sensitive.  As soon as I have all up that I want to do for the Chimps i will get back to this.  Thank you.

Written 11.23.14

While at a Friends house, I glanced at how my Survey about the Gorilla Tragedy was doing.   I had some great comments posted, that I thought should be shared.  Like with the Survey, I have noted in the past to please expand the comments on interested posts, as there is often additional information provided by readers.

I'm going to post the Survey questions along with the comments, as well what my comments would be, as the Survey doesn't provide for any follow up to comments. 

(Hopefully today, but since I have so many posts that I feel I've not done in a time sensitive manner, I'm going to put the cut and paste that this one requires on hold for the moment.  Check back!)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/summary/1mmw1cBBmJ5Ag5dOgNckZApZapC_2F_2Bjg_2F_2Br3EvJSfjTM_3D

Gorilla Tragedy - News Article/Video 11.21.14

Written 11.22.14 in reference to this article: ... make sure to click on the link for the video.

http://sfist.com/2014/11/21/zookeepers_and_zoo_director_shiftin.php

I visited a friend last night who I haven't had time to catch up with since Kabibe's Death.  She asked if I'd seen the video of the Zoo Director (Tanya Peterson) on KGO's site.  The video link was included in an article on sfist.  I veiwed the video and wow, she was a mess.  She could not form complete sentences, had facts wrong and was now saying that she had no knowledge of the 2010 injuries to Hasani or the ones that Monifa suffered after that.  

I also want to know why Animal injury reports are not presented at the Monthy Joint Zoo Committee Meetings?  ... That said, these meetings need a re-vamp.  The panel listens to Director Peterson, as well as other Zoo Officials and takes their word as truth.  They are rarely questioned and if they are the panel takes that as Word.  There is no checks and balances, something I noted in a 2011 letter to then San Francisco Zoological Board Chairman David Stanton, himself the President of his own very successful company.  I noted that he must have a checks and balances system in place there, why is there none at the Zoo?  The Zoo has put forth untruths about Animal Deaths and is never questioned.  There is no one to know that they aren't putting forth actual truths, because no one on the Joint Zoo Committe Panel, the San Francisco Zoological Soceity, the San Francisco Recreation and Park, (no one) monitors them.  None of those People ever go to the Zoo.  They don't know what goes on there.  They don't know the Animals.  They don't know anything.  So the nest of idiots and liars the make up Zoo Management, just do whatever they want, negligent or not and no one says anything.  Its truly disgusting how a City owned facility has been flayling in mediocrity and held together by one cover-up after another, has even gotten by for this current seven year reign.  AND its looking like it may be allowed to continue.

Bottom line, none of the People who make up the Committee Panel, Zoological Society, Recreation and Park, really care about what goes on, or they would monitor the Management Staff and what they do.  The Rec and Park doesn't care about the Animals in Golden Gate Park (but thats a whole other blog!), why would they care about the Animals at the Zoo?

I hate to sound like a broken record, but the Rec and Park needs to clean house at the Zoo.  As far as I understand, the Zoo answers to the Rec and Park as the City "office" in charge of them.  So that office it seems, has the power to make changes.  Director Peterson needs to go.  A new Director needs to be appointed that has no ties to her current Management Team.   I posted before in support of two People on the Animal Staff who I felt would be worthy to take on the role of Director.   One of those was former Penguin Keeper Anthony Brown.  His recent departure from the Zoo was a more than curious surprise and a real loss to the Zoo.  After giving 20 + years to the Zoo, its a place I know he loves and would do right by.  He not only knows the Zoo and its Animals, but has shown leadership skills before.  Something else that might be beneifical to the future of how the Zoo is run, especially if Driector Peterson is allowed to continue on, maybe there needs to be a collaborative Directorship, so, no one person can turn the job of Director into Dictator.

There are many useless people holding jobs at the Zoo.  My concern are the ones making descisions about Animal Care.  In addition to Director Peterson and her right hand man Robert Icard, who as VP certainly was aware of the safety documents.   I also take aim at Animal Care Staffer David Bocian and Primate Curator Corinne MacDonald.  Both of these Staffers hold Management positions that require them to make sure their Team of Keepers knows and follows Protocol, in addition to making sure the protocol itself is safe.  Everyone working in Animal Care has a moral obligation to making sure the Animals are safe.

They only other curious thing noted in this article is the mention of door number 4 being the door that injured Hasani in 2010 and the killed Kabibe.   As I posted in the previous post, I had read someplace that the faulty door was not the same in both instances or in that of when Monifa was injured.  Will try to research this and post definite information.  If anyone has a link to this information please post it int he comments.

Gorilla Tragedy ... News Article 11.21.14

Written 11.22.14 in reference to a News Article that I can't find the link for.  I know that isn't the best way to present my questions and comments, but, I'm going to do so anyway.  Those who have followed the story will be able to figure it out. ...

The article noted that the night quarter doors (where the accident happened) were of USDA compliance ... ??  What do they look for?  Did they know of other injuries?  Previous article mentioned broken doors, stuck and chained?  How often is routinely?  They last came in January and this is Novemeber, thats not routinely?  Why are these questions not asked and answered?  Again no one quesitons Director Peterson.  

That said I contacted the USDA in regard to an Animal health issue and they never responded, so I don't put much faith in the USDA or the AZA (who I've also contacted) for that matter.

Peterson notes 'nothing gave me reason to believe anything was wrong'  ???   ...  Again, what about the reports dating back to 2010 of injuries?  Were they actual reports?  Or just as noted, notations in the log book?  Was Hasani and Monifa seen by the Vet for their injuries?  Where is the documentation for that?   Are reports and documentation being hidden?  If so, who's hiding them?   I know there is information gag orders all about that place, Animal medical information allegedly tainted with cover-up information, but I digress, as thats another subject.  Regardless of whether they are official documents, notations in the log book, whatever, she is President of a Facility where Animal Care is or at least should be the top issue, and she doesn't know anything about them?   Either she's not being forth coming about that, or as I've said before, she just doesn't care.

If anyone has a link to Director Peterson's "guest" Chronical Editorial, please post it in the comments.  

Again this article notes that "you can't see what all the Gorillas are doing".   How could someone even perform this job knowing this.   Do they just cross their fingers and hit the button?   It actually makes me feel sick.

Gorilla Tragedy ... News Article 11.20.14

Written 11.21.14 in reference to this article:

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-zookeepers-say-concerns-ignored-before-5907518.php

I'm really bothered by the presentation in this article.   

I try not to place blame without balancing all the information I personally know as alleged fact.  I know thats a contradiction, but I got to put alleged in there.  I don't know everything, but apparently in the situation that IS the Zoo, no one does.  

I'm sure my questions and opinions that stem from them, will put off some Keepers that I do talk to, but an Animal was killed, I'm not going to withold from noting anything that doesn't make sense or is questionable.  I do welcome any Staff Member to comment or contact me via email using the "about me" contact option, and provide information that can help me understand differently.

The facts as I see it so far, are:

*The Keeper, was not looking at the door as it was in motion and did not have her hand on the Stop button.

*There have been faulty doors since 2010, causing injuries to both Hasani and Monifa.  

From what I've read, the door that killed Kabibe, is not the same door that has been faulty.  I can't find where I read that, but even if what I thought I read is inaccurate, the accident with Kabibe has not been reported to have been caused by the door being faulty, but by protocol failures (both by Keeper and lacking proper "buddy system") making it impossible to operate doors and see clearly at the same time.

For me, based on what I've read, this is two separate situations.

Since this article focuses on the concerns of the Keepers, I'm mostly going to post about that, but make no mistake, I put blame on the Director and the Curators, foremost.   Curators are the Keepers Managers, it is up to them to make sure the protocol is safe.  If that means battleing it out with Officials above them, or standing there beside their Keepers while shifting at night is done, then so be it.  So, I strongly blame the Animal Management Staff, Curator Corinne MacDonald and whatever title David Bocian is going by now.

I appreciate these Keepers coming forward with the facts that their concerns about the doors were ignored by Management.  But, I also feel its alittle late.    

WHY wasn't this Animal safety issue brought up in the April Investigation that aired via KGO-TV?   With the support of their Union Reps, Staff came forward to bring to light safety issues in regards to their own safety, why wasn't the safety of the Animals included?

The Staff planned to confront Board Members and other officials at the annual ZooFest event, that took place within days of the KGO investigation airing, but it was reported they decided not to because Management had said things would change.

WHY wasn't there a follow-up to that investigation to make sure that these issues had been sufficiently and satisfactorilly remedied?  

WHY didn't Staff get their Union Reps to again mediate in regards to Animal Safety?

I appreciate that the Keepers have been honest about the dangers of the "system" of moving the Gorillas.  

There is a view obstruction noted in the article.  I remember hearing about this screen/panel addition, to allegedly solve the issue of the Gorillas being able to reach the control buttons, which they allegedly had been able to do.

Also noted is that there is a "lone Keeper".

These are the things I don't understand:

Are the Keepers saying that its because of the faulty doors Kabibe was killed?  OR because they were forced to go through shifting procedures with only one Keeper?

I get that the "buddy system" was flawed.  But it was up to the Keepers to be heard.  I get that they tried, but they didn't try hard enough.  Mine is not going to be the popular opinion, but this is it.  This is a job that lives are dependant upon them.  They should have come forward before this happened.  They should have used their "annonymous email" option that was noted in previous articles.  They should have done something to literally "get cages rattled".

I would like to be clear on their position, but regardless, the fact remains,  the Keepers have a Moral obligation to these Animals.  If they can not see properly/without a doubt, what is going on at the doors, they should not complete the task.  THIS issue should have been forced to light as soon as these concerns were felt.  I get the whole, ignoring issue, I get the fear of losing their job, but bottom line, each time a Keeper moved those Animals, they played Russian Roulette with their lives.  And Kabibe lost.

I'm sorry, I know they feel bad.  I know they cared.  No one would want this too happen, but fact is it did. This is not a situation where being ignored and possibly losing your job is the, "oh woe is me" of it.  If you can't see the Animals, you don't do it.  Call the Curator in Charge.  Shout it from the roof.  Do whatever it takes, but don't put lives at risk.  Would these Keepers get in a car with their own child and drive with a blind-fold?  Because according to what they've said, thats basically what they did each day these Animals in their care were moved.

It would appear that if Kabibe had not been killed, this blind-folded practice would still be in effect.  One of the Keepers mentioned in this article I know for a fact has taken the torch from her Curator Superiors and bad mouthed me because of my blogging to other Staff, allegedly threatening them if they talk to me.  In my opinion this is pretty hypocritical seeing as at least I have been a voice for the Animals and the wrongs of the Zoo.  In my opinion being a hypocrite in this situation is in line with being an accessory to the crime.

Every notation in regard to Director Peterson, makes me want to vomit.  Her bringing the photo of her and Kabibe in my opinion is to get an emotional tug at the Commission to shift any blame away from her.  She has long proven to be an awful leader.  She is the top person to blame for this.  She has set up her chain of command so that Keepers are allegedly afraid to even bring up issues to her.  I have heard she allegedly refuses to even speak to certain Keepers or respond to their attempts to contact her.   Word gets to her, she just doesn't care.  I think she fancies herself the Queen and does whatever she pleases.  Problem with that is she doesn't know anything about Animals or the Safety issues surrounding housing them.  That includes the issues in this tragedy, in addition to past safety concerns and the consistant and excessive breaching of the barriers of the Animals homes.  When you have a job you know nothing about executing, you need to differ to those who do.  Many Officials and those at Management level do not listen to the Keepers, and they are considered pretty low on the totem pole, when in actuality, they are the ones with the most important jobs, seeing as this is an Animal based working environment.  Something that is forgotten and forsaken in too many instances.

Finally! - Catching Up! ... Gorillas - Chimps - Where Have I Been!

Apologies to anyone who has checked back and found nothing new. 

Life happens and I have obviously not been able to post many of my most important posts due to not having time to seek internet outside my house.  My internet at home has been down since before Thanksgiving.  This has actually caused me anxiety, because of the timing.  I hadn't had the time or energy to post consistently over the past year, but because of the nature of the News out of the Zoo in the wake of the Death of Gorilla Kabibe, no matter how little time or energy I had, I made myself do it.  The day I lost internet connection, Friday November 22, I started my morning prepping a post that I thought may be the last on the subject, because it didn't seem like much was changing in regard to anyone being held responsible, but ended up being a catalyst for yet more frustrating and upsetting thoughts, as someone messaged me, asking if I had read "yesterday's sfgate article".  Over the next couple days, I had the opportunity to read two more articles, that of course bothered me as well.  Not having the outlet of posting, has been tough.  So, I plan to in response to each of the articles, even if they are now weeks old and post as I would have as they came in.  I have been able to write the posts in a timely manner, I just haven't been able to dedicate the time away from home to post them until now. 

I think most of what I write will still be relevant or at least to me, worth documenting.  I don't want to jump over things that have been reported and skip to the Zoo's current position on the matter (which at last check made News over Thanksgiving weekend), because with each day of news there was something to make point of.  With all the "issue" posting I've done in the history of my Zoo blogs, there is always a point that I feel needs to be documented.  I do it for the Animals.  So, when a "failure" or "crime" happens, I want things that aren't right at the San Francisco Zoo documented and therefore noted that I tried to bring things to light.

A Friend I've had since childhood recently said something to me that I think is worth sharing.  She had heard many of my Zoo tales over the years.  Following Kabibe's Tragedy in the news, she said, "All the things that you have been saying (about the Zoo and Director Peterson) are finally coming out."   It made me sad.  Sad because I felt like, if people had listened to me, maybe things at the Zoo would be different by now.  Maybe Kabibe would still be alive. 

As someone with a Journalism background, my Friend asked if there were others (meaning members of the Public) who speak out about things.  I said, No.  I mentioned IDA (In Defense of Animals) and noted that I thought they were "close the Zoo" Zealots, a group who doesn't know anything about the Zoo or the Animals that live there.  I do not know of anyone else who goes to the Zoo, that is a voice for the Animals.  I have a handful of Friends and a few blog followers, who share my concerns, and who comment on my blog, but as far as being a voice, I really think on the level I am (a Visitor/non-Staff), I'm it.   She noted that I'm just one person that no one knows, a circumstance that doesn't usually 'get the ear'.

I don't mean to sound pompous or vain, like I could have changed things with my solo voice.  I know there are circumstances to issues, especially with Kabibe's tragedy, that I of course could not have affected, but maybe those with authority above Director Peterson and other in-house Officials, would have taken some sort of charge and been proactive in righting so many wrongs there, instead of turning a blind eye, the effect of that attention would have made a difference in her death.   I do think that if those I have alerted to things, from the Mayor, to Supervisors, to Board Members, Donors, Rec and Park, Joint Zoo Committee Members, Media, the AZA, the USDA, even Members of the Public, all who have heard my voice on at least one issue, if any of those People cared enough to take off the rose colored glasses and get involved with what actually goes on at the Zoo, maybe things would be different.  No one did and a Life had to be Lost for people to start questioning things.    Its Sad and Disgusting.

So, I'm still questioning things.  In fact many that I know still are.  Most of which will probably never be answered.  The posts that will follow will be dated so, if you want to skip ahead you can.  Otherwise I'm going in chronological order, hopefully you will follow along with my thought process and add your own in the comments.    I've got at least two handfuls of posts, at present there will be six on the Gorilla event.  Then three long over due on the Chimps.  I also have many others and I hope to have them all posted over the next couple weeks.

Thank you for continuing to read my blogs, even when life happens and I don't get to post as often as I would like.  You can always be sure of one thing, I am still keeping my eye on what goes on at the Zoo.

Chinese Lunar New Year Event - 2014

Curious thing is when I made my Year of the Horse post featuring our wonderful Farm Friend Ben, I checked the Zoo's site (to see if they mentioned Ben as a Lunar Mascot.  Answer at the time was no) and neither the banner or the Calendar had a mention of a Lunar event this year.   I thought they just weren't going to do one this year.  Maybe they weren't?  Who knows.  What I do know is my Tweet of Ben's photos got ReTweeted and it was made to sound like it came from the Zoo.  I of course Tweeted back to clarify I have no affiliation with the SFZoo.  Anyway the Zoo posted to their Facebook page a few days ago.  It will be tomorrow.

In anycase, I must every year post about this because I feel strongly that the Chinese New Year traditional Lion Dance should not be a part of this event.  The sound volume is too loud for most of the Animals.  I have witnessed this several times, yet it seems that having it be a part of the event continues to be a priority over Animal Wellness.    

In an effort not to repeat myself, please see my post from last year  http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/02/chinese-new-year-2013-year-of-snake.html

In addition to my past concerns, I have new concerns that regard the Rhea's that live at the Puente Al Sur exhibit.  These not yet a year old, large flightless Birds were new the exhibit in early 2012.  In 2013 we went from having 4 to 2.   I only saw one death noted in the Joint Zoo Committee Minutes, although I know there were two deaths.   The reason noted was "Hock Joint Injury" and "Shock" .  I did some research on this and from what I found out an injury like this is caused by "shock", which means the Animal most likely was scared/startled/stressed and ran itself into a wall/fence, causing injury to the Hock Joint.   It would seem to me that these are highly sensitive Animals and loud noise could be a factor.  As well as the drum beat during the Lion Dance performance would be something of concern.  Their exhibit is a distance from the area where the performances take place, but in my opinion, knowing  this and that it affects the Animals in closer proximity, notably the Chimps, the Zoo should find alternative ways to have this event without the Lion Dance.  

Chimp Exhibit Inside Barrier Still Accessible

Update on last weeks Chimp Barrier story (post before last).  On Monday, one week after I saw three kids hanging over the inner barrier at Chimps,  I was able to check and see if any signage or attempts to extend the barrier off the Party Room have been made.  That would be a Big Fat NO!  In fact, it was a Holiday and the Zoo was packed and the Party room was open allowing overflow Cafe seating.  AND the Party Room door leading to the Chimp Exhibit was unlocked allowing anyone who opened the door access to the inner barrier.  SFZOO FAIL!  ... In my opinion the Zoo basically plays "Russian Roulette" with alot of the Animals lives by their lack of attention to barrier safety.

YET, it seems that the Zoo can make decent sized signs for their past weekend Event.  I saw several of these type signs around the Zoo.  Bigger and more eye catching than any sign the Zoo has posted about Barrier Breaching.  Proof of what is priority there and its not the Animals safety.   Shameful.