My Zoo Outtings Synopsis - Sunday February 9, 2014

> February 8, 2014 -  Another curious thing is when I made my Year of the Horse post featuring our wonderful Farm Friend Ben, I checked the Zoo's site 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.  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.   Please read my extended post 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2014/02/chinese-lunar-new-year-event-2014.html

> February 8, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Celebration!? ...  Very interesting and curious I must say!  The Zoo rarely recognizes, let alone Celebrates the Birthdays of the Zoo Friends.  In the post on my other blog, http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-birthday-gladys-cincinnati.html  I wrote a bit about the SFZoo's history in regard to this, as well publicly put it out there as a <hint> that they should do one for Jillian the Tiger Cubs First Birthday on Feb 10th.   Did I shame them into it?  Who knows, but stop by the Zoo on Monday morning at 10:30a as they give her some special Birthday Treats!

> February 7, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthdays Today!

Happy 11th Birthday Miss Chipotle!

Happy 11th Birthday Jahari!

> February 6, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 12th Birthday Hercules!

> February 5, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday Nikos!

> February 4, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 6th Birthday Nataani!

> February 3, 2014 - Visited the Zoo today and got this snap :)  Family Farm Intern Katie got crafty awesome and made a banner in Honor of Celebrating the Year of the Horse!   Yay! Ben!

> January 31, 2014 -  Wow farthest behind I've ever been, my apologies!  Will try to remedy this on the weekend.  Til then, here's a wonderful photo of  my Family Farm Friend Ben  :)  ... 

Happy Year of the Ben :)  aka ...

Happy Birthday Gladys! - Cincinnati Gorilla Turns One Year Old!

Anyone who knows me or has been reading my Zoo related blogs, know I LOVE Zoo Friend Birthdays and HATE that the San Francisco Zoo doesn't Celebrate or even Recognize them.  

I'm behind on some short items I've wanted to post to my other blog, but I'm doing this timely (and here) as yesterday was the Birthday of Gladys the Gorilla who turned One Year Old, at the Cincinnatti Zoo.  Gladys was born at Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas but moved to CZ to be raised by Human surrogates, and to eventually become part of their Troop, with one of the Females taking over as surrogate Mom :)   That all has happened successfully! .. You can learn more about her here:  http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/category/animals/gorillas/  I started following her progress soon after her arrival, when I saw her and thought, "Wow, that is the cutest Gorilla Babie I've ever seen!"

Happy First Birthday Gladys!

Cincinnatti Zoo Celebrated Gladys Birthday :)  It was behind the scenes, but at least it was recognized and documented, so it could be shared :)

You can view the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YWt5Z1Bn-o&feature=youtu.be

So, SFZoo doesn't do a dang thing for the Zoo Friends on their Birthday, except when it suits their Media needs.  I'm pretty sure the last one was the Polars in 2012.  That said, will they have a Celebration for Jillian the Sumatran Tigers First Birthday February 10th?  <cough, hint>  Her Birth provided them with much Media attention, it will be curious to see what happens when that day rolls around.

As well, our own Gorilla Infant Kabibe will turn One Year Old in July.

I will note that sometimes the Keepers at the Family Farm will Celebrate their Animals Birthdays, with a special treat :)