SFZoo Re-Names Koala "Burnt Earth" Whaaat?! & Other Naming Disrespects

When I wrote my last post, Oakland Zoo Bans Single Use Plastic.  Why Wasn't SFZoo First? dated 2.23.20, I noted that two things had come up the weekend before.  I wrote about this, the second thing, in part, but then got bummed out and stopped.  I finished it the next day but didn't have time to proof read it.  By the end of the week when I did have time, I got word that one of my Farm Friends passed away, and with that sadness and respect for her, I didn't try do any zoo related writing last weekend.

RIP Mole, Bless Your Soul Beautiful Lady.  I Love You and Miss You.  Hope you have a wonderful afterlife with your Sheep Family who I know are with you.

So, the second thing...  As I finished the Plastics post, I was on a semi-roll with working on draft posts, and then this happened.

I knew this was coming, as the Zoo was running a fundraiser to send funds to Australia to aid the fire victims.  That said, anyone who knows me or has followed this blog over the years, knows the Animals Names are one of the things that really affect me.  The Re-Naming of Animals that already have names, is one of my biggest issues.  Disrespectful or awful names just make it worse.  This is sadly both.  

As I read the name reveal, Cobar, meaning Burnt Earth, I felt sick. This little guy is now been re-named after a tragedy and must carry it around for life?  While it seems by their wording that they think its clever, its just not.  Its terribly disrespectful and sad.

I literally shutdown and just turned to watching movies for two days to try an not think about. ... It took me as long to ask friends what they thought, just too make sure my personal feelings about the subject weren't isolated.

I know I am hyper-sensitive to everything involving the Animals.  I don't see that as a bad thing.  We can surely use more people who are.  Since I seem to carry a stigma that my opinions are not shared by others, I thought I'd share the comments made by a few friends.

I didn't want to influence anyone's opinion, so all I wrote was, "The Zoo Named a Koala.  I have strong feelings about this, anyone else?"   These were the replies...

You can see they also attached a second name, Wollemi, that had a much nicer meaning. Why didn't they just go with that?  There is no need for a double name and this name at least does not carry the drear if a tragic event.

This little guy came with a name. A cute name. A name he knows.  Hopefully the Keepers will still use it and it will remain his official identity in the Studbook.

The re-naming of Animals is out of control.  It's like an obsession to strip every Animal of their Identity.  It used to be only to raise funds,  which always begged the question, Why can't they think of other ways to raise funds?  Though, in recent times, there hasn't even been money attached to re-naming, just happens for the heck of it.  There does seem to be random meaning behind some of the names, but that doesn't make it right.  Re-naming the four Chimpanzee additions, and the two Orangutans, was unnecessary and disrespectful.  To my knowledge only one had money attached.  That one, is Qadeer, who is now named Gombus, which is literally another name for the southern dish Gumbo.  He is named after food. I guess we can be thankful Big Daddy wasn't attached to it, like poor beloved Falcor who's name translated to Big Daddy Language (Bahasa).

I'm sure the next victim will be Kimani.  In case you missed my earlier post, Kimani is the new female Gorilla.  The Zoo has yet to even mention her, even though she has been here for several months.  Anyway I digress.  Kimani, like many Animals, especially Great Apes and Big Cats, have fan bases who like to keep up with their journey.  Once the Zoo inevitably changes her name, that will make it hard, for those who knew her since she was born. Thankfully this re-naming nonsense wasn't around decades ago, or no one would even know our Cobby's (Chimpanzee) history.

Here's a couple clips of Kimani from my cell phone.  I haven't uploaded camera files in over two months.  Once I do there will be more!  So, subscribe to my YouTube for alerts.

Welcome Kimani!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRCpAapNGw

Monifa and Kimani - Bluff Charging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0a0dV0fp_E

This is turning out longer than I intended.  It's one of those subjects that set me off on a roll.  So, let's now talk about the Snow Leopard Cubs, who will be two in June and have never been given official names!  What?!   So it seems, when the rights to their names were auctioned off, the people who won, never submitted names.  Seriously, I think its time they are given names, and those names should be the ones the Keepers gave them when they were babies. Those should be their permanent studbook names that they carry for life.  They obviously know those names, and it seems like the logical thing to do.  At least to me.

As for the names with money attached.  I have said, there are more creative ways, one being a sign at the Animals exhibit saying their care is sponsored by,...  That recognition goes further than naming.  If naming must happen, and its a re-name, the Animal should retain its original name and be the name the Keepers use, not change it altogether.  That is not only disrespectful but awful for training purposes.  If newborns, give Keepers guidelines, and those names used.  If re-named, should only be used for public purposes, which unfortunately hasn't been what's happened for some.

Then there's this kind of nonsense.  The Ballplayer names really irk me.  I've written about it before, as we have too many Animals re-named after sports people. Poor Tucker the Hippo has had two names.  Belozi the Black Rhino, Raj the Snow Leopard, several Monkeys, one of our Goats, and now another Goat.  In my opinion, the only purpose it serves is to get some media attention, if one of the local teams happens to do good.  The disrespect isn't worth it.  

Again Zoo resorts to re-naming because there is no other creativity.  Thankfully the name is not the players full name, but "Wonderkid" isn't a good name either. 

Speaking of our Goats.  Get this crap.  I'm standing at Chimps and three people very close to me are talking.  I hear the guy on the end say, "... he's ugly"  They were standing in front of Cobby, so I was on the edge of livid.  Anyway, he then says, "Fat and blue eyes", making hand gestures I knew it wasn't Cobby, but I knew who he meant.  Once I saw a Staff name tag, I couldn't let it go. I had to confirm.  He walked away and I went after and light-heartedly asked him if he was talking about a Goat.  He laughed and said, "yeah, they named one after me".  I asked his name and he said Vitus.   Then he proceeded to direct me to the Farm.  I had never seen this guy or knew his position.  I asked around and was told he was the VP of HR.  All I can say is Wow!  It's shameful that an Employee of the Zoo would make fun of any Animal.  

Photo I made for a tweet.

Blaise is very Handsome!

That all said, there is other bad naming going on.  Even some Keepers give disrespectful names.  One of the Birds is named Cookie.  That was her name when she came here.  She got a mate, they named him Monster.  Awful.  Their babie is named Crumble.  There should be some guidelines, and names not given as jokes or in spite, as was also recently done.  Unconscionable!

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"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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Family Farm Frenzy!

Once again behind in posts.  So many things to do both on blog and off.   I have made space holders for posts since I like things in chronilogical order.  This is the post I have in me to do right now.  Its current and contains things that are in desperate need of attention at the Zoo.  

I will start by noting there are many posts within this blog where you can find details of Humans Gone Wild.  I know that sounds comical and sure its meant to be catchy, but it also is point blank.  When I walk into the Zoo I feel like I have entered a place where people are allowed to run wild.   I look around and see people out of control.  There seems to be few places in Society where Humans have any sense of personal control, or empathy.  The Zoo is no different.  There is very little guidelines given for behavior or respect.  I can not say none, because I have witnessed Security giving speeches to school groups as they enter.  Sadly I have also witnessed the same school groups act the fool while in the Zoo, even the adult leaders.  That said, these speeches are still needed, and the Zoo should be giving these same speeches to ALL that enter, not just school groups.  I won't say more on this because I have before written much about misbehavior and what things the Zoo should being doing to deter. Search "barrier breaching" and other "misbehavior" within this blog.

This post is isolated to the Childrens Zoo Family Farm.  This past week was out of control.  In March I noted in a post about misbehavin' :

> Additionally, there needs to be some at-a-glance (BIG lettered) signage at the Family Farm entrance, telling people not to bring in food, not to feed the animals anything but food they sell there, not to bring in any plastic bags to hold the food in or have hanging out of pockets/purses, not to sit on the animals, not to pull on their horns, not to chase the animals.  Good Grief I have recently and constantly seen people do all these things, which included an adult try to sit on a Dwarf Goat, put a Lollipop w/stick in a Goats mouth, and watch a Sheep throw up a plastic baggie. <

Such instances are an every visit occurrence.   With summer in full swing its only worse.  The Zoo needs to take notice!   Zoo Management is fine with people running wild all over the place and while it is annoying and may only be "potentially dangerous to the?"  Animals in the Main Zoo, there is DIRECT ANIMAL ABUSE at the Farm.  These are free roaming Animals.  They are vulnerable to Humans.  The above instances I noted of people sitting on Animals and feeding them unauthorized food, as well bringing in dangerous items like plastic bags, is not only abuse, it can cause the death of one of these Animals.  I have also witnessed the Animals being hit and a constant stream of trying to steer the Goats Horns.

There needs to be more signs not to do these things.  There needs to be a Volunteer or Docents at the gate reminding people who enter the Farm.  There needs to be more Volunteers/Docents monitoring the yard.   It can not be left up to the Keepers.  The Keepers job is to take care of the Animals. It also can't be left to one Keeper to Volunteer to monitor two yards and two barns.   Monitoring the Visitors should be part of what the Docents help doing, both at the Childrens Zoo and the main Zoo.  I never see Docents at the Farm.  Why isn't there a better organizing of what they do?  ... That all said, there needs to be a limit to the number of people who can be at the Farm at one time.   Too many people for the amount of eyes watching the Animals should not be happening.

There is a sign when you enter the CZ:

This rule is never upheld. 

NEVER!  

Monday I was at the Farm.  It was fine til a large group of kids from the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center came in.  They appeared to have only two leaders.  The frenzy then began and it was a sea of chaos in purple shirts.  Really awful and out of control.  There was no supervision from their leaders. The kids were running and screaming all over the place.  They were making fun of the Animals, yelling at them, it was really disgusting.  Why do they even come to the Zoo?   

Does the Zoo send out a guideline for behavior in writing to these groups prior to their Visit?  They should.  Does the Zoo provide them with a guideline in person when they arrive? They should.  Does the Zoo ask them to leave if they are misbehaving?  They should.  None of this behavior, which is not isoloated to this one group, should be allowed. 

My friend put several dollars into the food machine and these kids came up and took her food.   There was a point when they were so out of control, the Keeper had to put the food machines away.   I contemplated leaving but stayed as extra eyes.   There was a particular gang of four that made fun of a few certain Goats and in fact stalked them when they tried to seek refuge into the barn.  Finally after 45 minutes of this I said something to them.   Disrupting my right to enjoy my Visit, I asked them, "What's wrong with you?"   Telling them that they were one of the worst behaved kids I have ever seen and why don't they enjoy the Animals and learn about them, rather than run all over the place screaming and making fun of them.  They were silent after that, but seriously, what is wrong people who behave this way?  I see it in adults as well, so I guess there is no hope for society in general if adults act this way and therefore do not teach kids to act any better.  That said, when they come to a facility like the Zoo it is then up to the Zoo to set behavior guidelines.  Anyway,  I finally alerted the leader, who was sitting on a stump ignoring the behavior going on, even after being told by the Keeper in duty that the kids were wreaking havoc, he still wasn't monitoring them.   I get kids run around and yell and all that, but this is not the place for it.  This is a place where Animals are free roaming and where they live.   Its not a friggin' Fun House.  Visitors need to reign in the frenzy and learn to act appropriately in public.  Places like this should be somewhat of a controlled environment, so all Visitors have a good time.  I am not the only person there who was appalled and upset by this behavior.

That incident, which I've witnessed similar many times, really affected me.  Not that the Zoo cares at all about me, but I left there really hyped up and immediately felt anxious and nausea, which I haven't been able to shake all week.  Just writing about this I can feel a physical upset.  

When I visited on Thursday, there were no school groups at the time, but there was limited eyes on the crowd and I found this on the ground.  

Baggie of Raisins

I see alot of stuff at the Zoo, everytime I'm there.  I sometimes feel like I'm guided to be in that place at specific times.   While that thought might be alittle too spiritual for some, it is true that I seem to be witness to things for a reason.   Thankfully I was there to see this before one of the Animals got it.  People don't need to bring in unsecured snack bags or other items that can cause harm tot he Animals.  A sign needs to be posted that says to keep them secured in purses, zip pockets, whatever but not where they can fall to ground or an Animal can snatch from hand or pocket.   If your kid needs treats that bad eat them before or after visiting the Farm.  ... This also goes hand in hand with feeding the Animals anything other than the Zoo treats for purchase.   I heard that the day before on Free Day (another Run Wild at the Zoo event) was out of control with people trying to give the Animals unauthorized food.   

San Francisco Zoo, take note and protect these free roaming Animals at the Family Farm.  

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As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director 

Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org

Fans of the Family Farm! - New Facebook Community

Yesterday, I launched a Facebook page for those of us who love the Animals at the Zoo's Family Farm.   I had wanted to do a Fan page for my Main Zoo Animal Friends a couple years ago and never got to it.   I spend alot of time at the Farm visiting with all my wonderful Friends who live there.  There is a great community there among regular Visitors, Volunteers, Keepers and of course the Animals!  So, I do this for all of them, which includes my friends who love our Barnyarders!  

Please check out my page and "like" if you are a Fan of the Farm Friends or Animals in general :)  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-the-San-Francisco-Zoo-Family-Farm-Friends/425684734187762

I hope to build a Community to Celebrate the Awesome Animals who live on the Farm! Learn about these Wonderful Beings! Communicate & share your Photos w/other Farm Fans!   Hope you will join us!

Happy World Farm Animals Day!

I just read that today October 2 is World Farm Animals Day!  

 The San Francisco Zoo Farm Animals are my besties, 

I LOVE them!
so Happy Day to all of you, my Special Friends!

Please view some awesome photos and 

videos of these Wonderful Animals at the links below :)

A Barnyarder video with alot of the Friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tQGB_Xc3M

Also search my youtube channel for vids of:

Kune Kune Pigs

Donkeys

Chickens

Sheep Shearing

Lots of photos here, 

names included if you want to learn 

who's who on the farm!

http://iamnotananteater.shutterfly.com/