News Flash! ... Gorilla Born At SFZoo Gives Birth At Cleveland Zoo!

Congratulations to our Resident Matriarch Bawang on becoming a Grandma for the second time.  Bawang's Daughter Nneka, who was born at the San Francisco Zoo in 1998, gave birth to her second babie, last Friday!  

Screencap Cleveland Zoo Facebook

Unfortunately, Nneka once again showed no interest in her newborn infant. Another troop female named Freddy (Fredrika) has now assumed the role of the little boy's Mother.

Here is a link to one of the News articles, that also includes a video of the babie and Freddy.

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/11/gorilla-born-for-first-time-ever-at-cleveland-metroparks-zoo.html

I am happy the birth was successful, for both the health of the babie and Nneka, and I am thankful for Freddy, who was available to be a surrogate Mama. 

In 2013, when Nneka gave birth in SF, it was on exhibit.  She had it and then walked away. Thankfully her Mama had been trained to surrogate, when five years earlier, our female Monifa did the same thing.  Both ladies had not been around breeding females, and their first-time experiences were chalked up to just not knowing what to do.  

View an SFZoo visitor video of the birth here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bGIlI1_JMP0

At the time, considering this had happened twice now, I asked if there had been any prepping in hopes for a maternal connection, via some kind of education.  There had not been.  I questioned whether using videos of other Apes, even Humans giving birth would be a good tool?   Response was favorable, saying that was a good idea.  One would also think, watching a surrogate to be education, but I'm wondering if from the Gorilla's perspective, that triggers anything more than, drop it and someone else will come by and pick it up. 

Nneka moved to the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo around three years ago.  She was moved there on a breeding recommendation.  I thought I heard that there were other breeding females, for her to learn from, but I can't be certain I'm not confusing that with our current SFZoo situation.  Our Monifa, who walked away from her newborn in 2008, still has a breeding recommendation.  Before breeding her again, it is my understanding that they want her to experience a birth and care by a biological Mother before that.  Two years ago female Kimani was transferred to SF to be that teacher.  Kimani had seen births and care by other females in her previous troop.  Neither of our ladies has gotten pregnant yet, so it remains to be seen if that will be teachable in Monifa, or Kimani for that matter, as it would be her first-time.

So, I have to wonder, considering this birth at Cleveland Zoo is reportedly the first in 139 years, What, if anything, was done to prepare Nneka to be interested in her babie after giving birth?  ... Likewise, I have to wonder if anything has been done with our females to help them learn what they should do, to avoid possibly needing Bawang to take care of a third babie.

I also am concerned that in the future Cleveland/AZA/SSP,  may still want her genetics represented and they will try to breed her again, regardless of her history.  I hope this will not happen and all parties will take her cue and not put her through a third pregnancy, when she obviously does not want to be a Mom. 

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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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The World Lost A Gem Today - Former Keeper Passes Away

Tears still streaming as I heard not long ago that my Friend John passed away this afternoon.  I sought out John Alcaraz in 2014 while doing research for the Cobby Movie.  Lucky to have found him.  Thank you to my Friend Lila for the introduction.

Some of you may remember John from the News piece done during my Chimp Crusade.  John was our Senior SFZoo Chimps first Keeper.  He worked with many Animal species there, primarily Apes, and LOVED his Orangutans. 

People still ask me about him.  He was a big part of the Zoos history, so I wanted to share this tribute with those who knew him and for those who didn't.

We talked by phone often.  I learned from him every conversation. Such a smart and beautiful Soul. He welcomed me into his life, sharing stories, I'll always cherish.  He had a full and interesting life.  I always wished he had gotten his adventures down on paper.   He turned 94 in April.

An article John shared with me, highlighting some of his amazing work with the San Francisco Zoo Great Apes.

Below are photos he shared with me of his Orangutan Family.  I owed him some photos of the Chimps new home, and like so many things in my life, I never got to it.  I feel like shit for that.  I talked to his spirit after hearing the news.  Hoping it will take a trip to the Zoo with me to see our Chimp Friends in their new home, that he helped me champion for.

This man was a Gem.  The World could use more like him.

RIP my dear Friend, lovely to have known you.

John and his Orangutan Family

photos courtesy of 

John Alcaraz

John sits with young Oliver among the trees and reads to him. It was taken during the Trees Project, developed by John, which allowed the young Orangutans to play in the trees in the back of the Zoo near Gorillas.

photo courtesy of 

Lila Talcott Travis

Oliver now lives at Birmingham Zoo and is the mate to another former SFZoo Orangutan, Lipz.  They have a Daughter Nairi.  Their story is a beautiful thing. 

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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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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Happy New Year! ... Sadly Not at Krefeld Zoo.

I had planned to use my opportunity for extended time at home over this Holiday to finish many posts.  Who knows if I would have been productive by now, but I have certainly been disabled by the tragedy at Krefeld Zoo since the moment I heard about it.

For those who don't know, the Monkey House at Krefeld Zoo in Germany, fell victim to a fire in the early hours of New Years Day.

It was 11:40p here and I was trying to stay awake to see in our new decade.  Thinking of things I needed to accomplish, and of how surreal the year 2020 sounds.  Then I read the news.  First reports that all Residents of the Monkey House had perished.  My insides immediately felt heavy and tears started flowing.  The same feeling would have overtook me had there been a single Soul lost, but the final number of lives lost, is now Thirty.  Thankfully there were two survivors.  

The two Chimpanzees who survived this horror, lost their friend.  Probably watched as he was either burnt alive or succumbed to smoke inhalation.  The family of five Orangutans, included an infant, whose Mother was probably trying to comfort and save her babie.  Two Gorilla's, who lived through being taken from their wild families decades ago, only to die this way.   These are just the Great Apes who lost their Lives.  Dozens of other poor Souls, spent their final moments in fear, trapped in cages, not being able to escape.  The images that I've created in my mind of all these precious Beings desperation to stay alive, has been hard to shake. 

As the minutes ticked on, I read that the possible cause was Fireworks. It was now midnight and several backyards over from my Richmond District home, I can hear, illegal Fireworks being set-off, and see bursts of light from them.  I was so enraged, as I am every July 4th and every New Years Eve that this happens.  I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but they are illegal for a reason.  They are a potential hazard.  In that moment the audacity was too much. For many reasons I am sick of people.  I'm sick of the self-entitled.  People who do whatever they want, with no regard for those around them.  This is another example of that mentality.  The City of San Francisco puts on a display at the waterfront.  Go there.  I mean seriously people don't even have the sense to do this shit at the beach, if they want to be reckless. ... It has been confirmed that Sky Lanterns, illegal in Germany were the cause.

It has also been reported that the Monkey House structure had no Sprinkler System.  It has not been reported Why.  It has not been reported whether not having them went against any EAZA accreditation guidelines, or government ordinances.  I do not know for fact, but would hope our AZA has a guideline for that.  It would seem, any space where there are lives that are confined, should at least have some sort of emergency help system. 

There has been no comment by the EAZA.  The WAZA posted condolences to their Facebook page.  In a search, only one other Zoo (in the world?) posted condolences.  I hope there were others, because its shameful that a community would not have any caring words for their peers and what has befallen on them. 

Lastly I want to include two other tragedies.  Admittedly, I sometimes tend to shut out reading about sad things, because there is so much of it, and sometimes I just can't.  After seeing a sad video, I read only one article about the tragedy last month at African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio, who had ten of their Residents perish in a barn fire.  I have also, until the last couple days, passed up most of the sad photos of victims from the tragic situation that continues in Australia, where it is now reported that over 500 million Animal lives has been lost.  It being 2020 isn't nearly as surreal as that number of Wildlife lost. 

All documentation of these events are heartbreaking and horrific.  I can't imagine how people are dealing with seeing this first hand, especially those who cared for and knew the captive Animals affected.  To all of them, I am sorry for your loss.  It is heartbreaking from a afar, it would be unbearable to be close to.

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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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Gorilla Go-Round - SFZoo Acquires New Female, Hasani Moves to LA Zoo

Again another post I started weeks ago.  I think I was waiting to upload some files to share.  Still haven't gotten to them.  So moving on with posting.

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Quick notation since I've been concentrating on our Apes. ... There are some changes within our Troop. 

Ten Year Old Hasani, born at SFZoo December 8, 2008, has left to his new home at the Los Angeles Zoo.  In LA he will live in a Bachelor Group. This is a common step before going on in the future to a Zoo where adult male Gorilla's can head their own Troop and start a Family.  That's still many years away for our Hasani.  Hopefully he will enjoy his new home and new "brothers"! 

Hasani left the week of November 4.  The day before he left, I was lucky to spend about an hour visiting him having a entertaining time by himself.  One of the best times I've spent watching him.  Glad to have had it.

This is one of the photos from that day.  Follow my YouTube at leo811sf to see the video when I get it up.  I got great footage.  Wonderful anytime, but super special since its my last.

Wanted to share my first photos, to go with above, my last.  I have a few from before he made public debut. Keepers would carry him out to get some Vitamin D!  Can't find those right now.  This is one of my earliest photos on exhibit.  Hasani and Bawang.

Got to admit, I felt bad.  I know how transfers work, so this is not meant to judge, but it does make me sad, that there is no way they can know, when one day, they are taken from their home and end up in a new one. 

A few days after Hasani left, the Franklin Park Zoo broke the news that their Female Gorilla Kimani would be moving to SFZoo.  San Francisco Zoo has yet to make an announcement. ... Some Zoos give notice to their Visitor Community when an Animal is moving.  That has never happened at SFZoo. Something was different this time, and in Hasani's case an announcement was made.  I'm sure all of Hasani's fans who didn't know, appreciated the notice so they could visit him before he left.

Meet our new Lady.  

Fourteen Year Old Kimani!

Screencap from FPZ

Press Release from Franklin Park Zoo

https://www.zoonewengland.org/zoo-news/2019/november/western-lowland-gorilla-kimani-will-soon-move-to-new-home/

SFZoo has been rumored to be getting a new female for several years. One who might be able to raise her own offspring as an example to the other females, now only breeding female is Monifa, in hopes she too would be successful the next time.  The last two births in SF, Mom's did not raise their babies.  In 2008 Monifa gave birth to Hasani.  In 2013 Nneka gave birth to Kabibe.  Both first-time Mom's, neither had experience of even being around a birth.  Nneka's Mom Bawang was surrogate to both.  

I look forward to meeting this lady and to a new generation of Gorillas sometime soon.  I am not looking forward to our Zoo Director most likely changing her name. No new Animals in San Francisco get to keep their names. Not even Great Apes.

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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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AZA President Admits Ndume Left at TGF, Knowing Not In His Best Interest - (Non-SFZoo)

Great read from AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) President, Dan Ashe.  He admits what I've been saying all along, that the Cincinnati Zoo ( the AZA, and the Gorilla SSP) left Ndume at The Gorilla Foundation for reasons that were best for Koko, NOT Ndume!  This has always hurt my heart for Ndume. Just sick that this was allowed to knowingly happen to him and lasted near three decades. Its almost worse hearing the admittance. They knew it wasn't best for him. They KNEW it was not in HIS best interest.  As a senior himself, Ndume could have died there at The Gorilla Foundation before Koko and never had the life he should have.  They robbed Ndume of a Gorilla Family of his own for 28 years of his life, so Koko could possibly catch a glimpse of another Gorilla from time to time. Unconscionable!  A moral crime.  I applaud them for going the distance and doing the right thing now, but they are damn lucky he survived her and is here for them to able to give him the life he has always deserved. Shame on them all for the past.  They better jump through hoops for him from here on out! 

screencap from article:

https://www.aza.org/from-the-desk-of-dan-ashe/posts/cincinnati-zoo-ndume-the-gorilla-and-walking-the-talk?fbclid=IwAR0G4XKY4n9VBXuNoue7WAOy7tFigCXEnXxnmC6e_WInsxkJcKD4bhwB7G8

I also liked this.  Means something to those of us who have Courage in our Character.

NEWS FLASH! - Ndume to Go Home to Cincinnati Zoo!

Yesterday afternoon, the Cincinnati Zoo released a statement, Ndume is going home!

“Since Koko’s unfortunate passing earlier this summer, we’ve been considering the best options for Ndume,” said Dr. Kristen Lukas, Chair of the Gorilla SSP. “The SSP is confident that the Cincinnati Zoo will provide Ndume with outstanding care, access to modern, flexible, and specialized gorilla living areas, and a myriad of socialization options as he makes this transition. We’re all looking forward to seeing Ndume thrive in the company of other gorillas.”

“We completed upgrades to Gorilla World last year and have doubled the size of our gorilla habitats and specialized care spaces,” said Ron Evans (Cincinnati Zoo Curator of Primates).  “We can provide Ndume with a flexible, accommodating home and excellent opportunities to be near and cohabitate with other gorillas, a critical foundation need for this highly social species.”

“Assuring Ndume is in the best possible social and welfare situation is everyone’s top priority,” said Dr. Candice Dorsey, AZA’s Senior Vice President of Conservation, Management and Welfare Sciences. “The Gorilla SSP and Cincinnati Zoo are taking the appropriate steps to assure Ndume has the best possible future.”

Full press release here:

http://cincinnatizoo.org/news-releases/silverback-gorilla-ndume-will-return-to-his-first-home-at-the-cincinnati-zoo/

This is great news!  Getting him out of there asap yay!  Should have been years ago.  This move is a surprise since the Cincinnati Zoo just left him there for 27 yrs.  I sure hope all they are promising happens for Ndume.  He deserves it.  I'm hoping that in the 27 yrs since he was sentenced to The Gorilla Foundation,  they have got some wonderful and compassionate Keepers who will adore Ndume and want to do everything that is right for him.  Cincinnati Zoo, The World is watching!  Make-up for the years you left him to languish. ... Hope he's celebrating his Birthday in October with Gorilla Friends!  We will all look forward to the party.   

I must also say that the quotes by Kristen Lukas, Ron Evans, and Candice Dorsey had that rosy PR glow.   Words that don't go unnoticed.  They should make you wonder, Why these feelings didn't help Ndume the last two plus decades while he sat in isolation?  I heard they never wanted to move Ndume because it might upset Koko.  So all their care for his welfare came secondary to Koko's?  They would have left him there to die, if Koko had outlived him.  Shame on all of them.  Especially Ron Evans who is quoted as knowing Ndume since he was two years old.  

RIP Gorilla Foundation.  Thankfully.  Hopefully someday all the their followers will know the truth.  They will know that the selfishness and greed of Penny Patterson, kept Koko, Michael and Ndume from living their natural lives.  It kept them from having Gorilla Families.  All for what?  Money? Past the initial experiments, there was never "great work" to be done.  There was never a move to Maui past fantasy.  There was never babies in Koko's future.  There was living in trailers, non-species diets, no medical care, pimping for donations, and isolation.  Koko and Michael had no choice, Penny owned them. Good riddance to The Gorilla Foundation for the lives of four Gorillas they wronged.  The fourth was an infant female named Bebe who came with Michael after being stolen from the wild.  She died shortly after arriving.  

Thankfully Ndume belonged the Zoo system and has finally been recalled home.  His saving grace and they finally did right by him.  He should never have been sent there, never left there for near three decades.  Hopefully he will have many more years of a good life and forget all the years he was forced to live a life no Great Ape should. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in helping Ndume.  Those who wrote letters, and signed the Petition.  This move may have been in the works before we started crusading for him, but I believe our Voices for Ndume were heard and helped.  Don't ever stop being a Voice for those who can't speak for themselves. 

A Different Kind of Barrier Breaching - Foreign Objects in Animal Enclosures

I have written several posts on Humans breaching barriers.  I've showed photos of Humans standing on and hanging over barriers.  The only thing to change at the San Francisco Zoo in relation to that is a few 5x8 signs telling people not to do either, posted at the Black Rhino.  

I have also posted that in this time in society, sadly a different approach to how (and why) barriers secure Animal enclosures should be taken.   My suggestions in past posts note that I'd like to see all the Animals behind glass barriers.  

My above suggestion is probably not the popular option, especially in a time when Zoo's and other Animal facilities are trying to make the enclosures Animals live in while in captivity as close to a natural habitat as possible.  That said, as noted above "this time in society", is such that the Human population  sadly can't behave themselves for Animals to be safe in open air enclosures.

I was the first person who missed the open air at Grotto's when the Human taunting of Tiger Tatiana got her killed and forced the Zoo to enclose the open air viewing with glass and mesh.  BUT it had to be done.  Public perception is this is to keep the Animals in.  Personally, I feel like its to keep the Humans out.

Sadly, five years after the Tiger attack, I have still seem Visitors taunt the Big Cats, with verbal heckling, banging on the glass, and even throwing stuff thru the mess and over the glass.  These actions aren't isolated to just the Big Cats.  This type of behavior and more happens at every Animal's home.

That said, even mesh is not a good barrier.   I have noted in posts over a couple years that I have seen foreign objects in Animal enclosures.  Countless times there has been different types of plastic bags in the Lemurs, small toys in the Puente, and other assorted choke size items.  

Last year alone, Henry the Seal and Niya the Snow Leopard both had surgery to remove foreign objects from their intestines.  ... Two weeks ago, food items were thrown into both the Gorillas and the Mandrills.  Last week, another food item went into the Gorillas and the following day when I was there,  Zura one of the female Gorillas was chewing on a pacifier!  After her Nneka took it and broke it to pieces and then Hasani the four year old took the smaller pieces and chewed on them.  

Broken record on repeat:

*Why are there no big signs telling people what not to do?  

*Why hasn't my suggestion of having a video of how to behave in the Zoo not been taken to fruition?

*Why doesn't Zoo Staff/Docents/Security stand at the Gate House and give a speech to Visitors about behaving?  They do this now for school groups, but the worst perpetrators are adults.  

*Why aren't there Docents assisting the Security in patroling the grounds AND watching what the Visitors are doing.

AND lastly, if the Zoo is so bent on patting themselves on the back for providing "Wellness" why aren't they being proactive in protecting the Animals?   When they hired their "Wellness" Guru, he suggested (which I did already) that a glass barrier go up at Gorillas, so people couldn't (hang over) and look down at them.  Curiously, only three of five viewing platforms is glassed in.   Half-assed I say.  I mean really,  It makes no sense.  BUT then again the barriers at Bears that were put in after an alleged escape attempt by one of the Polar Bears are downright ridiculous in their own right.  Two of three grottos have the barrier.  Again???

Yes it would be costly to glass in all the enclosures, but if the Zoo can spend 3.4 Million Dollars on a new playground, they can surely ask donors to help keep the Animals safe, considering the donors are supposed to "care" about the Zoo, which should equal caring about the Animals safety.  In addition it would cut down the constant flow of misbehavior.  Including fools who try to enter the enclosures and put the Animals lives at risk.

Yes, it would be cause for complaints from the public who want to see Animals open air, but those complaining would only be the ones who misbehave.  Those who actually care about Animals would get it.  Sure I don't like taking photos behind glass, but I care more about the Animals safety.

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.

Come on SFZoo get your Graphics Dept doing their job and making some decent sized signs displaying behavior rules bluntly.  Then work on enclosing the exhibits to protect the Animals.

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Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

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Zoo in the News - Mention from Thursday Sept 20,2012

Once again the Zoo is in the News regarding their new appointed fairy godfather Terry Maples.  Believe me, I have no grief with this guy, I don't even know him, but so far the information put forth has not given me much hope that the priority of "fixing" is as it should be.  I certainly hope he does become the much needed leader in directing attention to dire issues.

You can read the actual blurb here:

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-Prop-E-payroll-tax-lovefest-3882351.php

>>> A roaring success? The San Francisco Zoo's new professor in residence has only been on the job for a few months, but he recently told the Animal Control and Welfare Commission that steps to improve animal welfare have already been taken during his short tenure.

Terry Maple, the former director of Zoo Atlanta, said the 30-year-old gorilla exhibit has recently been altered to give the public more viewing space at ground level, while certain sections of the upper perimeter have been closed so that visitors are no longer "looming down" on the gorillas.

He also said the zoo plans to conduct physical exams on the animals in front of the public in the coming months, a better way for people to see the animals up close instead of the old, but popular attraction of tossing hunks of meat into a big cat's cage at feeding time.

"I'm very confident that this zoo will become a leader in this forward-thinking wellness concept and design," he said.

The commission has a history of contention with the zoo on animal welfare issues, proposing in 2008 that it be turned into an animal rescue center following accusations of mismanagement and a fatal tiger attack in 2007.

"The commission took a very critical look at the zoo and had some serious concerns," said commission Chair Sally Stephens. "In the time since then, I think there has been some changes at the zoo; this (wellness program) is quite encouraging."

Commissioners questioned Maple about how the zoo would measure the success of wellness initiatives and wondered if some of the zoo's animals weren't meant for captivity regardless of attention to their welfare.
Maple said he is suggesting that the zoo undergo a complete evaluation of its collection and said quality, not quantity, is his philosophy.
- Neal J. Riley  <<<


For me, everytime I read another news item about this guy, I feel like the Zoo is just trying to get media mileage out of something they should have already been doing.

First, the Gorilla's have a wonderful area, updating their home should not have been a priority, while the Polar Bears are each living 50% of their lives on concrete and one of the three grotto spaces the Chimps have (had), has been unusable for almost two years.

Don't get me wrong, I am pro-glass at all the enclosures.  I don't like how Visitors behave arond the Animals and glass is a protector.  I just don't think starting at Gorillas is taking care of the most desperate of issues.

As far as doing medical exams in front of visitors, why is that necessary?  I'm sure the Animals don't want to "see the Doctor" in front of an audience as much as they didn't like eating in front of one.   I thought Zoo's aren't supposed to be circuses? The message being put forth should not be for Visitors to expect to be entertained by the Animals.  If they happen to see any of the Animals getting Enrichment treats or happen upon a training session, that's one thing, but this other stuff, unnecessary to the well being of the Animal.  That said, the training with the Big Cats for them to present themselves for exams and blood draws without being anethesized is not a new thing.  Its been in the process for a couple years.  As well, it has been part of the public display in the Lion House periodically for at least a year.

So far, the "Wellness" concept is a crock in my opinion.  Wellness is something that should have already been in place.  If not, we have to ask, What kind of care have the Animals been getting to date?

I planned to write a whole blog post on this but never got to it.  Some of the issues I had with even using this term was like stated above, I personally would have thought Wellness was a given.

When Terry Maples came on the SFZoo scene, I googled "wellness" in regards to Zoo's and found not much, except what is associated with him and our Zoo.  Using this term to me felt much like the Zoo's prior frenzied attempt to make public all they do in regards to Enrichment, since that was the big thing other Zoo's were concentrating on, even though they were lacking in that department (literally).  Now with tossing about the word Enrichment on the back burner, the new word is Wellness, which again I must repeat, should be a given.

As well, I will repeat, if we now have Terry Maples, why do we still have those on Staff whose job it was to already be doing this kind of thinking?

I will end this with the last quote of this blurb, "Maple said he is suggesting that the zoo undergo a complete evaluation of its collection and said quality, not quantity, is his philosophy."

Let's see if all that the current collection (Animal Residents) get what they need before their plans for the new North American area are fulfiled.

Sunday September 16, 2012 - Visit

I hadn't gone to the Main Zoo (just the Farm and Primates) since the loss of my precious Goober (Bairds Tapir).  Even though it was emotionally hard, my friend Lee and I put some Sunflowers at Goobies home today, so already being out there and crying, I forged on and visited all the Friends who I hadn't seen in three weeks.

After losing Goob I wasn't going to blog anymore (another post with more on that coming soon), but the Zoo never fails me, providing many things that provoke a head shake.

From Goobs place we went to Bears.

Here is a photo of the Polar Bears meadow.  The pertinent part of the photo is the signage.  The bigger sign is identical? Its just curious to me and makes it seem like they are trying to yell out a message, for lack of doing.

                                     New bigger, same as original sign ^

The original smaller sign

Note this is the only grass available to the Polar's and so they both still live 50% of their lives on concrete.

I've written about the smaller sign before:

> Contrary to the belief of the Zoo, providing a natural living environment (grass not concrete) is not Enrichment, its humane.  Oh, and concrete does not equal "a rocky ground".  Concrete = asphalt, not a natural surface.  I guess I never looked close enough to this sign, because the whole "rocky ground" thing, that must be a joke right?   Next thing you will be putting up a sign saying its also part of your Wellness program.  Good Grief! <

You can read more about the Bear enclosures here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-to-do-at-bears-not-question-but.html

When we got to Elly (Black Rhino) I was bothered by the new fencing.  There are several reasons why I felt this way, mainly I have long felt that Elly has been disrespected and this proves it once again.

I have written several posts about the condition of Elly's skin (not being oiled regularly), and since her companion Mishaki/Gene's passing, that she continually looks for him.  I will note and you can read more in the link provided, that once I started posting abotu Elly's skin, as well I contacted the Joint Zoo Committee Animal Welfare Chair, it seems Elly's skin is being taken care of on a regular basis.  BUT the issue of her continually staring into Gene's (adjoining) area has never been addressed.

NOW to see a (temporary) fence put up at this time, when I posted suggestions to this effect, really upsets me.  In my opinion, a fencing could have been put up after Mishaki's passing when it was evident that she was constantly looking for him.  Only now that the Zoo is receiving a new male Black Rhino (Elly and Mishaki's grandson Belozi) have they put one up.  All I can deduce from this is that, they could care less about it when it might have suited Elly's needs, but now it suits their needs, as I'm sure he will have to quarantine on exhibit.  More disrespect.

 Elly staring at the wood

Backside of wood, you can see it was attached TO fencing, so its temporary.  A screen or bamboo option could have been doneafter Mishaki's passing, to ease Elly's mourning.

And speaking of disrespect, I certainly hope once Belozi gets here they don't leave him in a crate for twelve additional hours because they are too lazy to uncrate him before going home at night, like they did to poor Tucker (Hippo) when he arrived.

I will also add that I hope Elly is not put in the back exhibit like she was for many, many months without rotation, when Mishaki was still here.  She did not thrive in the back and that was where her skin condition deteriorated when Staff allegedly said it wasn't "feasible" to oil her in that location.  ... This exhibit renovation is awful.  Why it is divided front to back instead of side by side is beyond me.  It makes not sense.  Side by side both Animals would be "on exhibit" (which is a Zoo priority), not having one languish in the back.  Unfortunately I fear that the Zoo will want the new Rhino in front and poor Elly will be stuck in back again.  I sure hope they prove me wrong and stop being lazy and rotate them.

Across the path we got some love from the Cats!  Everyone gave a hello glance :)

Sukari, Amanzi and Jahari :)

Shastyuh :)

Taymor :)

Saw a Coopers Hawk in the Garden :)

It was a rare sighting of a Colobus Monkey.  They may be more visable but I don't go and see them that often.  Why?  I feel awful for them.  They are literally in a cage.  There is no greenery in their home, a cage that sits next to this wide open space of lush landscaping.   They look out at natural surroundings, yet live in steel and concrete.  Its awful. The landscaped area should be enclosed and they should live there.

Stopping at the Savannah landing near the Giraffe Barn, two things were blog worthy.  First, poor Lily.  I have recently also wrote about her being once again separated from her mate Erik.  I can only assume that this is due to her being pregnant, although I have no official word on that.  Regardless, if they don't want her on the Savannah in that condition, why don't they put Erik in with her?  It appears that even though they have lived as a family unit with their two babies, that now the Zoo is only using them as a couple for breeding purposes.  Awful.  There is no empathy for any of the Animals.

Hi Lily!  She is precious and always comes over to greet :)

Near the bench posted is this comical sign.  The Zoo is notorious for misuse of water, overuse in some spots and under used in others.  Then there's this sign next to plants they have let dry out and die.  Another SFZoo Classic.

Last but not least, the new glass at Gorillas.  I have posted much about being pro glass at all enclosures for the protection of the Animals, so I actually love this, but two things are curious.  If the Zoo is doing this for the "wellness" of the Animals, It seems counter-productive to the goal to put glass at some viewing areas and not at others.  Also, Why can't the Zoo use anti-reflective glass?  

Jonesy looks like he is rolling his eyes 

at the whole she-bang!  Gotta Love Him!

This sign is at Gorillas.  Much like the one at Sea Lions WHY?  are these types of cautionary signs ONLY up at certain Animals?  They, along with other signs boasting "words of respect" should be at all exhibits.  Notably, signs that say not to kick, knock, tap, rap, whatever on the glass of the Animals homes.   UG.

Oh gosh I thought I was done. I've been a victim of having food snatched so I can laugh at this.  I love Gulls Gone Wild!  and there has sure been alot of it lately.  Not sure why all the table umbrellas have come down, but its silly that there's not even a netting above the tabled area.   These Gulls scored some  Chicken Tenders, but the best in photo op, was the week before's score of beak dipped Mac and Cheese!

You can read more about the Disrespect of Lily and Elly, as well the water waste in a couple other posts:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/05/tuesday-may-29-2012-visit.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/05/saturday-may-26-2012-visit.html

Thursday July 26, 2012 - Visit Yay's & Nay's

First the Nay.  

Once again poor Lily is sequestered on her own.  They really are just plain cruel to her in my opinion.   She just got reunited with her long-time mate and now they have separated her once again.  I don't get it.  AND being alone isn't enough, they have her in the baby giraffe corral, that is just that, a corral.  This is not a habitat enclosure, its a caged in pen.  Its all very heartbreaking and awful.

You can read about her being yanked about here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/disrespected-dukiers.html

 This is not a home its a cage.

If they are so intelligent why are you being so cruel to her?

Finally!  

This is the new barrier at the first viewing landing at the Gorilla enclosure.  I love this!  The only thing I would have done different is make the bar-barrier two-tiered, so it would make it harder for those with long enough legs to kick the window, which will happen.

Less than two months ago I wrote a blog post that suggested this type of barrier.  

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/exhibit-alterations-id-like-to-see.html

<I'd like all the exhibits to be like the Big Cats, Glass with a distance between (on either side). There can't always be a moat like at Cats, but take for instance at the Snow Leopards, there can be some sort of barrier set more than an arms distance back from the glass.  The same type of glass situation also is in the corner (Grotto A) Cat exhibit.  The purpose of the glass is for the Visitor to view the Animals (as well as keep them in).   What does the glass do for the Animals?   It allows them to be taunted with people constantly knocking/banging/tapping/rapping/ect.  The view would be no less from an arms distance.  There should also (and I mean that by there should already be) sign decals on the glass at these areas saying not to do such things.>

Hopefully this is not a one-off and more of these types of barriers are planned for other areas.   As much as I hate taking photos through glass, I love the Animals safety more.  I hope they add a bar-barrier at the Snow Leopard window and extend the one at Cat Grotto A back.  Also adding some window decals, much like the one below that is now at the new Koala window.  With obvious general behavior notations.  

Frankly I have to say, I'm not sure what took them so long to make this change at Gorillas.  There has been issues there for years.  Not only by Visitors acting the fool (a guy standing next to me one time, leaned over and spit into their home), but the male Silverback Jonesy is very sensitive and easily agitated.

When my friend Lee was a Docent in 2009, she was sent a Memo detailing recent behavior that he had been exhibiting, as well as noting that he had been having a real problem with Docents and certain Photographers that would sit there for extended periods of time watching him.   Docents were instructed to take off their vests when in the area, or to not go there at all.  Photographers were instructed to rotate viewing areas.  

I know for a fact, Docents have again received the same type of Memo.   There should not still be a problem with this.  

At this time I still had an open email communication with Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  When Lee told me of this, I immediately had ideas that would work in that area, that would educate the Visitors before they entered that area, so that Jonesy would stay calm.  Maybe its just me, but I'd want to do anything to keep an Animal from being upset.   None of my suggestions were ever used.  

Three years later, they are still having the same issues with poor Jonesy being upset, when there are simple ways to help alleviate the situation.   There should be a large sign on the paths (from Giraffe Barn and from Savannah)  That say not to vocalize or gesture to the Gorillas, and to use low voices when talking.  They should post a Docent (without vest) before the entrance (out of Gorilla's sight line) who points to the sign and/or also provides Visitors with this information.  Its very simple. 

The Zoo claims in their Mission Statement that Education is part of their Mission.  Informing and instructing people how to behave is part of Education.  Sadly from what I've seen, the Zoo seems to be afraid to tell Visitors anything in regards to behavior.

If they do not plan to put glass at all the viewing landings they need to at least put in the bar-barriers.  There also needs to be a "Shoosh" sign at each landing.  

Hopefully the new barrier will make Jonesy feel less exposed to threats.  Maybe the Zoo will adopt some other ways to help him.

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

Please check the Post Archive to keep up to date

on what's happening at the San Francisco Zoo!

July 2nd - The Week in Review

I had a few things I wanted to post about and now only remember a couple.  I was lucky to be able to visit the Zoo friends several times this week and have alot of great photos to share.  I hope to finish uploading them soon.

On Tuesday, I stopped in for the Keeper talk in the Lion House as I had seem Taymor (male Sumatran) inside once during that time and thought I might get some video of him.  After Debbie, the Assistant Carnivore Curator gave her pre-talk, she opened the door and called out to Shastyuh (female Amur) to come in.  "Martha."  In case you are just joining my blogging, Shastyuh is "Martha's" real name.  Shastyuh has always had this name.  She was 11 years old when they changed her name.  Awful.  I have a real problem with the changing of the Animals names and refuse to call them by their donor names, with the exception of Leanne who I first knew as Leanne and the habit is hard to break, so sometimes I refer to her as Skylar and sometimes Leanne.  "Martha!"  The continued calling out to "Martha" was at the eight count since the point I decided to start counting.  Ridiculous.  If they actually used the Animals real name, the one (in this case) she grew up with, maybe she'd come sooner.  When "Martha" finally came in it was probably because she woken up by the continual calling and knew there would be a treat involved, not because she is responding to this ridiculous new moniker.  Likewise, they have changed Taymor's name to Larry.  Dumb and Disrespectful.

Post I did about name changing.
http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/05/name-changing.html

Once back outside,
I said "Hi" to Shastyuh and she smiled :)
Pretty Girl!

 I also asked her what she thought
about being called "Martha"

She disapproves.

I also saw this cute action from Tallulah.  Keeper Dana was putting up a 4th of July banner outside Chimps and Tallulah saw her and came over.  Maggie was above and gave it a quick look, but Miss T was very interested in what was going on.  

I think Tallulah would like to be in charge of decorations :)

The curious things I saw were with barriers.  I've written before about barriers I'd like to see both immediately doable (barriers at glassed areas/fencing/netting) and some that would take a financial backing (more glassed in areas WITH additional barriers to keep people from the glass).   I have also written that Inti  (Bobcat) needs a "Shoosh" sign since he has been used to peace, not people running up, screaming and making sounds at him.  I have also written that Angelo (Anteater) would benefit from the type of fencing/netting barrier that Inti has, since his area is so wide open and people constantly hanging over the barrier, laying across it and putting stuff on it that could easily fall into the moat.

That all said, its curious that they have gone the extra distance to keep people back from Inti (still no "Shoosh" sign), yet Angelo still remains vulnerable.

Angelo's area on the left.  

You can even see someone leaning
over the barrier in the photo.

Also curious was that there are five viewing areas at Gorillas, yet only two of them have Step Back Barriers.  

Yes these two areas are at a closer level to the Gorillas, but they are no more vulnerable to Visitor Misbehavior.  Theses should be at every viewing area at Gorillas, in addition at Angelo's (as well as putting a fencing/netting up), and at all the glassed in areas where Visitors can tap on the glass.  Snow Leopards and Cat Grotto A, are the biggest targets for this behavior. 

See More Animal Photos on the Photosite!

http://iamnotananteater.shutterfly.com

*Apologies again for the odd highlighted portions.  Not sure why this happens.