How Long Will The Orangutans Live in the Skytrails?

I realize regular readers might get tired of the same subject and believe me, contrary to what some at the Zoo might think, so do I!  I've come to really hate blogging, especially about the same old thing.  But, as long as the Zoo Director continues on the course of not doing right by the Animals, I will continue to call out those situations.  In my opinion, the current situation with the Orangutans, is disturbing and sad.  And yes, like a broken record I will write every week, to keep this current.  There is no proper space for the Orangutans, there never really has been and that needs to change NOW!

The Orangutans should have never been brought here until there was a place for them.  The Skytrail is not a Habitat.  How long will they continue to have that as their only living space outside their bedrooms?

I'll start with a synopsis of situation.  Apologies to those who have been following the events since the Great Ape Passage (GAP) opened, but I think its good to make each post as stand alone as possible.   

GAP was started out of the need to create a new living area for the longtime three Chimpanzee Residents and four additions to their group.  It was designed to be completed in these phases, renovation of Pachyderm Building that included six new Bedrooms and new Dayroom, new Skytrails, new Yard, and allegedly, a renovation of Triple Grotto. 

It was my understanding, as well as many others (including Zoo Staff) that Orangutans were in the future.  That future being when Triple Grotto was renovated to provide an extra yard.

The above is proven in the Zoo's Email Newsletter Animal, dated 9.19.19 , the notation (screencapped below) states very clearly that the Chimps, now a group of Seven, are occupying "new living spaces", notated as "dayroom" AND "outdoor habitat" . 

The Zoo has created an illusion to many, myself included.  They have tossed about the notion of rotating the Chimpanzees and Orangutans.  Admittedly and surprising to myself, I hadn't really thought about how that would work.  Once the Chimps were kept inside for seven weeks, I realized rotating the two species was never really a feasible option.  Even if the male Orangutan had perfect recall (he is still not leaving returning to night quarters when signaled), once the Chimp group grew to its seven total, they would need both the Dayroom and the Yard, whether fully integrated or not.   

As it is and has been, is as such, the Chimps were still only four when locked inside for seven weeks, so the female Orangutan could have access to the yard.  It has now been five weeks, since the Chimps have been out and the female Orangutan has been locked out of the yard.  She has access along with the male to the two Skytrails.  The Chimps are not fully integrated, so the girls and boys rotate the Dayroom and the Yard.  There is no time frame for full integration, as its on the Chimps time, when they will be ready.  Once there are seven together, it seems there is no way that keeping them locked up full-time in the Dayroom or the Yard, is the appropriate thing.  If there is still no extra yard at that time, and again we don't know how long that will be, one of two things will happen.  Either part of the time the Chimps will be locked in or out, or the Skytrail will still be the only living space for the Orangutans, which is again not appropriate.   Rotation with only two spaces might work short-term, but can in no way go on indefinitely.

Note as I have in every post, this is not an Animal Staff created issue.  They do the best they can managing the two species, with the space they have.  This is solely on Director Peterson and the Zoological Society. 

The only solution at this stage of the situation, is for a temporary enclosure at South Grotto to be constructed immediately.  I put forth this idea weeks ago, yet still nothing has commenced. This could have already been done in that time frame and the Orangutans would have a yard.

So, I ask once again, when will Director Peterson, allow a project at Triple Grotto to move forward?  

How long are the Orangutans expected to call the Skytrails their Home? 

Amoi wants to know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wn6x7RQdJA&feature=youtu.be

Maybe if Director Peterson spent less time on Re-Naming Animals that already have names and more time on making sure the Animals have what they need, the Zoo would be in better shape. 

related post
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/triple-grotto-renovation-when-and-what.html

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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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Jillian Gets a Mate! - Meet the Zoo's New Sumatran Tiger Teddy!

Sadly a couple weeks ago our precious big handsome guy Bronevik (Amur Tiger) has left the Zoo.  I love this guy and sad he's not here.  I sure will miss him!  Very sad when I learned he was leaving.  Thankfully the Universe was good to me and the best case scenario happened, he has moved to the Omaha Zoo, which is one of my friends home Zoo!  So, I will get updates on him, and how he and his new lady like each other.  Babie Bronies are in the future!

Last year after Jillian (Sumatran Tiger) came back home to SFZoo, I had some thoughts.  Thinking to the future of our Sumatran Tigers, as well our Lions,  the logical thing for them to do was to keep Jillian and Jasiri (3 yr old Lion) here.  Both sets of Parents are considered Seniors,  Tigers - Skylar/Leanne (16 in July  ) and Taymor/Larry  (*13 in November)  Lions - Sukari (17 in June) and  Jahari (16 this month)   Keeping their offspring at this point, and bringing in mates for them in the future seemed like a probable plan.  There wasn't enough space for all that right now, and then the sad news about Bronevik leaving came.  

In the early days of Jillian's return, I asked about this idea, in reference to her, and only got, I don't knows.  Well, half of my thought has come to fruition and the Zoo recently acquired a male Sumatran for Jillian.  

Jillian's new boyfriend's name is Teddy.  He sure is handsome!  

Screencap from San Diego Zoo

Teddy was born April 22, 2004 at Fort Wayne Zoo.  At almost 15 years old, I feel bad that as what is considered senior age, he was transferred out of San Diego.  SDZoo should have been his retirement home.  Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to getting to know him, but I just don't think Seniors should be a part of the breeding program, which make them eligible for alleged mandatory transfer, if the AZA/SSP recommends it.  SFZoo better be his forever home. 

That said, I had hoped with this development (a mate for Jillian) the AZA/SSP would stop allegedly (what I last heard, almost a yr ago) forcing the SFZoo to breed Jillian's Parents, Skylar and Taymor.  For one, as noted above, Sky is almost 16, and although at *12 yrs old, Taymor is still borderline to be considered senior, he has had previous health issues and keeping him here and happy should be the priority.   These two both warm my heart and have broken it.  When they were mating before Jillian was conceived, they really seemed to enjoy each other.  Then, Skylar got pregnant and they were separated.  Pregnancy time, plus the four years Jillian remained here with Mama, equaled near five years that Skylar and Taymor remained apart.  When Jillian left to Sacramento Zoo, they were put back together and have been together the two years since.  These two really enjoy each other, and shouldn't be separated ever again.

Here is a recent video I took of them, I call it the Courting Dance.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=60n71QxcnBY

Unfortunately, as I understand it, the AZA/SSP guidelines dictate housing specifics.  In the case of Sumatran Tigers, they are housed separately unless they are an active breeding pair.  So if the Zoo decided to not breed them, and let them continue to live together outside of that breeding recommendation, I don't know what that would mean for either of them or the Zoo.  Would the AZA/SSP allow them to stay here and be housed together?  Or would the AZA/SSP then transfer them to other Zoos?  Do they threaten revoking accreditation if the doesn't want to comply?  

I certainly hope Skylar and Taymor can exit the breeding program, and be allowed to retire here together.   They should put Skylar on birth control if possible, to ensure this.  Separating these two again at this stage of their life would be cruel. 

In my opinion, as Zoo goers we are force fed what Animal behavior in the wild is.  And while it is great to learn about the Animals natural instincts, these Animals are not in the wild and their housing should not be dictated by a "parent" organizations generalized guidelines, but by the individual Animals behaviors and needs.  The priority should be what works best for them. 

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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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My Zoo Outtings - Weekly Synopsis 10.11.13

> October 9, 2013 -  The World Rhino Day organization posted this awesome Video compiling many great Events that happened at Cities and Zoos around the World in support of this Animal Awareness Day.  No surprise the lack of fanfare the SFZoo created with their effort was not included.  ...  I LOVED it!  So much passion from all those involved.  The hair dos, paper mache horns, the congo line, and the cool bracelets stood out.  I've watched it several times and still notice new stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0RYfuvjohw

> October 8, 2013 - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which is home to our Lioness Sukari's two Daughters (M'Fisha and Ahadi), and now Grandbabies!  as well our Amanzi's Brother Big who is the Cubs Father :)  has published a book about the Cubs!   Screencap from their FB pg.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151881007035851&set=pb.8816425850.-2207520000.1381426042.&type=3&theater

> October 7, 2013 - Tis' true, I can't visit the Zoo without witnessing someone breaching Barriers. Today was one of the worst, as it could have gotten our Precious Chimps killed.  Read my post from my other blog:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/10/kids-allowed-beyond-barriers-at-chimp.html

> October 6, 2013 - I haven't made any Zoo Friend accessories in awhile, but made these for me and two friends who LOVE Falcor!  I always joke we are his old lady fan club lol!

> October 4, 2013 - Gandolf the Alapca was Beating the Heat at the Zoo!