HOT TOPIC! - Heater in Lion House Out For Six Months!

This is really outrageous!

I walked into the Lion House last month and it was freezing!  This was at the tail end of the real cold snap we were having, so it wasn't even as cold as it probably has been.  

I asked the Security Guard if he knew what tempature the LH is supposed to be.  I knew he probably didn't know, but because I couldn't get a clear photo, I was trying to find out if he could check the thermostat for me.  He didn't have authorization to get to that area, but did say its been freezing in there since he started working there.  I asked how long that was and he said six months.  

I had only been inside the LH a few times over the past several months, and because it wasn't during the cold snap, I guess I didn't notice the low temp.  In hindsight, the Lion House had always been pretty warm, in fact sometimes, steaming up my glasses.  

I happened to see a non-zoo maintance worker, so I questioned him a bit and found out that he was there to install a new furnace.  SO, it wasn't that the temperature was just low, apparently/allegedly there has been NO Heat in the Lion House for 6 Months!   Are you kidding me?!

My concerns not only are that the Cats are in there freezing at night, but that when the "bedrooms" are washed down each day, they aren't drying and the Cats are then sleeping on wet floors.

AND the Zoo aquired Animals for the Tropical Building, even though at the time they aquired them the renovation on that building was over a year away.  They built a small exhibit to house them in the LH.  I have an issue with the size of this "home" but thats another story.  My concern is, these are Tropical Animals, which means they need a certain temperature.  The Zoo knows this and they don't fix a building heater for half a year?   Out-fucking-rageous!   

So, the Toucan was there in the freezing cold.  There was a mess of extention cords on the side, so I assume there is some heat going into the Anaconda's water?  Yet, the heat lamps above her were unplugged?  The Sloth was not in there, having been moved to the Hospital to keep it warm.  

I seriously am losing words to express the things the San Francisco Zoo does/doesn't do, that aren't just a string of swear words.  I'm so frustrated at the lack of attention to the Animals.  But hey, the City Officials thinks everyone is doing a bang up job there. Animals get killed (and not just Kabibe the Infant Gorilla).  There is no Heat and for some Animals not even proper shelter during the Winter.  Animal homes go without Landscaping.  Enrichment is near non-existant for many of the Animals.  All this and the City Officials don't question anything or anyone.  There is a list of Staff who should be under the microscope in regard to whether they are qualified and are doing the job they are being paid to do.

I saw the Director the same day I was there takinig in the disgrace of the Lion House and she was coming out of the Gift Shop with a coffee in hand and laughing it up with people.  I'm sure the Sloth wasn't laughing it up as it was freezing.  

Furthermore,  in my opinion, again,  when an Animals Safety or Health is of issue, what is the Animal Staff Management doing?   The Carnivore (Cats +) Curator Corinne MacDonald and Dominic, the Curator for the Tropical Animals, and the Curator above them, who I believe is still David Bocian,  should be the driving force to have made sure there was heat for these Animals.  

I repeat, the lack of Empathy and Compassion, that goes on at the Zoo really saddens me.  The Zoo is Home to Wondeful Beings and could be a great place if it weren't for all these people bringing it down, with laziness, bad descisions, and personal agendas.

Yay! Gotta Glimpse of the Tiger Cub!

As of yesterday the Lion House has been open four days for the Public to have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Tiger Cub.  Waiting the full two hour opportunity three of those days, paid off and the sweet little thing came out yesterday for the first time to see her fans :)  Well, she didn't actually look out, but she didn't have a fun romp and play with her Mama for about two minutes, and then back to the security of her nest she went!

View my video of the experience 

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

Until this moment, no one from the General Public has seen her, so I was very lucky and grateful to her for coming out :)  Look forward to seeing more of you little cutie!  AND watching you grow up like I was lucky to do with your big Brothers!

Happy One Month Birthday! - Tiger Cub is Four Weeks Old

As time passes by, my friends and I anxiously await the time when we will get to see Leanne and Taymor's Cub!  I saw her first litter at six weeks old, so hopefully soon!  More about the Cubs birth, its Parents and a link to photos from Leanne's first litter:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/02/welcome-cubbie-tiger-gives-birth.html

Until then, we keep and eye on the Grotto and watch the Cub (who we call little Padang) grow via photos the Zoo posts to their Facebook page.  Visitors who don't view Facebook, see this and other "flyers" posted to the Grotto windows.

We also wish there Zoo would catch up with times and do some webcam broadcasting on their website OR even live at the Zoo.  When Hasani (Gorilla) was a baby, they had a big screen monitor set-up outside the Gorillas where you could view behind the scenes of him before he was out on exhibit.   From the webcam screen captures the Zoo has been posting of the Tiger Cub, we know there is a camera focused on them in the nest box.  So, why can't there be the same set-up outside the Lion House?

Animail - Zoo Monthly Newsletter

If you follow my posts, you know that I almost always have a thought (or two, three...) on what comes out of the Zoo in writing, either via the News in Press Releases/Interviews or from the Zoo directly in Social Media efforts such as the Monthly Animail Newsletter.  I know,  its seems like I have a comment on everything, and you're right, I do.  When you have a working mind, that's what happens, but that doesn't mean its always a bad thing.

Excerpts taken from the last two Animails.   Full Newsletters can be found on the Zoo's Website, where you can also subscribe to receive them via email.

From September 2012

>Room Modifications in Lion House
The indoor holding areas for the lions and tigers in the Lion House are getting a remodel! A couple of dividers will be removed making two separate super rooms with the addition of new benches. One room has been completed with three benches at different levels. All of the old high benches will come down and be replaced by new lower benches. These new benches will provide better options for our cat’s wellness and better public viewing. ... <

My only comment about this, is that at least six months ago,  the Zoo had it in writing someplace that they had actually installed multi-level platforms in the Lion House "rooms", which at the time they had not.  ...  I also think its in bad taste to refer to indoor quarters as "holding areas", but thats just me.

I realize this is probably a funding issue, but it would be nice if the Lion House got an exterior and interior paint job.  Maybe reaching out to places like Home Depot/Lowes, ect for a donation in exchange for some on site signage advertising would be an option.  ... A previous Keeper had a great idea to paint the inside of the Lion House and the individual rooms to reflect Lions and Tigers native living spaces.   She never got support on that, but allegedly its typical for a Keeper to get veto'd from above.   While I think that would be the ultimate paint job, even something as simple as leaves and bamboo background in the rooms, would go a long way in making the aesthetics less cage like in appearance. The Lion House is a wonderful place because it allows you to see the Cats up close, but in this day, it also needs to look less "captive".  Some big palm trees/leaves, ect in the main area of the LH would make it have a warmer feeling.   I noted in a previous post that painting the exteriors of the buildings (the reference was to the Pachyderm Building) with a landscape would make them seem natural.  Doesn't need to be elaborate, but a few big palm trees would be appealing.  

>Fall Docent Training Class Starting!
Do you want to teach people about animals and the San Francisco Zoo? Become a Docent and do just that! As a Docent, you will represent the Zoo as an "Educational Ambassador" and will conduct Zoo-wide tours, talk about all the amazing animals on exhibit, answer visitor questions while on "Ask Me" stations, assist with children's classes, and participate in many other educational activities and events. Your 10-week training will include topics like public speaking, conservation, zoo history and operation, animal care, taxonomy and behavior. ... <

OK.  You all know I have a major issue with the Docents.  Again, I will start by saying, its not all the Docents, but a majority of them.  Since this is about Training, its directed toward those who are doing the training, since that is the root of the issue.  Either Train them right or don't proceed with the program.  Well, the later will never happen since the Zoo charges for these classes.  Unbeknownst to the probably well meaning people who join,  they think they are going to learn about our Animals and end up with either no information, old information or false information.   Too many of the Docents don't know anything about the Animals that actually live at the San Francisco Zoo.   Those many also do not approach people and volunteer information, they do not act as additional "eyes" on the grounds for misbehavior, infact I have seen Docents walk away from people who are harassing the Animals.  The Zoo should be teaching the Docents about the Animals that live at the Zoo and about educating the Visitors about Respecting the Animals, and intercepting them when they see them acting the fool.

>ZooMobile Program Goes Back to School!
The ZooMobile, our education outreach program, is ready to roll to a school near you! ... The ZooMobile will bring five animals into the school while teaching engaging lessons on topics such as habitats, food webs, life cycles and more. ... <

Again my comment on this turns to Respecting Animals.  I have asked if part of the ZooMobile Program talks about Respecting Animals and never got a definite answer.  I have also listened to Childrens Zoo presentations and never hear anything about Respecting Animals.  There are a few things I write about alot and this is one of them.  I spend most of my time around Animals, not only at the Zoo, but daily in the Park.  I see a constant stream of misbehavior towards Animals.  It is not just by Kids, but by Adults as well.  Not sure how to Educate Adults, but at least with access like the ZooMobile and other presentations, making Respecting Animals (not just the ones the live at the Zoo) a part of those presentations might go along way in preventing Animals, both Wild and Captive from harassment   The Zoo does not want to put up more signage, video messaging, or other like ways to help educate and deter this ever growing issue, but they should be stressing the point in their labeled "education" presentations.

From October 2012

>It's a New Black Rhino Arriving in October
Elly, our female black rhino, will soon have a companion again ... her grandson! ...<

I noted in an earlier post, that I hope Elly is not put in the back of the exhibit, where she doesn't thrive.   Elly has recently been off exhibit and where I thought the new barrier was so her Grandson Belozi could quarantine in the back, I now fear the Zoo will put him up front, and Elly will be banished.  I sure hope not.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/09/sunday-september-16-2012-visit.html

>Our Dedicated Docents
At the Annual Members' Meeting, SF Zoo Docents presented the SF Zoological Society with a check for $15,000 for the wolf exhibit and its interpretive graphics, which is part of the Americas Capital Campaign. These enterprising volunteers raised the funds by selling calendars, lemonade and cookies. We're so grateful and inspired by our amazing docents. <

I think its great that the Docents take part in fundraising, and $15,000 is wonderful effort.  When I first heard about their Calendar sale last year and that it was for a "new" exhibit,  it really upset me.   It amazed me and still does that a group of people who I assume became Docents because they care about Animals, would band together to help fund a new exhibit, while Animals that Already live there need so much.  Yes, I'm going to bring up Wishbone (Andean Bear)  again.  (projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com)  No one cared that he lived on concrete and eventually died from doing so.  $15,000 could have brought grass and other soft surfaces to his home and not only enriched his life, but prolonged it.  Its disgraceful the priorities some of the Staff and Volunteers have, as well the ability to wear rose colored glasses or close their eyes completely to the real needs of some of the Animals.

I heard that it was one Docent who pushed for Inti (Bobcat) to get a new home.  Not sure why it took so long (not a slight to the Docent, (who deserves the kudos), but to the Zoo Staff).  Poor Inti was living in a series of cages for his whole life of ten years.  They don't put that on the sign outside his new home.  They only put the glossy version that they gave him a new/better place to live, not that they let him languish in a cage for a decade.

>Dinosaurs at the Zoo New in the Aviary
Learn the amazing link between birds and dinosaurs at our temporary dinosaur exhibit now showing in the Koret-Taube Aviary. Come see for yourself how today's ostrich resembles these ancient beasts. <

Interesting timing.  Dino's come to the Zoo.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/08/dinosaurs-at-zoo-there-should-be.html

   

Old Buildings

Even before the (first?) mural that an art student did at an exhibit, I had similar thoughts.   Those thoughts first went to Goober's (Bairds Tapir) and Orkney's (Grey Seal) homes.  These two live on the East side of the Pachyderm Building and both enclosures needed a paint job.  For Orkney's my friend Lee and I envisioned a wonderful and colorful Pacific Coast under water mural with Octopus, Cod, Kelp and other native beings and plants.  Instead he got the sky with clouds?   For Goober,  we thought a mural of some nice Banana Plants or Palm Trees, with punches of color brought in by flowers, much like the purple ones already in his area.   His home remains unpainted even thought Lee offered to pay for it over two years ago and we both offered to do the painting.  With his current medical issues I don't think painting his area now would be in his best interest,  I'm just relaying some back story that goes with the theme of this post.  In fact I think it was in poor taste of the Zoo to allow the artist who did the mural outside Goober's area to use aerosol paint so close to the opening of his enclosure, adjacent to his pool.  The paint splattered and the fumes are dangerous.  So much so that the artist wore a ventilated mask.  Go figure that thought process.

I have thought the Lion House, Pachyderm Building and the Chimps, all were in need of a good paint job.  The Lion House area did get some touch-up work last year, but the volunteers did such a messy job, it actually looked worse.   

There are Zoo purists (I've come across on ZooChat.com specifically)  that think Zoo's (SFZoo has been among the named), should demolish all these old buildings and build new state of the art exhibits.  Sure ideally all captive animals would live in sanctuary type settings, but realistically because of financial constraints and Animal residents, that really isn't a logical approach.  In my opinion as Visitor,  upgrading and "sprucing" things up is.  I have voiced my opinion on upgrades while on my crusade to get Wishbone Grass (that's right, I will never stop mentioning this disrespect).  For the "sprucing" up and generally making older areas look better, I think the Zoo has made a good start with what they have done with the Anteater and Bobcat exhibits, now they need to work on the bigger blocks of concrete.  

The Lion House and the Pachyderm Building,  old Buildings, two of which have tiled lettering identifying the structures.   I think adding the word "Historic" in tiles above would bring a Landmark vibe to them rather than people just looking at them and thinking they are old and broken down.  


Now, for the paint jobs.  They have been doing some work outside the Pachyderm Building for over a week, and now there are paint color samples on it.   Sorry, but who is choosing these colors?  shades of Red and Blue?  Awful.  Buildings, especially this big need to be more natural and neutral colors.  Khaki or Light Green.  This way, eventually they can mural in some trees or banana plants.   Same goes for the Chimp House.  Its time to get rid of that awful Giants logo, that should have been done in washable paint to begin with.

The Zoo Staffer Justin who was a Keeper in Carnivores, but now works in the Commissary I think, has done art in various places around the Zoo, they should get his opinion on this, as I've seen his work and he has a talent for this.  He may even be able to do the tree murals on the face of the buildings.
   
Note to Zoo- Please do not paint the Pachyderm Building one of the awful and inappropriate colors shown.

One the upside of this project, at least it will give the Chimps something to entertain themselves with.  Its a bit hard to tell, but this photo is of Cobby (male Chimp on right) watching the going's on across the path at the backside of the Pachyderm Building.  He seemed very interested :)

Apologies for the odd "highlighted" areas, not sure what's with the Blogger tonight.

UPDATE:  Looks like they have gone with yellow for the Pachyderm Building.   I like Yellow as a color, I just don't think its the right choice to make this building look its best.  A richer creamery color would have been better, but I'm not the one picking the color.  I will add this photo that I took the other day (day after I wrote this post).  An art deco building in the Marina painted both my suggested colors and with greenery in front of it, mimicking what I suggested eventually painting on the building.