Komodo Dragon - New Home Adventures!

Here's another look into Falcor the Komodo Dragon's life in his new home.  I will keep posting updates on his adventures and progress, now that he has space to enjoy his life.  It will do wonders for him to be able to excercise, and take part in enriching activities.  I'm just really happy for him.  I shed tears of joy, every time I see him in his new home.  I'm tearing now just writing about it.

Catching some sun from the skylight!

I've made a few new clips.  The first one is beyond cuteness!  I walked up in time to view Falcor getting brushed by his Keeper!  I had never seen this.  He was loving it so much!  Not sure who loved it more him or me!  So lucky to get to see this, and video a bit to share!

  Hey people where you going with that brush! 

Falcor Getting Brushed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W3H0VxpwAg&feature=youtu.be

In the video you hear me mention the idea of having brushes for him to use himself.  I passed two brush ideas onto the Keeper.  Hopefully they will give it a try and see if he likes it.  I think he will.  Also after seeing Angelo/Anteater pick-up a pine cone and use it to scratch himself (amazing right?!  no video sorry), I'm going to suggest that too.  Like a branch with the cones attached would probably be good if that's something he can have don't see why not.

While I was there, one of his Sprinklers came on.  I was hoping to see this, as I had heard about it.  After I took this video, I clairifed how it works.  There are four Sprinklers in different areas of the enclosure.  When one is about to go one, a sound goes off to alert him a Sprinkler is going to come on.  Then a light will indicate which Sprinkler it is, so he can go to it if he wants.  Love it!  ... You will hear me say in the video that I think it should stay on longer.  That's because he doesn't have full power in his legs, so unless he's closer, he won't get to it in time.  He did seem to want to go to it, but when he decided to, it went off.   Keeper said that since there are multiple ones, that the timing isn't an issue.  Hopefully that is true, because he sure perked up and seemed like he was interested in it.

Sprinkler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TEUx3FqnBQ&feature=youtu.be

I apologize,  I know I repeat myself, but after watching him several days now in this enclosure, I feel even more strongly that my concerns have been valid.  He needed to have more room to exercise post surgery.  The Zoo indeed did him a disservice by not having him in a new home before his health issue presented, which was well within the time frame promised when he arrived. In my opinion his recuperation would have been more successful (time wise) if he was able to exercise on his own daily.  He probably would have regained use of his back left leg if he had more exercise over the past two years.  Having him in a tank basically with no place to really move around, meant he had his physical therapy sessions and that was it.  Once the assisted (Therapist and Keepers) exercise was over, he just sat there.  Two years of just sitting there. If he would have had more space, he could have been exercising his hind legs, by moving around on his own.  Very Sad.

This video is more cuteness and him motoring about his new home.  His back left leg is still not the strongest, so it drags a bit, but he's getting around!  I've seen him make use of all the heat lamps, and chase the sun that shines down through the skylight (another great aspect of this enclosure).  The glare was less in the morning so I took opportunity to show more of the size of the enclosure and the skylight.

You can see into the enclosure,
pretty good here.

Gives idea of size, as well
you can see the skylight.

New Home Adventures!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqaUb7RJSh0&feature=youtu.be

In one of the clips I was talking about the temperature.  I asked what temp it is in there, as well what temp it needs to be for him to go outside.  Info I should have already known, but because they held off putting him in the exhibit until the temperature was regulated, now it was on my mind to ask. ... Inside its kept at 98 degrees, but can range anywhere from 80-120.  It will need to be at least 60 degrees for him to use the outside yard.

I can also be heard saying that Komodo's are only found on the Island of Komodo in Indonesia.  I thought that's what I read at one point, but I looked it up just to confirm and found that they are actually found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar

Added 3.18.18  Uploaded yesterday, video of Falcor on his heated rock for the first time! For Video Updates, Subscribe or Check back to my YouTube Channel leo811sf, or Follow leo811 on Twitter.  

Komodo Dragon In His New Home! - Falcor's So Happy! Video links!

 Falcor says, 

"I'm Finally Out of 

that Damn Terrarium"

 

The long awaited viewing of Falcor in his new home!  https://youtu.be/-c3oxL_i9NE

I don't think anyone can ever understand how happy I am to see Falcor in his new home!  This was yesterday (2.23.18) I cried then and again just putting together the video clips of seeing Falcor in his new home for the first time.  I love this little guy so much, and he waited so long.

This Babie has been at the Zoo since August 2013.  With a new home promised to him within a year and a half (before his health issue).  Its been a huge disrespect to this Being that he has had to live in an inappropriate home for so long.  An Animal his size should not be living in a Terrarium that is barely double the length of his body.  Shameful.  It will always break my heart that he had to be subjected to that.   I hope he will be so happy in his new home, he will forget being stuck in that awful tank.  I love Falcor and hope he thrives and grows big and strong in his new home.

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

Last weekend I posted two videos that I had planned to use in a post that I never got to.  Including them in this one.  

This video was taken several weeks ago.  https://youtu.be/lcwwrZP80wI  ... Watching this and hearing my narration, I have to wonder WHY? was this enclosure even enclosed?  By that I mean why is it indoors?  He should have been able to look outside from the start.  This enclosure was a FAIL in every aspect.  This Precious Being was denied so much Enrichment in his life for years.  I never saw Enrichment inside his enclosure, except for a couple Halloween events, and he certainly was denied being able to have any visual Enrichment by not being able to see the outside world. 

Video showing addition of plastic plants to enclosure. Taken week of 2.12.18 ... https://youtu.be/TI_DzNro1pw

I have since talked to the Keeper about the choice of plastic plants.  Since I may have been judgmental, in this video, I thought would delete it and include an updated version, I decided to keep it and just add information, as I have not been the only one who was disturbed to see all the fake greenery, and won't be the last.  So, Falcor has been in the enclosure and has not tried to eat the plastic plants, which was a concern of mine.  I was told he wouldn't as they have no scent like any food he would eat.  There is one real plant and they are testing how plants will grow in the enclosure before putting more in.  That makes sense.  The plastic hanging Ivy was added to cover wiring.  I understand this line of thinking.  I still am not a fan of the choices. I would have kept the one real plant and that's it.  I really think the plastic plants at ground level are too much.  Maybe the ones away from the window would give a real appearance, but the ones on the log at the window are too much, too obvious and especially draw your attention to all the plastic. Maybe if those weren't there I wouldn't hate on the hanging Ivy, which in my opinion is overloaded.  Maybe a bit wouldn't be awful without all the other stuff, but all at once, its hard to embrace. But, everyone has different design ideas and preferences.   I can't nit pick at this too much because, at least he's out of that Terrarium!

I also heard a couple weeks ago, that there will be timed misters and heat rocks.  I don't know if they are already installed or not.  Sounds good!

I would like to see some grass in the outdoor area, since its sand both inside and out.  I asked about this and was told, they are trying to keep it native to the Island, that has no grass.  I haven't researched this, but there must be some kind of ground vegetation.   My opinion is that Zoo Animals are captive and any kind of Enrichment you can provide them should be provided and in this case, it would be nice if at least half that outdoor area had the option of grass. 

I took this video on Tuesday (2.20.18) about the glass glare, original exhibit design pertaining to that and a suggestion on fixing the problem.  ... https://youtu.be/m2bAcJLSBwg 

You can see the glare is a Big problem.  Sad.  ... https://youtu.be/22PcR07nnac

So many people are coming to see Falcor!  More than ever!  So happy!  BUT Its hard to see into the exhibit.  Almost everyone has said something about the glare.  Everyone has to put their hands up to shield the reflection.  The whole window reflects theoutside. This really should have been taken care of before he got in there. Hopefully there's a plan to do something about it.  They build this great new home for him, people need to be able to see him! 

There were so many people that came by to see Falcor and were commenting on how much better this home is for him.  The Zoo failed him by not having this done within the original time frame they promised after first acquiring him.  Thankfully, this fail is in the past.

Previous Komodo Dragon of interest.  Contains history and journey to this point.
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/02/komodo-dragon-to-finally-get.html

Falcor's New Home! - Photos and Video of New Komodo Dragon Home!

I'm FINALLY Getting A New Home!

I was so happy to hear Falcor's new home would be built in the old home of my precious beloved Zoo Friend Goober the Tapir.  I loved that guy and I love Falcor, so I'm very happy that Goobie can watch over Falcor.

I think originally a new space was going to be built out, but I'm glad they went this route. I'm a fan of repurposing areas and buildings that we already have.

For those that don't know, this blog (and my first one gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com) is named for Goober.  Too many people would call Goobie an Anteater, and I'd say to him something like, good grief Goob, they think you're an Anteater and he would say, I'm not an Anteater!  Gosh I miss that guy.

My Precious Goobie will be

watching over Precious Falcor :)

See Goober's Spirit Orb in the photo?!

I took photos every visit, so here's my attempt at a time lapse of the build.  It was quick, about four months.  First pix are of the outdoor yard and then the indoor space, followed by a video of the completed enclosure!  FINALLY!  Falcor's Appropriate Home!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbwhHsG-gK0&feature=youtu.be

Hopefully Falcor will move in soon, and this wonderful warm weather we've been having continues and he can make use of his outdoor yard!  So Happy for Falcor! He is going to have a wonderful Summer and Fall in that yard!  I don't mean to be picky but I hope there will eventually be some grass. ... His life is about to get so much better, shedding tears so I'll leave it at that!  

Please view the previous post about his wait for this new home.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/02/komodo-dragon-to-finally-get.html

HOT TOPIC! - Komodo Dragon to FINALLY Get An Appropriate Home!

So, yeah, this post has been in draft for well over a year.  So long, that I've had to change the title and direction a bit from, Why Hasn't the Komodo Dragon Gotten a Decent Home?, to Why Did It Take So Long For the Komodo Dragon to Get a Decent Home?  

As the Zoo prepares to move Falcor the Komodo Dragon into his new home, I feel like before all the patting on the back fanfare, I must document the history of this Animal's history since arriving in August of 2013.  I have written many posts about him, which you can find by searching this blog for "Falcor" or "Komodo Dragon".   

Last year as I started to organize all my notes for this post, I realized that the last time I posted about Falcor was almost two years ago (October 2015).  It made me sad that I have waited so long to be his voice again.  I feel like a failure that I didn't keep his story a HOT TOPIC.  I've said this before, but I don't think many realize how much it takes out of me to do some of these posts.  This is not something I enjoy.  In fact it makes me physically sick most of the time, but I just deal with it, because leaving the Animals I know and love voiceless, hurts me more.  I know the Zoo (Management) thinks I live to be critical of them, but I really don't.  I would love nothing more than to have the Zoo do right by the Animals, so I didn't constantly have to wonder Why they can't.  I'd love them to do the right thing in every sense, so I don't have to wonder Why they can't.  I would love nothing more than the Zoo to be all that it can be, for the Animals that call it home and for those of us who love the place.   I'm not alone in that wish. 

As someone who went to the New Orleans Zoo with the goal of seeing the Komodo Dragon, I was really happy that we were getting one and it goes without saying that I did my research in learning everything about little (not even two years old) Falcor before he even got here.  Once he did, I watched every move the SFZoo made with him. 

Falcor was hatched October 8, 2011 at Memphis Zoo, the first after a decade of trying.  Named by his Keepers after the iconic Dragon in the classic film The Neverending Story. I was told by the Memphis Zoo Staff that he knows and responds to his name.

He has been a joy to visit since day one and from day one, he has been disrespected by the San Francisco Zoo.  

Before Falcor even debuted he joined a long list of disrespected Residents, when Zoo Director Tanya Peterson auctioned off his name to the highest bidder.  I have written plenty about my distaste for this type of fundraising, in regards to Animals who have established names.  Even those who don't (SFZoo Born), there should be some guidelines of decency.  In short, I think names should be respected, and if auctioned off, original names should be used in house and donor names only for public purposes.  I'll stop at that for now, as I said, my feelings about this are well documented. 

When his new name was announced, I felt sick.  It was the most disrespectful to date.  In my post about it, I didn't hold back how I felt. I'm not going to repeat that now, as I don't want to bash the donor again, as he is the one who has funded Falcor's new home and I'm grateful someone has come through for him.  That said, I have changed my position on this a bit, oh don't get me wrong I hate the name more than ever, but I blame the Zoo more for not only allowing the name, but using it in part.  Anyone that knows the Komodo Dragon, knows his official name is now Big Daddy Bahasa.  A name I will Never use.  As I wrote in 2013 when this travesty happened, NO Animal should be named Big Daddy anything.  As well, Bahasa, while in the Komodo native language, literally means the word language.  So this poor Animal is named Big Daddy Language. Some Animals who have donor names, get their original names used in house, but that's rare and poor Falcor didn't get that respect.  So, a sweet little two year old Falcor, has since been called Big Daddy by Zoo Staff.  They couldn't even have the respect to call him Bahasa. ... I was in a discussion recently with a Staffer who agreed it was disrespectful and said "Big Daddy" sounds like an inappropriate term between a young female and old man.  I almost cried thinking about my precious little Friend and that awful moniker. 

Falcor debuted in late August 2013, at the re-purposed Binowee Landing exhibit, now named Komodo Alley.  Appropriately named as it was a short walk-thru corridor, enclosed in glass.  This would not be suitable for him for too long.  Thankfully it was reported from day one, that he was to get a new home built for him within a year and a half.  ... A promise that was never kept.  

Over the next year and a half I asked many times about when his new home would happen.  No one knew.  Seems plans were talked about, tabled, and veto'd.  No one can decide on plan, on space, and there wasn't even money for it. What?!  I was told when he got there, One Million had been donated to build him a home.  Where did that money go?  It surely could not have cost a Million to create the Alley.  Was there never really that amount?  Was there only funds donated to get him in the door?  Then what? .. At that year and a half mark, brought in a new and shiny pet for the Zoo, Red Panda.  The Red Panda not only got a new spacious home, and a tree house built by and featured on the tv show Tree House Masters.  After that, the Zoo staff built two additional mini tree house platforms.   ... Falcor continued to just sit in a Terrarium.

Falcor was not only quickly outgrowing the Terrarium, it had become a barren dirt pit.  When he first arrived it was lush with greenery.  Within a year, plant by plant, it became void of green.  I asked about this and was told it was hard to keep plants in there.  So what, not try?  Not continue to provide him with any landscaping?  As well, he used to love to be able to look outside and one of those windows where he could see other Animals was covered up.  I never saw him get Enrichment either.  His living situation was beyond sad.  Why was this Animal, that the Zoo had to have being disrespected like this?  Why wasn't fundraising for a new home a priority?  Was it even mentioned at the annual ZooFest?  

Falcor lived for a year in that barren dirt pit.  It wasn't until the Zoo had their AZA accreditation inspection in October 2015, did he get any greenery.  Shameful and they knew it, otherwise they wouldn't have rushed to make it appear like he was living in a greenery landscaped habitat the whole time.

January 2015 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/komodo-dragon-lives-in-barren-dirt-pit.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBY-YMCqJtQ

October 2015 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/10/falcor-gets-greenery-for-his-birthday.html

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

In the beginning of 2015, Falcor started to develop a bump on his lower spine at the point where his tail starts.  I actually didn't notice it until it became obvious in the Spring, but you can see in the above video taken in January, that it was starting then.  I asked about it continually for months and was told "they" (Vets and Animal Staff Management) knew about it and were monitoring it.  Monitoring it, they call it, what they were doing was watching it grow.  By the end of Summer, it grew to be approximately three to four inches off his body.  They waited over six months and until he allegedly couldn't walk to finally do something about it.   I'm grateful that they did all that they did do to help him, but geez, it really should have been alot sooner.  I'm not the only one who thinks that.  ... There have even been some questions whether his health issue was a one off for a Komodo Dragon, or whether the size of his habitat stunted his bones natural growth?  Some have also wondered if a larger area to exercise if he wanted to move more wouldn't have been helpful in his rehabilitation mobility progress.

Here's the Zoo's video regarding his health issue and medical treatment.  I take the diagnosis as an alleged truth because of factors in question.  I truly don't think anyone will ever really know why his spine became unhealthy. 

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Fegj2UJ4zLg

So let's get back to that promise of a new home.  I've heard Staff make reference to him not getting a new home because it was wait and see regarding his health issue.  As stated in the video "future unknown".    Well, that doesn't add up for me.  If a new home as promised within year and a half, of his arrival in August 2013, had happened, that would have been early 2015, so construction plans would have had to start at least six months prior, that's Fall 2014, before the Zoo knew anything about his health issue.  So hello, at that point "future known"!  ... Remember at that point they had already moved on to a commitment for Red Panda.

What's been happening since his surgery in November 2015 and two years later.  Well, a whole lot of nothing with his living condition.  He still lives in that Terrarium.  Void of greenery.  He has been getting therapy, and there have been different alterations to his space, I assume to accommodate his mobility progress.  Still he should have had some greenery, and a new home by this point.

From January 2017  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUDntiFg-Hc

In July 2017 I noticed a box outside the one window he can look out of.  

You can see its like a chute.  It appears to measure less than 2 ft wide and about seven ft long?  Allegedly it was so he can go outside.  GO OUTSIDE!?  So via a hole cut in the wall, he walks in and with no room to move around, just sits there in the sun?  Then they turn it around so he is facing the hole in the wall and he walks back into the Terrarium.  I could have just cried hearing that.  At the very least they could have made him a little yard right there, plenty of room.  As you can see the chute in the rear of this photo and all the space around it.  

Worse, one day soon after, I saw him paw at the hole in the wall that leads to the box outside.  

I teared up seeing that.   He craves the outdoors.  When I'm there and he's near the window facing the door, I always open the door for a few minutes and show him the outdoor world and he loves it.  Perks up and is interested, rather than just laying there with no stimulation. I've also seen him huddle into the one ray of sunshine that has come through his window.  So sad.  

Soon after discovering the chute, I heard they started taking him off exhibit, up to an outdoor area so he could go outside on a natural surface.  Hallelujah!  As much as I love visiting him, every time I see the rope up at his Terrarium, I'm happy that he is on his field trip.  I was told that he loves it there and is active!  He thrives on those trips.  I wish he could just stay up there off exhibit until he gets a new home.  But, I don't know the full set-up and there does need to be a temperature controlled indoor environment for him, as not all days are warm enough to be outside.  That said, I was there on one of the hottest days this fall, 93 degrees and he was not on his field trip.  I felt like crying. 

So I asked yet again and again through 2017, When will Falcor get his new home?  I continually asked and allegedly all the plans had been veto'd as too expensive.  Each time this made me mad.  Why?  Four years later and still there is no money raised?  WTH?  ...  Additionally, and this is just me, if I was Director and my salary was near half Million a year, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing an Animal I brought here was in inadequate living conditions.  This Animal has been in need for years.  Why wait for a Donor, was a Donor even being sought?  Is there a reason the Director can't donate to the cause?

By the end of Summer seemingly out of nowhere, word was construction would begin on Falcor's new home!  FINALLY!  He waited so long!  Not the Thirty Years those poor disrespected Chimps waited, but geez, he waited and has been long overdue for MORE room!  

Construction began in October and its been a quick build!  He should be in his new home very soon!

Please View the following post that has photos and video of his new home!
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/02/falcors-new-home-photos-and-video-of.html

HOT TOPIC! - Komodo Karnival - Nothing For The Dragon To Celebrate

I've been sitting here all weekend trying to get mental ambition to tackle the posts I have in draft. The upsetting situations at the Zoo that I'm drawn to write about, continually swirl in my brain.  So many words, and yet I am too often paralyzed to get them out in this forum.  So, here we are, the weekend over, and the close of another Komodo Karnival at the Zoo.  This screencap I've been holding since Memorial Day Event to write this up.

In putting together this post,I realized most of my thoughts have already been written in another post from January.  That's right, Poor Falcor is sitting in the same situation as he was eight months ago. In a Barren Pit.  Will link or paste at the end of this rant.

Does the Zoo realize that another word for Karnival is Celebration?  Of course they don't , they haven't even realized (or maybe they have and just don't care) that the Donor who ReNamed him did so by dubbing him Big Daddy Language, since Bahasa literally means language.  Idiots.  Anyway, I digress. This poor guy is not having any kind of fun.  He's got no greenery, oh excuse me, two little plants were put in last week.  I haven't seen any Enrichment for him the whole time he's been there, except his first Halloween and a ball that is too big for him, several months ago.  Can't they get him Dog size treat balls?  Don't they google Lizard Enrichment?  I have.  This guy has nothing and gets nothing.  Maybe he'd like to have a Komodo climbing Wall?  Or this, that I found over a year ago and suggested.

Why doesn't he have Greenery?  Why doesn't he have Enrichment?  Why doesn't he have a home he actually fits in?  < THAT is the current big question? 

I'll tell you why.  Its just like with the Chimps, the Zoo only cares about New and Shiny.  It really pisses me off the way they have pimped him for this Event (as well have started to pimp the Chimps, but that's another post!), yet they can't even provide a proper home for him.   He was supposed to get a new home within two years.  He arrived in August of 2013.  He has grown so big, I doubt he even fits through the hole to his back area, which is smaller than his body length.  Stretched out, he is now about a third of the length of the exhibit.  I took this photo the other day of him cooling off in his pond.  That white square behind him is the doorway to his back area.  So big now he barely fits in his pond and is forced to lay against an open drain pipe.

There are already plans to bring in New Animals, that will need New Exhibits built.  This is Bullshit! They Zoo Management claims that New is needed to keep people coming in.  More Bullshit.  If people coming to see the New, knew that other Animals, like Falcor and the Chimps, were being neglected, most would be outraged.  Many are.  I listen to Visitors.  The Zoo doesn't, because they don't care.  It's all personal agenda for Management, and the San Francisco Zoological Society Members.  I think they think the Zoo is their own big ass Country Club, where they throw Cocktail Parties, instead if a place where Animals live.  

Director Peterson not only digs herself deeper and deeper into a financial hole, building things that allegedly aren't even 100% funded, but she's dragging the Animals down with her. No wonder there's no funds for Falcor or the Chimps.  Its heartbreaking and disgusting.

If anything you read moves you,

Please contact the SFZoo Director

Tanya Peterson

tanyap@sfzoo.org

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/komodo-dragon-lives-in-barren-dirt-pit.html

I was going to add the link to the above referenced blog post from January, but I decided to paste it her in full to make sure its read, because this lack of attention is important to keep documenting.

I had been pissed for months about the state of Falcor the Komodo Dragon's Home.  I was really enraged when I went to Zoo Lights and saw that the outside of the exhibit was fancied up with Christmas Lights, while the Komodo Dragon himself sit in a barren pit.  The gall of the Zoo is shouldn't, but continues to surprise me.  

Just another Disrespect of Animals by Zoo Management.  

As I said, this has really bothered me for months and I was hoping since I brought it up to someone there, that the situation would change, but it hasn't.  At this point its been at least four months (and I'm being generous because I've lost track) that Falcor has had not one bit of greenery in his home.  This is not only Disrespectful, its possibly (I haven't researched it yet) an improper environment.  

When Falcor arrived he was the "favorite son".  He got a fancy new enclosure with tons of greenery.  Hoopla ensued, Komodo Dragon this, Komodo Dragon that.  

First they disrespect him by changing his name, a name that his previous home, the Memphis Zoo where he was born (hatched) told me he responded to.  At near two years old when he arrived at the SFZoo, he was given the name Falcor soon after hatching.  Named after the Dragon in the movie The Neverending Story,  some dumb donor tried to be "native" I guess, using the word Bahasa which means Language, literally the word Language in Indonesian, but then also had to be an ass by adding in Big Daddy.  SO the poor little guy was disrespected with the name Big Daddy Language, and par for the course, Zoo Officials could care less what anyone names an Animal as long as the check clears.  Now the poor guy has been here over a year, and he sits in a home that is barren of any vegetation.   The statue outside has more landscaping than he does.  

Poor Falcor just sits and stares out at green. 

I hear there was a change in Curators (from the one I talked to) for this string of Animals.  I don't know who the new person is, but I can say this, the guy straight off isn't doing his job.  If this new guy can come in and not see that this is a problem that should be a priority to fix, then he isn't qualified for this job.

Falcor is also quickly outgrowing this habitat and plans for his new home that were supposed to be in motion soon after his arrival, to be started for a move-in within two years, have been back burnered because of all the other new additions to the Zoo's collection.

I guess everyone is too busy building 2nd and 3rd tree houses for the Red Pandas who continue to be the "favorite sons", literally since only the male Kodari who they renamed (Tenzing) is the only one to get any fanfare.  The male has a sign with his new name, while the female Grace doesn't doesn't have a sign.  I'll also note that Grace, who is over ten years old, had her name ripped from her as well. Kodari also got a Birthday party, and Grace didn't.   

Falcor is one of my fav Zoo Friends.  I love this guy and feel awful that like too many others, he has been disrespected and slighted.  Its Sad, Disgraceful and downright Embarrassing.

San Francisco Zoo, get this poor guy some greenery!  Give him a proper environment and get started on his new home.   Stop bringing in more Animals and take care of the ones you have.

I got no problem with the Zoo prioritizing building homes for Animals in need of Rescuing. My issue is, bringing in more Animals just to grow the Collection and/or try to pull in extra gate sales by doing so, is a Fail unless you take care of the ones you've already committed to giving a home to.

Please view my video taken a couple weeks ago

that shows the whole habitat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBY-YMCqJtQ

Also, one taken shortly after his arrival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMPujbG7Yps

Komodo Alley - The Dragon's Home

Yesterday was the first time I was able to see the inside of the new Komodo Dragon exhibit.  My previous opinion from looking outside in, still stands and I think its too small.   I talked to some Staffers who did say this was only temporary and that a bigger enclosure would eventually be built.  Of course this would have to be a given as Falcor is only a few feet long right now and will eventually grow to be at minimum seven/eight feet.

The outside of the exhibit.  In my opinion there is much wasted space and the inside portion of the enclosure could have been extended outward, double-wide.  The tree in photo left was there but all the plants and container wall were not. 

Calling it an Alley was accurate in that inside, it is long and narrow.  The glass in photo left is the enclosure, right to the outside exhibit.  Having this inside walk-way is a waste of space.   I would have preferred to see the enclosure living space extend double-wide to that outside window.  Looking into the living space, it is approximately the width of the walk-way, which appeared to also be the length of the Animal, if he was to lay head to tail. front to back.  That said, knowing that eventually there would need to be another larger area built, this one should have been built to last at least a couple years, which at even the size he is now it seems cramped.   Its long, but narrow.

I'm not a building professional, but as I noted eliminating the walk-way in favor of having the living space twice the size seems doable.  Either by having it be as it is with an indoor walk-way or having the living space window face out with no indoor walk-way.  Either way, there was plenty of space to make this larger.  I know it needs to be climate controlled, so maybe there is an issue with the living space facing out and because of that there does need to be that indoor temperature buffer space?  That said, there was enough room to make it wider, adding in the size of the walk-way area, extending the walk-way out, or if possible eliminating it altogether, having a short awning of sorts if necessary. I heard they allegedly "wanted to get this done in a hurry" so maybe that factored into it.   I just wish he had more room.  He was very active, pawing at the window and roaming around the whole area, from front to back especially.  I would also have like to see it designed to let in outdoor light. Having the window without the walk-way would have provided that.

Aside from my opinions on the size of the living space,  I have to really complain about the glass.  I don't understand why the Zoo continues to use glass that glares.  It 2013, anti-reflective glass is available.  It is almost impossible to view him without glare.  The photo above is taken (a bit to the side) looking directly at the glass of the enclosure.  Its awful.  I know there is anti-reflective film out there, another Keeper once told me about it as she asked for it so that the Snow Leopard Rigel would stop looking at his reflection, which upset him the whole time on exhibit.  That request was denied/delayed, whatever not sure if it ever happened because he still is obsessed with staring out. Poor Rigel.  I digress.  They need to get some and put it across the lower part of the glass of this enclosure, so we can see Falcor better.   While they are at it, they need to get some for Rigel too, so at nineteen years old, he can have some peace while out on exhibit and not think another Male Snow Leopard is stalking him.

Additionally, there needs to be no knocking on glass signs.   

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Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

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tanyap@sfzoo.org

Meeting Falcor! - Komodo Dragon in Person :)

Yesterday I went to see Falcor for the first time :)   So happy to finally get to see him, I started to tear up.  He is adorable!  He is going to be a big favorite of mine.  I look forward to watching him grow up!

 He is very active!

 Makes lots of eye contact!

~ Handsome Falcor ~

Forgot to post the link to the video I took:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuP-tDKOT4A      Enjoy!

Get to Know the Zoo's New Komodo Dragon!

Gotta say, I love Komodo Dragons!  I look forward to meeting our new Boy Falcor!

My two top goals when I visited the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, was to see their Komodo Dragon and their White Alligator Antoine LeBlanc, who I visited when he came to stay at SFZoo for awhile :) I got to see both!

Komodo's are awesome and adorable!  

Look at this one smiling :)

I first heard the Zoo was getting a Komodo Dragon when the aftermath details of this years ZooFest were in the News.  Part of that news was of course, the renaming of this Animal.  You all know how I feel about the Zoo renaming Animals who already have a Name.  If you don't, please search this blog for "naming", I have written about it many times.

So, yes its true, the Zoo has yet again renamed an Animal that already has a name.  Why is the Zoo hell bent on stripping every animal of its given Name?

It is my interest to know as much as possible about the Zoo Animals as individuals.  That said, I share with you what I have learned about the new Komodo Dragon!  

His name is Falcor :)  He was the Memphis Zoo's first Komodo Dragon born, after a decade of trying! In fact out of eight Eggs layed by his Mother Norberta, only one was fertile.  Little Falcor hatched October 8, 2011.    You can read about his birth and see his babie photo in this local news article:

http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local/story/Memphis-Zoo-Welcomes-First-Baby-Komodo-Dragon/HDS7BOeg7060-bQRfX0vfA.cspx
AND see more adorable photos from zooborns site:
http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2011/12/komodo-kool-baby-lizard-hatched-in-memphis.html

One of my main issues about renaming is not only is it cruel and disrespectful, regardless of what the Zoo might tell you, these Animals know their names.  They have personalities, that are as much a part of their individual identity as their Name.  I corresponded with someone at the Memphis Zoo who said, "The Komodo Dragons know and respond to their names."   ... Sadly this Animal who has had the name Falcor for near two years, and knows his Name, will now be called by another name, although not by me.   I can't wait to hear what crap the Donor came up with, I'm sure it will be a doozy!   

Now, for my opinion on the enclosure.  Pictured below, from what I've seen, I don't like it.  My preliminary observation over the past several weeks of seeing the building progress is, its too small and more of an issue, it seems there is no outdoor area, so he will be kept inside all the time (in the dark)? Most Komodo enclosures I've seen are outdoor landscaped areas.   ... Member viewing is Thursday, so we'll see.