Is Ndume Gorilla In A Tug Of War Between The Cincinnati Zoo and The Gorilla Foundation?

Darn, I didn't see having to write another blog post about Ndume's situation, until his new journey began, and certainly not right now when I'm trying to work on some other things, but this new development has got to be documented.  

Well my original post (7.14.18) entitled, Will Ndume (Gorilla) Become The Gorilla Foundation's New Cash Cow? , unfortunately seems to be accurate.  ... You can read that post here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/will-ndume-gorilla-become-gorilla_14.html

On August 29, The Cincinnati Zoo posted a press release to their Facebook that stated, Ndume would be moving back there, from The Gorilla Foundation.  Born at the Cincinnati Zoo, Ndume has been living in isolation at TGF for 27 years. 

Screencap Cincinnati Zoo FB

On September 3, The Gorilla SSP posted a link to their Facebook of a News article about the move.  This long overdue move has made it to many national news outlets.

Screencap Gorilla SSP FB

The Gorilla Foundation has curiously remained silent.   Those who have been close to TGF in the past have suspected something was brewing over there.  

I emailed both Ron Evans, Cincinnati Zoo Curator of Primates and Kristen Lukas, Gorilla SSP Coordinator for updates and got no reply from either. 

Last week I sent Cincinnati Zoo a message via Facebook.  I asked if a date had been set for when Ndume would be moving to the Zoo from The Gorilla Foundation.  ... "No date had been set." ... I asked what the plans were for housing him since they already had two Groups with adult males.  ... "Details have not been decided."  ... Huh.  Seems like no plan is not indicative of any immediate move.

I messaged the Gorilla SSP after.  They had recommended to CinciZoo an asap move, so I asked if a date had been set, noting that CinciZoo had no plans for housing even.  ...  The FB person said they were not privvy to that information, but stated, "I’m assuming that at the upcoming gorilla workshop, if plans aren’t already in the works, it’ll be heavily discussed."

Yesterday I read there was a post mail letter sent from the Gorilla Foundation, received by some individuals, last week.  The #TeamNdume Facebook page asked if anyone had received one.  This was posted by a page visitor. 

Screencaps from #TeamNdume FB

The goal of this letter from TGF Founder Penny Patterson, is clear.  The Gorilla Foundation is at this moment in time, soliciting donations for three projects, one being the acquisition of additional Gorillas to create a Family for Ndume. 

Personally I think this is Outrageous.  Aside from the Ndume money grab, which may even be fraudulent if he indeed is going back to Cincinnati Zoo,  none of the other things are relevant or legitimate at this moment in time.  Penny and her gang have had 46 years to get to Maui and all this other stuff.  It seems like a last ditch effort to continuing funding a certain lifestyle on the sympathy of those who loved Koko and for some reason still believe in the fantasy.  

So, all things considered, this latest has myself and many others wondering, what the hell is going on?  Is Ndume staying or moving?

The only two conclusions at this point are, He is staying at The Gorilla Foundation and the Cincinnati Zoo and the Gorilla SSP are making up this whole move to appease this public outrage that he is still living at TGF in isolation, Or he really is moving and Penny and the gang at TGF are delusional and in denial, and therefore soliciting donations fraudulently.

I made a call to The Gorilla Foundation today.  I spoke with Sofia.  

Me: I have a question about the letter that was sent out last week, asking for donations to get more Gorillas to make a Family for Ndume.  

Sofia: Yes that is our goal (or what we'd like to do, something like that.

Me: Well, it was announced that he was going back to the Cinncinnati Zoo, so I'm confused.

Sofia: We are working with them.

Me: Working with them in what way?  Is he staying or going?  

Sofia: We are working with them.

Me: Yes, but in the letter you are asking for donations, based on him staying, if he isn't then what are the donations for? 

Sofia: I can't comment any further.  You can call back and dial ext 14. 

I asked for her name, the name of who was at ex 14, and said Thank you.  

Joy at ext 14, is reachable at the same number by dialing an extension.  So essentially, when I called back Sofia wouldn't answer and I'd get the option to choose the extension (that is for press inquiries), which I did and of course I got voicemail.  I say of course because I imagine Joy had been told I'm calling back and what my question was. ...  I left a message and am currently waiting for a call back.  If I get a call back I will post what the outcome was.  

HOT TOPIC! - The Crime of Selling Koko

I started this post the day the news broke that Koko had passed away.  These are the words that came to me when I heard.  

Shedding Tears.  RIP Koko.  Bless You Lady.  Hope You are finally with Your Family.  Where you always belonged.

When I didn't post right away, I decided to wait and post on what would be Koko's 47th Birthday, upcoming on July 4th.  Ironic Koko was born on Independence Day, since she never knew freedom.  I don't mean the freedom of living wild, but the simple freedom to live as the Being she was born to be, a Gorilla.

I have written about many morally criminal things that have gone on at the Zoo, during the time I have been most active there.  In my opinion the selling of Koko to Penny Patterson is probably the worst San Francisco Zoo Crime committed. 

I have known about Koko for as long as I can remember.  I loved Miss Koko.  Such a Sweet and Intelligent Being.  Her famous story about her love for her Kitten endeared so many to her.  I knew she lived in the area, but it wasn't until later in life did I know she was born at our SFZoo.  

Like most people, I grew up to eventually come to know her history as told by Penny Patterson of the Gorilla Foundation.  In short, Patterson was looking for an infant Gorilla to teach sign language to.  She came in contact with Koko.  Koko was allegedly in the Nursery at the SFZoo, allegedly recovering from an illness.  Patterson, gained support for her project inside and outside the Zoo, and pushed to take ownership of Koko, eventually being  allowed to purchase Koko for what is rumored to have been $12,000, an amount equal to over $71,000 today.  

In recent years I have become friends with three people who have known and worked with Koko at different times in her life, two at the Gorilla Foundation and the SFZoo Ape Keeper at the time of Koko's birth.  When I asked about Koko being separated from her Mother and Family, the key point of the story I was told was different than what has been put forth by the Gorilla Foundation (Penny Patterson) and possibly the Zoo back in the day, for all these years.  The Keeper tells me that he never knew of any illness that would have taken Koko from her Mother, Jacqueline.  He thinks that may have been a cover story to allow this horror to happen.  He recounts that after Koko was separated from her Family, her Mother would cry out for her continuously, and the whole Family would be searching for her.   This version of the story, breaks my heart for this Family. 

There is no denying that Penny loved Koko in her own way.  I obviously don't know how Koko felt, but I have always felt Koko lived an incredibly sad life and the Zoo did her a great disservice allowing Penny to take her.  I have always thought she should have lived with other Gorillas.  She never lived with Michael or Ndume, two other Gorilla Foundation Residents.  There was no reason the teaching sessions could not have been done at the Zoo.  I 100% believe there was no illness that separated Koko from her Mother.  I believe even if that were true, that there was no reason she could not have been reunited with her Gorilla Family.  This transaction to sell Koko was fought against by this Keeper and others, but was lost to Selfishness and Greed by both the San Francisco Zoo and Penny Patterson.  

Koko was torn away from her Mother and her Family and allowed to be taken to live on her own as a human experiment. We know how brilliant she was learning sign language which is what made her famous and also made the career of the person (Patterson) who was instrumental in seeking out management and authority figures within the Zoo to be on her side to take Koko away from her 

Mother Jaqueline and her Family Troop.  Unconscionable.

You can view a video clip of Koko clinging to her Mother in this News video shortly after her birth.  ... She was only a year old when she taken away and sold.  Jacqueline was a good Mama and Loved her Babie.  Her Babie needed her.  

https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/227031

 Screencaps of News Photos

Koko and her Mama Jacqueline

Had Koko been allowed to live her life as intended, she would have grown up with her Family, Papa Bwana, Mama Jacqueline, Sibling Mkubwa (Kubie), Half-Siblings Sunshine, and Kwanza Moja and their Mama Missy.   She was robbed at a natural life.  I'm so sorry Precious Lady.

The day of the news, I did this Gorilla coloring graphic in honor of Koko and her Family.  All are gone now.  Hope they have had a beautiful reunion.

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

UPDATE: I have become involved in the crusade to Free Koko's Friend Ndume, a Gorilla still living at The Gorilla Foundation.  Please read the following blog posts for more information.  Thank you.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/will-ndume-gorilla-become-gorilla_14.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/could-should-and-would-san-francisco.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/ndumes-sister-lives-at-sfzoo-blog.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/free-ndume-from-gorilla-foundation.html