Meet Sally, the Zoo's new Komodo Dragon! - She's Falcor's Sister!

I'm a bit behind on posting about new Residents, but I wanted to post about Sally, so that people knew who she was and to share my video of her first hour out on exhibit!   ... Unfortunately since I was delayed in posting, during that time, Sally has already been renamed. UG. 

Sally is 6 years old and came from Omaha Zoo.  She was hatched in January 2011 at Memphis Zoo.  She shares the same Mama as our beloved Falcor! Possibly the same Papa.  I'm very happy to be able to know one of Falcor's siblings :) that is bittersweet.

Here's a link about the hatching of her clutch which hatched sixteen babie dragons!

https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2013/02/komodo-dragon-memphis-zoo.html

I was told she is very smart and came trained in many ways.  At the time of her debut, she had been at the Zoo for two weeks and is still currently under quarantine, but is quarantining on exhibit.

She sure is a pretty little girl!  I love the markings over her right eye that look like eyelashes, and the spot on her lip that looks like lipstick.  She's a fancy :)  ... Look forward to knowing you Sally!

The arrival of a new Komodo so soon, was a bit of an emotional tug for me.  Those who know me or have read this blog, know how much I loved Falcor, who recently passed away.   I think that the Zoo had planned to acquire a second Komodo while Falcor was still here, so this was probably already in the works.  You will hear me say in my video, how I wish Falcor was here to meet her.  That said, any meeting they would have had, I assume would have been with a barrier, since I have not read of Komodo's cohabiting.  Based on that, I do find it curious that the Zoo would need a second Komodo, as they would have to be rotated and one would always be off exhibit.  I'm not a fan of keeping Animals locked in night quarters, while the other is on exhibit.  I don't think its ideal and certainly not necessary.  So, I hope there will not be a second acquisition in the Zoo's future.

I got lucky, and happened up to the Komodo exhibit within the first hour Miss Sally was out!  I was surprised, as I had heard one had arrived not long ago, but the previous week there was a sign on the window saying coming soon, and the next day the sign was gone, so I didn't know what the deal was. But there she was, in the exhibit and digging her way around the perimeter of the wall!  She had dug a hole in one area, that was about eight inches deep.  She was head first in it, up to her shoulders!  She is a cute little girl, giving those of us at the window, some face time!  

You can view my video of her first hour and second day adventures!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_3jcay5_Q

Also want to give the Zoo kudo's for keeping up Falcor's memorial sign, even though the exhibit has a new resident.  His young life deserves to be remembered.  ... I Miss You Falcor!

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.

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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

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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As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

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!

Komodo Dragon Unveiling - New Name Reveal

I didn't make it out there today but just read a news article on sfgate.com about the cute little juvenile Komodo Dragon who came to the Zoo with a birth name of Falcor and through the lack of creativity of the Zoo, has been bestowed the name Big Daddy Bahasa by yet another Donor who obviously thinks the honor of naming awesome Animal Ambassadors is a joke.   Donor Barry Lipman paid $25,000 for his hand at comedy.  I don't take away from the generosity these Donors show, just the lack of sensitivity.

We all know I am against renaming Animals who already have names.  I know all about needing to raise funds, yadda, but there are other ways and myself and those who have commented on this blog, have pointed that out.  ... The Lipman name is a familiar one around the Zoo, so it amazes me that even though Director Peterson does not present alternative ways to support/sponsor Animals, that those who should no better and have some empathy, don't donate and put forth their own suggestion in exchange and allow an Animal with an existing name, to keep its name.

I guess we can be thankful he wasn't named after another ballplayer or ego based name.  It seems the word Bahasa has some relevance, although not as portrayed in the sfgate article which probably contained information in the Zoo's Press Release. The article noted that the word Bahasa is the official language of Indonesia.  Actually the word Bahasa means "language" in many Asian languages, preceding the language name, as in Bahasa Indonesian.  Which I learned with a simple google search.  So while there was an attempt to be relevant, as the Komodo does come from Indonesia,  it wasn't entirely direct.  That said, I could deal with it if the Animal had no previous name AND the name was just Bahasa.  BUT, adding the Big Daddy turns it into a Big Joke and frankly disrespectful. Would this Donor name his Son Big Daddy Lipman?

Welcome Falcor, for that is what I will call you!   Look forward to meeting you!

AUTHOR ADD:   After sleeping on this, I've changed my mind, I would NOT "deal" with just Bahasa, because it just means "language".  So basically this poor Animals name is Big Daddy Language!??? WTH?

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As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org

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. 

Chinese New Year - 2013 Year of the Snake :)

I apologize to those who follow my blog, that I have slacked in recent weeks on posting.  In addition to some computer issues, I haven't had much time.  I have been working on building the Floats for the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade that will take place next Sunday.  Its a very crafty gig which I love and working on large art projects like the Float items, reminded me of the Enrichment Toys I made for the Zoo Friends in the past.  I recently made some Paper Mache balls for a group of Sanctuary Chimps (they had them for a Birthday celebration and loved them!), but other than that and my own crafts, I haven't done large projects and miss it.  If I was in charge of Enrichments for the Zoo Friends, they would have wonderful Toys for all the holidays (at the very least!).  The San Francisco Zoo continues to miss these wonderful opportunities to bring joy not only to the Animals, but to the Visitors who appreciate seeing the Animals have fun.

I've been trying to get to posts (I have a growing list) for some time now and here we are the night before the Zoo's Lunar New Year event, which I wanted to post about, and I am doing so in the "eleventh hour" as they say.  I guess since this is more an informative rant than something I think the Zoo Management Team would do anything about, I guess the timing doesn't matter.

I love this holiday because its festive, its colorful, it celebrates Animals as symbols, ...  I used to love this event, but as you will read, it became an issue for me and since the Zoo could care less about the Animals, I didn't go last year and will not again this year.  I can't enjoy it, knowing that there are aspects of it that are upsetting to the Animals.

From a post I made dated January 14, 2012

>As I was leaving I noticed the Zoo now has up their banner for the annual Lunar (Chinese New Year) event.    As a San Francisco native I love the Lunar events.  As well I used to love the one at the Zoo.  A few years ago I was in the Children's Zoo, which runs along the side of the Playfield path where the Lunar event activities take place.  I was standing at Prairie Dogs when the Lion Dance started and the drum banging sound level was insane.  All the Dogs (Prairie) and Kats (Meerkat) were going nuts and running for underground cover.  I asked the keeper about it and he said that he had told Management and they didn't care.  The next year, I wrote to the Zoo and noted this story, requesting they rethink having the Lion Dance, which really is unnecessary as so many places in the City have it and it has no place at the Zoo because of how loud it is.  The Zoo is supposed to be a quiet environment for the Animals who live there.  Anyway I got no reply and was there at Chimps right before the first Lion Dance show was scheduled.  A Keeper was there and I had told her about the previous year, as well my email.  She said she asked to be told when it would start so she could call the Chimps in.  It started out of the blue and the Chimps went insane.  Needless to say, last year which was the following year, nothing had changed and the animals just had to suffer through the noise. <

Well, the Zoo still has the Lion Dance as part of their program, so considering the unavoidable level of noise, nothing could likely have changed.  The Chimps are now three years older than before, with one recently passing from heart complications post-op.  Yet, there is not only continued acceptance of loud noise and voices on a daily basis around their home and through-out the Zoo, but with the knowing scheduling of such disturbance.  There are ways to have a successful event without the Lion Dance (and other loud performances for any event), but someone would have to care, and apparently no one does.

I'm not a "rain on the parade" person, I just think the Zoo is the home to Animals and empathy for them should come first and there are so many instances that stem from Management where the Animals are not a priority.  For the instance of living in peace, the whole Zoo should be a quiet zone for the sake of the Animals.  Its not too much to ask, but like other instances, it seems the Zoo doesn't want to offend anyone.  I say it would only offend the type of people you don't want visiting anyway.  The Oakland Zoo has multi-lingual sandwich board type signs all over the pathways requesting that Visitors keep the areas around the Animal exhibits "quiet zones."  

Everyday, Visitors of all ages run amuck and act the fool all over the San Francisco Zoo.

I recently saw a sign on a business that said (paraphrasing) "Out of respect for our neighbors, please keep your voices down."   The Zoo needs similar signs, out of respect for their Animals.  

Happy New Year!

Sweet Lemon Drop lives at
the California Academy of Science :)

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As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org

Thank You for taking the time to read

about things that matter to me.