News Article - Looking Back at Tiger Event Christmas 2007

I woke up this morning to this article via a Google News Alert email.

 

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=8931297&status=ok

 

I commented on the ABC site:  (Note that my comment was split into parts and ABC deleted all but the first part.  So I requested them delete the full post, since I find censoring public News forums in violation of the Constitution.)

 

As someone who is a frequent Zoo Visitor I remember this day well.  I was there.  Unfortunately not at the right time, as maybe I'd have seen the Dahliwals taunting the Animals and I would have said something that might have made them stop before this tragedy they allegedly caused.  I went a if route that day and was there earlier, possibly capturing the last photo of Tatiana at 2:48pm.  Happy and lounging in the sun with her companion Tony.  .. Yes the Zoo made changes to the Big Cat Grottos, but there is no such sign to not taunt the Tigers.  As well there are many other exhibits that leave the Animals vulnerable to Visitor harassment and stupidity, the later which could result in an event much like the one last month at the Pittsburgh Zoo.  In my opinion, the SFZoo and Zoo's in general have not made any changes in the past five years that keep up with the mounting acts of misbehavior of Visitors. 

 

Additionally, I will say in referenece to what is reported in this article, there are no specific signs that say not to taunt the Tigers.  In fact I recently witnessed a kid about to throw objects at one of the Tigers.  There are generic signs that request Visitors "Respect the Animals".   Althought these signs have become more plentiful, they are still not enough both in quantity and in words.  Visitor misbehavior is rampant, both in harassing the Animals and breaching barriers. 

 

As well, to my knowledge the only tribute to Tatiana at the Zoo is a bench that sits in front of the grotto she shared with her companion Tony.  The bench was purchased by a small group of her friends who were heartbroken that she lost her life defending her home and companion, because of alleged, yet apparent Visitor misbehavior.   That said, neither of the bronze statues at the entrance, are not of Tatiana, they are not even of Tigers.   I'd like to know where this rumor got started, as I've heard this before.  Writers these days do not seem to do any investigative reporting.

 

There's more I could say but won't.  Its Christmas and I'm sure there are innocent people who were affected by the acts of these three boys. 

 

 

RIP Tatiana

 

December 25, 2007  2:48pm

 

Two hours later Tatiana was dead.   Remember when visiting any Zoo, Act with Empathy.  Do not harrass, heckle, throw stuff at, mimic, or otherwise taunt that Beings that live there in captivity so that we can enjoy their beauty and learn about them.  As well, please report any misbehavior you witness and if you are able to, tell people yourself not to behave in such a way.  You might save a life.  There was reportedly a woman who saw the Dahliwals harrassing the Lions prior to the Tigers.   Tatiana might still be alive if she had reported this.

A Recent Visit

I had this post in que as an example of what this blog would be.  A bit of pro's and a bit of con's.  Detailing my visits as is.  I now wonder if I should even post it as it happened a few weeks ago still back in 2011 and since I'm trying to move out of judgmental blogging I'm apprehensive to include it here.  The reason I am moving forward and do so is I think this visit illustrates exactly how my visits to the San Francisco Zoo often go.

Since I am such a fan of animals and not so much that of humans, visiting the Zoo (or Park) can be emotionally challenging.  To be able to be in the presence of animals to me is a great gift.  It hurts me when I witness misbehavior towards them in any degree.  I just don't understand the human thought process and lack of empathy towards innocent living beings.  I just don't understand.

As a daily visitor to either or both the Zoo and the Park, I am a constant witness.  My visit on this day was pretty typical unfortunately.  It brought great joy of being able to see the friends (animals), great aggravation at human behavior, and great frustration on how the Zoo handles it.

It was Snow Day for the Polar Bears!  I went straight to Bears.  I knew both Bears would be in the Meadow at different times, getting a chance to enjoy the snow, so I wanted to be there at a time frame when I knew I would see each of them.  I timed it perfect :)   ... Ulu was in there still checking out all her Enrichment items of wrapped boxes with food and flavored icees!   

Once Ulu decided she was done and went back to her grotto, I went over to Cats.  As I normally do, I circled around the grotto's and through the Lion House and back.   I came up to grotto B and Tunya and Sukari (Lions) were in front parallel to the fencing, so I stopped to take photos.   I heard a group of loud individuals, I looked up to see four headed my way.  I moved to avoid having to be in the same space as them.  I stepped back and the loudness continued.  They pressed their faces into the fencing, yelling and roaring at the Lions trying to get their attention.  Disgusting.  I absolutely hate this.  This is not a circus, the animals are  not there to perform.  Sure we all want to see their faces, but it is what it is.  Having the opportunity to view these amazing animals IS what it IS!   You don't yell to them, imitate them, or vocalize loudly toward them in any way.  You don't clap, tap or bang on the glass surrounding their home,  you don't throw things at them, basically you don't do anything but look, enjoy and respect.  What is wrong with people?

Since the Zoo blamed my friend and I when we reported misbehavior (see blog san francisco zoo crime) I have deleted their "tip" line number from my phone and have tried to not bother with misbehavior, with the exception of when it directly involves an animal, their health or direct assault.  This I considered direct verbal assault as it was excessive, continual, through mesh and in the animals direct view.  I had just been in the Lion House and there were two (unusual, but lately curiously the norm) Security guards in there.  I went back and when I approached the two standing there, they looked at me and I told them what I had witnessed and asked if one of them could go out there.  The gal said she would.

She left and went around via grotto A, so I went the opposite way so it wasn't obvious I had alerted Security.  As I approached grotto B where this had taken place, she was not there and the offenders were still harassing the Lions.  I was pretty bothered by this and it just escalated as the offenders then split into pairs and two went to harass the Tiger in grotto C and the other pair went to harass the Hippo.

I went back into the Lion House and asked the gal guard if she had seen the offenders I described.  She said she had and that she talked to them.  I said, "Well you didn't stay there very long as when I got there they were still... and then moved on to...   There are two of you in here, couldn't you stay and watch that they at least stopped and keep an eye on them?"  She was very rude and said she didn't appreciate me telling her what to do, she appreciated that I told her, but not that I was telling her what to do.   That's fine and I can understand that, but the fact still remains, the duty of her job was not fulfilled.  Unfortunately this is par for the course within how Security handles those who harass the Animals.  It continually sends the wrong message and so people just keep on, keeping on with harassing the Animals and its wrong. 

I left the Lion House disgusted and went back to Bears.  The Keeper was putting out new goodies for Pike who was about to be let into the Meadow for her fun time with the Snow!   The next two hours were nothing but the joy of watching Pike's joy.   That, is the only emotion that should be evoked on a Zoo visit.

Thank you to Ulu and Pike for saving the day! XO!