Saturday June 9, 2012 - Visit

It was a great visit until we witnessed a group of Orange T-Shirt wearing volunteers terrorizing a Peacock.  People are just evil and I don't understand why those who don't respect Animals even come to the Zoo, let alone volunteer to help there.  This large group were seen chasing and trying to corner the bird in hopes of catching it!  Yes, they were vocal about trying to catch it, and said, "I wonder if it will fit in my backpack. ... I'll have to cut it up if not." !!!!   OMG!  The later I hope was jokingly, but still Who says this?  Who says this when volunteering at a Zoo?!  Evil people that's who!  Shame on all of you.  If I knew your company name I would call you out!

Well, that deceiving sign (at Cats) about this particular yard being an "Enrichment" yard,  that I blogged about is gone.  Once again after I post about something, a change is made.  This is the third one (at least that I've made public) in a week's time.  

It made no sense as you can read in my other post 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/04/natural-living-space-enrichment.html

I guess they have also (at least for the moment) decided to keep the Lions in this yard, as the signage (I also posted about) was changed from Sumatran Tiger to African Lion.

Its all very brain curious as they were rotating yards for Enrichment purposes, but now they seem to now be settling into established yards?  Rotating was enriching, so I guess that is out now?    Hopefully the three Tigers still get to rotate as I think its essential for Shastyuh who seems to get restless.

Love this capture I got of a Guinea Fowl.  They are adorable little things who live in the Patas Monkey exhibit.  Earlier in the year I saw one on the Patas Lawn across from the exhibit.  I reported it and told them where it was headed.  Unfortunately it was never found?  as it was listed as missing in the report.  :(

My Precious Goober was happy to see us!

He gave many smiles and nose wiggles :)

I was once told by a Keeper that I was Enrichment for Goober!  You can see by his smile that this is TRUE!     My visiting Goob, enriches his life.  It makes me cry to be able to bring that to him.  I wish I could still visit him behind the scenes as I have been lucky to do.  I would sit there and give him tons of pats :)  ... Even though this Keeper who I was once friends with but now doesn't talk to me (I can only assume because she doesn't agree with my outspoken opinions and airing of truths), I will always cherish her words, as they are one of the best things anyone has ever said to me.

Pike was having a literal ball in the pool!  

Pretty Peccarie Ladies :)

Peony is the shy one, 

Poppy has fluffy cheeks,

Petunia is out in front :)

How cute is this little guy?  He is smiling because he is happy to be in the Toad Abode (in the Children's Zoo) and not out in the rest of the Zoo where all the Management mishaps and Visitor misbehavior happens :)

Check out my photosite for more photos from today!  (Will post them by Tuesday)
http://iamnotananteater.shutterfly.com/

FYI my post about the Duiker Disrespect is finally done.  Its in the "hold" space, following the other post in which I mentioned the Duiker situation briefly.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/disrespected-dukiers.html

Monday June 4, 2012 - Visit

Elly Has Been Oiled!  YAY!

Quick walk about, and news is, Miss Elly has been oiled!  Thank you!  

Elly had started looking chalky two weeks ago.

The last time she was oiled was the week of  April 29.  I have been posting photos of her in every visit post.  Mostly for the reason that she is pining for her passed companion  and  in recent visits, I have included mentioning the state of her skin.  I did a pretty lengthy posting on another blog (see below) about this as she had gone months without being oiled to the point she ended up with sores on her skin.  I don't want to see this happen again. 

In my last post, which was Friday June 1, I said,  "..maybe you will get oiled next week."   ... Guess I'm running the Zoo once again.   Its getting ridiculous that there are Zoo Staffers and yet there is stuff that goes either unnoticed or neglected?   Only to get done when pointed out by someone who doesn't even work there.  Maybe you need to hire someone who knows the Zoo, knows the Animals, has common sense and can point these things out, because obviously the people already working/volunteering there have no clue.  I'm still in shock about seeing that Snow Leopard training platform in that state and knowing it had been that way for a year!  

Seriously SFZOO, she needs to be oiled every four weeks.  Why is it you can't do this for her?  She has given you at least 14 babies, possibly a few more.   That means she was pregnant over 15 yrs of her life.  That seems like an excessive amount,  but she did it and she deserves to be pampered for life.  She wasn't being lazy while popping out those offspring for you, so don't be lazy with her care.  Why is it she only seems to get oiled when I blog about it or contact Animal Welfare and Control?  

My other posts:

http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-months-i-have-been-wanting-to-do.html

http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/10/update-on-dry-elly-situation.html

Not much more to say.  I posted photos to my photo-site and am trying to upload some videos :)

http://iamnotananteater.shutterfly.com

Welcome Taymor!

Taymor is the new male Sumatran Tiger!  Today was his third day out in the yard and luckily I got to see him!  When I first saw him, I was the only one there, so I said softly, "Hi Taymor"  and he looked at me and came out further :)  He is gorgeous!  

"Hi Kim"

"You Want To See Me?"

"Here I am!"

Thank you Taymor, you are a sweet boy :)

I didn't want to leave and not meet you today :)

Taymor was transfered to SFZoo from Jackson Zoo in Mississippi on a breeding recommendation with Leanne (given name Skylar).  He was born at the Sacramento Zoo November of 2006 but moved to the Jackson Zoo in 2008 along with his brothers, Emerson and Kipling.  At five years old they are of breeding age and are now all paired up with girlfriends.  Although, I have mixed feelings about the Zoo being allowed to breed any animals (especially in the Carnivore Department), I am very happy to finally meet Taymor.  He is going to be a wonderful Cat to know :)

Unfortunately rumor has it they have already disrespected poor Taymor and changed his name to Larry.   So, if you go looking for Taymor you will surely be told his name is Larry :(  and they are most likely forcing him to respond by a name other than the one he's had his whole life.  :(

Friday June 1, 2012 - Visit

Quick, but interesting Visit.

 Sky says Hi :)  

(Skylar aka Leanne)

 Poor Elly still Dry and looking for Gene :(

Maybe you will get Oiled next week Elly.

 Lion Ladies doin' the Tunya!

(The Tunya is footies in the air!
Male Lion Tunya started the craze :)

Hadn't seen Lions in this yard for months.

Snow Leopard training platform FIXED!

Thank you!

WOW!  that was quick! I blogged about it a week ago (see post from last Saturday May 26, 2012 - Visit) and its already fixed BRAVO!    Good grief one would have to wonder, Who is actually running the Zoo?  That would be me!  Seriously, maybe someone on your own team can note these issues next time.

There are many people in Animal Care, from the Curators to the Keepers.  There are Maintenance Workers, Docents, Volunteers, yet it seems I am the only one who ever see's stuff, whether it be issues with enclosures, visitors behaving badly, Animal behavior notices, whatever it is, my eyes are all over the place there looking to make sure everything is good.  Where are the eyes of the Staff?

This was a dangerous situation, that has been like this for probably a year.   This platform should have never been made this way.  Just plain lazy and irresponsible AND the whole thing should have been fixed like this when I first said something.  Not just band-aiding it with rocks, like the hazzard cone to keep Padang away from whatever was rubbing against her leg.  I had no idea there was a second L bracket exposed.  Good grief.  Seriously, who is making sure the Animals are safe?  Was it not enough that Padang allegedly scraped her legs raw on something to the point that it contributed to her death?  

Changing this subject because it makes me so upset.  I was happy to see the Chimps with Icee treats!  I hadn't seen this in a very long time.  Simple thing that brought them so much joy.  Should be a regular thing, like a couple times a week at least.  Chimps with minds close to humans, in my opinion can never have enough Enrichment.  These four are bored too often.   Living there over 40 years they deserve to get treats all day, everyday!  Look at their faces, who wouldn't want to see that all the time?

LOVE!  

I have never seen this face on Cobby :)

Maggie teasing Tallulah lol!

Tallulah (who I think finished hers inside) 

gave Maggie the gimme hand motion just a second before this

Minne really enjoyed hers!

I got a bunch of great snaps of her :)

RIP Margie and Sally - Llama and Ostrich Pass

Sadly during the past two weeks we lost two more Zoo Friends.  

 Forever Loved 

Forever Missed 

RIP Sweet Margie  XO!

RIP Lovely Sally  XO!

Admittedly there are certain Zoo friends that I don't know as well as others, the Ostriches are one.  I was lucky to meet these three ladies recently and according to my information this is a photo of Sally.  If for some reason I am mistaken I apologize to those who knew her.

Disrespected Duikers Plus!

I will try and not repeat too much that has already been posted, but I do want each blog post to stand alone.

In early 2010 the Zoo made several path closures, giving several reasons for them.   Par for the course as they make stuff up all the time to suit their own needs and often (by experience) to cover their bums.  Anyway, one such path I called Hoofstock Alley as the path was a walk through to the homes of three Hoofstock Animals, Duikers, Blackbuck and Muntjacs.  It ran from the Hippo to the old Black Rhino exhibit.  ... In the past two years, the Muntjacs have been shipped out and one senior female Blackbuck passed away.  

I loved Hoofstock Alley and visiting the peaceful Duikers and fun little Pokemon the Blackbuck.  I really missed not getting to see them once it was closed.  I was fortunate that on a couple occasions  Docents that I know brought me back there as they were allowed access with Visitors.  

I had been friendly with Pokemon for sometime and my heart broke for him once the closure happened.  He is imprinted on humans to the point that he can not be housed with other Animals.  That said, he is very social and likes the interaction with humans, in fact he needs the interaction.  In my opinion it is cruel that he is all alone with no interactions, human or animal (one of the Munjacs lived mesh to mesh with him).  In fact I've had Keeper's agree with me.  The only time he see's anyone is when Keeper's come to feed him.  Very sad. 

The last time i was lucky enough to visit him, he ran down from his shed when I said,  "Hi Pokemon!"  I stood there and visited with him for about 20 minutes, until the Docent wanted to leave.  He would have stood there all day enjoying the company.  My heart was breaking.  I love little Pokemon and wish I could visit with him again.

Sweet Precious Pokemon :)  

Love you cutie!

The Duiker situation happened after this last visit I had with Pokemon.  In my opinion, its just disrespectful to treat Animals with no empathy.  They have no regard for Pokemon's mental needs or for the Duikers emotional needs.  Yes, the Zoo will argue as some Animal professionals do that Animals don't feel the same way we do.  Baloney.  Anyone who has animals know they do.  They may not process it the same way, but that doesn't mean they don't feel.  That said, what happened with Lily the Duiker is all adjectives of horrible.

Such is the timeline:

Early 2010-  Several Zoo paths closed.

Mid 2010 -  Duiker Family welcomes second Son, Houdini.  ...  Zoo Director Tanya Peterson announces the birth to the Park and Recreation Commission at the monthly meeting.  Noting that she "hopes the babie is  visible soon."  Visible to whom?  The path is closed.  Just another untruth spewed.

Nov/Dec 2010- With her latest little one not even a year old, Mama, Lily is moved to the Savannah.  ALONE!

August 2011-  Papa, Erik and Son, Houdini (Son Java had already been shipped out) are moved to the former Warthog exhibit after the passing of Tibbits (Male Warthog).  

February 2012- Erik and Houdini are moved (AGAIN!).  Erik to the Savannah and Houdini to an off exhibit area behind the Giant Eland enclosure.

This is the situation as I see it.  The Duiker Family is doing fine as is, but since the Zoo had no plans to further breed Lily, they ripped her from her long time mate and son's, one not even a year old and stuck her out on the Savannah.  She was darted and woke up alone, to unfamiliar surroundings and unfamiliar animals. She spends the next year and a half alone and in hiding most of the day.  With the Warthog exhibit empty the Zoo decides to move Erik and Houdini there until the new Peccaries come.  Less than six months later they are darted again and moved.  Erik is moved to the Savannah and reunited with Lily.  So, Lily spent all that time scared and alone just because the Zoo is not empathetic to the animals.  AWFUL!  

I questioned in another blog post, why Lily couldn't be put on birth control implant and then be able to stay with her family.   http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/06/hoofstock-shuffle.html   Well, now that I hear she is possibly already pregnant, its obvious.  Her only value to them is offspring.  They certainly do not value her in any other way.  If they didn't want to put her on birth control because of breeding, they could have moved her to an area where she at least had mesh to mesh contact with her family, some other solution.  In my opinion the Zoo thought, hey, let's stick her on the Savannah and have a Duiker represented there.

My BIG concern/question now is, if/when she gives birth again, what's the plan?  Is the Zoo going to separate this pair yet again?  That would be AWFUL!  Sadly I can see them doing this.

Also, with the current state of the living situation, that had the Duikers huddled in a small "creep" space (I think that's what they call it) in the Savannah, what is the plan when there is a little one?    This is not an appropriate place for the Duikers to live.  They should not have to huddle in a small space, hiding from the larger Animals in the exhibit.  To quote from a recent post,
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/05/tuesday-may-29-2012-visit.html

"According to the sign, they "dive for cover under brush when startled" maybe this the Zoo's idea of Enrichment. Why can't they have their own enclosure?"

Is a Family of three supposed to huddle in this little space?  I know they don't have to, but they choose to, as they obviously don't feel comfortable on the Savannah.  Wonder if the babie decides to stretch its new legs and leaves the "creep" space?  Will it be in danger of the larger Animals?  It would certainly force Lily and Erik out to the Savannah, where they don't want to be.  Its just not good.  AND unfortunately if she is already pregnant the situation is what it is, because you can't (at least I would hope they wouldn't), dart a pregnant animal.  

Regarding Pokemon:  

He was recently moved to an off exhibit area connected to the Savannah.  A tree fell into the yard at his former home, so he was moved from the entire area.  It makes sense as there might be other tree danger and he was the only one left in that area.  The area is where the Zoo plans to build their new North American area (that's an whole other hot point with me).   

It would be nice if the area where Pokemon is currently living had a mesh fencing, instead of a solid wood wall.  His other area was open air fencing on all sides.  He is social and seeing people (even at a distance) or other animals, would be "Enriching" for him.  

Happy Birthday Spice Kids!

 Today the Spice Kid Triplets turn 11!

These three were born in one litter to Mama Ginger and Papa Seamus!  Both Ginger and Seamus were petite as is their daughter Paprika, but her bothers Basil and Nutmeg are big boys!  When I'd see Nutmeg hanging out with his mama it was hard to believe, but so much like a young son with his Mama :)  Paprika reminds me of her Papa :)  Basil can be seen often sitting on the step outside the stall where his Mama used to stay :)  They are very sweet Goats, as are all the Barnyard Friends.

Happy Birthday Nutmeg!

 Happy Birthday Paprika!

Happy Birthday Basil!