Observing Ulu in her new "Mt Ulu" home ;)

As I started this post earlier I had not yet seen what I just did.   That being a video the Zoo has posted to their youtube channel.   This is the blurb I just posted to my other blog http://mysanfranciscozooouttings.blogspot.com/

> July 4, 2013 - Well, well.  The Zoo has posted a video of Ulu going into her new home.  Its  wonderful piece because I love Ulu and am very happy for her!  BUT Debbie Marrin-Towey, Assistant Carnivore Curator who speaks on the video is such a hypocrite!  Hearing her talk about how exciting it is for everyone, because its going to improve the quality of life (for the Polars) makes me want to vomit.  When I was on my crusade to get the Andean Bear just a patch of grass/soft surface she point blank told me, "He doesn't need it" and  "He told me he didn't want grass", then laughing, like to was funny that he lived on concrete most of his life AND knowing that he had bone issues from such an existence.  Hey Debbie, what about the quality of Wishbone's life?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AuxdbggbGA

ADDED ...  I should have also included this link
http://projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com/

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Moving on.

Yesterday I saw Ulu in her new home!  I still believe this is an incomplete version of how best to make this renovation, but I was so happy to see her have access to a pool.  Allegedly she has not had access to a pool in the two months the construction has been going on.  Last week I observed her with dirt caked not only on her body but in her Eyes.  She was squinting and itching the whole time I was there.  I will do a following post on that soon (I hope).

Hi Uls!  I see you!

Again,  I still believe the loose dirt mounds are not the way the landscaping should be, but I am so happy to to see this expansion come to fruition.  Ever since I first posted the photo my friend Valerie Abbott took at the Detroit Zoo (see previous post), I have wanted this for these Bear Grottos. I have never liked the Bear Grottos.   I finally crusaded for changes in 2010, for the sake of Wishbone the Andean Bear, who was the only Bear who didn't have any access to a natural surface.  Those efforts were ignored.   It was only after the Zoo let Wishy die on concrete, did they do something.   So seeing this, I almost cried.  Just seeing Ulu with so much space around her was a wonderful thing.  It is bittersweet as I also thought of Wishy and how much he would have loved the opportunity to live on a soft surface.  But, NO ONE cared!  As well his companion Annie and Pike's companion Andy, both who died living their lives on concrete.  It is a disgrace that the Zoo never made getting these precious Beings off of cement and onto a natural surface, a priority.  Please read my 'project get wishbone grass' blog for all the details on the Zoo's lack of Empathy towards these Bears.  Modifications to these ancient Grottos should have taken place during the last twenty years, like what was done to the Big Cat Grottos.  No reason except for lack of caring.

Ulu was so happy! She was smiling the whole time I was there visiting with her.   I had to laugh as the first thing I noticed was the two huge holes in Mt Ulu lol!  I said, "Good job Uls!"  She's not only taking down the mountain, she's probably looking for her old pool!

Another issue with this loose dirt other than what I wrote in the previous post, is exactly what my afterthought was, she is just going to always be dirty.  I saw it while I was visiting her for over an hour and a half.  She'd go in the pool, be clean and then walk to the dirt to get inside and up to her shelf area and have it caked to her feet.  Ulu doesn't mind the dirt, she loves the Meadow.  Rolling in the grass and chopping on it (which obviously there is none for her here), she is often really dirty which comes off when she gets in the pool.  With the loose dirt, anytime she even walks into her night quarter access she is always going to have dirt stuck to her feet.  Unless they are going to have her night quarter access be thru Wishy's Grotto (the cement one) then there is no way for her to go inside for the night without having dirt all over her feet.  Which also means, anytime she has an itch or rubs her face, she will get dirt in that spot, and that spot will often be her eyes.

AND what happens when it rains?  Won't that loose dirt just turn to runny mud?  Its Just a big FAIL.

Checking out her new home while lounging in the shade.  Super dirty,(and itching) even just after a swim.  Poor girl. ... I will also note that I didn't see her walk on top of any of the dirt mounds, choosing to walk around them to get up to the shelf and into the night quarters.

Even though its not all that it should be, all that it could have been or can still be, at least it feels really open aired, having part of that wall down, makes it seem so unconfined by concrete.  Next they need to rotate Pike to the Grizzly Grotto and knock down part of the wall between her Grotto and the Meadow.    Speaking of the Meadow, with this new double wide space and the alleged transfer system, will Ulu still get to go to her beloved Meadow and will Pike get to enjoy the new expansion?

Uls says Hi!

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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

Mt Ulu - Polar Bear Grotto Renovation = Head Shake

The continuing saga of the Bear Grotto renovation.  I still have one post in draft, but I must post about what I saw during yesterdays visit.

First I will note that I started writing about the Bear Grottos in 2010 when I crusaded for the Andean Bear to get some grass.  No one cared about him.  After he died from complications from living on concrete, I wrote a blog post that included the photo below.  You can read the post in full here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-to-do-at-bears-not-question-but.html  As well, I wrote one last month that contains updated information.

 Detroit Zoo Bear Grotto 

Photo courtesy of Valerie Abbott

View her wonderful Animal Photos 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/

In the above mentioned post, I suggested the Zoo knock down the wall (as the Detroit Zoo did) between the Andean Bear Grotto and the neighboring Polar Bear Grotto, to make a double sized LANDSCAPED home for Ulu.  That would then give both the Polars daily access to landscaped areas.  Ideally when that was done, landscaping could be added to Pike's concrete Grotto.  The photo is pretty straight forward.  

Last week I saw the soil in huge mounds in Ulu's former home.  They had filled up Ulu's pool, which to start my gripe, I think was the wrong thing to do.  During this construction Ulu has been in the neighboring Meadow (the only shared natural landscaping the Polars have) for near two months.  If I was planning the renovation, I would have kept "her" pool so that she had something that was familiar and not just a completely new area.   BUT I care about the Animals on an empathetic level and the Zoo does not.

So, imagine my reaction yesterday when I saw the mounds of loose soil still there, but with seedling trees and newbie plants.  Apparently THIS was the extent of the landscaping!!!  Seriously???  

Sure its better than concrete BUT again, Seriously?  I'm sorry but this is outrageous.  They knock down a concrete wall to make more space and then basically put up a dirt wall.  I hate to be a hater, but this is the stupidest thing I think I've seen them do yet.  AND I heard it was a collaboration effort lol!  What it was, was a lazy effort.  Do they think Ulu needs to go on an expedition?

There is almost enough soil in there to cover the concrete surface of BOTH Grottos which I thought was the obvious whole idea.  To make a natural living space.  Not to make loose dirt mounds in one Grotto and leave the other concrete.  Ridiculous.  

As well, having mounds all over instead of flatter terrain, it creates obstacles that chop up the space, voiding it of the point of expansion. You can see from the view of this photo the mount smack in the middle of the yard.

From what I hear, the concrete Grotto will remain :(

When it should have been
completely landscaped with grass.

^ AND the Mt Ulu yard ^

Should have allowed for her familiar pool to stay

and the surrounding concrete be landscaped with grass.

Even with them not leaving her familiar pool, the reverse should have been the finished renovation.  there should be landscaping around the pool in the concrete Grotto.  The whole thing just looks a mess to me.  A real botched effort.

  

I can't believe that something so simple and obvious is such a brain drain for the Zoo Staff.  I just don't get it.  It's really upsetting.  Poor Wishbone died on concrete, because no one would give him grass.  And now they can't even get it right when they venture into a renovation.  What is the problem with landscaping these Grottos in a natural way?  Ulu don't need to be knee deep in dirt, she needs a grassy Meadow.  The only Bears to get anything that appears natural are the Grizzlies.  Thankfully the former Bear Keeper got that Meadow put in or the Polars would have NEVER seen grass in their life.  

This is pure laziness and being cheap.   AND its bullshit because they just spent money on a friggin' tiki hut above the Mandrills and a new exhibit for the Komodo Dragon, but they can't give Bears who have lived there for Thirty years some grass.  Makes me want to throw up.

UPDATE July 3, 2013 - Ulu is in the Mt Ulu home now.  Will post photos and info asap.  Please check back.

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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

Black Rhino Re-Named After 49er Ballplayer - What's Wrong With This You Ask?

OR maybe you aren't asking that at all.  Doesn't mean you shouldn't.

In January the San Francisco Zoo announced it would name its new Black Rhino after San Francisco 49er Alex Boone.  THIS move is a particular sore spot for me and of course I noted my opinion and reasoning in this blog post:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/01/sfzoo-does-it-again-renames-black-rhino.html

Last Friday, the Zoo hosted a naming ceremony.  As (they) expected it got them much Media attention.  I grabbed this quote from one news article.  

> “There are very few black rhinos left on this planet, so to have one named after me is truly an honor,” Boone said in a news release. “It’s awesome to share a close connection with a black rhino, but it’s even better that we can raise awareness for these endangered species through the Alex Boone Animal Education Project.” <

If Alex Boone actually cared about Animals, he would have, A- Asked if this Animal had a Name already and/or B- Opted to have this Animal keeps its given name out of respect for it.   Its ironic that he's an "offensive" player because I'm offended by this. I think Alex Boone should re-name one of his kids Belozi which is Rhino "Boone"s given name.  

I also know that I'm going to be in the minority in my feeling about this, because most people idolize celebrity and local ballplayers are considered gods in this town. That said, while it absolutely sickens me when Animals are renamed and I absolutely hate when its after a ballplayer, if its at birth, at least there is no real disrespect, which is my issue.  Naming the Newborn Langur Romo was a definite play for Media attention, but at least it was its true given name and like the re-naming of Tucker the Hippo, it wasn't the full name (Giants player Sergio Romo).

The Zoo does this renaming crap for the Money and Media attention it grabs.  No other reason.  And it works.  You can Google SFZoo Rhino Boone and read all sorts of fluff about how great it is to name an Animal after a ballplayer.  I doubt Belozi would agree.  And that my readers is the sad truth.  In fact here's a list of Animals who are sure to be very confused if they are ever transferred to another Zoo as they won't even remember their given names after being disrespected by the SFZoo.

Belozi  ( 5 yrs old)   Black Rhino now dubbed "Boone"

Tucker (10 yrs old)  Hippo now dubbed "Brian Wilson"

Shastyuh (12 yrs old)  Amur Tiger now dubbed "Martha"

Taymor  (6 yrs old)  Sumatran Tiger now dubbed "Larry"

On the 49ers website there is a link to donate to the Alex Boone Animal Education Project.  Don't get me wrong, I have no greif with the alleged Mission of this Project, in regards to providing the opportunity for Kids to come to the Zoo who might not otherwise be able to.  My issue is, the whole thing is presented and worded in a hypocritcal way, but that is no surprise as the text on the website seems like the same mumbo jumbo that comes out of the Zoo in their own press releases.  Either the Zoo wrote this or all PR is just a bunch of play on words with no real substance.

This paragraph is taken from the above mentioned link:

https://sf49ers.ejoinme.org/?tabid=435422

> Your contribution will go to the Alex Boone Animal Education Project, an initiative that brings local youth to the San Francisco Zoo to learn leadership and respect through the theme of animal wellness. It is the mission of the San Francisco Zoo to connect people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature and advance conservation action. <

What a crock.  Sorry to those who buy this, but frankly how can anyone teach another respect when they can't even respect an Animal by letting it keep the only name its ever known?  

Disgusting, the whole lot of them.  SFZoo and SF 49ers.

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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

SFZoo Animal Newsletter - Zoo Pats Itself On The Back

coming soon

Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Information

I have long had it planned to post this link for those who are interested in learning more about the Zoo.  When I first started researching the Zoo to learn all that I could, this was one of the resources I used.  I read every monthly entry, which dated back many years.  I want to say ten, but I'm not sure now and actually upon checking for the purpose of this post, I see it only goes back two years now.   I started in 2008, and at that time there was an extensive archive.

At this link you will find three tabs, Agenda, Minutes and Documents.  

http://sfrecpark.org/about/recreation-park-commission/joint-zoo-committee-documents/

Note that although information is supposed to be posted to this promptly, it sometimes takes time and even if you contact them, it doesn't happen in the 24 hours it says it will.

Agenda:  I believe is submitted prior to the Meeting, as it sometimes posted even when a Meeting is postponed or cancelled.

Minutes:  They tend to cover what is discussed only in part.  I have found this to be incomplete, as I have been to Meetings.   I wish there was a Stenographer or better yet a Video taken, much like what is done at the City Hall Commission Meetings.  

Documents:  These tend to be the more lengthy presentations by Zoo Staff, that are presented using a Power Point Presentation.

Posted in the Agenda and Minutes you will find a list in regards to Animal Updates.  Each month a list of Acquisitions and Dispositions is provided.   It is for the previous month than the Meeting.  These details are very important to anyone who is invested in the Animals.  I find this most useful because there are many Births and Deaths you don't hear about.  Since the Zoo itself does not note some of these events, (in my opinion for fear of scrutiny), having this information is valuable.  As well, even when I have known about events, the info I get these days is not confirmed because many of the Staff doesn't talk to me anymore.  

That said, one must also keep in mind that all information is provided by the Zoo Staff.  In regard to Deaths, there are no outside autopsies done, so we are at the mercy of the Zoo Staff for cause of deaths.  It has been my experience both in person at Meetings and via stuff I have read online, that information presented to the Commission has at times been questionable in accuracy.  But at least this provides general information.  ... In regards to Deaths, there never seems to be a follow-up on the ones noted as "pending".

Since this post was to provide the public of this resource, I will leave you with the latest Animal Update as an example.    This update is included in the May Agenda.  

 The notes for the May Agenda are:

Note that if certain Staff wasn't so paranoid and secretive, or full of vitriol for me, I would just ask these and other questions, although even then the information I'd probably get would be the "formed" story, which may or may not be the truth.

So, in reading these two items,  the things that are curious to me are that the Female Lion Tailed Macaque passed away (RIP Suana) in April, so now in May they have made the decision to transfer out the Male?  What's wrong with that you may ask?  Well, this species of Monkey has a life expectancy of twenty -thirty years.  This Animal was born at the SFZoo in 1989, so at nearly Twenty-Four years of age (considered a Senior) and the only place he's ever lived, I think he deserves to live out his life in the only home he's ever known.  If they want him to have a companion, bring in a Female.

The other entry of interest is that yet another Fishing Cat Kitten has died after only days after being alive.  I use the word yet, as this also happened in November (2012).  The anticipation of the first birth was evident with the cameras positioned at the nest box. I had seen her as a Kitten and looked forward to her being a Mama.  Very sad outcome.  I feel awful for Goldfish (Female Fishing Cat) and hope for her sake the Zoo does not keep trying to breed her and, if they do try again, they give her some time.

Polar Bear Grotto Construction Has Begun!

This post is a follow-up to this post (which should be read first for back story on the situation that is the Bear Grottos).  It is full of information and photos.
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-to-do-at-bears-not-question-but.html

This post was written on June 24, 2012.  In the wake of a year long crusade to bring grass to Wishbone's home (Andean Bear) and his death as a result of being forced to live exclusively on concrete (cement), because the Zoo could not find it in their cold hearts to let this Bear live on a natural surface.  I guess its true, they are only making an attempt at "Wellness" now.  RIP Wishbone.

I saw an idea that I wanted to post in hopes like other things I write, the Zoo would pick-up on and move on, to make the lives of the Polar Bears better.   Something they failed to do for Wishbone.

I suggested they remove the wall between and make the two concrete surfaced Grottos, one large landscaped area.  It would essentially take two things as I noted in that post.  First- Rig a new system so rotating all Bears between all Grotto's.  Second- Crack that concrete and landscape!   I sent this post to Sally Stephens, Chair of the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare, who sits on the panel of the monthly Joint Zoo Committee Meeting.   Read my next post for more information on what that is.

Four days later at the June 28th, 2012  Meeting:  ... excerpt from Meeting Minutes:

> Committee Advisor Stephens stated that a member of the public had contacted her regarding the bear grottos. With only two polar bears and the grizzly bears the suggestion was made to knock down the walls between two of the grottos to make a larger space. Stephens asked if there were any plans for the grottos. Peterson commented that there have been discussions along this line of combining the two end grottos. A structural engineer is looking at the feasibility as well as increasing the pool size in that area. Bocian commented that a transfer cage is being built which would allow moving the bears back and forth between the grottos. <

So, four days later and only when called out on it, they claim they are "in the process" of doing such about it.   <cough>   IF this was something they had in the works, they would have patted themselves on the back and paraded it out, just like the million times we had to hear about the new playground.

I am not a believer in coincidence.  This much like my suggestion to Director Peterson that the Zoo adopt Winter Hours has become "their own" within days of my suggesting it.  I don't really care as long as it gets done.

Note that this was a year ago and the transfer system had yet to be used prior to the construction (if even now).  Otherwise we would have seen more Grotto rotation in play.  ... I surely HOPE this system was not an untruth and that it, not only was built, but is now being used to allow Ulu access to a pool while this construction takes place and Pike access to grass during the same time.  Because heaven forbid they actually rotate the Polars to the unused and landscaped Grotto that the Grizzlies do not use during the day.  That all said, I also hope this doesn't take years like the Rhino exhibit renovation did, because Ulu is waiting for her new home to be built!   THIS is more important than the Playground!  Do Not Fail these Polars! 

Ulu listening to the construction in her home

and waiting to go back there.

Like I said, I hope the Polars are being rotated and Ulu isn't forced to sit in the farthest corner all day, everyday until this project is finished.   When this project is finished and with the new caging system, both Polars should then be able to rotate between the double wide Grotto, the Meadow and Pike's current concrete home (which should be landscaped next).

....

Although I missed the capture, it was a joy to actually see part of the wall fall to the ground!  I will be interested in seeing how they secure and cap the end of the wall when done.  I will really jump for joy when that awful un-natural surface of concrete is broken to bits and re-surfaced with landscaping like the current meadow.   Hopefully THAT is part of the plan, because otherwise this is useless.

Note to Zoo, if you expand the pool, well even if you don't, please build it up to look natural like what was done in the Grizzly Grotto.

construction from the side, 

long view of first and second Grottos

straight on view of wall coming down

Seriously, if I hadn't made this suggestion I believe the Zoo would have let Wishbone's Grotto languish with the sign of  "re-design", indefinitely.  OR thrown some wood chips down and tried to bring in another Bear they could force to live on concrete.  Its actually surprising to me that this is finally getting done.  Although I did question in a recent post when this would happen, maybe that got the ball rolling?  

Post:  http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/03/more-words-from-cough-heart-from-san.html

Excerpt:  

> Not long ago someone relayed a blurb in an internal Zoo email in regards to the future Bear Grotto plans.  ... The part that struck me about what I was told was a quote from the Zoo's illustrious leader Director Tanya Peterson.  After sharing the future plans she added, "This was made possible by the passing of the Spectacled Bear."   Nice Tanya, Nice.   I'm sure Wishbone is looking down glad he was able to help you out by dying.  You're probably waiting for the Polars to die too before you do anything to get those animals off concrete.<

Questions for Friday (May 31st, 2013)

So as I sit here attempting to finish replying to all the appreciated comments recently, and finish some posts in the works, there are a few things swirling that don't require their own post, but I need to purge.  Another post is born.

So, yesterday I went to see the new Giraffe Calf.  You can read about the two new girls in the post

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-giraffe-girls-are-here-but-where.html

With this set-up, the question still begs,

Where is Lily the Mother Duiker and her Calf?  

I have posted this question three times now to the Zoo's Facebook page and have yet to get an answer. 

......

While on the subject of the Disrespected Duikers, which ofen goes hand in hand with Why can't we see Pokemon (Blackbuck), I wonder why can't this space be used during the day for Pokemon?   He is rumored to be behind the wall of this area which is the Ostrich night quarters.  If that is so, why can't he be visible during the day in this area?   Pokemon has lots of Fans!  Give us some Pokemon face-time!

......

The Zoo continues its trend of not educating the people who work there.   As I stood and watched new girl Amani, a Visitor posed a question to the Staffer there observing.   She asked about Reticulated Giraffes (the kind that SFZoo has) and if there were other kinds.  The Staffer fumbled for an answer before just saying, ".. they have different patterns".    It amazed me that someone who works at a Zoo doesn't even know there are other types of Giraffes and at least the name of another species, such as the Masai, which are also kept in captivity in North American Zoos.

Bititi and Amani, becoming best friends :)

 

......

I was surprised to see this being constructed.

It looks nice, and note I know nothng about the reason behind it or what its final state will be, but I will go on record saying I sure hope its an - Enclosed Viewing Area -  by this I mean that the sides that border the exhibits are going to be barriered with plexi/glass, that also extends along the existing "fencing" barrier.  This barrier is about waist high and allows Visitors to hang over into the exhibits of both the Patas Monkeys and the Mandrills.  I have posted about issues I have with many barrier breaching incidents and other breachable spots.  Too many Animals are vulnerable to Visitor misbehavior and in my opinion perimeter additions made to exhibits should be to benefit the Wellness of the Animals and deter this behavior.  So, I certainly hope that this "hut" is not just a - pretty thing for Humans - .