Some Details About How Maki The Lemur Was Found

Curiously, or maybe not, there has still not been an update from the Zoo that Maki has been found. ... Would have liked to have seen a semi-immediate post, something like, .. Maki has been Found!  No further details at this time, but Thank You for all the concern and good thoughts. ... I don't understand why it's been over three hours since the first Twitter post by a member of the public and the Zoo has not updated the worried public.  Disappointing.

Thank you to the member of the public who saw him and called the sighting in.  And to all involved in bringing him home.  

Thank you DalyCityPD 

for the update!

Precious little guy, he looks scared. Glad he is safe.  DAMN whoever put him through this traumatic experience.  May Karma come down on you hard!

photo DalyCityPD

Thank you to SFPD for this link via a Twitter update.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

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Breaking News! - Maki Is Home!!! - Stolen Lemur Found Safe!

Crying tears of joy and relief!

As the sun set I thought, another night Maki not with his family.  Continued saying prayers and sending live his way.

I searched for news updates. None from Zoo or SFPD.  Then searched both on Twitter.  That was the ticket!

Saw this six minutes after it was posted.

No other details available at this time.

So happy!  He looks good. Hope he is found to be healthy and no lasting effects of this traumatic event.

Hoping they catch the Demon who took him.  Won't say anything further.  Those who know me know what I'm thinking.

Welcome Home Maki!  Love You!

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Appeal To Whoever Stole Maki The Lemur - Read This!

I obviously don't know the motive behind this cruel crime, but I would bet the perpetrator does not know how to care for Lemurs.  I can only hope they care enough to keep him healthy and safe.

Was he taken to be a Pet?  To be sold into the Exotic Wildlife Trade?  Whatever the reason, caring for and feeding any Animal is an individual and delicate plan.  In Maki's case whoever has him, must know by now, he is of advanced age, which is even more concern that he is properly cared for.

Zoo's work close with Duke Lemur Center.  This page from their website refers to reasons why Lemurs do not make good Pets.  Below link I've copied some relevant text excerpts.

https://lemur.duke.edu/about/not-a-pet/

Lemurs are expensive

According to the American Kennel Club, keeping the average dog healthy and fulfilled will set you back $15,000 over a typical thirteen-year lifespan. By contrast, if cared for properly, prosimians in human care can live 25 years or more. Here at the Duke Lemur Center, the health and general welfare of one lemur can cost upwards of $200,000 over its lifespan—and we get to buy food in bulk.

Lemur vet care is hard to find

Think of how often dogs or cats get sick and are taken to the vet; lemurs are no different. Yet very few veterinary hospitals will treat primates because of the possibility of disease transmission to humans and risk of injury to staff. “Lemurs’ teeth are made for slashing,” says Cathy. “Lemurs are also strong, so they can be difficult to control.”

Recently a pet lemur owner requested help diagnosing toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection) via the DLC Facebook page, because “all the vets I work with don’t do exotics.” Even among exotic animal veterinarians, many refuse to see primates; those who do often know very little about lemurs’ diseases or how to treat them.

Caring for lemurs is hard work every day

... Even providing a lemur with a proper daily diet is complicated. Owners occasionally contact us, already having purchased a pet lemur, with no idea what to feed it. In one case, the owners of a ring-tailed lemur named Milo were feeding him pizza and ice cream. In a reality television show filmed in eastern North Carolina, a lemur is shown eating a slice of bacon.

That pet lemurs tend to have serious nutritional problems from being fed inappropriate diets exacerbates the problem of limited access to qualified veterinary care. Unfortunately this can lead to privately-held pet lemurs developing a host of illnesses, including obesity and diabetes, and dying prematurely.

Please return Maki back to 

his Caregivers and Family.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Praying For The Safe Return of Our Lemur Maki

I'm interrupting the flow of the sixteen posts I have in draft, to say a few things about the news out of the Zoo late yesterday.  It's national now, but this is the first article out yesterday.

screencap from

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Lemur-on-the-loose-Primate-reported-missing-from-15648458.php
 

I had not planned to write about this, as it is not the Mission of this blog, or my position to break sensitive news.

First thing yesterday, I saw Police on site.  Gathered near the Lemurs with Zoo Staff, I knew something was not right. ... I didn't know whether the Zoo was going to make a public statement about it, but since it has, I want to include it.

Once I knew what happened, I just felt incredible sadness.  This poor innocent Being, ripped from his home and family, into who knows what kind of situation.  Poor Maki must be so scared.  My heart breaks for him.  I worry for his family too, who probably wonder what happened to him, and themselves traumatized by an intruder. ... Then I felt so much anger for anyone who played a part in his disappearance.  For decades I have not been a fan of people, and that has grown increasingly over the years and has culminated during this time of Covid with the extreme level of self-entitled behavior I see everyday.  I'm sick of it.  

Why would someone do this?  Why don't people have empathy and think about how cruel an action like this is.  Immediate memories of when teenagers stole two Koalas in 2000, for their Girlfriends, and the disappearance of Banana Sam nine years ago, for reasons unknown.   For some reason this seems more sinister.  Maybe because of all the illegal Wildlife Trade that is in our face on social media everyday.  I hope I'm wrong and some kid realizes the danger he has put poor Maki in, and he is safely returned home. 

In addition to the question why, there's the how and the subsequent, who.  Unfortunately I always make the mistake of reading social media comments.  Far too many jokes about this on Twitter.  It really bothers me that people would think this is something to joke about.  Other comments included, "inside job".   * I don't know about that, or feel comfortable sharing my theory of possibility, but an obvious thought is that you have to look at anyone not on staff who has knowledge about how these Animals are housed. ...  I hope that the Zoo has decent camera coverage around the perimeter, as well as other key points and that the Police are accessing street cams.   I would think there has to be footage of trespassers gaining entrance to the Zoo.

There was also a comment blaming Keepers. I know these Keepers and they love the Animals in their care.  I know how I feel, and this has got to be beyond upsetting for them.  For anyone to suggest a Keeper would do this is, isn't thinking about why Keepers get into this profession.  Most Keepers, especially those working under stressful environments, like our Zoo is at times, only stay because of their love for their Animals.  

While I have just talked about Keepers, I want to suggest to the Zoo something that came to mind after reading the initial news article.  Staffer Jason Watters notes that in addition to Maki's advanced age, he needs a special diet.  I think it would be advantages to put out a statement of care, so until the person who took him comes to their senses and returns him, he can receive as close to decent care and diet as possible.  Consider doing a video, preferably made by a Keeper, talking about Maki, how much he means to them and his Lemur Family, noting do's and don'ts, including what not to feed him, and what could be found in our local markets that he can and should safely eat.  It could only do good in keeping him as well as possible until he gets back home. 

Hoping everyone who reads this sends good thoughts and prayers precious Maki's way, and that we hear good news soon.

Plea to whoever has him, please do the right thing and allow him to come back home to his caregivers and family.  Contact authorities and return him safely.   Thank you.

* Note: If you are reading this again after the original posting, you may notice that I made some changes to the wording.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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The Longest Night - Day Darkness at the Zoo - 9.9.20

The Day of Darkness was one of my reserved days.   As the morning went on, and no daylight appeared, I wasn't sure if the Zoo would even be open.   Glad it was.  It was pretty cool to be there for this possibly once in a lifetime event.  Unfortunate circumstances for this to occur, so hopefully Northern California never has wildfires this bad again, that would allow for a repeat performance. 

It had started to get a bit lighter about 9:30a, so when I arrived, it wasn't too dark, but just the heavy orange sky.  The dusk appearance made it felt like the old event, Member's Night.  I walked most of the grounds, to document how it looked and what the Animals were doing.  By 11a it started to get dark and by Noon it was like nighttime.  

The Animals looked a bit confused.  Of course I went to Chimps first, and for the first time I was able to see into the Dayroom from the path window with no glare!  They looked at me like, What are you doing here at night?  The Peccaries were the most curious.  All four lined up and stared at me, again like, What the heck?

These are my clips put together in three parts.  Some might be interesting, some might not.  A friend who watched part one, said it was, "Fascinating... eerie."

Part One: Entering, thru Apes, Chimps, Orangutans, One Horned Rhino, Cats, Black Rhino, Hippo, Peccaries, Wolves, Bears, Puente, Komodo, back to Apes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt4-d0voTyQ

Part Two: Chimpanzees in yard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWFfHTlXNs8

Part Three: Savannah, Gorillas, to Children's Zoo, Farm, and out. ... Note through the trees in CZ you can see the actual orange color of the sky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZXvg6AmVo

I left just after 1p and it looked like it was 9p.  Not much orange sky at that time, but nighttime darkness. ... By 2:30p there was a weird daylight breaking through.

While it was a cool experience, despite the reason for it, there were also a couple of odd feelings in certain places.  One in the moment and one in hindsight. While filming at Cats, the lighting appearance of sundown, brought on a quick snip of a vision of the events of Christmas 2007.  Sadness for Tatiana came over me, so I quickly stopped filming and moved on.  Then, while playing my files to put together the videos, when viewing from Peccaries to Wolves, I realized how isolated I was in the dark, at the far end of the Zoo. It reminded me of when a visitor entered the Grizzly Bear enclosure in  November 2009.  At the time, I was outraged that visitors were still allowed to roam the Zoo in the dark, two years after Tatiana.  This was before I started cranky blogging, and instead wrote emails to the Director.  This one asked if she was waiting for another tragedy, noting that visitors should not be allowed to be in the Zoo, around Animal enclosures, in the dark and that the Zoo should be closed earlier when the time changes to Standard Time.  Director Peterson proposed a Winter hour schedule at the next Joint Zoo Committee Meeting.  ... That all said, there I was, wandering about in the dark, not a staff member in sight.  In hindsight, I'm bothered the Animals were left vulnerable during this day darkness.  I would have liked to see someone posted at breachable enclosures.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

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Update on Mama Peahen and her Chicks - Their Sad and Unnecessary Fate

Mama and Her Four Babies 9.2.20

I wanted to do an update last weekend, but I didn't get to viewing a putting together all my video clips in time.  The clips include some nice footage of another Peahen and her Chicks, as well as the complete events that happened to the Mama Peahen and Chicks that are the subject of this upset.  Clips are of the joy when I first saw this Family, of them being booted from safety, and of Mama frantically trying to find a new safe place for her babies. 

That video is done and can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfiwwsd36QU

The last time Mama was spotted was Thursday September 10th.  She had only one babie left.  My heart breaks for her.  She didn't have to watch three of her babies die.

As of Wednesday September 16th, the Patas Enclosure was still empty.  That Family could have stayed safe in there and all the babies would still be alive. 

Update video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Po7ynf22R4

This whole situation was irresponsible in the management of Animals in the San Francisco Zoo Collection.  The action was cruel and shameful.  Those in Zoo management responsible will surely not like these words, but as always, I'm just relaying the facts.  The action was theirs. 

I inquired to several other AZA Zoos with free roaming Peafowl, about their management protocol, as well as the AZA, about Peafowl Management guidelines.  I asked the general question without giving any details as to why I was asking, other than that I was doing research.  I didn't expect to get a reply from the AZA as they never respond to inquiries.   I did get replies from Zoos.  Only one followed through on providing information. 

I thought their response was top notch in detail as well in their protocol for Peafowl Management. 

> "Our peafowl are somewhat managed.  We will make fake eggs to limit how many hatch.  We will do nest checks and replace any fertile eggs with fakes.   When chicks do hatch there are several factors on if the peahen is permitted to free roam with the chicks.  Some factors would be if the hen has successfully raised chicks before, how many chicks, the color of the chicks and how many predators we believe are in the area.  If necessary we will pull the hen with the chicks and give them time to grow.  We have also raised some chicks ourselves if necessary 

Our peafowl are fed twice a day and they know where to come.  They get gamebird chow, cracked corn, greens, fresh fruit and veggies.  They also enjoy leftovers from our parrots and know where to beg for bugs and peanuts. 

We do have some "special" peafowl that are locked up every night or on very busy days for their safety.  This group is also protected from bad weather and given a heat source when it's very cold.  The other peafowl without any issues prefer to roost high in trees.  During bad weather they usually find a barn to hang out in and are fine.  Most of our peafowl are banded with different colors so we can identify them and know if one doesn't seem right. 

We recently had a peachick hatch with splayed legs.  We intervened and banded it's legs.  It's doing well and is with its mother." <

As you can see, much different than the way our poor Peafowl are treated. 

SFZoo does not protect Mother's and their Chicks, does not feed Peafowl, and does not provide them shelter.  Seemingly something needs to change with Peafowl management and in the Bird Dept.

Praying Mama still has her one babie.

Related post:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/09/what-is-going-on-newborn-peachicks-and.html

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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What Is Going On?! - Newborn Peachicks and Mama Booted From Safety

This incident happened last Tuesday.  I was so upset that I planned to sit in my car after leaving the Zoo and write this post.  I usually don't write blog posts anywhere but home.  They take alot of time and energy, so Id rather be at home and comfortable, but I was absolutely outraged at the lack of compassion that I just witnessed, I was ready to go off the cuff. I needed that immediate outlet.

As I made my way out of the Zoo I kept running into people I knew, and since I was fuming, the only thing I had to talk about was what had happened.  Every person I talked to agreed, This was wrong. 

That morning as I approached the old Patas Monkey enclosure, to check if it was inhabited yet (more on that in a bit), I saw a Mama Peahen and Four Teenies inside.  Gosh they were cute.  I hadn't seen Peachicks that small in many many years.  They weren't there the day before, so they must have hatched overnight?  I spent the next hour or so gushing over them and taking many photos and videos. ... I haven't uploaded that footage yet.

I noticed right away that the door to the Keeper area was open.  Nearing that hour mark, I saw two Keepers inside the exhibit.  Soon, they started motioning to the Mama and Chicks, herding them toward the door.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  These newborn babies were being led to the path.  

Let me say, I don't blame the Keepers, they take orders from their bosses. I'm sure I know but will leave it at saying, whoever did make this call, shame on you.  There was a more compassionate way to do this, and that would have been to wait.

Once the Family got to the gate, it was opened and they were shooed out, and the gate closed behind them.  

I was there every step of the way, and documented the whole thing.  My heart was breaking for this Mama.  She was so upset, one minute she's in a safe environment with her new babies and the next minute she's pushed out onto the path where people are coming up to her, one little kid was about to throw rocks at her babies.  It was just awful.  She started making distressful sounds, that sounded almost like bird screams but on the level of a whimper, as she tried to keep all her babies next to her, while maneuvering past tons of people on the path, looking for a safe place for her babies.  

She had a safe place.  WHY was she kicked out of it? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btbezK1vCsI

A bit of back story.  The Patas Monkeys, also got the boot.  They were sent to another Zoo two years ago.  This enclosure has sat vacant since the day they left.  

Two weeks ago, some staff were working in there, clearing out the overgrown landscaping.  I asked them if someone was going in there and was told the (Bald) Eagle.  What?!  I was shocked and initially bothered that Sureshot was being removed from her longtime home at Eagle Lake.  I don't like displacement, but after thinking about it and imagining her in there, I thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad, as she would have alot more room.  ... The catalyst for the move is allegedly a drama between her and the Pelicans.  It seems logical, as the Zoo unnecessarily doubled its Pelican population a few years back and there isn't enough land for a dozen plus Birds.

So, Sureshot has been off exhibit I think about three weeks.  And that day, Tuesday, probable Hatch Day, was THE day they decided to put Sureshot in the Patas Enclosure. 

Here's my grief.  The exhibit has been vacant two years.  Sureshot has been off exhibit maybe three weeks.  What was the hurry?  They couldn't wait a day?  a few days?  a week?  It had to be done THAT day? Why?  ... Nothing is ever done there in a hurry, Why this?  Orangutans sat in the caged tube for eight months and still have no home of their own.  Squirrel Monkeys lived in cages in a concrete room for four years, never going outside.   And NOW they are in a hurry.  

I understand that the Peafowl are free roaming, and usually have their babies wherever and then live out their journey of survival roaming about the grounds.

But, this Mama chose a place she felt was safe, since there was nothing going on in there for years.  So, at that point, she should have been left alone, at least for a few days.  Not kicked to the curb, less than a day after her babies hatched.  Unbelievably Cruel.  

Part of the Zoo's Mission Statement includes the word CARE.  I do not see Care in this situation, or many others for that matter.  There has been too many instances where there is No Compassion, No Empathy, and it's disturbing.

The thing is, the Peafowl are part of the Zoo's collection, yet they treat them like they are wild.  Why, because they are free roaming?  They get medical care, but other than that, they are left on their own to find food and shelter.  It has always bothered me that there is not one area that they know to go to for food supplement if needed.

I now think there should be a place where Mama's and Babies can be relocated together, and protected from Predators until they are a decent size to survive.  Why are they just left out to wonder and possibly get preyed upon?

There has to be a space.  I immediately thought of two.  First, the day before, I saw for the first time, four Peachicks at the Farm.  These Chicks are a couple months old.  They are in the renovated old Turkey enclosure.  They stay in the coop, but when bigger will have access to the yard.  It's unclear, but it seems they were separated from their Mama's and brought there to be cared for, for their survival.  I don't support separating babies from Mama's, unless they aren't being cared for.  So, while I like the use of this space, and the theory (protection), I'm bothered that the Mama(s) weren't brought into safety as well to care for their Babies.    

That all said, many thoughts come to mind.   One being, Why were these babies protected but so many before and now after are not?  Something needs to change with this protocol. 

After learning the four young Peachicks do not go outside to the yard because of predators, it was obvious this was not an option as is, so out for immediate use.  I wondered, if the yard could be fenced in to create a second predator proof space?  Then this could be a place for other Families (Mamas and Babies) to be protected until old enough to survive free roaming.  It would also create a space for rotating and one group wouldn't have to be exclusively locked in the coop. 

The other thought is, last year during the Newcastle Disease scare, all the Peafowl were rounded-up and taken off roam.  Maybe the space they were housed in then could be an option.  It just seems like there has got to be a place to make this happen, so these Mama's can raise their Babies and not see them fall victim to predators.   

I was so upset when I left, I didn't want to go the next day, but I wanted to check on the babies, and see if Sureshot was moved in. ... As of Wednesday, I was so happy to see all four babies had thankfully survived the night.  Not so happy to see that the enclosure was still empty. 

There was NO reason that Family had to be shoved out that day.  There is no excuse.  It's Shameful.

Praying they have stayed safe.  

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I know some people aren't going to like the title of this post, but the thing about that is I am not alone in these thoughts or most that I have.  After venting my upset to someone about what happened with the Peafowl Family,  I said, WHAT, is going on (here)?! They said, What is going on? I said, Right? They said, THAT's your blog title!  Then I saw someone who also grew up coming to the Zoo.  At one point during that conversation, they grabbed their head and said, What is wrong with the Zoo?  These weren't the only two instances.

I'm thankful I know many like minded people.  While it would be easier on our souls, we don't wear rose colored glasses.  Seriously, there have been so many things that just aren't right, when talking to each other, we all just know what is meant by that line.  It's unfortunate and sad.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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