Animal Updates - Facts, Comments and Thoughts - Including Jaguar Video

Have had this post sitting in draft for three days.  So, starting with this past Tuesday, since that's where I left off.  I have finally seen Tikal the Jaguar!  He is beautiful.  I got some nice video footage of him, here's the link to the first one.  If you're interested in more, check my channel there are three others, in addition to one of Raj the neighboring Snow Leopard.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G72q0vPuffQ

When I got to the enclosure, Tikal was not out and I thought my fourth try at seeing him was also going to be a bust.  Animal Staff were about to enter the enclosure to put up some full tree branches to limit the visual vantage points between Tikal and Raj.  A friend who was there Saturday, said that she thought Raj was exhibiting upset about his new neighbor.  That turned out to be true and when I got there Monday, Tikal was off exhibit to give them both a break.  

Raj watching what Keepers were doing.

I was told he would be out after noon.  Came back round and got lucky!  He had just come out.  He walked toward the fence early on, and I said Hi to him.  He came closer and gave face-time, a few times, as well as rubbed his jaw on fence and chuffed.

He did seem focused on trying to view Raj. From Raj's side, there were still some vantage points, and it appeared he was able to catch glimpes, which kept him moving about rapidly for the most part.

Tikal tried to bug on the branches a bit to get to the window, but the set-up was pretty sturdy.  This and a bit of pacing at the fence line, but in general he seems very comfortable in his new home.  Curiously there was a purple cabbage on one of the platforms.  I was wondering, does this carnivore like veggies, or is it to play with?  Found out, it was the later.

Anyway, hope Raj starts to feel less stressed, because it doesn't seem like Tikal will be moving to one of the Cat Yards too soon.  Otherwise, maybe Tikal needs to move to FCC and the Twins brought back down.  

There are plans to modify a Yard for Tikal, as Jaguars are jumpers, but even if modifications are done, there is still the fact that a female Lion is on the way, and until introductions to Jasiri are successful, she needs an enclosure.  This of course could all have been avoided if we had more Cat Yards.  I previously wrote about the logic or rather lack of, in turning four Cat Yards into two.  Cats are sleeping or resting twenty hours a day, so only one yard needed to be expanded and used on rotation.  That would have left two single yards.  If we had those right now, there would have been room for both the new Lion and the Jaguar (Tikal).  The Snow Leopard (Raj) would not have had upset, and the Snow Leopard twins would not have had to move off exhibit.  I wish things were more thought out there, but it seems with the current Director, that is just never going to happen.  Literally a handful of fails just went through my mind as I typed that sentence.  Orangutans.  Madagascar.  Patas.  Tamarins.  Snow Leopards.  

Speaking of Orangutans... Last week, into this, there was maintence noise in the middle grotto.  By yesterday I saw a new platform added to the current structure.  That's a letdown as they already have a platform structure.  Why can't anything new and exciting be built for these friends?  When they had to cut down the current structure because of rust rot, I wrote a post questioning why they just didn't level it and build a tree like structure for climbing.  There is no lack of sturdy trunks and talent to build such a structure.  I noted ideas taken from my own imagination, as well as photos taken from searching my ideas and seeing similar in other Zoos.  Additionally as I stood visiting my friend Claudia the Condor yesterday, staring at the fabricated tree, I thought, why not something like this but taller with circular landing pads and natural branches?  

I just don't get it.  Why have the Orangutans seemed to be pin pointed to get the shit end of stuff?  It's really disturbing.  My heart continually breaks for them.

Speaking of Claudia, I had not noted her moving from FCC back to the main Zoo.  Happy to be able to hang-out with her every visit now.  She's been off exhibit over four years and I only saw her once during that time.  We had been besties since her arrival and thankfully that friendship has resumed.  Last week she was up on the tree and flew down to greet me.  Very exciting as I think it was the first time I've seen her fly and it was amazing!

Another feathered friend is also back on exhibit, Quetzal the Spectacled Owl is now in his new home at the Puente.  Zoo team did a great job renovating this area for him.  Happy to get to see him again regularly.  

Now if only they can find a space for Hercules the Great Hornbill. ... Also I'm not happy at all to report that Zabebu the White Cheeked Turaco has left the Zoo to a Private Owner.  He was a special friend,  always came to greet me, often with his beautiful wings out-stretched.   My friend Grace caught this greeting!  I miss visiting with him.  I hope he's happy in his new home.

Planned a Primate Center update two weeks ago but didn't get that far.   Heard these moves were pretty recent, but I didn't see them til a couple weeks ago.  It had been over a month since I last walked through the Primate Center.  I was surprised to see the acrylic boxes across from Sifaka occupied.  They were last home to the last Squirrel Monkey, and two species of Tamarin before that.  Good to see life in them again, even though used by more than one species seems too small to me.  That said, if occupying these spaces is happening outside of the ridiculous Madagascar project, Why were the Tamarins, and the Patas Monkeys for that matter, both transferred out?  That was a huge fail that left the Zoo without three Primate species for over five years now.  Any Zoo with little to no Monkey species is not good management.  

The new inhabitants are, one of the Sloths (the one that was in the Lion House), Red Footed Tortoise (last seen in Tropical Building), and Yellow Crowned Amazon Parrots.  The later were the ones rescued last year as ten-week old chicks, that had been confiscated from smugglers.  They were being hand-raised behind the scenes in the Tropical Building, and this may be their first time on view.  I hope these are temporary because the Sloth's area gets smaller with each move, and doesn't seem like enough area for Tortoise or three Parrots. 

Penguin Juveniles in Otter Pool.  Have heard this is temporary, and these yearlings will move back to the Island after the new hatchlings are moved off exhibit to fish school.

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Tikal Photos! - Jaguar Enjoying His New Home

A friend of mine was lucky enough to see Tikal, our new Jaguar.  She let me share her photos. Thank you Grace!  Aside from one in the email newsletter, I haven't seen any of him in his SFZoo enclosure, so this is a treat!  I can't wait to see him myself!  

Hi Tikal!

She said, he is gorgeous, and was interested in seeing his neighbor Raj, the male Snow Leopard.  She was surprised by how much of his tail is missing.  I mentioned in a previous post, without going into detail that he and the female in Sacramento didn't get along.  What I didn't say, but will now be obvious, was that she actually bit his tail off.  I felt very sad for him hearing that. Poor guy. Thankfully he survived that attack.  

After seeing my friends photo of his tail, it's shorter than even I imagined.  The female really did a number on him.  I hope we don't acquire her.  He don't need to see her ever again, even through caging.

I also hope I never see a Jaguar tail being hauled out for education.  That would be in severe poor taste.  I've seen docents in the past stand right in front of the Snow Leopards with a tail, and it's disturbing.   Recounting that now reminds me of the time, the Lion paws were brought out and the cart keepers held it up so people could high five it.  It was disrespectful and horrifying.

Hoping I see him tomorrow.  I love him already and have affectionately dubbed him our sweet Bobuar 😊   

Check back here tomorrow evening, I aim to get video of him to share and if I do will link it here.

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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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New Lion News! - Jasiri's New Girlfriend Identified!

I learned two things yesterday that I couldn't share til I was near 100% sure about. One detail, had me busy last night compiling a list of female Lions who could possibly be Jasiri's new companion.  I had sixteen on that list.  After some research this morning on each one, I narrowed my list to four.

I just saw the Joint Zoo Committee Agenda for this months meeting next week. Based on that, I'm pretty sure I just confirmed this beautiful little girl from my short list, will be headed here, and hopefully soon.  Tears of joy are flowing, I'm so happy for Jasiri.  I can't wait for her to get here! 

Meet Lulu!  

The first thing I noticed when I saw her is that she's a blondie, like Jasiri and his Mama Sukari.  Her Mama and two brothers appear to have the light gene as well.  When I first saw Sukari, her stunning coloring stood out.  I saw her at a distance and thought she resembled a Mountain Lion.  One of her daughters gave birth to a white cub, though he eventually turned blond.

Lulu was born at Lee Richardson Zoo in Kansas, along with four brothers, on May 17, 2015.  Both she and Jasiri are eight years old this year.  It will be wonderful to see him have a companion his age to play with.  She has lived her whole life with her Mama and Papa, so I hope she won't have too difficult a time adjusting to this huge change.  

I'm sure Sukari will be resting peacefully once her boy is no longer alone.

I hope she can quarantine on exhibit in the C/D Cat yard.  Even though there has been conflicting information on whether the Jaguar will eventually move into that space, I hope the Zoo will hold off on that (and possibly acquiring a female Jaguar) until full introduction between Jasiri and Lulu is complete.  With limited Cat Yards, this seems the only way to allow Lulu a decent amount of space until she begins sharing A/B Yard with Jasiri.

I noted the Yards the way I did because it's the logical space for each, not because that's what the Zoo intends to do.  Jasiri and Sukari have lived in A/B almost exclusively for a year, I think he should stay there.  And, he does like the windows and heated rock.  I mentioned in a  previous post I hadn't seen him at the window in a longtime, but that's changed.  As for C/D, I think the straight across length of that space would benefit a species like the Jaguar more, as they are runners.  Anyway, just my opinion.

With all the new Cat news, will I ever get to that damn Madagascar post before it's fifth year in draft moves to six?

It's All Happening At Cats!

So, a week ago today I learned that the male Jaguar, Tikal was going to be temporarily housed in Cat E, the original Snow Leopard area where the Twins were living. The Twins have been moved to an off exhibit enclosure at FCC. ... There is still conflicting information whether the move truly is temporary, and he will eventually move into one of the expanded Cat yards, or whether E will be his permanent home.

On Monday I was told Tikal would be moved to the enclosure the next day.  Hoping to catch a glimpse of him, I went round on Tuesday, but learned he wasn't in quarantine as some staff thought, but on his way from Sacramento.  I finished a good walk round and went by in case he got there and was possibly let out into enclosure to stretch his legs after being crated and on the road.  The van was arriving as I approached, so I watched them unload the crate, and waited a bit, but gate never opened.  

Welcome Tikal!

There was an event scheduled that evening for donors, so I figured they were probably waiting for that, so to get a first glance.   On cue like that should not be depended on, and as such I heard he never came out.  

He also never came out the three hours I circled about on my walk round yesterday.  I tried, and hoped as the sun shined brighter it would lure him out, but it didn't.  I was told he came out in early am for a quick sniff of his new home, but went back to night quarters.  Can't wait to meet him, fingers crossed for next week!

I posted an update to a previous post when I got home Monday, as I had learned a few things, related to information I posted.

>> Updated 5.9.23 ... I have learned that while this pair was a breeding pair at Sacramento Zoo, their union was allegedly unsuccessful. This aligns with why only the male has been acquired by SFZoo.  So, I'm assuming maybe this pair is being split-up, and a compatible female is still being identified. <<

While circling the area, I was also unsuccessful in catching a glimpse of the new lady Ocelot, Tica.  I've hear she was only seen out once.  I read that she was not on public view in last two previous homes, so that explains her shyness.  Might be a long time before we see her.  

In encouraging news, it seems a companion for Jasiri could be happening very soon!

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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."

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That Damn Fence!

After four plus years writing about this, I'm letting it go.  It is obvious Zoo Director Tanya Peterson does not give a shit how the outśide of the Zoo is presented.  

Along with Director Peterson, I have documented how the San Francisco Recreation and Park Dept (which the Zoo falls under), does not care to step-in or step-up to help in any way.  Additionally the City's Dept of Public Works has ignored all of my requests, both initially an inquiry and after, a service request to remove the graffiti.

For those who haven't followed this issue, a recent backstory link is at the end of this post.

In short, the Zoo's perimeter fence between the old entrance and a section of the current entrance, has been deteriorating for decades.  The wood is worn, broken and missing pieces, the concrete columns have been smashed and are crumbling.  This year it has been tagged excessively by graffiti.

My issue is no one cares.  The Director doesn't care.  The City doesn't care.  Just because the Zoo is at the end of the land, doesn't mean it should be left in shambles.  Director Peterson should be ashamed of herself.  

While she dictates a mismanaged list of priorities, needs are not attended to.  This is not new, the tiki hut comes to mind.  Don't get me wrong, I love a tiki hut probably more than the next person, but not when Animal needs are not met.  All her decisions in my opinion are selfish and again I use my mantra, Wants over Needs in reference to how things are done at our Zoo. 

From a blog post dated January 17, 2015  When I was documenting the needs of the Chimpanzees and the things that took priority.

Since the tiki hut, there have been a long list of Wants over Needs, especially with the outrageous amount of money spent on making pocket gardens.  Again, don't get me wrong, the gardens are beautiful, but anything non-Animal related, when so many Needs arent met really irks me.  And I dont care about the crying poor she does.  If there's no money to fix even small things, do some damn fundraising for a change!  Many Wants are put forth by donors with locked funds (donations designated for a specific use), which irks me too.  Anyone with a caring eye can walk around the Zoo and see things that are needed for the Animals.  So how is it this still happens?  Yet another garden is currently underway.

I know I'm rehashing but I just don't get it.  Striving to make the Zoo better seems easy if you try.  I guess that's easy said from those who care and Director Peterson has shown repeatedly that she doesn't.

Yes, the subject of this post is a non-Animal issue, but it's a thing that in my opinion is a need. Not a need over an Animal need, but definitely a need over a want.  Of course I would not want money spent on non-Animal related needs, while there is still a needs list, but my point is, if money is going to be spent on tiki huts, gardens and the like, the damn perimeter fence should have taken priority decades ago, and certainly at some point in Director Peterson's fifteen years at the helm.

Some might ask, Why do I care so much about a non-Animal issue?   I not only care about the Animals, I care about the Zoo.  I care that the Zoo looks nice, not ramshackled.  The outside should look inviting, not in ruins.

The Zoo has been a part of my life since I was a baby.  Up until 2007, I may not have been as involved, but I was there the day of the Tiger event, and I was there in the Zoo's corner through all the bad press and public bashing of my Zoo.  In the wake of that dark cloud, I became hypersensitive first to human behavior towards the Animal Residents, then to all the fails coming from Management, specifically Director Peterson.  I have watched over the last fifteen years our Zoo circle the drain under her mismanagement, while myself and those on staff who do care have tried to make the Zoo the best it can be.  All who have cared, have been knocked down in some way by Director Peterson's need to lead the Zoo with a dictator approach, laden with selfishness and lack of empathy & compassion.  It's truly disturbing.

So here we are, three months after I first contacted the Dept of Public Works, inquiring whether the Zoo (which is City owned) was eligible for their new no cost abatement program.  With no response to many inquiries, including 311 contacting them, 311 put forth a service request on February 23, that is still Open. DPW turn around time for requests is thirty days.

As of two weeks ago the graffiti was out of control.  I planned this update at that time.  Now there's a new observation that is a head shaker and frown maker.

Last week I noticed the graffiti closest to the entrance was gone, except for a small spot that probably was tagged after the cleanup.  I was curious, did DPW come out or did the Zoo finally clean it?  When I left, I called 311.  That was when I found out the service request was still open.  Then the situation became very clear in my mind, at least a theory based on what I know about how things are done there.  Considering ZooFest was the weekend before, I was sure the Zoo must have finally cleaned it, since they wanted it presentable for the Zoological Society Members and other ZooFest attendees when they drove into the parking lot.  

The next day I drove by and sure enough, only the portions of fence on both sides of the parking lot were cleaned.  The graffiti on the old broken down fence and columns was still there.  I'd say unbelievable, but it's really not.  More illusions created by Director Peterson, to make it seem like she is doing her job, which is having the Zoo's best interest a priority, which she has done the opposite of for fifteen years.

While the graffiti on the closer portion of the fence was painted over, whose idea was it to do it this way?  Why wasn't the whole fence given a coat?  Only painting over spots looks ridiculous and lazy.

Now, I must say, everything about this clean-up attempt is unconfirmed, but seriously the timing can't be denied.  I don't see any other explanation.  If I'm wrong, someone tell me and I'll retract some of my words, but not all, as this clean-up is not the overall issue here.

I continue to wonder why the old fence and columns have not been removed?  It appears that whole fence line is seemly useless.  I wrote that there is a chain link fence behind it.  The Zoo needs to add tarping to the inside of that and line the ground level with a nice multi-level (gray) brick line to prevent coyote dig sites.  

I know this is a shitty drawing, but you get my drift.

Ugh.  I'm done.  

Director Peterson, STOP just driving by AND ignoring the outside of the Zoo.  Show some CARE, and have pride in how our Zoo is maintained and presented.  Even if you don't care, others do.  

Related Post

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-continuing-saga-of-disgraceful.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:

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Update On Big Cats ... New Pix Of Jasiri

After my post last week about the Big Cat enclosures, I had an immediate after thought.  If two Jaguars are coming, and there is now only one enclosure, that possibly means one will always be off exhibit.  

I know nothing about housing of Jaguars, so I checked the AZA Care Manual and learned the specifics.

I inquiried with Sacramento Zoo how these two are housed, together or rotated.  Most of the photos posted by the Zoo and Visitors are of the female, which leads me to believe they do not co-habitate.  SacZoo never responded.

It's curious SFZoo would even get a breeding pair as longtime rumor is Director Peterson allegedly does not want to breed much, especially large Animals.  Who knows, but that definitely leads to never breeding Tigers Jillian and Teddy, therefore causing them to be transferred out.  As well, SF Received female Gorilla Kimani on a breeding recommendation and three years later she was allegedly still on birth control, although I have not inquired recently.  Our male will be 42 in July, what are they waiting for?

Back to Jaguars.  So, the ZooFest Auction noted in my previous post, included the item of ReNaming "our new Jaguars".  Someone told me they heard we would only be getting one, and another maybe later.  That aligns with the recent Joint Zoo Committee notation of only a male.

So back to what would the housing be if SF does ends up with a breeding pair.  Will one be stuck in the Lion House half the time?  Assuming they would rotate them both to yard every day.  If the female gets pregnant, will that arrangement still work until any offspring are able to go outside, or will the male be moved off exhibit to FCC as soon as she's pregnant?  Either way, he will most likely be moved indefinitely at some point.

I really wish more thought had gone into expanding the Cat yards and only one was done.  We need three enclosures, how Director Peterson didn't understand this is beyond me.  

Lion Jasiri remains alone, and allegedly no companion has been identified.  

I did recently see Jasiri up for a few minutes as I approached the enclosure.   It was good to see him in motion. ... This morning I saw photos from last weekends ZooFest.  The photographer got some nice ones of him.  I haven't seen him at the window in over a year, so these were a treat!   I have only seen him (and/or Sukari) on the A yard side once since the expansion, and that was only because of enrichment placed there for Sukari's Birthday.

screencaps from drewalitzer.com

Related Post

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2023/04/status-at-big-cats.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:

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Status At Big Cats > Updated 5.9.23

As of two weeks ago, male Lion Jasiri was still alone, and the second expanded Cat Yard remained empty.  

Here is my post from last month regarding Jasiri.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2023/03/concerns-for-our-lone-lion-how-long.html

At that time there seemed to be mixed knowledge of the future of Cats at our SFZoo.  Will they or won't they acquire a companion for Jasiri, which is my main concern, and another Cat species for the empty enclosure.

My take on the lack of information, is that it's rooted in the mismanagement cog that is the lack of communication to and among staff. I've asked this question on posts before and I'll ask it again, Why is everything a secret?  If upper management is actively searching for a companion for Jasiri, why isn't that common knowledge?  

That all said, it was pointed out to me last night that this appeared on the Zoo's Auction site.

I was surprised to learn this as the long-time rumor has been that the Zoo Director allegedly did not want to aquire anymore Big Cats and specifically Tigers after losing our Tigers to San Diego.  That happened as a result of San Diego owned Teddy being moved to SF for breeding with our Jillian, but after several years that didn't happen, so allegedly SDZ repossessed Teddy, taking Jillian with him, as both were very high on genetically valuable list.

As you can see, as with every Animal that moves to SFZoo, the Jaguars will have their identity stolen and be renamed.  I hate it, and that's no secret!

This is the female, Sasha. ... See Update at end of post.

screencap from 

Sacramento Zoo Facebook

This is the male Tikal.

screencap from Flickr user Elena

(who like me, is a fan of Zoo Friend history.

I've been following her for many years.

View her photostream, especially 

if you're a fan of Big Cats!)

I am looking forward to meeting these two beauties.  I've been a long-time admirer of this species, but never had the pleasure of meeting a traditional colored Jaguar.  The Zoo had a black Jaguar named Sabrina for many years who was a favorite of mine.

I encourage you to preserve their identity and greet them using their real names.

And now we wait for news of a companion for Jasiri.

Updated 5.9.23 ... I have learned that while this pair was a breeding pair at Sacramento Zoo, their union was allegedly unsuccessful. This aligns with why only the male has been acquired by SFZoo.  So, I'm assuming maybe this pair is being split-up, and a compatible female is still being identified.

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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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