SFZoo Removes This Statement - Curiously The Day After My Reaction To It.

As I gear-up for my weekend posts, I'm wondering if the San Francisco Zoo or Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, has responded to the Chronicle reporter's request for their defense in what they think was specifically, "..misrepresented information and.. inaccurate facts", as reported in the Chronicle article dated April 17, 2024?  

In my previous post, I concentrated on reacting to words (in Chronicle article dated April 20, 2024), by an SF Rec and Park Commissioner, Joint Zoo Committee panelist, and the new Zoological Society Board Chair.  Yet, there was another mention in one paragraph that should be noted.  

The Zoo issued a Statement April 19, 2024, via their Social Media, reacting to the first Chronicle article dated April 17.  

Since I dont regularly look at the Zoo's Socials, I didn't see this until someone messaged me about it two days later.  On April 21, I reacted to it in a post, and Tweeted it to the Zoo.  Curiously, the Zoo removed this Statement the next day.

I will reiterate what I've written before... San Francisco Zoo Officials do not think they have to justify their words and actions.  The San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, SF Zoological Society Board, SF Rec/Park Commissioners and SF Rec/Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg, have all deflected accusations by declining to comment or with non-related notations.  In this case, it's particularly ridiculous for the Zoo, assuming Director Peterson, to even call untrue, as she specifically declined to comment prior to the article being published.

So, Director Peterson, what exactly was written in any Chronicle articles, that was "misrepresented and/or inaccurate?"  

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/my-reaction-to-statement-by-san.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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My Reactions To Chronicle Article -Saturday April 20, 2024

I got side-lined from this post draft that I started last weekend, as others felt timely. Having the Zoo in the news almost daily in the past ten+ days, has made it difficult to keep up with documenting news and thoughts.

First of all, the article title...

"Chronicle’s S.F. Zoo investigation sparks concern, surprise among city officials"

My response to City Officials, SF Recreation and Park, Rec and Park Commission, San Francisco Zoological Society Board, and SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson...

I often hear quotes that speak to me in regard to my experiences, often Zoo related.  Mostly in regards to censorship, some I've shared on the sidebars of this blog, some I'm still waiting to share.  Today, during my food break before tackling the previous post, I watched this weeks episode of Law and Order.  Sometimes there is much truth in scripted shows, as there is with this line...  "Powerful people hate admitting they screwed up"

Before I expand on the notes I made from the article, I got to start with this...  

Memory.  Gotta love that even with my overwhelmed, old brain, I can remember almost every detail of my Zoo experiences, and knowledge, starting with Christmas Day 2007.  These days, I often can't remember a thought from thirty seconds ago, but I can tell you the birthdate of every Osmond Brother and their favorite color (70s teenage girl stuff).   So, as I read this article early the morning it was published, still half asleep, examples that prove bullshit, came flooding through my tired mind.  I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed by it all. There are those who may not like my Zoo blogging, but today especially I got to say, Well, well, it's a damn good thing that I keep detailed documentation!  

I'm going to highlight Rec and Park Commissioner Larry Mazzola, since his responses are the majority in this article.  That said, I do have to give mention to two other respondents first.  Their words taken from the article...

“There were some pretty serious allegations in the article,” said Jane Tobin, secretary of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. She added, “I’m not sure about the path forward.” 

I'm going to later show a sceencap that in part shows that Jane Tobin has sat on the Joint Zoo Committe panel for at least five years.  Her statement is pretty seriously empty.  It says nothing.  If only there were audio or visual recordings of the Meetings, we could see what her contributions have been to the proceedings. And she's not sure the path forward?  I'm sure.  There needs to be a complete overhaul of management, from Director Peterson to Tobin's seat on the Committee panel, and everyone in between.

Now let's hear from the new Zoological Society Board Chair, Melinda Dunn... “We also have numerous safety protocols to ensure the safety of our staff, as well as safety and welfare committees responsible for reviewing staff concerns, evaluating the situation and resolving any issues. We are proud of the San Francisco Zoo and our teams.”

I believe Melinda Dunn became Chair within the last couple months, but she has reportedly been part of the Board for years.  Like every other Board member, I doubt she knows anything more about the Zoo, than what Director Peterson has presented.  Many at the Zoo think she may be their savior, I have no faith that anything different will happen.  The Zoological Society Board has it's lack of taking part in managing duties set in stone.  I'd be curious how many times Dunn has been to the Zoo in the last year, not counting ZooFest or any other Society cocktail yuckfest.  Leading up to her new appointment, did she visit the Zoo and check things out?  Take an interest? Ask questions?  Introduce herself to Staff?   I'd bet that's a hard no on all counts.

Before I go on, I want to reiterate what I've said many times before, all entities tasked with managing and/or oversight of our San Francisco Zoo, have failed in their duties.  Starting with SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson, SF Zoological Society Board, down to the SF Recreation and Park Dept and Commission.  I have not experienced any interest from any of them in what actually happens at the Zoo.  I'm not sure if it's because they all wear rose colored glassed, if they are all lazy, or if no one cares.  In my experience, it's mostly the later, with a bit of the other two as well.  Over the years, I have contacted someone in each entity, without any response.  

So, let's move on to Commissioner Mazzola's words.  My reaction is a bit mixed on his words.  While I'm judgemental because he has been on the Commision at least five years, I'm disappointed that he hasn't cared about the Zoo until now.  That said, at least his words are not the same slick PR words that came out of the mouths of the current Board Chair Dunn, the last Chair Edward Poole (in Wednesday's article), or the Statement made by the Zoo (assuming by the Director?).

Commissioner Mazzola is quoted, "calling for a full investigation into the accusations."  Well, if that actually happens, all I have to say is, it's about time someone did something.  After fifteen years of watching everyone just leave the Zoo in the mismanaging and damaging hands of Director Peterson, this is new.  Time will tell how deep, or long-lasting this will be.

Mazzola said he was surprised to learn about most of the issues in the Chronicle’s report. He said he would invite Tanya Peterson, CEO and Executive Director of the Zoo, and Melinda Dunn, the Zoological Society’s new board chair, to attend the committee’s June meeting to answer questions about the article’s findings. 

To that above, I say good luck!  In the last fifteen months, Director Peterson has gone to only one of twelve Joint Zoo Committe Meetings.  As well, I have never known the Board Chair to go to one meeting.  This should be good.

“We have to ask more questions. We have to have answers if the public asks us, or whoever,” Mazzola said in the meeting.

Yes!  He (and everyone on the panel) should ask questions.  Not just more, but question everything.  Is that not the job of an oversight entity?  How can checks and balances be made if no one questions anything?  Even if it's not outlined in any responsibility guideline handbook, if he and every other member of that panel had any real interest in the Zoo, they should have questions.  I mean my gosh, how simple do you have to be to not have any questions about anything? I question everything.  That's how I know stuff.  I don't let things just pass on by.

In 2019, Commissioner Mazzola was on the Committee panel that gave the approval for the Zoo to acquire the female Orangutan.  Thing is, she was already at the Zoo!  Maybe if there were "more questions", the cruelty that happened to the Orangutans could have been stopped before they got here.

“I want to make sure that the workers are being heard,” Mazzola said in the meeting. “Worker safety and the way that workers are being treated are the No. 1 priority, along with keeping the animals safe. That’s what this is all about.”

Ok, so this is a big one.  Remember the start of this post and Memory?  Well, here is my past documention that leads to the very core of that first sentence, “I want to make sure that the workers are being heard."   

Well, Commissioner Mazzola, workers tried to be heard.  The Committee panel all but refused to listen to them.  I was there at three separate Meetings in 2015, starting with the February Meeting, when the announcement that the Zoo would be keeping the Chimpanzees was made, a group of Keeper's took the opportunity to address the Committee.  At the March and April Meetings, more Keepers let their voice be heard.  The treatment the Animal Care Staff got at each Meeting was disrespectful and disgusting. 

Starting the next year the Meetings were held at City Hall, and have been since.  I was told by a former Committee Member that the move was allegedly to make sure Keepers didn't show up, a reason everyone believes to be true. 

Below are screencap excerpts from my blog post dealing the situation. ... May 2015 ... Joint Zoo Committee Meeting - Call to Action - Suggestions, Comments and Complaints.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/05/joint-zoo-committee-meeting-call-to.html

Words below taken from

the Meeting Minutes

At the end of this May 2015 post

I put forth my suggestions...

So yeah, further facts that the management and oversight of management, needs an overhaul!   The system is a mess and the Animals and Zoo have suffered from it, while Director Peterson runs rampant and doesn't answer to anyone, because no one is asking her to.

Related Post (includes full article):

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/sf-rec-and-park-commissioner-doing.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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Time Out From Panda Talk - SFZoo Needs Animals!

 Happy World Tapir Day! 

One of the San Francisco Zoo Animals who I was endeared to the most, was Goober, the Bairds Tapir.  He's the muse for the title and background of this blog!  I spent alot of good times with him, and was lucky to meet him up close on two occasions.  I miss this guy, who always had a smile for me, and would laugh at the peoples with me.  I Love You Goobie! 

Let's talk about some Animals that I think our Zoo needs.  With all the Panda talk, our Zoo needs to add some friends to the collection.  We have too many empty exhibits.  Every visit I hear comments from visitors around me. Yesterday, as I was leaving, two gals walking past, one said, "Well that was disappointing".  I always feel disappointed myself when I hear visitors expressing feelings like this, about a place I care about.  I want people to feel good about the Zoo.

I stopped these two gals and asked them to share their thoughts.  The first thing they said was they missed all the Monkeys, noting the Tamarins especially.  They had been to the Zoo before, natives of the area, although one now lives out of state.  They reveled in past memories of the Zoo, complained about how long the Madagascar construction has gone on, and felt the Zoo just wasn't what it once was. ... Theirs are not isolated feelings.

In both past and recent posts, I have noted how the Zoo seriously needs to populate the empty enclosures and renovate the once used spaces.  With prices increasing, the Zoo needs to increase their collection.  I know that also increases the food expense, but then they need to stop building gardens and art installations.  People come to see Animals.  They pay to see Animals.  The Zoo can't just expect to throw Pandas in there and solve their perception, attendance and financial issues.

I've written of the importance of having many Monkey species.  At the very least, the Zoo needs to bring back a species of Monkey to fill the old Patas enclosure, and Tamarins to fill where Tamarins used to be.  Enough rotating different animals thru those enclosures on whims, which has also left them empty for long periods of time. ... It's been over two years since the tragedy at the WalkAbout.  The enclosure is sad.  I visit Boomer, the Emu, often, but it's a challenge to find the few Walleroos.  This area used to have well over a dozen furry friends hopping around.  It needs more life again. ... The Otters are missed by many.  We need to see those friendly faces again. ... Now that we have a Tapir at the Puenete and poor Cousco, the Guanaco, has been banished off exhibit, the meadow and the Tapir need more friends.  Pacha, the Tapir, has lived with Capybara before, no reason why the Zoo can't bring back a couple of these favorites. 

I'll end this with a Facebook post from San Diego Zoo today.  Their Capybara recently had babies, and the cuteness is squeal worthy!

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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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Zoo Director Tanya Peterson Is No Steward Of Asian Conservation

This was published yesterday in the Zoo's most recent email newsletter, Animail.

Everything that comes out of San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson's mouth makes me furious.  She really has no shame.  How can she talk about Asian Conservation after how she has treated two species in the Zoo's care, the Komodo Dragon and Orangutans, both whose wild habitat is in areas of Southeast Asia.  She has not been a Steward of Asian Conservation.  Our passed first Komodo Dragon and our Orangutans, are proof of that.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a post titled 

"San Francisco - Still Chasing After Pandas - Why It's Irresponsible".  Below is a screencap from it.

I felt bad not to include the full sad and cruel plight of my precious friend Falcor, the Zoo's first Komodo Dragon, in that post, but I thought it was best to focus on the Orangutans as they are still here and in need.  When a friend read the post, they said something about me not talking about the Komodo Dragon, and it made me feel awful. I explained that I mentioned him, but thought I should keep it current, and that it in no way takes away from what happened to Falcor, and certainly not what he meant to me.  I will never forget, or forgive the disrespect and disregard he was given.

Falcor arrived at the Zoo with much fanfare, he was the new shiny toy they had to have.  Still small enough for his temporary home, basically a large terrarium.  Promised a new home within a year, he would wait almost five, as Director Peterson allegedly vetoed all plans presented to her, with her favorite excuse, No Money.  The terrarium went from a lush green environment to a barren dirt pit.  He was living in a box of dirt, with little view of the outside.  He out grew the terrarium, to the point he could no longer fit in his night quarters nor turn around in the glass box.  He developed a small bump on his spine, that was not tended to for six months, when it was over three inches off his body, and he could barely walk.  He eventually had surgery, returning to the cramped space that wasn't even large enough for him to get exercise.  I can't even with the chute they rigged up for him to go outside.  It was a wood box almost the same size as him, that he walked in, sat and was left there, til they turned it around, so he could walk back in.  

It's painful to even think about, let alone even write about in full detail.  That said, I had to read a past post to make sure it was one that covered all the details of his life at the Zoo and Director Peterson's negligence in providing him an appropriate and healthy home.  Re-living it breaks my heart, and makes my stomach sick.  

Please honor Falcor's life and read the full details of what he endured at the SFZoo.  

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/02/komodo-dragon-to-finally-get.html

Tanya Peterson has no empathy or compassion.  She has been so awful to so many Animals at our Zoo.  It's disturbing that someone of her character is in charge or of an Animal Care facility.  Shame on her and the San Francisco Zoological Society for their negligence and ignorance, that has allowed this woman to remain in place for fifteen years.

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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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HOT TOPIC - The Mayor Wants Our "Pandas To Be Happy"

San Francisco Mayor London Breed posted these words and a video of her visiting Giant Pandas on her trip to China last week.  

View the video at the link below

https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1782896048706642019

In the video she says,...

"We want to make sure that the Giant Pandas that come to San Francisco have the best habitat. ... Because we want our Pandas to be really happy."

I have to believe, that Mayor Breed has the best intentions for the care and welfare of the Pandas, I just want her to have the same empathy and compassion for the Animals that already live at our San Francisco Zoo.  I hope she does.

When I heard the words I've quoted above, of course I thought of our Orangutans, and memories of their sad faces, looking out from the caged tubes that were their only home for eight months.  Their "habitat".  I don't think our Orangutans have ever been happy here.  And they still don't have an appropriate, enriching habitat.  

Before bringing Pandas here, our Orangutans need, and should also have, "The Best Habitat".   They should "be Happy".  

Mayor Breed can make that happen.  

As I've said in previous posts, because I know how the San Francisco Zoological Society Board and the SF Recreation and Park Dept, have been negligent in their managing duties, deferring to whatever SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson says and does, I don't know if the Mayor has done the same, or if she has innocently bought the illusions that Peterson sells.  I hope the later and that with this Panda venture, she will see what's going on and help Fix Our Zoo.   

If Mayor Breed wants us to be a World-Class Zoo that can handle having Giant Pandas, then she needs to figure out how the money she raises is also going to help fix the state of things at our desperate Zoo.  

She needs to take a good look at the way Director Peterson has mismanaged the Zoo over the last fifteen years.  The way to do that is to engage with those who can enlighten her, not by further listening to those who have enabled the mismanagement.  

The Chronicle article last Wednesday, noted that the lease agreement had not been renegotiated since 1993.  I've known about this for many years, and I've always thought that was outrageous. As the years ticked on and Peterson has done absolutely no apparent fundraising (Zoofest does not count!) and there's more and more things that need to be done, the Zoo gets deeper under a pile of needs.  Many of those needs, in my opinion need to be taken care of before we get Pandas.  Maybe it seems that's not financially doable.  I say, there's thirty years of cost of living increases that should have been negotiated in the lease agreement.  Figure it out.

Additionally, as I have also mentioned, no way should any funds be used for two enclosures for the Pandas.  Build the permanent one, and the funds that are meant for the temporary one, use them for the Orangutans.

I have read Director Peterson referencing the influx of money the Pandas will bring to the Zoo.  That may be so, but the Orangutans will never see that and shouldn't have to wait any longer.  Influx can help fix all the other Needs, and pay for trucking in all the bamboo that will be needed to feed the Pandas. Hopefully by then the Zoo will have a new Director who will manage the Needs and Funds accordingly, unlike how Peterson has.

So many Needs at our Zoo, but most of all, our current Animal Residents deserve to be Happy too, not just the arriving Pandas.

Screencap from one of my many videos documenting the plight of our Orangutans.  Here Ollie is literally frowning as he watches the Chimpanzees in their yard.

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/YFDiUI_uAP0

Orangutan Enclosure Overview Feb 2024

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=67L2jhcWZGY&t

For anyone interested in more documentation of the Orangutans life at the San Francisco Zoo, here's the link to the search results from my YouTube channel.  

https://m.youtube.com/results?

sp=mAEB&search_query=leo811sf+orangutans

I got the full account from them living exclusively in the caged tubes, to them having access to the Chimp yard, to them being denied yard access, to their pit of a "new" home.  Aside from the joy they got in the yard, and climbing on the netting, it's mostly all been sad.  Keepers give them fun times, but they are still living in a sub-par environment.  

The Orangutans deserve the "best habitat" and want "to be Happy" too! 

Petition link:

San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

Related Post: Expanded reasons for doing the Petition

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/expanding-on-my-reason-for-doing.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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Some Petition Comments - Locals Want Current Zoo Residents Taken Care Of First!

*Native SF, please fix our Zoo

*This city is constantly chasing the next big thing. Why can’t we first take care and meet the needs of the existing animals.

*Please add upgrades to the other zoo animals enclosure

*agree entirely, let's get our zoo up to decent standards for all our animals and not just sell out for a panda visit

*There are too many improvements to be made at the zoo. Why has there never been fundraising for those - first??

*I agree that funds are better suited for improvements to permanent environments for long-standing animal residents rather than spending 4 million on a temporary exhibit.

*Quality over quantity; please be good stewards of our resources and reconsider how we spend our money!

*I have to agree with KimF. I too love pandas, but since there have been many stories, about other things that have not been taken care or both animals and people that work there it seems almost criminal to spend 25+million just to bring them here

*I love animals and was very saddened to read of the way the SF Zoo is being mishandled at the behest of the beautiful animals. Going to the Zoo is my way of sharing love and positive energy with these precious creatures. Isn’t the SF Zoo and any Zoo suppose to be a sanctuary for those that can’t be placed back into their natural habitat? Or, if they can, then a temporary place to rehabilitate? Has the SF Zoo turned into one where only the staff cares and management is “for profit”? Priorities need to be reset!!! Animals first. Listen to those that actually care for the animals!! PLEASE!!!

*Our San Francisco Zoo is in Desperate Need of Change. So many things need fixing, someone with the authority to help needs to step-up. They need to listen to Staff. The ignorance to the reality of what's going on and the irresponsibility to remedy it, is killing our Zoo.

*Zoo officials estimate that it will cost $4 million to renovate an existing facility in order to bring Giant Pandas to the SF Zoo in 2025, to be followed by an additional $20 million for a new facility. This is only for the physical facility and does not take into account the annual fee that will be paid to China, and the considerable cost of providing specialized care and food for these delicate creatures. Before undertaking such a venture, the SF Zoo needs to upgrade the facilities for the animals they already have, for example the two adult orangutans. Furthermore, several years ago the zoo sent most of its monkey species to other zoos to make room for a new Madagascar project which was touted to become the best Madagascar exhibit in the country. To date the project is mostly unfinished and the only new Madagascar animals are a fossa, two tortoises, and a few invertebrates. The SF Zoo is not ready to take on the responsibility of Giant Pandas, and their priority should be the animals already in their care.

*We were members for over 10 years and let our membership lapse this last year due to how the zoo has been run. They really do need a new director and concentrate restoring the zoo to making it wonderful again.

*Last time I was there, few years back, felt sorry for the animals, some of the exhibits were sad to look at.

*The Mayor’s priorities are way off. Focus on SF and update our existing exhibits. This is a publicity stunt and it’s going to backfire.

*To those of us who live here San Francisco is more than an entertainment and event space to draw tourist dollars. But that seems to be the view of the current city administration. Whether it’s the 50,000 concert goers who will trample GGP for Outside Lands or dedicating precious millions to visiting Pandas when the Zoo and its animals are under-resourced, the administration’s priorities clearly don’t value residents and our institutions.

*Why why would we get pandas when we have so many problems in this city and the zoo. Horrible

*Love pandas! This seems to be being railroaded through, though. Would like to hear more voices about the whole scenario.

*I wish the Zoo were in better order, under good management.. before we play games, which is what spending money on Giant Pandas is. A game.

Link to the Petition: San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

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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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HOT TOPIC - Expanding On My Reason For Doing A Petition - Another Slap In The Orangutans Faces

I would have liked this to immediately follow the post of my Petition Sunday, but I just didn't have the time to finish it, and in the days since I've been too tired.  Even though dealing with some other stuff, words haven't stopped circling my mind.  There's also been additional stuff to document, that I've barely allowed in, because it will just cause more thoughts!

The Petition is moving slow, despite my thinking it would have had more momentum out of the gate.  I'm trying to share it in every forum I can think of to reach locals.  If all it does is gain some awareness, then it's been successful.  There have been some good, rational comments, which I will publish in a post.  

I've read alot of applause on Twitter about the Pandas coming, which I'm not hating on,  I'll be happy to experience seeing them, I just want things to be fair to the current Zoo Residents in the process, and be in the Zoo's best interest thriving in the future.

I've already noted that the Petition is another forum for awareness, and that I am tired of reading slick PR Statements by Zoo Representatives.  But, in all my fury, writing the Petition, I failed to highlight what caused that fury.

One thing and one thing only, prompted the Petition.  That is the Disrespect and Cruelty the Organutans were shown by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, not having a dedicated and appropriate living space provided for them upon arrival. ... Yet the Pandas will get the Red Carpet to the tune of $25 million and two enclosures!!!  It sickens me.  My Soul has been sad at what happened to the Orangutans since they got here, and this makes it even worse.

The sheer thought of even suggesting this is a slap in the Orangutans face.  This notion, which is apparently fact, is so disgusting.  How can this be justified as the right thing?  It can't.

For those new to their plight, I will try to make it concise and precise as possible.  San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson had been trying to bring Orangutans to SFZoo for years.  It was the root of her plan to kick out our senior Chimpanzees, in favor of some bandaids to the Triple Grotto enclosure for the Orangutans, instead of much needed, AZA required, twenty years waiting upgrades even needed for when the Chimpanzees were living there.  After she tried to kick-out the Chimps, she was forced by public outrage to keep them and give them a new home in the Zoo.  While construction on their new home was being finished, news was Orangutans were on their way.  Myself and Staff wondered, Where they were going to live?  To all our disgust and shock, no enclosure was being prepared for them. The Orangutans arrived just weeks before the Chimps outdoor yard was finished.  The Chimps were so happy and enjoyed a very short time before they were locked out of their own enclosure, and the female Orangutan given access to the Chimp yard.  The male was so terrified of his experience here, he didn't leave the skytrails for eight months.  The female had access to the Chimp yard for seven weeks, while the Chimps were locked inside during a summer heat wave.  I reported it to the head of the Chimpanzee SSP who I was friends with, and who I had been reporting all the play by play to.  When he heard the Chimps were still locked in, he made a call and they were out the next day.  But, that was bittersweet as it meant the female Orangutan was back living in the caged tubes with the male.  These poor Beings would sit above, sadly looking down at the Chimpanzees in the yard, probably wondering why they can't go there.  It was heartbreaking to say the least.  After eighteen weeks on the tubes, a mini rotation that allowed for the Orangutans to have a few hrs a day a few times aweek came into play.  But, that was not a solution.  

As time ticked on, Triple Grotto just sat there.  Nothing being done to give the Orangutans a home of their own.  I waited and waited and finally, I had to report this to the USDA.  I stupidly did not give me name, I don't know why.  I've always been the face of my words and actions, and all not doing so accomplished was no report was documented on their website. So, I don't know what was determined.  What I do know is, I was there one day soon after, when non-staff people were in the grotto, taking measurements.  I asked someone if it was the result of my call to USDA, they just smiled big.  I took that as a yes, but can never know for sure.  Another day, I talked to the architect, who showed me the blue prints, and I was appalled by the design plan.  The renovation would be, raising the walls, removing the walk-way that Keepers used to get to the enclosure, and adding a huge metal bridge, because now the Keepers needed to access the enclosure from outside the enclosure.  Sheer Idiocracy!  ...  Oh, and a huge box on each of the already too small islands to catch the bridge.  Unbelievable!  I truly couldn't belive my eyes at what I was seeing.  The bridge is a completely unnecessary eye sore.  The project manager and Director Peterson should have both lost their jobs for that in itself.  Well, way before Peterson for Animal Cruelty keeping Great Apes in caged tubes.

Not one single thing for the Orangutans.  I made the suggestion of adding a tree sculpture for climbing, a Keeper told me, they were told no money for anything.  It would have literally been made of huge branches sourced from the Zoo grounds.  But no.  They were stuck with an existing stucture on each island, built in the 80s, one of which had been rusting with paint peeling for over ten years.  I asked why the grottos couldn't be filled in and netted over, as I had seen how much the female loved climbing the netting in the Chimp yard, and would have provided them with actual space to move around on the ground.  I was told Director said, no money.

So, there the poor Orangutans languish forever.

Now, Pandas are coming and get the Red Carpet treatment.  They have to because China keeps a close watch on everything regarding their Pandas.  Good for them, because things can go very f**k-y at SFZoo.   

It's not bringing Pandas here that I have an issue with.  I'd love to see Pandas, but I think our Zoo needs major work first.  I'd also like there to be a new Director and management structure in place.  That said,  Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is going to stop the rush to get the Pandas here next year.  Mayor London Breed and Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, are cheering and talking raising big money.  Peterson has failed to do any fundraising, big or small in the fifteen years she's been at the Zoo.  That's why no money excuse for everything.  Oh except when it's a garden or art installation, somehow money appears, yet the final third of the netting at Flamingos still hasn't been done.  Personally I think the amount it's going to cost in total for Pandas, is more than the Zoo can handle, even if initial costs come from Breeds efforts.  And what happens if Breed doesn't get re-elected, and the next person isn't as enthusiastic about paying the rental fee and other yearly expenses associated with having Pandas here? Because that has to be an expense The City takes  on.  Do they go back to China and we have yet another empty exhibit, and a costly one at that?

So let's talk about the initial cost, which is the one that is pissing me off.  Director Peterson has been quoted saying, $4 million will go to upgrading an existing enclosure, and $20 million for a permanent enclosure.  What the serious F?  I can't even with this.   Two enclosures, but Orangutans got nothing?  The permanent enclosure for Pandas is all that should be on tap.  If they have $4 million for temporary, then they should use it to renovate the grottos for the Orangutans the way it should have been done to begin with.  I'll expand on this in a separate post. 

The Chimpanzee's Dayroom and Yard was rumored to have cost under $2 million.  Let's see that for the Orangutans!  Some might be tired of me talking about the Orangutans, but I'll never get over what happened to them, and I'm never going to give up on trying to help them.  

The ball is in Mayor Breed and Director Peterson's court.  Will either of you use funds to give the Orangutans a better place to live, and fix other things, before the Pandas get here?

Related Post: Disgust At Triple Grotto Renovation - Our Poor Orangutans

iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/03/disgust-at-triple-grotto-renovation-our.html

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