Another week has gone by since I started this post, and even longer since my last. I'm just overwhelmed by so many things, and wearing down on Zoo bullshit, which could easily be fixed if anyone with authority had the balls to fire Zoo Director Tanya Peterson. My mind is heavy with so much to do, something that wasn't the case when I started documenting Zoo wrongs fourteen years ago. The Peterson years have gone on far too long, sixteen to be exact, and still no one seems to give a shit. Not the Zoological Society, not the Recreation and Park Commissioners, and not the Mayor. It's disgusting.
That said, before I get back to finishing this post as written last weekend, I need to note something. The Zoo didn't release the date of Maggie's passing, the time frame that was alluded to has it being at least four weeks ago. As of my visit this past Wednesday, there is still no Memorial sign or receptacle for her friends and fans to leave flowers. While the Zoo is not obligated to so, a Memorial sign has been the recent tradition for Chimpanzee losses. Minnie's sign and receptacle are still up a year later at the Keeper entrance, and a sign close by regarding respecting the troop's mourning of Maggie. I have seen people read Minnie's sign, thinking it's Maggie.
It is disrespectful to the loss of Maggie, that nearing a month later there is nothing for her. Like with the delay in Gorilla Jonesy's sign, this is a mismanagement issue. As was there never being a press release about Minnie's passing. Director Peterson has a history of not caring about the Animals, particularly Our Great Apes, so it's no surprise these things that matter escape her.
I didn't plan on there being such a lapse between my last post, and the mention in that post of two more to follow. I noted that Maggie's passing had sparked many thoughts that became a three-part series in draft. While writing Maggie's post, I was also writing the other two, but haven't gotten back to finish them.
While nearing the finish of Maggie's post, I looked back to posts I made on the passings of Our Original Four. Even though I knew I acknowledged Cobby's passing, I didn't remember writing a dedicated post. I also looked back for Tallulah's acknowledgement and was surprised by how short it was. Posts acknowledging other Zoo Friend losses in the same time frame, were equally as short. I think it was during times when I struggled to deal with the never-ending mismanagement saga, and what I was focusing on documenting at the time.
So, I've felt a need to share more about the Chimpanzees that we've lost, who were the first inhabitants of Triple Grotto (circa mid 1960s), but with so many thoughts and memories, my mind has been a bit chaotic on sorting how to do so. Some may tire of, or be uninterested in all my Chimp posts, but these precious Beings have been an important part of my life, as well as others who knew them. With Maggie's passing this may be the last opportunity to celebrate Our Originals, and share a bit more about them. Hopefully readers will enjoy getting to know them alittle better.
After reading my Maggie post, many readers I know have commented the same response to me, "Beautiful". People seem to appreciate the words and photo/video shares. So, I think I'll just add a bit more of that for each one.
I always reference Our Original four, Tallulah, Cobby, Minnie and Maggie, because they were the ones I came to know. Bimbo and Candy were obviously part of the troop I visited when I was growing up, but sadly, aside from a few Zoo Residents, I didn't know the Animals as individuals until much later in life. There may have been others in the very early years of Triple Grotto, but these are the only ones I know for sure.
Bimbo -
I assume Bimbo was Wild Born, as it seemed most at that time were. I didn't find him listed in the Studbook, or in any of the research resources available. I knew about him from the Chimps early Keeper. I was also told by a friend who knew of him, that he was "kept in a storefront window and teased for years", before coming to Our Zoo. Thankfully he was removed from that situation, and hopefully had a better life at Our Zoo.
Candy - March 21, 1956 - June 1983
Candy was Wild Born, arriving at Our Zoo in March 21, 1967. The only reference to her I found was when I searched newspaper archives and she was mentioned in this 1975 article. Fun bit about the lives and dynamics of the Triple Grotto troop at the time.
Tallulah - April 24, 1959 - January 2013
Tallulah was Wild Born, and came to Our Zoo April 24,1967. She was taken from her wild family as an infant, and sold to a private owner as a pet, where she lived until age three. She was then sold again, living as a pet the next five years, until the owners passing. The family then sent her to Our Zoo. Allegedly she was treated as a human child, and dressed as such.
I always wondered how she and Cobby must have felt, when they came into Zoo life, where they no longer wore clothes. To me, the change would seem shocking, so makes me sad, but maybe welcomed by them? Tallulah was always with a blanket. Maybe a security from her early years. One day she came out to the yard carrying a bandana. I was standing with the Keeper as we watched her. She used the bandana to wipe her brow. I thought it was interesting she knew what to do with it. The Keeper said he had done the same earlier while in her presence, and she had extended her hand, motioning for it. He gave it to her. Whether or not she was mimicking, or understood his action, Tallulah was a very smart lady.
One day while at another place in the Zoo, I heard the Chimps screaming. When I got back over there, I asked what had happened. The Keeper said, Tallulah caught a Squirrel. I asked what happened to the Squirrel. She brought it inside and the Keeper tried to retrieve it from her. She held it up by the tail, and pointed towards the cafe. She was initiating a barter. The Squirrel for a Burger. The Keeper rushed over, and brought back a Burger. Tallulah wouldn't take it. Evidently she wanted cheese on her Burger! Once the Cheeseburger arrived, she handed over the Squirrel! I was told the Squirrel was taken to the hospital, lived and was released on grounds. I know it all sounds like it could be made-up, but the Legend of Tallulah and her escapes out of Triple Grotto, make me a believer.
Legend also has it that Lucas Film Artists came to the Zoo, and sketches of Tallulah were used in the creation of Yoda. Which is pretty cool! Without her, Yoda may have looked very different. ... I use this photo I took of her, as my Star Wars Day graphic.
I love this video I captured of her making a nest outside. She always had the most blankets, and was very dedicated to getting them arranged just right.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m3-hmRC_-p8
My blog post after her passing in 2013
Cobby - July 10, 1958 - June 2021
Cobby was Wild Born, and came to Our Zoo July 10,1968. After being taken from his wild family, infant Cobby traveled from Africa to the States and to the man that bought him. He was raised as part of the man's family, having his own room that he shared with another Chimpanzee. They lived as members of the family, eating dinner at the table with the other children. His purpose was to make money in the entertainment business. Cobby had his own TV Show. He was a good boy and did the work. When his owner became disinterested in Chimpanzees, he dropped Cobby off at Our Zoo, on his way to pick-up an Elephant, his new toy. That callous action was very stressful for Cobby. His first Keeper told me stories of how difficult it was for Cobby to adjust to his new life. Very sad hearing it first-hand, and being empathetic to what our wild born Chimpanzees have gone through. Thankfully Our Zoo became a stable and life-long refuge for another wild born Chimp that needed a home.
You can learn more about Cobby and the plight of wild born Chimps in the documentary Cobby The Other Side Of Cute. It's streaming on many platforms, but Amazon Prime Video is probably the most common and included in membership.
I was heavily involved with this project, so can highly recommend it. It came out great with the exception of the (too long) part about his previous owner and his elephant interest. I would have preferred the filmmakers interviewed Cobby and the Girls first Keeper at the Zoo. I pushed for that, but it disappointingly didn't happen. Thankfully, Keeper John Alcaraz was interviewed by KGO Reporter Dan Noyes, for the story he did on my crusade to save Our Chimps when Director Peterson tried to kick them out.
All the years the Chimps lived in Triple Grotto, I knew they knew me, but it wasn't until the move to the dayroom, where we could interact at the glass, did I realize we had a bond. I had a wonderful friendship with Cobby and Minnie, and cherish the time they spent with me. This is one my favorite photos.
Cobby came to the window to greet me almost every visit. Most of our greetings included The Daily Boot Check. He loved to check out my boots. They were always the same ones, but he still wanted to see them. It never got old! I Loved it and Miss it.
When he met his first new Chimp friend in almost forty years, he came to tell me about it.
Minnie - April 25, 1969 - May 2024
Learn more about Minnie on my Tribute post:
Remembering Minnie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/05/remembering-minnie-chimpanzee-lady.html
Maggie - April 25, 1970 - March 2025
Learn more about Maggie on my Tribute post:
Farewell To Our Last Original Chimpanzee - RIP Maggie
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/03/farewell-to-our-last-original.html
Both Minnie and Maggie came to Our Zoo April 25, 1970. Like those before them, they were taken as infants from their wild families, and sold for profit in the Wildlife Trade. They arrived at Our Zoo during their first year and a half of life. They seemingly spent their time from Africa to the States together, their families possibly from the same wild troop. It was and sadly still is common for poachers to slaughter whole groups in their evil procurement of infants to sell. Again, I'm thankful that Our Zoo became a life-long home for these little girls, to at least grow-up in a Chimpanzee family.
In 2019, Our Zoo acquired the first Chimpanzees since Minnie and Maggie's arrival in 1970. Welcoming Qadeer, Nick, Twiggy and Jamie, expanded our troop to seven, enriching each of their lives, and the lives of those of us who love our Chimpanzees.
Sadly Jamie passed away in 2021. She was born November 13, 1977 at Busch Gardens, Tampa. Her Sister Twiggy, still lives at Our Zoo, with Nick and Qadeer.
Jamie was hand-raised and seemed to prefer the company of humans. She and I became an instant besties.
Learn more about Jamie on my Tribute post:
Remembering Jamie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/09/remembering-jamie-chimpanzee-lady.html
To all the Chimpanzees who we have been blessed to have in our lives, Thank you. Love you and Miss you!
Chimp Greetings Never Get Old
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6beCSfHsUoM
I wish the Zoo would have taken the suggestion I made after Cobby and Jamie passed away. That was, to create a Remembrance wall with their photos, names and life years. The Chimpanzees have been iconic Zoo Residents and should be forever recognized. Maybe someday.
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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget. I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that. Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags. Does it help in searches, who knows.
#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
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