Yes, its true, true to San Francisco Zoo style, this lovely Lady, according to them is nameless. So, I'm only to assume she is receiving the same Disrespect that Tucker the Hippo got when he moved to SF.
Yesterday I visited the Zoo and got to meet the new Female Giraffe that apparently arrived Wednesday night under a blanket of secrecy as even some Staff didn't know a new Giraffe was being added. A sign noted she came from the San Diego Zoo, and I heard she is Five years old.
Knowing that the Zoo can't stop their compulsion for renaming Animals, I figured they would change her name. That didn't stop me from trying to find out what her given name was. I usually don't get that information from anyone at the Zoo, but since a Keeper arrived on the scene I figured I'd have go at it, perfectly knowing how it would go.
Me: What's the New Girls Name?
Keeper Megan: She doesn't have one.
Me: What was her Name before she came here?
Keeper Megan: I don't know.
Typical. The Zoo Staff must really think people are stupid. Maybe they are, but I'm not. A full grown Animal most definitely has a Name and the Keeper Staff know full well what that Name is. The whole exchange with Keeper Megan was embarrassing. Maybe she's following orders, which I can respect, what I can't respect is choosing to Lie. Shameful and yes, embarrassing. There is nothing wrong with being Honest and simply saying, "We can't say until she gets her new name."
Unfortunately the Zoo is laden with Secrets, Lies, and more. People wonder why I don't trust the Zoo Staff (those who I do know who they are). This is a prime example. Instead of just being Honest, they find it so easy to Lie. That's just how they roll there.
If I can't find out her original Name, my friends and I will rename her ourselves, something appropriate, which a Donor will never do.
This photo was taken on my cell phone, as I didn't have my camera with me. Look forward to more photos of her soon!
Author Add: Through the comments, the Studbook source came up and I realized that by not sharing an Animals original name, the Zoo deny's us the joy of learning more about the Animals as individuals. There is no way to research their history. Not a very good way to foster Caring, which is part of their Mission Statement
Author Add: Through the comments, the Studbook source came up and I realized that by not sharing an Animals original name, the Zoo deny's us the joy of learning more about the Animals as individuals. There is no way to research their history. Not a very good way to foster Caring, which is part of their Mission Statement
Unfortunately, the zoo is once again going to make a big deal of renaming the new giraffe. I too do not believe that the giraffe does not have a name, but maybe the keeper really doesn't know the name of the giraffe because it is not surprising if the San Diego Zoo did not give the original name of the giraffe. On the other hand, the zoo should be informed and it should be that the zoo and keepers must know the original name of the giraffe. We will just have to see what happens next.
ReplyDelete@ellicruu - Thank you for your comment. ... I love your benefit of the doubt, but there is no way they don't know. This Animal was named at the Zoo of her birth, not even sure that is SDZ. This Animal has a name because there has to be some kind of documentation in the Studbook. All Zoo's have access to that. The Zoo breeds secrecy and gag orders and that's unfortunate. I'm obviously the last person they should lie to lol! Yet a lot of their current covert practices are because of me, which is ridiculous. They are supposed to be running a business not worrying about what I'm blogging about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply, and for correcting me. I wasn't sure if the zoo would have records, but since you have explained it makes sense now. Maybe because everything was rushed, the keeper was uninformed? Which makes the whole "not knowing the name" even more outrageous for this ignorance.
ReplyDelete@ellicruu - I don't ever want anyone to feel I'm correcting them, I just try to share the info as I know it. That said, because of what I have learned from reading Studbooks and referencing to "SSP recommendations for breeding" that we often hear, these recommendations can't be made without having an individual to reference. Yes, they have Studbook numbers, but I don't know of a Zoo Animal that goes by a Number in lieu of a Name. So, I truly believe all I write to be accurate or I wouldn't write it. Sure there's a very slight margin of error, but I don't think my deduction of this situation is faulty. .. Have you read any Studbooks?
ReplyDelete@ellicruu- I started with Studbooks given to me in PDF form by one of the Lion House Keepers years ago. But, I have found non-Cat ones from this site, although a lot are outdated and some not even available, there are many useful ones if you want to check them out.
Deletehttp://library.sandiegozoo.org/studbook.htm
Thank you for the reference. No I have never looked at a studbook before, I didn't even know I could find such a source! I am sure I will utilize the site you gave me as much as necessary.
Delete@ellicruu - Your welcome! If you don't find one you need, sometimes you can find them by google searching. I think I foudn the Polar one that way. One in particular took along time to find, but some can be found tucked into the internet. Its a wonderful resource for doing Family tree's. You can use the find option within the files and input the Animals name, then find their Studbook number and search for offspring. As, well who their parents were and search for siblings.
DeleteI just realized that by not sharing an Animals original name, the Zoo deny's us the joy of learning more about the Animals as individuals. There is no way to research their history. Not a very good way to foster caring, which is part of their Mission Statement.
DeleteThere is no way that the San Diego Zoo didnt have a name for this incredible animal after five years. The SF Zoo is just trying to again, pull the wool(sorry sheep) over everyone's eyes and now just tweaking their excuse a bit by saying there never was a name.
ReplyDelete@Lee - Thank you for your comment. ... Glad you too think this is flat out a lie. "pulling the wool over" is exactly what they do! And not only to the Public, I've seen it at the Joint Zoo Meetings as well. Untruths all up in that place!
DeleteUpper Management is clearly going to either a)"honor" a board member by naming the giraffe after one of them; b) allowing a board member to choose the name as has been done in the past when inappropriate names were chosen in my opinion; c) capitalize on pr and increased donations/membership opportunities by running a name the giraffe campaign.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous- Thank you for your comment. ... Yep one of the above. Although, I don't think board Member's pick appropriate Names either. :(
Deletehere we go again! yet another animal that will undoubtedly obtain a new name based on dollar and/or notoriety exchange. pitiful.
ReplyDelete@hazel- Thank you for your comment. ... Yep. Good word for it, Pitiful! While I don't like it, if the Keepers at least used their original Name I wouldn't get so outraged about it. But to ignore that the Animal has a name is disrespectful.
Delete