Monday, September 22, 2014
Red Panda Day - Zoo Event Review
Well, finally I have some time to write a bit about this Zoo event from last weekend. If you didn't go, I guess this will be the first and only place you'll read about it. I just scanned thru the Zoo's FB and there was no sign of a post that gave highlights from this. I seriously do not understand the Zoo's thought process on anything.
Happy Red Panda Day!
Celebrating photo I posted to my short blog. FYI Kodari is the one they was renamed "Tenzing" and the one they seem to only post about :( In my opinion that's because they can pimp him for Media attention. I love you too Miss Grace!
Will start off by saying, this is what an "event" should be! Have nothing to rag on. I will say from what I know, this had not much to do with "Zoo" planning, but more the efforts of the Red Panda Animal Staff. They obviously are dedicated to this Animal and wanted to raise funds to help them and spread awareness. Kudos to Children's Zoo/Red Panda Keepers, Antoinette, Corey and Tricia, and CZ Curator Eric, for putting on a great event. Thank you!
Below you can see they had an information table set-up, as well a table with raffle prize items. All donations for the raffle, went to support the Red Panda Network.
Not pictured in the prize item table photo is the below Painting that was standing to photo left. I love Animal Paintings! This was a beauty, in my fav color combo, Orange and Pink! This Painting was done by Grace, the Female Red Panda :) Done mostly by paw, but with one added swoosh from her tail :) It was lovely! ... My suggestion to many facilities that do Animal Art is to photograph them and make note cards and other items so that the Animals Art can go further than just this one offering and many can own and enjoy it.
Below is a close-up of the other items. In addition to a behind the scenes tour, all other items was hand crafted by Keepers, their Family and Friends, and you can tell they were made out of the passion these people have for this Animal. Each item was wonderful! My fav was the Rhea Egg, hand painted by Corey, who also did the Stained Glass. The Metal Work Face was done by Antoinette's Husband. The hats were made by Corey's Mother and the Scarves by her Friends at Houston Zoo.
Two Enrichment Items were offered to Grace and Kodari. A painted box with Bamboo and a fruit filled Ice Treat. The only hit was the box and only Kodari seemed to like it. He REALLY like it! I think my video caught a bit of it, but he was jumping and pouncing all over it! I vote for fun box items for them every week! Hopefully Grace had some fun with it after :)
Here;s the link to my Video of
Kodari playing with his Enrichment Toy :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-OE507CyjI
The event also had Craft based things, Red Panda Mask coloring and Origami. Posting my offering, as I think the outline would make a great Pumpkin Carving template, if anyone wants to print it out.
Video of Red Panda Origami
Thank you! to the Staffer
who demo'd this for me to film.
who demo'd this for me to film.
Animal Awareness Days - World Lion Day - Zoo Event Review
Well, I meant to do a World Lion Day post, and obviously I still haven't. With two Animal Awareness Days this past weekend and the Zoo actually doing something for them, I'll post abit about Awareness Days in general, as well a review of the Zoo's Lion Day Event.
Animal Awareness Days at the SFZoo have either been non-existent or have fallen short of what they should be. When I first started to take note and post about this, it was World Tapir Day 2012 and there was nothing on the Zoo grounds that even hinted at that. They continued to miss such Days for Tigers, Polar Bears, and Rhinos. In 2013, for Rhino Day, the Zoo put up a "sandwich" board, with a few notations. That was the extent of it.
Here are a couple of the posts I've made on this blog in reference to this.
So far this year they have recognized three Animal Awareness Days with Events. Not sure why the change, but at least they are getting with the program a bit.
World Lion Day is August 10th.
Screen-Cap from my blog post
With the recent increase in Lion related Offenses, I looked forward to seeing what the Zoo would put forth in the way of Education. Their website noted there would be a Keeper Talk and Enrichment.
There was no Educational signage, and no other Fanfare. The Keeper came out and talked about our Lions. There was not one word mentioned about the current plight Lions are facing. Issues that are pushing them towards extinction. WTF? Why even bother to recognize an Awareness Day and not promote Awareness? Again as I've noted many times, the Zoo falls short of its Mission to Educate. I was hoping to hear something in regard to at least one of the issues and nothing. I wasn't surprised, yet at the same time, I seriously couldn't believe there was nothing said about the massive increase in Trophy and Canned Hunting. BIG FAIL SFZOO!
Screen-Cap from World Lion Day site
noting issues that threaten Lions
In my opinion it is a responsibility of all Animal Facilities, whether a Zoo or Sanctuary, to Educate Visitors, especially on these Awareness Days, especially if you are going to go as far as advertising it as an Event! Taking advantage of spreading the word about issues threatening the lives of these Animals, should be a priority. With the amount of Visitors that come through the gates, not to get the word out, is a crime. Why our Zoo, which holds the namesake of a City famous for Environmental Awareness, continues to fall flat, I can't understand. San Francisco Zoo Management, why are you so lame?
I will give Kudos to the Enrichment offerings. I can't find my photos, but a large Hoofed Animal was made out of boxes by Zoo Campers (I think). It looked great and so I had much expectation for interaction between the Lions and the Enrichment Toy. The Keepers put out bones wrapped in paper, but didn't put food incentive in the Toy structure. This was curious to me, as the food is the lure, the toy/item is the challenge. They work hand in hand to make it an enriching experience. They only put Rhino poop (a scent enrichment) on the toy. The Lions came out, went right for the paper wrapped bones and ignored the toy structure completely. After being involved with how a prior Keeper worked with Enrichment Toys, this was unusual. They barely looked at the toy. I stood there for an hour and the only interaction was Jahari spraying it. So either they couldn't smell food, so ignored it or the lack of Toy Enrichment they have received over the past few years has been so little that they just aren't interested in toys or no longer know how to interact with them. Sadly I think it is the later. When they had this type of Enrichment weekly, they were very interested and interacted with it, in a what is called,"high yield" experience. Their lack of interest made me sad and I felt like not having toys for so long, they had been ruined for the experience it provides them.
The Zoo seriously is lacking in their Enrichment efforts. I hope to do yet another post in regards to this. If any reader is on Facebook and is has an interest in Animal Enrichment, check out my group
Awesome Animal Enrichment
Here are some links in regard to the Plight of Lions today.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Whats Going On?
Apologies again for not updating this blog in a timely manner. It weighs heavy on me that I haven't had the time or the energy to do so, because all the things I happen upon that I want to post about, are passion points, because of my love for the Animals.
Today was International Red Panda Day. The Zoo, not only put on an Event, but actually did a good job! ... There was an incident once again with Visitors acting the Fool and Upsetting the Chimps. ... Tomorrow the Zoo is attempting a Rhino Day Event. ... And then there's more Flamingo Chick news! ... So, right there four posts swirling in my mind.
There are many posts that need to come first, but I'm going to forge ahead and hopefully have these above mentioned posts done by tomorrow evening. And then hope to pick at least one thing on my mind, at least once a week and finally get the words down. Hope to create a topic flow, even if I've lost my chronological way.
Stay tuned and check back tomorrow. .. Meanwhile, don't forget to visit my short item blog