San Francisco Zoo Animals Names - Given versus "ReName"

Posted 5.19.15

Apparently I started compiling this over a month ago and work got busy and I totally forgot it was near done and laying in Draft.  I'm Publishing now, as I have a related post that will follow, that I must publish today.  I will be updating this, so check back.

In Draft 4.14.15

OK the long (awaited?) in the making list of Zoo Friend Names.  Many people I know ask me all the time, the Names of the Animals, so I know people like to know.  ... Hope I have your Fav Friends listed!  If not, let me know and I'll find out.

Most of the Animals came here with Given or Established Names.  That means these are the Names they have in Studbooks.  A Name they carry for life.   A Name they know and respond to.  They are not unnamed Newborns.  Sometimes they are up to 10+ years old and STILL the San Francisco Zoo strips them of their Identity.

The Animals who have not had their Names changed, probably came here (or were born here) before the current reign felt disrespecting has a price.  =  Money changed hands.   Sometimes Names are also changed for what they will garner in Media Attention.  Same as Money changing hands, it has a "value", something the Zoo does not put on the Animals as Individuals.  Sometimes an Animals Name is changed just because they feel like it.  Money, Media, Donor, whatever, its all really disgusting in my opinion.

As noted in previous, this would be acceptable if, their Given Names were still used behind the scenes and by their Keepers.   Otherwise its not only disrespectful, in my opinion it messes the Animal up.  

Animals know their Name.  You switch that and they don't know what the hell is going on.  For instance,  Amur Tiger Shastyuh came to the Zoo at age 11.  For Eleven years this Cat had the name Shastyuh. Then she comes to the San Francisco Zoo and SFZoo Officials think its just fine to auction off her Name (she's not the first or last) to the highest bidder and she becomes "Martha".   Makes me sick, because this should never happen.  Zoo Officials should be presenting different ways of raising money, in this case and others like it, sponsoring the Animal and putting a plaque up saying such with the Donors name on it would be more respectful. So, in comes the check and all was fine while Keeper Barb Palmer was there.  Barb made sure to use all the Cats Given Names.  Then after 17 years at the Zoo, Barb left.  Then Assistant Carnivore Curator Debbie Marin (now head of Training and some other nonsense title) insisted on using only the Donor Name, and poor Shastyuh started being called, Shastyuh Martha, eventually losing her Shasyuh identity all together.  Just Awful!  It breaks my heart, because she knew her Name, after so long not hearing her Name, she probably only comes to the sound of a familiar voice now, as she probably has no idea why she never hears her Name anymore.  Except when I greet her, as I refuse to use any of the Renames.

For example, in Shastyuh's case.  If (as I'm pretty sure she will be staying in SF for life), she was transferred to another Zoo, her transfer information would reflect her Studbook info, which states her name is Shastyuh.  Yet, in SF they screwed her up calling her Martha for years.  So the new Zoo would have a problem if they wanted to stay true to her Given Name.  ... When Sumatran Tiger Bali/"George", was done being used as a "stud" in SF, he moved to Point Defiance Zoo.  That Zoo had a contest that let the public choose which Name to use.  His Given Name Bali won by a great percentage over the Name SFZoo gave him "George".  Thankfully, his Keeper was Barb and she always called him Bali.  Like Shastyuh, Bali is a Name that is reflective of their Species Heritage. Bali's Brother's Name is Java.  They were named after two regions in Sumatra whose Tigers have gone extinct.  Their Name have meaning.

In the Zoo World, names other than Given Names are called "House" names, but in SF, they just get changed all together.  I'm calling them Rename.

You can read more about my opinions about Name/ReName by searching that subject on my blogs. Here's one of my posts of outrage, prompted by the changing of Tucker the Hippo's Name.  This was the first time that I heard, Given Names were not being used by Keepers.

http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/05/name-changing.html

This Key to Names will have the Given Name/"ReName" 

If there's an *** , that means I will revisit and post more information on the Name.

If an @, that means this Animal was born at the SFZoo.

If an #, that means this Animal was Wild born.  Either having a name when they got here or named by SFZoo many years ago.

If its blank, that means I don't know the names, or I knew and am brain fading.   Will try to remember to find out and update!

Chimpanzees - 

M Cobby  #

F Minnie  #

F Maggie  #

I will note straight off, in an effort to raise money for a new Exhibit, the Zoo had better not try and auction off the naming rights to the Chimps!  

Gorillas - 

M Oscar Jonesy (who the Zoo calls OJ.  I call Jonesy, out of respect for not associating him with a Criminal.)  Named after his Father Oscar and his Mother Jonesie.  ... He did have a ReName of "Rich", at one point, but its unclear if it was ever used by any Zoo.  

F Bawang

F Zura

F Monifa

F Nneka @

M Hasani @

Giraffes -

M Sam/ "Floyd"

F Bititi

F Willow/ "Barbro" (she is now the 3rd/4th they have Re/Named this?  ahhh WHY?  Is there some obnoxious, narcissistic deep pocketed Giraffe fan? ... Her given name Willow means Slender and Graceful.  If you've seen her you know this is the perfect name for her)

F Amani/ "Eve"  (Amani means Peace in Swahili.  Again, a name that has meaning and native meaning at that.)

F Erin @

F Sara @

M Bobby @

Mandrills

M Jesse 

F Lulu @

F

F

Patas Monkeys

M Patrick 

F Ginger  

F Winnie  

F Emma

F Freida @

Emperor Tamarins  

Pied Tamarins 

Siamangs

M Storm

F Mindy

Squirrel Monkeys

Howler Monkeys

F Baya/ "Lincecum"  @  Baya was born on Thanksgiving Day and her name is Spanish for Berry.  I was told it was a nod to her Heritage and the Day  ...  ReNamed after a Male Ballplayer = STUPID/DISRESPECTFUL

M Benjamin/ "Robin Williams"  No disrespect to RW RIP,  I liked him, but I hate the naming after Ball Players/Celebrities and really hate the first/last name thing.  It would be fine for newborns if fitting and only one of the names.
UnNamed- Gender Unknow Infant

Francois Langurs

F Mai Lin  

M ballplayer @

F Jing Jing @

F Kathleen @

M Issac
M Chan - Infant 

I think there is one more, will check.

Colobus Monkeys

M
F

Black Rhinos

F Elly #  -  Elly was Named many years (I think when she first got here) after a Zoo supporter.

Belozi/ "Boone" ***  Outrage on this ReName.  More later

Greater One Horned Indian Rhino

M Gauhati

Lions

F Amanzi

M Jahari @

F Sukari

Sumatran Tigers

F Skylar/ "Leanne"

M Taymor/ "Larry" ***  Outraged, more later.

F Jillian @

Siberian/ "Amur" Tigers

F Shastyuh/ "Martha" ***  Outraged you read about it above.

M Bronevik ***  Has been ReNamed and I've blocked it out.  Outraged of course!

Snow Leopards

M Rigel

F Niya (Krishniya)/"Kelly"  ***  Outraged!  Second Animal to be ReNamed Kelly.

Otters

F Sable/ "Kelly" *** Outraged! 

M Trent

Bobcat

M Inti

Wolverines

F Kiwi

M Rocky

Capybaras

M Crackle

Giant Anteaters

M Angelo

F Evita

Guanacos

F  I know the names, just not sure 

M  I am spelling them right.  ***

Rheas 

Black Swan

White Swan

Cosaroba Swans
F Bella
F (blanking)

Sea Lions

M Silent Knight  #

M Henry  #

Polar Bears

F Ulu  #

F Pike (pronunced Peeka) @

Grizzly Bears

F Kiona  #

F Kachina  #

Peccaries (unclear how many there are now, after multiple births last year and inconsistent sightings)

M Habanero

F all 

F three

F renamed

Bald Eagles

F Sureshot

M Gordon

Brown Pelicans

M Hook

F Tink

M another Peter Pan name

White Pelicans

M Devil 

F  Wendy

M another Pan name

M another Pan name

M another Pan name

Cassowary

F Slash

M has two names.  can't remember off hand, as they aren't familiar. ***

Emu

M Boomer

Marsupials/Roos

Koalas

Komodo Dragon

M Flacor/ "Big Daddy Bahasa" *** OUTRAGED!!!  More soon!

Ground Hornbills

M Wilbur

F Winnie

Great Hornbill

M Hercules

Bird String...

Winkled Hornbills

M Rip Van Wrinkle

F Lena Hornbill

Agouti

F Reese

F Jiffy

Red Pandas Outraged at the ReName of all these Animals.

F Grace ***

M Kodari/ "Tenzing"  *** 

F don't know ***

If I missed any from main Zoo will add asap.

As well, will add in Children's Zoo and Family Farm.