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Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Zoo Facebook Posts Part Two
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Let's Talk About Signs
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HOT TOPIC! - AZA Accreditation Inspection - The Fixing Frenzy in Full Swing! - Anteater Barrier, Signs
So, over the past few weeks I have noticed things getting done at the Zoo, some that have been an issue for months to a year. Some longer. My only guess is that the Zoo wants things as in top shape as they can be for their upcoming AZA Accreditation Inspection. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums does on site inspections every five years. I don't know what the guidelines are, but there have been upgrades to Habitats, Barriers, and Signage. Thankful for the fixes, but I think attention to these same issues should be shown in a timely manner and regardless of a Certification Inspection. Too many things have been left to disregarded for too long. Taking care of business should be a given, not something done under pressure.
So, some of the things that have caught my eye were, of course the Habitat upgrade for the Komodo Dragon and Capybara. Both are documented in stand alone posts. Those two things were a quality of life issue and both had been in need for near a year.
Another much needed fix that has been an ongoing issue for over three years! The Barrier Breaching at the Male Giant Anteater Exhibit. This deserves a stand alone post, but I didn't leave a spacer and planned to put it here as well.
Every time I'm there, someone is hanging over or sprawled across the barrier of his Home. Poor Angelo. I've written about it many times over the years. As well, a Docent I know personally wrote to Director Peterson, three years ago (when Angelo first moved in this exhibit) in regard to the continual breach going on at Angelo's Home, and she was told it would be looked into. Director Peterson's looking into something, is passing the buck and then exiting the situation. She never followed-up.
Every time I'm there, someone is hanging over or sprawled across the barrier of his Home. Poor Angelo. I've written about it many times over the years. As well, a Docent I know personally wrote to Director Peterson, three years ago (when Angelo first moved in this exhibit) in regard to the continual breach going on at Angelo's Home, and she was told it would be looked into. Director Peterson's looking into something, is passing the buck and then exiting the situation. She never followed-up.
Collection of just some of the photos taken at the Anteater Enclosure.
Well, now that's FINALLY changed! Another curiously timed fix. We'll take it, but Why the wait? This problem was pointed out three years ago. Why only in the weeks before Accreditation does it get done?
Photos of the New Barrier Fence that went up last week. From Left, it starts at the Bobcat, and continues across the length to the end of the Anteater. Bravo! Not sure why it took three years. .. Hoping the staggered heights are enough to deter people from hanging over. This may be what is needed at every Enclosure. Especially Black Rhinos!
OK, this is a disgrace. These photos were taken over the course of at least eight months. They are so tattered that its embarrassing. This signage for a high risk warning at a code red Animal. Why wasn't fixing this a priority? ... My hand is in that one photo because I have had that longer post about Signage in the works and I used my hand against signs for size illustration. It will basically show that in regard to this, what should be a high alert warning, the size fails to compare to those of a non-animal issue.
This is the new Barrier Sign, that appears at several Exhibits. In my opinion its not enough of a message and there aren't enough in place. ... This message says don't cross over the Barrier, but does nothing to tell people not to sit on or hang over the Barrier.
More disgrace. The most offensive one is the top one. This sign at Black Rhinos, gives information about Our Precious Elly. It sat in this state of disgrace, weather worn and graffiti on, for at least a year. It was just removed a last month. Why did it sit out there like that all that time and only recently it gets removed? ... The second and third lines, also signage from Exhibits. These weather worn signs were like this at least 6-8 months.
So yea. I am happy to see these fails fixed, but have to wonder if they would have been, had an Inspection not been in the immediate future?
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Crackle's New Digs! - Capybara Gets Refuge from Ditch! - FINALLY!
Another Habitat success story!
Since last year when the Zoo Acquired both a Male Capybara and a pair of Guanacos, poor Capy Crackle, has not lived life on the Puente to the fullest. In fact he has lived a stressful life, being chased by both the Guanacos and the Rheas. I doubt he has even used the pool, which is sad because Capybara's love water.
I wrote about this situation last month, as a year is too long for this poor babie to be held hostage in a corner.
I posted this suggestion via my Video in August
AND now we have this! So Happy for little Crackle!
So, why couldn't this be done a year ago for him? Guess another Kim's Running the Zoo via her blog or AZA Accreditation Let's Fix Stuff Up so it appears we don't suck as bad as we really do.
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Zoo Visit 9.14.15
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HOT TOPIC! - Falcor Gets Greenery For His Birthday! - Komodo Dragon Habitat Upgrade! FINALLY!
Well, when I visited Falcor for his Birthday on Oct 8th, I almost cried when I opened the door to see Green! I previously wrote about the state of nothingness in his Home. I did a pretty extensive post about it last month.
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/09/komodo-karnival-nothing-for-dragon-to.html
See the heartbreaking Video showing the Barren Pit he was living in for near a year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBY-YMCqJtQ
I seriously could not believe my eyes! So Happy for him! He is lucky the Zoo has AZA Accreditation coming up soon, or he'd probably still be in the pit!
Happy Birthday Falcor + Greenery FINALLY!
You will see that there is a mister in there now as well. Good to see that. I had been there one day while Students were observing him. They told me they were going to make that suggestion. I think its great to have more minds thinking of ways to Enrich the Animals, but I'm really bothered that the Zoo Staff itself doesn't not come up with these ideas. This poor guy, has been disrespected, since the Director's next New and Shiny pet arrived. I've lost track who that was, but it was Komodo this and Komodo that, and for two years now, he's gotten nothing. Aside from treats his first Halloween here, I've never seen any kind of Enrichment, and we know his Habitat was a disgrace for a year.
Also note that when he was Acquired, it was promised that he would a larger outdoor exhibit within two years. Instead Director Peterson keeps bringing in New Animals and building New Exhibits for them before taking care at Home aka Animals the currently live there.. Just like the Chimps were disregarded for thirty years. They were promised upgrades seven months ago and not only is there still peeling paint on their Home, but Director Peterson is bringing in Sifaka Lemurs and building them a New Exhibit, BEFORE taking care of the Chimps. That folks, is how she rolls.
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Zoo Visit 10.8.15
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Barrier Breaching - Toddler Falls Into Cheetah Exhibit at Cleveland Zoo
In an effort to organize thousands of photos for my blogging catch-up, I saw so many photos of Barrier Breaching. I take a photo every chance I get when I see this. This is one of my big pressure points. I have been writing about it for years. You can search this blog for other posts on this subject.
That said, I don't have time to resize everything, so I tossed them into Movie Maker and made a Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBsDaBrMZIU
There is a continuous stream of People/Kids leaning, sitting, standing, on or over Barriers.
A- What's wrong with them?
B- Why doesn't the Zoo take this more seriously.
Let's examine A- first. Doing this falls into three categories. Stupid, Care-less (as in they could Care less about the Animals), or Sinister. Unless you are trying to harm an Animal or yourself in doing so, there are two basic notes about this. 1-Its disrespectful to the Animal. These are their homes, its the same as leaning into someones window. 2- If you fall in or drop your kid in, the Animal loses its life in an effort to retrieve you or your kid. ... Now for those who think they have a grip on their kid when doing this, so did the Parents in the following articles. Anything can happen. Someone can bump you, you could mis-step or mis-handle. Accidents happen.
I posted about this one, you can search the blog for it. But, here'e the News link.
I had this one in queue and forgot to leave a space for a stand alone post on it. It would have mimiced the one I did on Pittsburgh, so its fine I'll just include it here for Awareness. ... Thankfully the Cleveland Zoo filed charges against the Parents in this one. It was time someone at a Zoo took a stand on this behavior.
Now let's talk about B-. I know the Zoo reads my blog, so why don't they take this more seriously? I will note they have made a few improvements to help deter, but nothing that has made a difference, as I still see it being done.
They added signs at one point, a couple years ago, so wordy that no one pays attention to them. My guess is they were not meant to deter, but to cover themselves. .. It was always curious that there were only two, one at Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros and at one Polar Bear.
Only since May this year have I seen any other efforts. One being added metal to the barriers at Hippo and Greater One Horned Rhino, the other graphic don't cross signs.
The little over one inch lip that was added to
the Hippo barrier, in the same color as the barrier.
I still see people hang their kids over this lip.
which is behind where the people on the right are standing.
Oh, and hanging their kid over the barrier.
These in my opinion are both useless. A larger scale universal stance should be taken against this behavior. That said, since it hasn't been, you have to wonder if they actually care about the Safety of the Animals?
I attempted last New Years to post a Call to Action for a thought I had. A Go Red Campaign, where I had painted all the barriers red in photos. Time got away from me, I can't find the folder of pix,... Still I think its a great idea. Sure it won't stop all the fools, but it would do a lot better job that a sign that may not be in direct line of sight, or a metal addition that blends with the existing barrier. If people want to endanger themselves and their kids that's on them, I don't want to ever hear an Animal lost its life because of a situation like this.
If the above barrier were painted red,
then it would act like a STOP Sign.
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Zoo Visit 10.1.15
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9.29.15 - Annual Members Meeting - WTH is This and Why Doesn't Anyone Know?!
This actually pissed me off quite a bit, so let me just write a bit about it.
In the Zoo's August Animail, they mentioned the Annual Member's Meeting.
I had never heard of a Member's Meeting so I sent an email to PRs Danny Latham to ask what this was about. I got no response. ... I sent an email to the RSVP address and got no response. ... I sent an email to Marketing Assistant/Membership Coordinator Susan Shafer and got no response. I called the Zoo and left a message on Danny's voicemail and got no call back. I called the Zoo and left another message on Danny's voicemail and got no callback. I called the Zoo and no one had any information, so they transferred me to Susan, who transferred me to Director Peterson's Assistant ?Anne Elefterakis who I left a voicemail for and got no call back.
Just documenting this as this is really bad Member Service. REGARDLESS of their opinion of me, I pay my Fee like anyone else, and someone should have responded.
I RSVP'd anyway, but decided not to go.
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Zoo Visit 9.25.15
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Joint Zoo Committee Meeting 9.24.15
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Zoo Visit 9.24.15
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Zoo Visit 9.16.15
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Zoo Visit 9.10.15
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Zoo Visit - 9.3.15
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Zoo Facebook Posts - Do They Know Which Animals are Still Living There?
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Zoo Visit 8.27.15
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Zoo Visit 8.20.15
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Zoo Visit 8.13.15
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Zoo Birthdays! - Not For The Animals ... Enrichment Notes
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Zoo Visit 8.4.15
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Zoo Visit 7.27.15
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Zoo Visit 7.23.15
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Tropical Aviary Review
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Sculpture Garden Review
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Tropical Aviary Opens! - Snake Goes Missing?
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Zoo Visit 7.10.15
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Zoo Visit 7.2.15
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New Rhino Toy Foobler - Update
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Zoo Visit 6.26.15
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Zoo Visit 6.10.15
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Zoo Monitors Employee Facebook Pages
I found this months ago while researching something. Not surprised after the Eavesdropping Radio News came out. I have long felt that Employers have really taken advantage of internet, in regards to the hoops you have to go through just to get a job. That said, its just plain bullshit when you can't separate your professional life from your work life if you want to. Employers should be concentrating on hiring the more qualified for the job, not reading their personal posts. Maybe this is why there are so many people who don't seem to be best suited for positions they hold. I am refering to the Zoo, but not limited to.
My advice to Zoo Staff, make sure you're settings are private. Use an email address that no one else knows is yours, as your sign in.
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Zoo Shitheads - Gorilla Breaks Glass at Omaha Zoo
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Fundraising For New Rhino Toy
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Zoo Visit 5.31.15
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Zoo Visit 5.20.15 - Barrier Signs, Snow Leopard Views, ...
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Blog Updating Notes 10.20.15
Trying to play Catch-Up again. For the purpose of some current things I'm working on, I need to get to related posts. So, I will be posting the ones I hope to finish at some point very soon, as I strive to keep things in as close to chronological order as I can. I think its better for documenting purposes, as well, it will bother me if its not in order. .. I apologize if Coming Soon posts are annoying. I'm annoyed that I haven't been timely.
You will notice or maybe you won't ;) 37 posts in Coming Soon! mode. I hope they won't be that way for long, I also hope they stay in order as I work on them (publishing them in this way is an attempt at that), otherwise I just wasted three hours and the three Valerian Root I had to take after the titling alone made my ears pulsate. Its been a very emotional last few days, since the passing of Shastyuh and my need to lift the weight of these posts is in over-drive. So please stay tuned, and check in frequently. Each post will also be Tweeted, so you can follow that way via Leo811
Thank you!
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Wednesday, September 23, 2015
New Petition! - San Francisco Zoo - STOP Doing for New Animals & DO For The Chimps As Promised!
I started this Petition about the Chimps Situation. Please Sign, Share, Tweet. Be a Voice for Our Precious Chimps. Help them get what they were Promised! Thank you!
Six Months ago, San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, Promised to Keep the Zoo's Three Senior Chimpanzees at the SFZoo, the only home they have ever known. That Promise included an Upgrade/Expansion to their current home (while waiting for funding for a New Exhibit). This would allow not only extra space for them, but an additional holding area to eventually bring in more Chimps to add to their Group size, which is a future Key Factor in Securing them a Forever Home at the SFZoo.
Since this announcement, under Peterson's direction, the SFZoo has committed to Acquiring a New Animal (and allegedly others), the Sifaka Lemur. This New Acquisition will require a New Exhibit to be built. This Exhibit is moving toward construction, BEFORE the Chimps!!! The opening projected for Spring 2016.
Like the past Eighteen Years, the Chimpanzee's Needs have been back-burned. Their Need was acknowledged by Director Peterson in February, as Immediate, Yet they have been Denied Immediate Action. The projected completion of their Expansion is Fall 2016. Nineteen Months after being Promised.
Why is their situation Time Sensitive? If their Group Size reduced, and there was not available space to bring in more Chimps, the Two Surviving Chimps would be Vulnerable to still being Shipped Out. They must have available space, either in the Expansion or a New Exhibit, before their Group reduces to Two. I hate even talking about that, but those are the facts.
Their need was immediate when they were Four. Now with Three, they desperately need to create a Social Group with different generations, in order to not end up as Two or One.
I outlined their situation in detail on my previous Petition (and my blog linked below) http://www.thepetitionsite.com/338/765/201/san-francisco-zoo-dont-kick-chimps-out/
This is a Call to Action for the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson to:
*Halt Any Plan to Acquire New Animals that would Require New Exhibits to be built, with the exception of Rescue Animals in Dire need.
*Defer Construction of Sifaka Lemur Exhibit, until After Chimpanzee Upgrade is Complete. Ideally, until After all Current In Need Animals are Attended to. The Komodo Dragon the Next In Need.
*Escalate Fundraising for New Chimpanzee Home, as Promised.
By signing this petition, I hope we can shine light on this situation and Stop The San Francisco Zoo from Acquiring New Animals, Until They Take Care of the Animals Already there. The Chimps Are Not The Only Ones In Need. Please Sign, Share and Help Our Chimps Be a Priority!
Thank you
savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com ...
also find us on Facebook - San Francisco Zoo Chimps Update
Monday, September 14, 2015
Joint Zoo Meeting - 8.27.15 - Chimpanzees Shafted Continued
Director Peterson gave a presentation on the Sifaka Lemur Exhibit. Not the Primate Expansion, not the Chimpanzee Upgrade. Exclusively, the Sifakas.
Since I didn't get answers from Tim Wu and I hadn't been able to direct questions/comments to Director Peterson, at the last Meeting, I had to do so at this Meeting. Not something I wanted to do, but someone has to and that someone is me. I tried a few months ago to get an answer via email, but she refused and replied that I would have to bring it up at the Meeting.
I got up and addressed Director Peterson, who immediately looked down at the desk, never making eye contact with me while I spoke. Only when she replied did she look at me. Then when I responded, she looked down again. Very rude behavior for a professional head of this organization. But, I'm not surprised. Guess its appropriate, as she should be hanging her head in shame.
I asked, "Why was the decision made to build an exhibit for the Sifaka Lemurs, an Animal we don't even have, before following through with the upgrades for the Chimps?" She said something about it always being a (multi-primate, I think she even included Orangutans) area,.. and then said, that they were doing everything they could to make sure that the Chimps were comfortable in their existing enclosure. I really should've videotaped it because I just can't remember verbatim some of the exact words used by her, but there weren't many, and this is either exact or close to what she said. I started to speak again and she looked back down. I continued, noting that "the Chimps are a time sensitive situation. If we lose one of them, and I don't even like saying that, the remaining two will be vulnerable to still being moved away, because you've not done the upgrade that you said you were gonna do, which would have allowed for the extra holding area to bring in additional Chimps." She said, that "the upgrade didn't include extra holding areas." I reminded her that when I spoke to her at the March Meeting, she told me that the layout of the new upgrade would include an additional holding space".
The space I'm referring to is in the Pachyderm Building. You can read about it in this post.
When we spoke at that March Meeting she even mentioned that the Girls could be shipped out (her assuming that they would be the surviving two). I said, "No they can't. You committed to keeping them." To which she then said, they could look at bringing in additional Chimps. ... Readers, my ears are pulsating just writing this. This is why its hard for me to be timely on posts. They are very upsetting. There is too much BS being both said and done at the Zoo, it really is hard to deal with.
That said, I ended my words at the Meeting to Director Peterson by saying, "I think its very irresponsible to build new exhibits for Animals we don't even have, before taking care of the Chimps." Still she did not look at me. And I sat down.
A panel Member quickly ended the Meeting by saying, the Meeting was adjourned. I will note that it was 5:20p and time still has not changed to allow for Keepers to speak at the Meetings, since they get off at 5:30p.
Additionally, not one panel Member had anything to say about what I consider a serious issue. Not one curiosity as to Why they are building for new, while old are in need, out of any one of them. Shameful! What good is the Committee? I have never once heard them Nay anything. They seem to be Yes Mam'ers and agree with everything Director Peterson and Management says and requests. At this Meeting, David Bocian, VP Animal Care & Enrichment, noted that two Animals had died of Pneumonia. Did anyone question that? No. Not even Dr Spinelli the panel Vet. Good Grief. There really needs to be a shake up in this whole structure.
So, where does this leave these poor Chimps? No upgrade til Fall 2016. At the very minimum, that's Nineteen Months after Director Peterson committed to upgrading their current home and noting herself that this was a time sensitive situation. Not sure what that means to her, but to me, near Two Years later is not proceeding as time sensitive. She made a promise to these Chimps and is knocking them down on the priority pole again. THIS SHIT IS NOT RIGHT!
Last week Chimpanzee's received Endangered Status and this Woman is still back-burnering their needs. Its been Seven Months since her commitment to them and their home still has paint peeling off it. That right there tells you the level of Caring that is going on there.
Not sure what my next plan is, but I can tell you this, I will be a THORN in this Woman's side until she does right by the Animals starting with those Precious Chimps. She will not silently dis them, because they can't speak. I will be their Voice through this. She thought I was a peasant. Typical of her kind. Used me and my friend as her Scapegoat and thought taking our Memberships would get rid of me and my opinions. All she did was raise the beast. She picked on the wrong peasant. Bet she wishes she never got on my dance floor.
If anything you read moves you,
Please contact the SFZoo Director
Tanya Peterson
tanyap@sfzoo.org
Attempt at Seeking Answers - re Chimp Upgrade and Fundraising
Below are screen-caps of an Email exchange that I had with the Zoo's VP of Philanthropy, Tim Wu, following the July Joint Zoo Meeting.
I had these in my blog folder and realize after reading them, they needed to be posted after my Joint Zoo Meeting - 7.23.15 post. That didn't happen first time around, so good I'm doing this Repost, so it can all flow.
I failed to remember to mention that I did ask (at that Meeting) how much had been raised for the Chimps in addition to the One Million Dollar Donation. I was told, $1.5 Million was the total for the Chimps to date.
The details I was seeking are clear in the correspondence. The last one is where it ends. He would not answer any further.
I am left to assume that aside from the Million donation, that the 500k are from the website based effort? And that nothing except that one mention of the website donation page, on the Zoo's Facebook, is the only effort that has been made for the Chimps.
If anything you read moves you,
Please contact the SFZoo Director
Tanya Peterson
tanyap@sfzoo.org
Joint Zoo Meeting - 7.23.15 - Primate Expansion, Chimpanzees Shafted - REPOST
Bumping this post, because I feel like it was the first of three that go together to create the full pictured of what the status is of the Chimps situation is. I haven't had the time or energy to complete the trio, but goign to press publish on this and hope I do now! Can't stay this far behind on stuff!
Repost of this, original post date 8.31.15
This meeting was the first opportunity I would have to ask about a Chimp Update. As noted in a previous post, Director Peterson would no longer entertain my correspondence and suggested I, "bring it up at the Meeting." Unfortunately, Director Peterson was not there, but I was prepared to bring it up anyway.
Repost of this, original post date 8.31.15
This meeting was the first opportunity I would have to ask about a Chimp Update. As noted in a previous post, Director Peterson would no longer entertain my correspondence and suggested I, "bring it up at the Meeting." Unfortunately, Director Peterson was not there, but I was prepared to bring it up anyway.
Deputy Director Joe Fitting, did a presentation called Primate Update. This presentation focused specifically on the plans for the Sifaka Lemur, Chimpanzee and I'm pretty sure he mentioned Orangutans. Note, we do not have Sifaka Lemurs or Orangutans in the current Animal Collection. He went through the layout of the exhibit using a photo that I think was a repeat of this one I've posted before.
At the end of this presentation, I asked What the Timeline for the Chimp Upgrade is. He answered that he thought it would be Spring of 2016. I was about to question further, but then VP of Animal Care, David Bocian interjected and said that the projected completion for the Sifaka's was Spring and the Chimps, Fall 2016.
I was pretty livid at this answer, but didn't go further in the Meeting time. After the Meeting I approached Bocian to question further. The next text I add will be a share of what our conversation covered. I apologize for not formatting it in a dialog, but I don't have time for that.
I asked him Why the Chimps were being done after an Animal we don't even currently have? He said that a Donor came forward with funds for the Sifakas. I said, but the Chimps are in need, and without doing the upgrade to bring in more, they are still vulnerable to being moved, if we lost one. He said, that they are all healthy. I said, that's great, but my concern is still, if something were to happen and we got down to two, and no place to house additions, they could still be sent away. He said, that the Zoo was committed to keeping them, and that it was "something" that they were even staying. I reiterated that the Chimps should be the priority. He said that when a Donor comes forward, you don't say no. I said, you don't have to say no, but you could say, thank you and when we finish for the in need Animals that already live there, we will look at building for new Animals. He again repeated, that is was something that they were even staying.
I then questioned him about the suggestions for the state of the current enclosure that I had sent to Director Peterson, who said she forwarded them to the Curators. He didn't seem to know what I was referring to, so I went over two things I felt were most important. The addition of a tree lined barrier, to filter direct eye contact from the Chimps viewpoint and a foraging mound. He didn't think a tree lined barrier was necessary, and denied that Cobby is upset by Visitors. I described many instances, and supported this idea by quoting the AZA habitat guidelines. Mr Bocian's opinion was that I didn't know the difference between Male displaying and being upset. I assured him that I indeed knew the difference, as one example is when Zoo Shitheads are heckling him and another is when he see's the Keeper coming. He then noted that Visitors complained once (seriously how many years a go was this?) that the tree's were in the way of viewing the Chimps. I noted that I don't believe that to be true, as the Chimps are rarely on the ground which would be the only part of the enclosure that would not be directly visible, but yet not completely shielded. I used the potted bamboo plants at the Snow Leopards as an example. I then challenged him to bring down some of the many potted plants in holding and give it a try. Moving on I asked why they still use that old metal twigging box, when several foraging mounds have been fabricated for other areas. Why can't they have one? Didn't really get an answer on this.
Those suggestions and others were noted in a previous blog post, if interested in further details.
I very much appreciate that he took the time to talk with me about these issues and some other things, but there were a couple things that irked me. I don't think I've ever directly spoken to him, but in light of the News story on the Chimps, I'm pretty sure he knows who I am. So it was a bit odd that a few minutes into the conversation he asked me who I was. The thing I had to bite my tongue on was when he twice said, that is was something that the Chimps were even staying. I'm sorry, I don't in anyway mean to sound pompous, but I literally felt like saying, No thanks to you or anyone else on the Animal Staff. I don't need accolades, but those Chimps would be gone, and possibly dead if I didn't launch a Crusade to save them. Not one person on the Zoo's Staff who knew about this, especially at Animal Management level, that is he and Primate Curator Corinne MacDonald, did anything to help them. I was their sole savior. Yea, there will be nay-sayers, but a fact is a fact. My Crusade and the public outcry it generated with the help of the KGO I-Team, are why those Chimps did not have to leave their home. I know from my Media adventure in that effort, that there is an open Anonymous communication between Staff and Media. At any point, anyone who knew about this could have contacted Media anonymously and done exactly what I did for them. And the fact that I just happened to get wind of the situation, and it was late in Director Peterson's game to kick them out, they should be ashamed of themselves for not doing a damn thing. Sorry, but I'm not going to sugar coat the fact of it.
Two other topics covered at the Meeting that I want to comment on.
Fitting was all a glee about the high attendance for Zoo Camp this Summer. Why is a Zoo representative more excited about Zoo Campers than the Animals? I'm sorry but I understand the need for all these other things to bring in money to the Zoo, but not at a higher priority than the Animals.
Fitting also brought up the Terrace Cafe renovation into a Pizza Place. I questioned how much this renovation would cost and was told $30k. Before I could ask, I was told that the Zoo was not paying for it, that the Concession Co. was. I don't know if this is true, as I did ask several Employees in Concessions about this and was told, they were sharing the cost with the Zoo. Regardless, I don't think this is a priority.
So, there you have it. Chimps will not see a Upgrade until Fall 2016 at the earliest. Nineteen months after Director Peterson made promises to them. Were those actual promises or just smooth talk to calm public outcry?
If anything you read moves you,
Please contact the SFZoo Director
Tanya Peterson
Crackle the Disrespected Capybara
My Weekly Visit posts that I'm months behind on, include a photo near each time, of poor little Crackle. This guy came to the Zoo to be a companion to our now passed Female. Turned out they didn't like each other so Crackle lived alone on the Puente. He was chased by the Rheas and Guanacos from the get go. He took refuge down in this ditch that borders the Visitor walk way above. I've posted about this before, which included a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-EENh294A
That was a year ago. So, for a year, this poor Animal has been living in fear. Everyday he is let out on exhibit and has nothing else to do but run to his safe spot. Huddled against the wall, the farthest he can get. You noticed in the above video that a "creep" area was created, by lining up tree branches. That's the least that could be done, until a better situation could be created. Well, a year later the only change in his situation came only a couple weeks ago, when the "creep" line has been moved back a few feet and a doorway added. You can see here, the other day, he was resting ok away from the wall, but a Guanaco was stalking him, until he got up from his peaceful position.
A couple times over the past month, I have seen him out, but that has only been when the Guanaco's or at least one, have been kept in the back. I don't think its right that for the most part, he is left to seek refuge on a daily basis. There doesn't seem any reason why further steps to create a better living situation for him can't be taken. I have made a video showing that it is possible. An unused area within the Puente can be fixed up for him, that should also include a pool and doorway that only he can fit through. SFZoo Make it happen! ... As well, he needs a Companion. https://youtu.be/8IexC4GtgEQ
If anything you read moves you,
Please contact the SFZoo Director
Tanya Peterson
tanyap@sfzoo.org
Finally! Hercules Gets A Proper Home!
Well, THIS wonderful sight, has been along time coming! For the past couple months, I've been going by this enclosure, hoping to see Hercules in it and Thursday was my Lucky Day! So Happy for Herc!
the video!
I wrote about this disrespect two years ago.
For years, this huge Bird has been living in a cage that just barely meets requirements for his size. He could never free fly, only hop from top to bottom. His needs like other current Residents have been disregarded by Management, in favor of bringing in new Animals and building homes for them. While expanding his previous home, wouldn't have taken much. The space was cleared out two years ago, as some hoped an expansion would happen. I heard those in Animal Staff were allegedly told they could do it, if they paid for it themselves!
The recent turn of events, that sent the poor Southern Ground Hornbills packing to Florida, allowed for Hercules to move into their old home adjacent to the Komodo Dragon. I am so happy for him, but it also would have been great if the Zoo would have kept all the Hornbill Species they had. In addition to Hercules, a Great Hornbill, we also have a pair of Wrinkled Hornbills. They are all wonderful and interesting Birds. ... Finding a place to build another free flight area would have been a great thing to do. Even utilizing the area attached to the Tropical Aviary, instead of putting in yet another "play" inspired area for Kid.
This all said, I hear the plan is to move the Wrinkles to Herc's old home. WTH? The Wrinkles have a nice expanded area, that allows them flight. Its already been established Herc's old area is not sufficient for that and I do not hear of any plans to expand it.
Anyway, stop by and see Hercules enjoying his new home! He really seems to love it and was all over the place while I was there. :) They did a good job with perches. I would love to see some kind of tree in there. I saw this photo of Our Winnie in her new home, in a tree! Looks like a great addition to a habitat.
screen-capped from
White Oak Conservation Facebook Page
Check in with Wilbur and Winnie
at their new home
Amazing Amanzi Deserves Respect. - Attn SFZoo, Please Educate!
While on the Subject of Our Wonderful Lions, this has been bothering me for several weeks. Everyone who reads my posts, knows I've been trying to catch up in chronological order, but at this point, I'm so far behind, I have to just put things down as they flow or come to me.
About six months ago, I started noticing Our Amanzi getting very fluffy around the collar. I would say to her, "Manzi, you are growing such a beautiful shawl!" I was told it was probably due to hormone changes with aging. Our Lovely Lady turned 18 this year! As the months have gone on, her fluff has continued to grow, looking much like a mane in training :)
Sister Lions, taken in Feb 2015
you can see Manzi's bit of fluff starting :)
The last month or so, I have been hearing Visitors refer to her as a "Boy". This really hurts me. Amanzi has always been one of the most stunning Female Lions I've ever seen. While yes, her "mane" is making her look like a Juvenile Male, her Femininity should not be Disrespected.
Again, for a facility that claims to Educate, for the most part they do no such thing. In this instance, a sign should be put up noting that Our Pride consists of Three Adults, Two Female and One Male, and our Newborn Cub. Noting that, With age Our 18 year old Female has started to develop "mane" like growth.
Instead, the Zoo has chosen to say nothing. They have even posted two photos last week (in lieu of posting about the Cub?) and with both, there were comments about Amanzi's Shawl, to which a Docent had to answer the questions. Shame on the Zoo for not being more proactive to Educate about this unusual occurrence with Our Beautiful Lady. People are obviously interested.
screen-cap from 9.8.15
screen-cap from 9.12.15