NEWS FLASH! - Ndume to Go Home to Cincinnati Zoo!

Yesterday afternoon, the Cincinnati Zoo released a statement, Ndume is going home!

“Since Koko’s unfortunate passing earlier this summer, we’ve been considering the best options for Ndume,” said Dr. Kristen Lukas, Chair of the Gorilla SSP. “The SSP is confident that the Cincinnati Zoo will provide Ndume with outstanding care, access to modern, flexible, and specialized gorilla living areas, and a myriad of socialization options as he makes this transition. We’re all looking forward to seeing Ndume thrive in the company of other gorillas.”

“We completed upgrades to Gorilla World last year and have doubled the size of our gorilla habitats and specialized care spaces,” said Ron Evans (Cincinnati Zoo Curator of Primates).  “We can provide Ndume with a flexible, accommodating home and excellent opportunities to be near and cohabitate with other gorillas, a critical foundation need for this highly social species.”

“Assuring Ndume is in the best possible social and welfare situation is everyone’s top priority,” said Dr. Candice Dorsey, AZA’s Senior Vice President of Conservation, Management and Welfare Sciences. “The Gorilla SSP and Cincinnati Zoo are taking the appropriate steps to assure Ndume has the best possible future.”

Full press release here:

http://cincinnatizoo.org/news-releases/silverback-gorilla-ndume-will-return-to-his-first-home-at-the-cincinnati-zoo/

This is great news!  Getting him out of there asap yay!  Should have been years ago.  This move is a surprise since the Cincinnati Zoo just left him there for 27 yrs.  I sure hope all they are promising happens for Ndume.  He deserves it.  I'm hoping that in the 27 yrs since he was sentenced to The Gorilla Foundation,  they have got some wonderful and compassionate Keepers who will adore Ndume and want to do everything that is right for him.  Cincinnati Zoo, The World is watching!  Make-up for the years you left him to languish. ... Hope he's celebrating his Birthday in October with Gorilla Friends!  We will all look forward to the party.   

I must also say that the quotes by Kristen Lukas, Ron Evans, and Candice Dorsey had that rosy PR glow.   Words that don't go unnoticed.  They should make you wonder, Why these feelings didn't help Ndume the last two plus decades while he sat in isolation?  I heard they never wanted to move Ndume because it might upset Koko.  So all their care for his welfare came secondary to Koko's?  They would have left him there to die, if Koko had outlived him.  Shame on all of them.  Especially Ron Evans who is quoted as knowing Ndume since he was two years old.  

RIP Gorilla Foundation.  Thankfully.  Hopefully someday all the their followers will know the truth.  They will know that the selfishness and greed of Penny Patterson, kept Koko, Michael and Ndume from living their natural lives.  It kept them from having Gorilla Families.  All for what?  Money? Past the initial experiments, there was never "great work" to be done.  There was never a move to Maui past fantasy.  There was never babies in Koko's future.  There was living in trailers, non-species diets, no medical care, pimping for donations, and isolation.  Koko and Michael had no choice, Penny owned them. Good riddance to The Gorilla Foundation for the lives of four Gorillas they wronged.  The fourth was an infant female named Bebe who came with Michael after being stolen from the wild.  She died shortly after arriving.  

Thankfully Ndume belonged the Zoo system and has finally been recalled home.  His saving grace and they finally did right by him.  He should never have been sent there, never left there for near three decades.  Hopefully he will have many more years of a good life and forget all the years he was forced to live a life no Great Ape should. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in helping Ndume.  Those who wrote letters, and signed the Petition.  This move may have been in the works before we started crusading for him, but I believe our Voices for Ndume were heard and helped.  Don't ever stop being a Voice for those who can't speak for themselves. 

Update on Last Two Efforts - Gorilla Ndume & Snow Leopard Cubs

This might be a wrap-up for these two HOT TOPICs.  Going to try and move on to the other stuff I've had in draft.  

Gorilla Ndume (The Gorilla Foundation)

I got no response to any emails I sent for my efforts in the Ndume Letter Writing Campaign.  Neither did anyone else.  Writing to the AZA/SSP or any of their connected members, I didn't expect a reply.  My intention is always for awareness.  If you don't take any action, then no one hears your voice.  No ones hears the Animals voice.  ... One person who wrote to tell me an email address was no longer in use for someone I contacted said, "I can see why you would have concern for this Animal".  So I know my voice can have affect.  That's all that I can hope to achieve.  If it can affect someone who can help with change, that's a bonus. 

Yesterday I started a Petition for the crusade to help Ndume.  At this point, unless a media outlet takes the story, its all that any of us can do.  There is a high profile media podcast in the works, but no confirmation it will get to air.  Fingers crossed for that and thank you to the folks at Team Ndume for those efforts. 

The Petition is aimed at the Gorilla SSP Coordinator Kristen Lukas. She has been pointed out as the person who holds the future of all captive Gorillas in the AZA/SSP system.  She could have replied with an update on Ndume, but didn't.  Once it has a decent amount of signatures, I will send it to her.  Please Sign and Share the Petition.  There was a Petition four years ago that got almost four thousand signatures, so I have high hopes, but need help.  Ndume needs your help.  Thank you!

Demand  A New Home For Ndume, 

Koko The Gorilla's Surviving "Friend". \

He Lives Alone in a Trailer. 

No Place For a Great Ape!  

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/631/373/256/ 

Snow Leopard Cubs (SFZoo)

The Snow Babies are doing great and out with their Mama all day except for a short break in the late morning.  You can view their progress in my weekly video posts on youtube.  I haven't gotten to posting last week's cuteness yet, but hope to by end of today.  I must also share our Babie Boy Mandrill, who is adorable!  I haven't written about him as he was lucky to have no controversy surrounding him!  You can view video updates for him too.  All the tinies are a joy to watch, I'm lucky to have the experience!

Snow Leopard Cubs First Day Out with their Mama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNQLyDzSVyQ

Mandrill Babie Playing, Swinging on Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dheMkFcLwy8

As with my efforts to get awareness for Ndume, I also sent several letters, tweets, ect.  to those connected with Snow Leopards.  Of course no response.  I can only hope someone with authority put a stop to San Francisco Zoo Management allowing Non-Animal Staff (Volunteers and Members of the Public) handle the Cubs.  I haven't heard anything, so either since I made it public the Zoo is more careful to keep it covert and not on my radar or its stopped.  I hope the later.  

Some of the Reactions to my Snow Leopard Cub Handling Post

I think its important to share some of the reactions I've gotten to my previous post about the Zoo allowing random people to hold the Snow Leopard Cubs.  ...  I know that often Zoo Management reads my blog and probably thinks my opinions are invalid rantings.  They are not.  I always share my thoughts with people both inside the Zoo and out, and I'm rarely alone in how I feel about things.

"Your description of the events of Wednesday has brought me to more than tears. Close to sobs. That mama is CLEARLY upset over being removed from protecting her cubs. Shame on whomever made this decision! Mgmt I'm sure!"

"I appreciate your writings regarding the snow leopard cub handling.  As some people may honestly bear positive intentions and sentiments regarding the handling of the cubs, your points tend to be very correct and ought to be considered.  I admit that if I were offered an opportunity to pet one of the cubs, I probably would have.  However, your view has been a rather appropriate wake up call, and again, I feel is the proper protocol.   I also think that many would agree with you, either quietly or in silence."

"sounds bad. dont get it. your description of moms distress =  unconscionable!"

"Not only is it upsetting to the mama, it is spreading germs, disease, who knows what to the cubs!! How can they allow this?!?"

"I think that is awful! Lets hope their mama doesnt ignore them with all the strange smells on them. Or are they planning to relocate the mama to other Zoo and this way unbound them. Poor cats this has nothing to do with conservation ... sadly this seems business and money to lure in as many people. Before you know they tell stories mama ill or relocate cant be with babies ... makes me sad the power we humans have over zoo animals and they use it not to benefit the cats but to benefit the companies CEO wallet!"

"Wrong on so many levels!"

"No protection for the babies. These handlers probably have pets at home that could possibly cause germ/disease spread. When I socialized penguins they had me step into a bucket of water before going in with them so I didn't track disease into the enclosure"

"Anything for that GD almighty $$$. It's sickening."

"Is this normal? It doesnt seem right."

 It's Not Right!

HOT TOPIC! - Snow Leopard Cub Petting at the San Francisco Zoo - WTH?

Is that what they do now at our Zoo?  They let random people Pet and Hold exotic and endangered babie animals! Yes, they do.

Last weekend I heard Zoo Volunteers were being allowed to handle the nine week old Snow Leopard Cubs for photo ops.  I was livid.  Then I saw the photos, and was so sick I cried.  It looked like the Pay to Pet situations.

I have talked to many people about this, and not one thinks this is okay.  "Horrible" ... "Wrong on so many levels" ... "Awful"  ... "Not Right" ... and many sad reactions. 

I hadn't planned to write about what I had heard, just like I hadn't planned to write about anything during my long weekend in, but here I sit having to.  I am so upset, that I must document my feelings and this situation. 

As I went to the Zoo Monday, I tried to put it out of my mind as there is not much I can do about it other than be disgusted and sad.  Seeing the Cubs helped with that, but also reminded me.  Precious little vulnerable babies, being passed around in my option is really tragic.  

I love these Babies!  Here's my video from Monday, their fifth day out.  They are really starting to motor around the enclosure great!  The Physical Therapist was there to assess the little girl, her back legs are a bit splayed.   From day one, it didn't seem to slow her down at all, and by yesterday, I didn't even notice it much. I think getting the outdoor exercise is helping alot.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPmSBC59MtE

I anticipated Tuesday, as I was told they would be out for the first time with their Mama.  If you read my previous post on their debut, you will know that I was disgusted that the Zoo made a media event out of the first time they were outside, instead of going by the original plan from Animal Staff which was to monitor the Cubs in sessions before the Zoo opened, until they were ready to be out with Mom.  

The gates to den opened, Mama came out, circled the enclosure and then went back to the den and her Babies walked out beside her!  It was beautiful.  It was perfect.  The way it should have been.  ... This should have been the first public day and media event.  No reason they couldn't have waited a week for their debut to be natural.  ... See the Family together in my video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNQLyDzSVyQ

Yesterday (Wednesday) was very different.  I left there holding back tears.  I'm holding back tears now writing about it.

From what I heard, the Zoo posted to social media last week, that the Cubs would have access to yard everyday at noon, no guarantees.  The gate would be open, if they wanted to come out.  Everyday, crowds have started to form at the exhibit, up to a half hour before.

Yesterday, Keepers came out and put a bone on the platform, then opened the gate at noon.  Mama came out, and the gate closed behind her.  She walked around the whole exhibit a couple times, then got on the platform and stared at everyone, almost locking in on each person.  She continued to stay on the platform, now staring intently with her mouth open at the gate to the den.  This lasted for quite awhile.  Never touching the bone, she got down and circled more.  She came to the fencing in a crouched position and stared at the people.  Unfortunately the Zoo cut down all the trees that lined the fence and served as a privacy barrier for the enclosure.  Previously people could view through the trees, and in my opinion it created a security for them, leaving only the window as the area fully open.  Now that extra security was gone. 

When I saw the trees on Monday, I thought it was awful.  Why would they do this?  Just so people can gawk at the Cubs?  I hate anything that seems to force the Animals on display.  In my opinion, they should just do what they do and if we can see them great.  I feel its a privilege to have the chance to see them and any of the Animals. ... I couldn't believe it when my friend witnessed a member of media last week actually broke off branches so she could get a better view for photos.  

After Mama came by the exposed fencing, crouching there for a minute, her circling now included going by the gate to the den, pacing and staring in.  More circling and then she stopped and started pawing at the fencing.  It had been 20 minutes and she wanted her babies.  Poor Mama.

The crowd was getting anxious and bothered that the Cubs didn't have access as had been advertised.  Two Docents behind me were telling people there was a VIP Tour inside with the Cubs.  My ears started pulsating.  I knew those poor Cubs were probably being held and my heart broke for them and their Mama, who could see strangers with her babies and she couldn't get to them.  The Mama's instinct is to protect her Babies and this scenario prevents her from doing that, from taking care of her babies naturally.  The Zoo allowing this to happen is beyond Cruel.  

Two women standing next to me with their kids, watched Mama Snow Leopard visibly upset, one said, "As Mother's this is hard to watch.  I feel bad.  My heart breaks for her."  You can hear on my video one of them say, "Its killing me, poor Mom", after seeing Mama paw at the gate, trying to get to her babies.  They too were disgusted and rightfully so.  

After it had been over 25 minutes,  with Mama pressing her face against it, the gate opened and she went in.  She was half inside when one of the babies came out and the other peeked out. She and both babies immediately went back in.  Both babies continued to peek out, but it seemed like she was keeping them in.  I saw her licking the Cubs several times, which I assume was an attempt to wash the Human off them after seeing people holding them.  Heartbreaking.

My video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7qhZ2o0NIs

The Mother should not be separated from the Cubs unless the Cubs need to be examined by Animal Staff and/or Vets.  AND those are the ONLY people who should be handling the Cubs.  

I can't believe this is acceptable in this day and in an accredited Zoo.  I'm inquiring whether there is a protocol for such a thing.  Hard to believe there wouldn't be.  Regardless people should know better.  If given the opportunity I would never hold a Cub.  I morally couldn't do it.   If you love Animals, of course it is something anyone would love to do, but most of us know its not right.  There was a time in the past, when I didn't know better, and would have, but now I do.  And if I didn't I would hope someone would educate me.  Zoo Staff should be educating people why this isn't right, not allowing people to do it.  Seeing a Cub up-close should be enough, handling it it unacceptable.  And even going behind the scenes and seeing the Cubs is unnecessary as the viewing window will get you just as close.  Years ago I had the privileged to go behind the scenes and view, sometimes feed the Animals.  These were adult Animals, and depending on species, there was obviously no touching.  

There is a whole thing about Pay to Pet experiences.  I shouldn't even have to write about it.  Anytime you see a place that offers these "experiences"  know that this is not good for the Animals well-being.   With adult Big Cats, they are probably exclusively drugged, so that people can take photos with them.  With Cubs, these babies are taken from their Mama and hand raised, so that people can hold them for photos.   Those circumstances may not apply to the Zoo situation, but allowing anyone who is not on Animal or Vet Staff to hold the Cubs reminds me of these types of "experiences".   I don't know if this tour involved VIPs who paid for the experience, but regardless of the VIP Tour, its all wrong.  The Zoo should be ashamed. 

Honestly when I first heard the Cubs were being held my random people, it reminded me of when our Lion Cub was born.  I heard the Director allegedly wanted to let VIPs come in and hold the Cub. I never wrote about that, but I (along with many others I talked to) was outraged that a Director would think that this was acceptable.  I heard it was stopped by someone on the Animal Staff.  That said, then WHY is this happening to the Snow Leopard Cubs?  

Back to yesterday. When Mama stopped licking the Human touch off her babies, she let them come out a bit. But, as soon as they went more than a couple feet, she picked them up and took them back in.  This happened repeatedly.  Completely different than the day before. It reflective of what had gone on.  To me it was obvious she didn't want them outside with more people around them.  Sad.  

When the babies finally stayed put in the den, Mama came out alone and began racing around the enclosure at such a high speed, like I had never seen before.  The crowd thinned while waiting too long for the Cubs, so I was standing at the window for the first time.  By the time I got my camera on to film her zooming about, I caught her right as she leaped up about ten feet turning and kicking the top of the window in front of people with her back feet.  When she landed she stood in place for a bit, breathing really heavy.  Then she ran inside.  To me, this was a clear statement about how she felt about the situation and people seeing her Cubs.  To me, this is her giving the Zoo the middle finger to what they are doing.  In my opinion, they are ruining this Family.  She is a first time Mom and taking great care of her babies.  Leave them the hell alone!  Why mess them up?    Tuesday Mama and Cubs were relaxed and enjoying themselves.  Yesterday Mama was stressed and didn't even want her babies outside.  Have some Empathy and Compassion for this new Mom and her babies.  Is letting people hold the Cubs really worth upsetting her?   SFZoo, What are you getting out of do this to them?

In case you can't tell, I'm really upset by all of this.  I'm disappointed that the Zoo continues to make choices that are not in the Animals best interest.  This seems to be on going.  I won't reach back into the archives, but in more recent years the disrespect has affected the Chimps, Komodo Dragon, Foosa, and every Animal that the new Madagascar project (see upcoming post) will displace.  Now this new Snow Leopard Family.  I guess as long as the current management team remains in place, all any of us who have compassion for the Animals can do is cry and complain. 

If you're inclined, you can be a Voice for the Animals by emailing the Zoo Director, tanyap@sfzoo.org

HOT TOPIC! - Snow Leopard Cubs Debut - the Amazing and the Upsetting

Seeing these babies was highly anticipated for me, how it was done was very upsetting.  The babies are amazing and beautiful.  I love these precious little gifts.  I wish their debut had been different.  Not just for me, but for them.

Ever since the announcement that we would have Snow Leopard babies, I was beyond excited at getting the opportunity to see Cubs and watch them grow up.  In the 90s I was lucky to have seen Ming Wahs babies, when the Feline Conservation Center area was still open.  I didn't get to spend as much time at the Zoo pre-2008, so I missed a lot, including watching so many babies grow-up.  Over the last ten years I've had so many incredible experiences with these wonderful Zoo Friends and have been blessed to have been able to see so many babies and watch them grow from their first days out.

Soon after Anna ("Dawa") gave birth on June 7 it was said that it would be two months before the cubs would be out, which brought it to this past week.  More recently I heard that hopefully at the end of this week Keepers would start taking them out before the Zoo opened up, to get them used to the yard.  I heard the little girl had a bit of a mobility issue, so I assume Keepers probably wanted to monitor them maneuvering the exhibit before going out with Mama, in a situation where Keepers could not intervene if necessary.

You will notice I write "today",... I actually wrote most of this post that same day, but didn't get to posting til now. For the purpose of a few things I write, I want to leave it in that day.  

Today (Thursday) was my last visit for the week so when I got there at opening, I ran up to the exhibit hoping that I might get an early Birthday Present and catch a glimpse of them out for just a few minutes before they went in.  

Well, turns out Zoo Management decided on making their first time out, public, including having Media present.  At the same time I was happy that I was definitely going to see them, I was pissed and sad at this latest bad decision by Zoo Management.  I have no idea who's idea this was, but I'll go with the Director since she allegedly has to okay things like this and it has selfish written all over it.  

Before this all even took place, I was outraged. So, what's my grief about it?  Well I can tell you that it's not just my grief, like most everything, I've ever complained about, I'm not the only one who thinks this was awful, I'm just the only one who's vocal about it.  And for the record, having an opinion is not a crime.

The first time these babies went outside the den and without their Mama, should have been low key, no pressure, and no audience.  For the comfort of the Babies, their Mama, and the Keepers.

There was no reason to rush these babies out for public view. There was no reason to rush this to be a Media Event. Their debut could have waited til they could be out with their Mama, or at the very least had a few days to get comfortable in new surroundings.  Their debut could have waited til next week, giving them a few times to go out with their Keepers first.  Their debut could have waited til tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, giving them two morning sessions with their Keepers. Their debut today (Thursday) could have been after they had the initial opportunity to be out with their Keepers in the morning.  Why wasn't that allowed?  Any of these scenarios would have shown more empathy and compassion for not only these babies, but for their Mama watching from inside.

As much joy that I had getting to see the babies, I had disgust for the situation.  I do not blame anyone in Animal Staff, they most likely had no choice in how this played out.  I felt bad for the Cubbies and their Mama.  The babies had to be lured out and when they didn't come out far enough they were carried out.  Several times away from the sight of their Mama.  Just for media to get photos. Not cool. Luring them out isn't the real problem, its that they were lured out repeatedly for media.  Sadly, when they were carried down to the window the first time, one of the babies looked at the window and looked scared, running to the Keeper.  For one, if this was the Time it Had to be done, there should have been no viewing at the window, at least give them that privacy and security,  instead of having them see that window for the first time and see a wall of people.   It was heartbreaking.  

About twenty minutes before they finally got to go in and back to their Mama.  I  heard a staffer say at one point that the Mama was getting stressed and they might go in.  I was relieved, but then that's when all the really uncomfortable things started happening.  Picking them up, bringing them to pose for media photos, repeatedly in at least a half dozen different ways, and having the Zoo volunteer photographer go in the exhibit!  It was an inappropriate time to be doing all of this.  It was just too much.  And the babies kept trying to go back in so may times, but were lured and forced to stay out so media could get photos.  At one point they were put in the empty pond to contain them while the Zoo photographer got photos of them trapped in there.  I really hated that, but maybe the Keepers thought that would finally get the pix and get this circus over with.  There was no reason to do all of this at this time, and keep them separated from their Mama for an hour and ten minutes, while she watched them from inside.

I assume the idea behind this was to capture their amazement of the outdoor world for the first time, but that is just selfish.  There was no need to share that unless it was an ideal situation.  No Reason.  Ideal would have been to see them with their Mama for the first time out, sharing that wonderment with her, naturally.  Their acclimation to the yard should have been before the Zoo opened, until they were ready to go out with their Mama.  There was nothing natural about forcing them out and forcing them to repeatedly pose.  I ask SFZoo, what was the rush?  Why did you put these Babies through this?  Their new big experience should have been a quiet, calm, unrushed, and unpressured situation for the Cubs, their Mama and their Keepers.  They are babies for criminey sakes, they should have been allowed to take babie steps in this experience, not be forced out to entertain media and the public.  I have been told the Zoo was moving in a direction that allowed for the Animals to dictate what they wanted to do.  This whole situation went against that completely.  When those babies came out for the first time and went along the fencing where Mama could see them, and then ran back in to her, THAT should have been it for a bit.  Maybe even it for their first session out.  Everything that happened in the hour after that, was unnecessary and cruel.  

I highly doubt anyone on the Animal Staff thought this was a good idea.  I'm increasingly bothered by the lack of consideration for the feelings and well-being of the Animals, from Management that is made up of people who are not Animal Professionals and who don't listen to the people on staff who are and work directly with the Animals.  This should have never happened.  There should have been a meeting about this, that included Keepers and Curators weighing in on the pros and cons of doing this, and another more caring way should have been the outcome.  The public could have waited until the FAMILY was ready to debut together.  There is no reason that couldn't happen.  No reason it didn't happen.   This was just Sad. 

*~*~*~*~*~*

This is a link to my video clips from the day.  I separated them into six videos.  This link is to a compilation of all the videos for the purpose of blog posting.  Watching them separate is better viewing, you decide.  From this link you can choose to view my channel for the video listing, if you want to view them in parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eegkev82brs

I want to note that while I was happy to get to see them, I almost wish I hadn't in this setting.  Watching back through the videos was very upsetting.  I felt it at the time, but it was also diluted with watching adorableness.  Reliving it, made me cry.  While these babies are beyond cute, some of the upsetting things you will see, include:  *A scared cub, crouching down, ears low and seeking shelter and comfort from the Keeper.  *Their mama watching as she not only sees her Cubs moved out of her sight, but can hear a crowd of people.  She doesn't know what's going on.  *Zoo staff holding the Cubs for media.  Then when put down they tried to walk away, but were either held in place for a second, or brought back.  They should not have been repeatedly made to pose for photos. *The Cubs trying to go back inside many times.  And brought back out.  All while Mama was watching. ... I don't blame the Keepers, I would bet they are doing this on direction from Zoo Management.  

There is no reason the Cubs were not photographed naturally with their Mama when that time came.  Forcing this was not in the best interest of the Cubs or their Mother.  I just don't understand why the rush.  Have some compassion SFZoo!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Anyway, glad I was there to see these precious babies, as well to be able to document this unnecessary hoopla.  If I weren't you might have to believe the fantasy put forth by Chronicle reporter Lauren Hernandez who wrote three times in her article about the debut, that their Mama was out with them!  Wow.

Screencaps from the article below.  You can read full article

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-Zoo-s-snow-leopard-cubs-step-out-of-their-13145163.php