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