Sunday, February 23, 2020

Oakland Zoo bans Single Use Plastic. Why wasn't SFZoo first?

So, last weekend while working on those draft posts I continually mention, two things that irked me came up.  ... This was one of them.

Oakland Zoo Takes Stand Against Single-Use Plastics
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oakland-zoo-takes-stand-against-143500842.html

Why does this bother me? Because our SFZoo should have been first to do this.  In recent times I have tried to limit my issues, especially ones I use my time and energy to write about, to those pertaining to the Animals.  But, after twelve years of being sensitive to what goes on at the Zoo, ten years documenting, I have been increasingly irritated, and frankly at my breaking point, that our Zoo is not the best it can be.  I'll save the rest of my rant for another time. 

In a recent post, News on Triple Grotto (1.20.20), I referred to a conversation I had with an upper management staffer, who I asked for a timeline for when there would be a third space created in Triple Grotto, so the Orangutans had a yard to use daily.  In that same conversation, the subject of single use plastics came up.  In the midst of talking about the Orangutan situation, this staffer brought up a personal goal to get rid of single-use plastics in the Cafe, by installing more water filling stations on the grounds.  I said that one does not relate to the other, as the Cafe could stop selling them anytime.  The staffer said, it takes time, noting the agreement with SSA who manages the concessions.  I said, but they are in the Zoo and if you request they stop, shouldn't they stop? The staffer said, the Cafe would lose revenue, that's why the stations are needed.  I said, that makes no sense, as regardless of where and when the stations appear, they are still not going to be selling them, so no revenue anyway.  If revenue was the issue, they could easily replace the bottled water with canned water at anytime.  They sell canned liquor, they can sell canned water.  As well, there are two plain water taps in the Cafe at the Soda station, as well two filling stations on the grounds.  Even though its unnecessary, I also suggested installing a watering station in the Cafe.  If they had to have another one, that seemed like the logical place. The debate went no where, as there was no where for it to go.  It made no sense to me.  Maybe I'm missing something?

The article mentioned 
canned Dasani water
so this can be replaced.
There are also juices
 that come in cans,
 these plastics can go too.

Considering SSA also manages concessions at Oakland Zoo and they were able to get it done, what is the disconnect with San Francisco Zoo successfully accomplishing this?   

This is not to throw anyone under the bus, but come on.  SFZoo keeps Orangutans in cages, and can't even negotiate a water bottle situation.  There is something seriously wrong at management level.  Our SFZoo should be doing better.

I know that even the mention of management flaws makes me vulnerable to retaliation, as I have been targeted in the past twice now, but things need to be said, and I'm going to continue to say them. There is no rule or law against me voicing my opinion.

I voiced my opinion on the installation of more water stations in a post from December 2018.  I took issue with the Zoo soliciting donations for them when there were Animal related needs that could use funding.  It's a waste of money in my opinion.


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Orangutan's To Finally Get Yard - Triple Grotto Update 2.21.20

Two weekends ago I made progress on all the draft posts I've been talking about for over a year.  I thought that was it.  That I was almost done for awhile.  That I would be caught up.  While it seems that can be my reality, some things happened since then, that I felt I needed to bat out before then. ... Will start with this.

Ten months after the Orangutans arrived at the Zoo, an enclosure they can have daily access to, will finally be created.

Work on the North Grotto in the old Triple Grotto exhibit, could start as early as Monday.

This past Tuesday, I noticed that the overgrown bushes in front of Triple Grotto had been cut down.  By Thursday, lumber creating a plank in two places in Middle Grotto, that appear to be positioned for worker access to North Grotto.  
 


I did a short video overview.  Will post all updates on construction progress on my YouTube.  Subscribe to follow along.  I don't plan to post an update again until its done.


If you've been following along, I'm sure you agree, this is long overdue.  So, before anyone applauds this, let's not forget the facts.

This screencap is from the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Minutes.  It supports my long standing opinion that the Orangutans were brought here prematurely.  Why? I can only guess, to have something new for the Summer, in light of the hole the tear-down of the Primate Center left, the disappearance of more than half the Monkeys, and the Snow Leopard Construction.  This presentation was made on March 21, 2019 with a notation that Orangutans would be coming later in the year. As well, it's curious that the Acquisitions seemed to have been made before the Committee even approved them. Something is not right with the oversight system.  See related post linked at end.

The Male Orangutan arrived in less than a month after that presentation, the Female two weeks later. At the time, the Chimpanzee Yard was not even finished.  There was no dedicated outdoor space for Orangtans.

The Chimp Yard was finished and in use by end of May.  By end of June, Chimps were locked inside with no outdoor access or fresh air for seven weeks during Summer.  The Female Orangutan had yard access.  Male had not been given access yet.

Mid August, Chimps reclaimed access to their yard.  The Orangutans were given access again on January 17th.  It had been four months since the Female had access, and the entire Eight Months since his arrival that the Male had been outside the trail and bedrooms. 

Not having a third space created in the Great Ape Passage, so that both the Orangutans and Chimpanzees could have daily outside access, is a serious Animal Welfare issue.  It is cruel and should be an unacceptable offense on the part of SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson.   Both these Great Ape species have had a great disservice done to them. The Orangutans situation may be the top disrespect in the last decade, in a close tie with our beloved Falcor the Komodo Dragon.   

As I said in a previous post, the overdue construction to make a space for the Orangutans, is not a redemption, it's a relief. 

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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