Lifting Some Weights On This Last Eve of 2020

Yesterday I had the thought to write a year end post.  Not really about what's happened at the Zoo this year, but more about my feelings and where I am with blogging. 

I had planned to once again get to all my posts in draft done by now, at least a few before this one, but that didn't happen.  It will happen soon, I can feel it!  But, if we have another year like this one, that soon may not be til 2022!

I didn't make notes on this, so I'm just writing what flows out.  2020 was, to say the least, challenging for most of us, in different ways.  While my most cherished out of the house activity, going to the Zoo, was taken away for too long, even being back there, was not without frustration. Thankfully there are the Zoo Friends.  I think one of the biggest issues, was not about what's happening, or not happening on the grounds, but the lack of ambition there, that seems to be the only way I can describe the months of missed opportunities for fundraising and outreach, to not come out of the place.  There are those that still think I'm the enemy of the Zoo, when in actuality, I'm probably one, if not the only person who has constantly had bettering the Zoo, on my mind daily for over eleven years.  I continually added ideas, most that would raise funds, to my notebook during the first shutdown, wondering why the Zoo wasn't doing anything.  It's frustrating, especially when you can literally feel the gain and not just financially from these ideas.  The Zoo continually cries poor, so why aren't there things being done?  There should be creative ideas coming out of the place. The top seven salaries at the Zoo amount to over a Million Dollars.   At the very least, Why aren't those seven people coming up with ideas?  

So before attempting to think about this post, I thought I should sort out all my thoughts from the last year. I'm a list maker by nature, so I make notes constantly.  I use the Facebook Messenger as my portal, then I transfer them to a notepad document and sort into subject.  It's very time consuming, and after fourteen hours yesterday, I'm still not done and losing patience.  For those (yes there are some!) who think I live and breathe to write "bad stuff" (actual quote!)  about the Zoo, I don't.  This is not fun for me.  I continue to put myself through the upset of it, because I feel strongly that things need to be documented.  So here I am in hour seventeen, and I just paused sorting, as my mind went to this post, and if I didn't go with it, it might not get done today.

Part of what prompted this post, was this literal time and place in what's happened at our SFZoo, or rather what has not happened.   

A few weeks ago, I came across this photo from one of my blog posts and I thought, disgraceful that the Orangutans are still in the same place as they were exactly a year ago.  There is NO excuse.

I have had an Orangutan update to do since the first shutdown re-opening, so I wasn't going to add more to my load by writing another to complain about the Orangutans situation.  Then it happened.  It's like they can't help themselves.  The Zoo uses Amoi in a Holiday "ad" and outrageously uses words that refer to "home", when the Orangutans still don't even have a HOME of their own.  I would say, How dare they, as that's what I thought, but in all seriousness, how do they think that's ok?  Do they think that no one notices that the Orangutans don't have a home?

I want to note two things from this year, in reference to what the Zoo obviously thinks is ok.  Someone sent me something during the first shutdown, that I wasn't going to use even though I found it just awful.  Then, in the wake of the Maki kidnapping, awful happened again, and I was going to use that in a post, and then, per usual, I got behind, and then adding another post about about another awful thing just bogged me down.

So, this was the first thing. As I said, sent to me, someone pulled from Director Peterson's Twitter account.  Wasn't going to do anything with it, but considering the shame of the Orangutans still not having a home, it's appropriate.

There is nothing " norm" about not providing a designated home for Beings in your care.

Considering that the Orangutans were brought here over a year and a half ago, and that the only outdoor access the male had for eight months was the Skytrail, this is disturbing.  This is mocking the situation.  I get the distancing gag, but to use a shameful housing situation you created in a comical way is really bad.

It's a possibility I will be retaliated against for my opinion in regard to posting this.  It wouldn't be right and it wouldn't be legal, but its happened before.  ...  One should expect, if something is public, there will be opinions.  Voicing them is not a crime, it's in fact a right in this Country.  I'm not forcing my opinion on anyone, just saying how this and other things I write about make me feel.  Not only that, in general if someone says or does something, that reflects them, not what others opinion of it is.  So if they're confident with it, it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks.  Lastly, I talk to alot of people, Friends who are Members, Staff, non-Zoo invested people,  I get other people's opinions on things I have issue with.  I'm not alone with how these things, and everything I write about, makes me feel.  

The second thing, was this.  

I get that its a fundraising thing, but I think it's in very poor taste to use Maki's traumatic experience in this way.  They aren't creative enough to come up with other ideas, so they pimp out this poor guy's kidnapping?  I can't even with this lack of conscience.

Additionally, I was under the impression that the Madagascar project was fully funded by the Board Member who wanted it.  Allegedly, Seven Million Dollars was donated and considering the long list of other things that the Zoo Animals NEED ahead of this vanity project, not a penny more should be spent.  I'm not unreasonable, and I understand, plans and costs are fluid, but then you have to make the decision to rework them to fit the budget.  Not ask for more money, for an already extravagant WANT Not NEED. 

Note that I'm not against a Lemur expansion, although with our exhibit allegedly being the largest in a North American Zoo, I don't think its a necessity.  That said, I didn't even think expanding the Lemurs was part of the original plan.

I have several blog posts about the Madagascar project, dating back three years as of this coming February.  It actually encompasses most that I think is problematic at the Zoo.  I think the procrastination writing it is based in that.  There's just so much to say.  

In fact most of the posts are the same ones in the queue from the closing of last year.  2020 has basically been a wash.  Other than the Orangutans still not having their own home, not many huge new irritations, that aren't Pandemic related.  So wrapping things up isn't that upsetting, they are the same things I've been sitting on a year plus.  It's that they are still issues a year later.

So, while I didn't know what thoughts would flow as I wrote this post, turns out, I've been able to lift a few thought weights, which is much needed.  

Wishing (most) everyone a peaceful and safe New Year.  

Please do the simple things that will help us all see a less scary 2021.  

Cover your cake hole.

Don't get up in other's space.

Sanitize after touching shit out the house.

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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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Lazy Media Drags Out The Zoo's Christmas Tragedy Again - Shame On ABC7/KGO

Will there ever be a year that Media doesn't have to re-publish articles from this tragic event?  Every year its the same thing.  I feel like there might have been one recent year it didn't happen, but it probably just didn't come into my view.  So, thirteen years later, this continues.  

As the day closed yesterday (Christmas), I thought about Tatiana, and was thankful her name was not dragged up against this year.  Unfortunately, I woke up this morning, and the first thing I read was a Google News alert, to an article published by ABC7/KGO, a re-post from their archives.  It bothered me on a couple counts, which you will read at the end, in my comment to them.  That is the reason for this post. 

For those of us close to the Zoo,  Tatiana has never been forgotten.  Not a Christmas goes by when most of us do not remember her and that tragic day.  In 2007,  I had not yet had the privilege of knowing all the Zoo Residents as individuals.  I had a Membership most of my adult life, visited a few times a month, and always on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Christmas 2007 was no different.  I have written about this before, noting something that still haunts me.  If I had gone to the Zoo last in my route for the day, I would have been there later and most likely at the time the three perpetrators started their Animal Harassing, and maybe my vocal personality, would have prevented this tragedy.  Unfortunately, I was there two hours too early,  in front of Tigers at 2:48pm, the time stamped on my (the) last photo of Tatiana.

It was the cloud of judgmental and uneducated words that lead me to the mistake of reading online comments, that was the first advocating for the Zoo I had done.  Different than what my position is now,  I strongly sided in defense of the Zoo.  I stayed up all night sometimes, reading and replying to comments on sfgate articles, trying to share what I did know, a sort of damage control, as it hurt me that the masses were  so against a place I loved.  I made a button of my Tatiana photo with the words, Support The SFZoo!  I am still hurt by the comments I read, and still defend the Zoo in this situation.  While the Zoo assumed blame after being criticized in my opinion in error about the wall height, I did learn more afterward that does lend to alleged negligence dating back a many decades prior, that the Big Cat Grottos were not secure.  That said, I still would not feel unsafe standing in front of them as they were before the post tragedy renovation.  I believe and maybe some would say with delusion, that this event only happened because Tatiana was taunted into a frenzy by those three bullies with evil intention.

This is my comment to ABC7/KGO.  

> Every year the media seems to need to bring up this tragic event.  For some reason Tatiana is not allowed to Rest In Peace.  My main issue is not the sad feelings it evokes, but the continued vibe of villainizing Tatiana.  

In these re-hashes, follow-ups to the story are never included.  While not made public for five years, there was evidence that this was not a malicious attack on innocent visitors, but self-defense against those who were inflicting harm on her. Tatiana was defending threats to herself, her companion, and their home.  She and Tony were the innocents who were attacked.

Everyone close to the Zoo, knew the truth, but because Human lives are considered of higher value, all were quick to blame.  Blame her, blame the Zoo.  Not long after the lawsuits were settled, both of the surviving perpetrators were involved in other criminal activity.  They were and always will be the single reason for this tragedy.

In my opinion, repurposing old news stories, of tragedies is in bad taste.  That said, if media is uncreative to come up with new stories, the responsible thing to do is, to provide all the details.  It should be a full account.  

Don't be LAZY Journalists!

RIP Tatiana, You are not forgotten.  Maybe some year, a Christmas can go by without media parading out your tragic passing and corpse. <

Related Post

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2017/12/ten-years-since-tatiana-are-zoo-animals.html

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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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Please Consider Helping The Chimpanzees At Wildlife Waystation Get To Their New Homes

I have followed the Wildlife Waystation for many years. I didn't know they were in trouble til news of their closing broke last Summer (2019). It seemed surreal that an established Sanctuary, in operation over forty years, would be closing.  That so many Animals the have called it home for so long, would need to find new homes.  My heart was breaking for them.  Sanctuaries are already at capacity limits, and most times, would require additional funding for habitat expansion to accommodate more residents.  This is exactly what has happened.  Over the last year, all the Animals have been re-homed, except the majority of the Chimpanzees.  There are now 32 Chimps, waiting to go to new homes.  These new homes have been identified at other Sanctuaries, but those facilities need funding to do builds to accommodate them.   

Everyone knows Chimpanzees are close to my heart.  I've visited our original three almost my whole life, and over the past tweleve years they have become an important part of my life.  

In 2013, a filmmaker from Australia contacted me after seeing a video on my YouTube channel of our male Cobby.  She inquired whether that could be the same Cobby she watched as a kid in a show called Cobby's Hobbies.  After many chats, she decided to make a Documentary featuring him. I contributed to the film in many ways.  One thing I had hoped was that I could locate the Chimp I watched as a kid on the show Lancelot Link, and that he could be a part of the film, the American counterpart to Cobby's that was shown exclusively in Australia.  

I was successful in locating "Lancelot Link", whose real name is Charlie "Chuckles".  Charlie was now living at the Wildlife Waystation.  I had already been following them and was happy to find him at a familiar place.  The folks there sent me photos and information about him, which I'm forever grateful.  When the filmmakers decided to come to California, I inquired if the Waystation owner would consider an interview for the Documentary.  I have read there has been some alleged controversy with the owner in relation to the Waystation closure, but her words in the Cobby movie are beautiful. I cried listening to her.  Thank you to Martine and Co. for the interview and for allowing a bit of Charlie in the film.

Because of my love for my Chimp Friends, for Charlie, who a friend adopted for me, (Thank you Joanne!), and for all the Chimpanzees I've come to know virtually, these 32 Chimps in need, are a worry for me.  I tear up just thinking about them and how their lives depend on public funding.  I made a video plea in an effort to help them.

I made this video at the end of October but per usual I didn't get it out promptly.  I hate that I take so long to follow through on things, but these Chimps have been waiting longer.  

If you want to hear me talk about alot of what I wrote here, and see our Chimps (filmed it while visiting them), here's the link. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FByjGQdqSM

So, while I may procrastinate, I am a believer that everything happens in the time frame its supposed to.  Now, all donations will be doubled!  So it seems that my timing is the perfect time!  

Here is the post I saw today from NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) If you don't already follow their page, please do.  They do great work on behalf of Primates for years, especially advocating against the use of Primates in Entertainment.  

Please visit this link to Donate.

https://primatesanctuaries.org/chimps-in-need/

Please share the above link, and/or my video, on all your social networks, and let's help get these Chimps to their new homes!

Thank You!

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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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Current Zoo Shutdown - More Exemption BS!

This is basically a part-two to my previous post, where I expressed my thoughts and feelings about the Zoo Shutdown as of last Sunday, the last day it was open before closing.

So, then came Monday (Dec 7).  When I'm out I listen to talk radio, where I get my news during the day.  I had not read the full Shutdoor Orders, so I was extremely surprised and in a WTF spin, when I heard that Malls were allowed to be open.  Even though I was muttering about it all day, I still felt speechless.

I can't even with this.  There is clearly bias going on as to how businesses are categorized, and/or the exemptions allowed.  Money must be talking because how else is allowing inside Malls to be open, when the Zoo, an outdoor facility can't be.  

So, we can go to the Mall, in addition to the "essential" stores, like the Markets and Target, be inside, with no Distancing happening at all, yet we can't go to the Zoo.  Admittedly, and documented in this blog, the Zoo can do better with protocols, BUT that does not mean they are doing any less than others, and it is the safest place I go.  In stores, people are buzzing aout the aisles, almost up your ass, brushing against you as they pass by or reach over you.  It's risky behavior, but stores do not monitor the Distancing or the Mask wearing.  Yet an outdoor environment, where you can get away from people not complying, is off limits.  

By Wednesday, the State had bowed to the whining public, and announced that Playgrounds would be allowed to open.  WHAT?!!

How is this even possible?  First of all, Playgrounds seem like they would be petri dishes for a Pandemic.  Having hypersensitive good hygiene issues pre-Covid, my brain works in such a way that it follows what I call the path of contamination.  So, if a kid sneezes on a railing, then another kid comes up and touches it, then puts their hands in their mouth or up their nose, there you have possible contamination.  I'm not a Parent so maybe this is an ok comfort level that I just don't get.   

Out of everything, allowing Playgrounds to open seems to go against protocols put upon the Zoo in July, that required all the high touch points, to be covered or caustioned off.  Now it's a free for all at the Monkey Bars.    This seems outrageous and reckless.

That all said, in addition to the Animals, the Zoo is a Botanical Garden and it has a huge Playground, that even when the Zoo reopened, was not allowed to be open.  This makes no sense.

It would be one thing if the Health Department was basing its decision to close Zoos on Animal Welfare but they are obviously not concerned with Human to Animal Transmission.  If they were, the Great Ape Yard would have been a focal point for ReOpening protocol in July and it would have had signage, a protective barrier, and the path possibly closed.

FYI the barrier at Chimps that I have posted about, most recently in the post dated... has been redone.  Whoever built this new frame did a great job.  The choice of material is still a curious point.  The weird and sloppy first rendition had a mesh tarp folded, this one is one layer, so basically not a barrier of protection.  Don't get why clear sheeting isn't considered.

So what nonsense exemptions will the State allow this coming week? ... ??? What I do know is No Masker Jerks will still be allowed in the Park and elsewhere for their excercise.  Walking, Jogging, Biking, breathing out possible asymptomatic aerosol particles, with no repercussion, yet those of us who get our excercise at the Zoo have no where to go to be around nature, unless we want to go to Park and walk through the obstacle of aerosol Health Assault.  The State and City Governments need to crack down and start giving citations. If they had back in April when after a few weeks it was apparent self-entitiled shits weren't complying, we wouldn't be in this mess nine months later.  Big Fail.  

All this said, it will be outrageous if this Shutdown goes past three weeks.

Previous post

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-our-second-zoo-shutdown.html?m=1

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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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Our Second Zoo Shutdown - Category BS!

I started writing this last Sunday after my Zoo visit.  Since then there's been other developements, so I'll post about that separately.

I had been out of the news loop for a couple days, when my neighbor texted me and asked if the Zoo would be open Sunday (12.6.20)  I said, I hadn't heard anything, and they are "outside".  I started networking a quiry and indeed within a short time, word came down that the Zoo would be closed starting Monday. 

Thankfully, unlike the first shutdown, I was able to get in a visit I knew would be my last for a month.  After going without seeing the Zoo Friends for four months, three weeks was sad, but not the level of upset it previously was.  The only thing I was bummed about was missing Nick's Birthday today and Twiggy's Birthday on the 23rd, and the Meerkat Triplets First Birthday. So I wished them Happy Birthday, and told all the Friends I'd see them in three weeks.  

I immediately questioned the Botanical Garden via both a Facebook Messenger and Twitter, whether they would be open.  Yes!  They responded.  Now the anger set in.   Anyone who followed my posts from the first shutdown, knows that I was outraged when the BG was allowed to ReOpen on June 1st, while the Zoo was still not allowed. Unless there was a documented concern for Animal Safety, there is no apparent difference between the two outdoor facilities.  In fact, the Zoo at least has more extensive protocols in place. 

I am not making a judgement on California Zoos, because I don't know if any conversation has transpired between them and the State.  Officials have continually stated that there would be a second wave, the possility of another Shutdown could happen.  That said, I'm curious why CA Zoos didn't band together and get Zoo's reclassified as Outdoor Museums (the category the Botanical Garden is in) ?

So, I'll leave this post with a share for those who haven't been to the Zoo recently.  There have been some nice decorations been put up over the last few weeks, that now won't be seen by Visitors through the Holidays.   A large wonderful Christmas Display in Entry Village that was done by the Horticulture Department Landscape Designer Patricio with the help of Lorraine from the Maintenance Dept.  

Pic of the Polar Bear 

when it was first done.  

By the time I took the video, 

humans had destroyed the chin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMCb2wRVX5E

Above is a short clip I did of it so people can at least see it.  It's sad that all this effort and possibly some funds, have gone to waste.  It would be nice if the Zoo could be allowed to at least let Members into Entry Village to see it and have a Holiday photo op.  Why can't there be small amount of people streaming through there, distanced, during special hours the week before Christmas?  People could be encouraged on Social Media to place online orders from the Gift Shop, and even Cafe, and then come to Zoo for pick-up.  They could have the pop-up Coffee Stand selling Hot Chocolate and other Holiday Beverages.  There would be no difference to doing something like this than there would be to Stores and Restaurants that are allowed to have take away services.   It's a thought, maybe the Zoo could seek approval for this.  It would be something for Members, and to garner a bit of revenue.  As well a perk for anyone buying a new Membership.

Keeper Jamie put out some Holiday Enrichment Decorations for the Mandrills and Atlas the Squirrel Monkey.  I got lucky and Banjo walked right into frame.  Happy Holidays! 

Please see my next post.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-current-zoo-shutdown-other.html?m=1

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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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Response To A Comment From An Anti-Masker

I usually don't get to comment replies this quick, but considering we are on the eve of another Zoo Shutdown, I thought that this comment that came in today would be appropriate to post and respond to at this time.   The irritations about many aspects of this Pandemic, especially why we are still in it, nine months later, have been circling my mind all day.  So let's get to it!

Link to the blog post referenced 

is at the bottom of this page

@Brenda -  Thank you for your comment.  As much as I enjoy a good debate, this is not a topic I'm going to engage again,  because I don't have the time, energy or more importantly, the need to. 

First, you didn't have to note that you were an Anti-Masker, because your words showed your lack of respect for rules, orders and the health of others.  They illustrated that you are in the category that has given the middle finger to the Pandemic, and you and your like, are more than probably to blame for this situation continuing, for what will soon be a year.

You certainly have the right to do as you want, but that does not make it the right thing.  And while you can do whatever you want outside the Zoo, in the Zoo there are rules that need to be followed.

The Zoo is a controlled environment.  The rules for being on the grounds, as a Visitor or Employee were set in accordance with the City Health Department.  These rules allowed the Zoo to ReOpen.  If these rules were not in place, the Zoo could not have ReOpened.  If the rules are not being followed, the Zoo would have had to close again.  As a Visitor one must agree to follow the rules.  Not following the rules while at the Zoo risks closure, which causes lack of revenue and puts the needs of the Animals in jeopardy.

You started by noting that I called out an Employee for not wearing a Mask.  You are damn right I did.  Employees are not above the rules, and they set the example for Visitors. 

In response to my issue with people being unmasked in areas common with masked, and to wear appropriate masks, you called me Entitled.  It is not Entitled to expect rules to be followed, so everyone is safer.  This isn't just about me, contrary to your position as someone who is anti-mask. 

  

That all said, I am Entitled.  Myself and anyone else who wants to stay safe and is following the rules put forth by establishments we enter, and recommendations by health professionals, WE ARE ENTITLED to have the air in our space be as free of unhealthy toxins as possible, especially in a Pandemic when those toxins have proven to be deadly.

Maybe your wish for Christmas should be that no one you care about gets Covid.  

And yes, I am a piece of work.  I am confident,  I am opinionated, I am outspoken, and I don't bow to bullshit.  Thank you for the compliment.

Related Post:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/08/sfzoo-re-opening-irritation-with-un_15.html

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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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