Why is Zoo Management Still Taking Risks With The Chimpanzees?

This was not my next planned post in draft, but... If I only get to publishing one post this weekend, it had to be this one. 

I've been trying to write this post for a couple days.  It's been brewing in my mind for months, so it's not a new issue, just a tired one.  

As I sat here last night ready to start, I got side-tracked by an article that was posted to Twitter by the SF Chronicle. ... "Bay Area counties urge vaccinated people to wear masks again as delta variant tightens grip."

No Shit! was my reaction, and I said it outloud, with a disgusted chuckle.   I knew this would happen.  Telling people they could discard masks was irresponsible.  As well as the extra vulnerability in stores now, this allowance has seemed to increase an already bad no-mask situation at the Zoo, specifically at the Chimp yard.

What I'm about to write for this blog post, about the Zoo's Covid Safety in regard to the Chimpanzees, is entirely based on thoughts and facts before yesterday's news.  I will note that news just confirms even more, that there needs to be stronger attention to protecting the Chimps.  Contrary to what the masses of asses across this land believe, this Pandemic is not over, and as long as the word Variant is in the News and on the loose, the Vulnerable need to be Protected.

It was March 9th, a week before the 2020 Shutdown when I first wrote about my concern for the Chimpanzees, and Orangutans when they were using the Chimp yard.  Apes can catch the same things as Humans, and with the perimeter fencing very close to the yard netting in several spots,  I felt they were very exposed in that exhibit.  

I heard that during the Shutdown, the path around the Chimp Yard was closed to non-authorized staff.   When the Shutdown was lifted, I expected it to still be closed.  It was not, and I was pissed.   

Why would Management open that path to the public, when it was not even open to most staff?

From my observations, there was nothing in place to protect the Chimpanzees and Orangutans.  There were no barriers to make sure people were kept at a distance from the fencing, and there was no signage, noting that these Apes who share our DNA, are vulnerable, and reminding that Masks were mandatory at all times in that area. 

I wrote about the Chimps vulnerbility and yard exposure five times (mar 9, aug 11, aug 14, nov 29, feb 21) since the start of the Pandemic.  Using the mandated guideline of six feet distance,  everytime someone stands at that fence unmasked, that in some places is less than five feet, I'd say even less, and one of the Chimps is sitting there, they are vulnerable to being exposed.  Factually, aerosol particles can travel up to 27 feet, so the whole area is a problem.  I used this graphic in one of my posts. 

My concern has never stopped.  During the first few weeks, I waited for something to be done.  Finally at the end of week three (after reopening), I talked to the Head of Safety.  I expressed my concern, and questioned if anything was going to be done to protect them.  I suggested a plastic barrier running the length of the perimeter, especially in those really close areas, either acrylic, or more cost effective sheeting.  He said it was being talked about.  Talked about while they sat out there, day after day, with people breathing on them?  Not good enough, but it never is.   I suggested signage at both ends of path, stating masks mandatory, that they share our DNA and are vulnerable.  He said, good idea, going to write that down, and literally pulled out paper and pen.  I'm sorry, but there are alot of people there, making alot of money, doing a whole lot of nothing on many fronts.  This situation could be a life and death one, and a member of the public has to approach them about it?  

So, a few days later, the start of week four, and I arrive at the yard, assuming I'd at least see some signs, and I see nothing.  Unexcuseable.  The Zoo has computers, color printers and laminators, there was no reason for there not to be signs, frankly by the end that day I suggested it.  I'd have had a sign there within the hour.   But here we were four weeks later after reopening, five months since the start of the pandemic and nothing.  

I blogged and complained about the perimeter fence issue what seemed like endlessly.  Then a ridiculous attempt at sheltering the most vulnerable place in the fencing went up.  You can read about that in other posts, I'm only mentioning it here for the timeline and to note that finally a few weeks ago, after staring at this thing for almost a year, I realized, it was not meant to protect the Chimps at all. 

Week five I arrived to see two signs, written by the Ape Keepers, hanging on the fencing.  Their words echoed what I suggested, and I was happy for these, but still felt more could be done.  The next week, these signs were gone.   Management had taken them down.  I blogged and asked,  Why?  I still don't understnad this action.  

Why would the Management of an Animal Care Facility, remove something that was acting as a deterrent, helping to keep these Beings safe?  

I suggested in a blog post, that they put some of the circles they had at other exhibits, at the yard.  The red circles did appear, but in the only place in the Zoo, they are half circles and placed right at the fencing.  Why couldn't they be full and placed back a bit?  The mind boggles.  

No further attempt to protect the Chimps and Orangutans was made as we headed into the second shutdown.  The Zoo was closed for two months.  During that time, the San Diego Zoo Gorillas contracted Covid.  When SFZoo reopened, the path was still open and there was no signage, no barrier around fencing.  Unbeleivable.   Then four weeks later, this sign appeared. 

I haven't written anything against this sign.  In reviewing the post I made about it, I can't believe I didn't express my actual thoughts.  I must have been delirious from the effort of there being a sign at all.  So, let's talk about that sign.  First, and I've said this before, the Zoo's signs are too wordy.  No one stands and reads wordy signs.  I think long-winded info is great, but in addition to short and to the point.  I have no idea who writes the text for the signs, but geez, it's always a miss.  Why is the lead buried?   I get why eating is mentioned, but wearing a Mask is the lead.  Also, if the sign plainly said,  Mask wearing at all times in this area, it's unnecessary to mention eating. 

This sign should have looked like this, along with a Stop Sign and Mask Graphic.  Would have added myself but my current photo editor doesn't work that way.

Last year they had a sign along the entry line, that simply said, Masks Are Required While Waiting In Line.  Why didn't the Chimps get a simply worded sign last year?  Even this newer version is configured better than the one at Chimps.  Why? 

There could have been a long-winded sign posted to the fencing along the path with the other signage.  In fact over a year later, there should be. THAT is an educational point that should be made.  ... A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to put Mask Graphics at multiple points along the fence.  The other day there were graphics about World Chimpanzee Day placed how I imagined the mask graphics could be. 

Other signage I've seen online that is simple ... Signs like this should be at all areas where Masks are required.

Oh, and not simple is this newish sign at entry ...

No one is paying any attention to this one.  People on skinny paths wearing no mask as they walk right by.  People in the Chimp Dayroom wearing no masks come and stand right next to you.  The sign should just say, ... Masks Required In Some Areas.  Please Adhere To Signs.  Please Mask and Distance From Others When Six Feet Not Possible. ... People don't always read signs to begin with, they aren't going to read a novel as they enter.

A couple more notes about the plastic barrier idea.  So, it was never done to protect the Chimps, yet it was done at the Train to protect Humans.  I even saw some draped over the Bird Aviary at the Puente recently.  There's obvious value in using plastic sheeting as a protector, so again, Why not for the Chimps?  

Sixteen Months later, in my opinion any effort  Zoo management has put forward has failed.   The Chimps are vulnerable every minute they are out in the yard.  That is Irresponsible and Dangerous to their well-being.

With the Delta variant is on the loose, and others will surely follow, there is still a desperate need to protect the Chimps.  The Zoo has been packed, even on the weekdays that I'm there.  People from out of the area are visiting, some don't even bring masks into the Zoo.  The week before last, I ended up at Chimps later in the day than usual, and I asked no less than forty people in ten minutes to wear a mask.  That number is not exaggerated.  

Unfortunately, there is a good percentage of people who want to challenge the Mask requirement.  They are obnoxious, and argumentative.   One guy even asked me if the Chimps were Vaccinated because maybe he can catch something from them. ...  Digressing for one second, since Oakland Zoo was in the News recently for vaccinating some of their Animals.  I personally would never suggest this, as just like with people, there could be side effects.  I had a reaction that has lingered, and would not want that to happen to a non-Human Being who can't communicate what they are experiencing.  And with our Chimps being Seniors, that is something to consider.  That would be on Animal Care Staff to decide, not any member of the public.   That guy was way off base even questioning it.

The Zoo makes no attempt to deter this behavior, other than with that sign.  There is a Docent at the exhibit on Mondays, who tries to do her best.  She is only there a few hours, so its a free for all the rest of the time.  I have heard Keepers repeatedly ask people to put on their masks.   It is not the Keepers job to monitor the crowd.  The Zoo short staffs Keepers to begin with, and they have to be security as well?  Their job is to take care of the Animals.   The Zoo needs to staff that area at all times with Docents who are wearing the Safety Monitor Badges they had last year.  When that isn't possible, there is no reason why Security can't station there when they aren't on a call.  There seems to be two Security Guards in the Parking lot and frankly, the Chimps well-being is more important than Humans and their Cars. 

Bottom line, that area needs Signage and Monitoring.  When the later isn't available, I think the path needs to be closed.  I previously suggested and used this photo, the placement of metal barriers to keep people at a distance, while still be able to view the Chimps in the yard.  

There is no reason this can't be done.  Now that the Orangutans are in Triple Grotto, they are viewed at a distance. So viewing the Chimps outside at a distance for their safety, shouldn't be an issue. As well the Dayroom is open and the Chimps can be viewed close-up in there.

I had an idea this morning that I floated by someone to see if it was good to post or totally something that would not fly.  They said it was good, so at least one other person agrees. 

If the path was closed as pictured, but only to the general public.  That way it keeps the numbers down and filters out random visitors and out of towners, who I'd say make-up most of the no-mask offenders.  Members should then be given the opportunity to gain access by agreeing to remain masked (necessary as I've even seen Guardian Members with no mask) in that area, and purchasing an access wrist band (like those rubber ones) for say five bucks each, for themselves, family and friends.  The wrist bands are for easy ID from staff, as well the funds generated can go to Chimp Enrichment.   

Ok, I'm exhausted and anxious, as I worry constantly about the Chimps sitting at that fence possibly breathing contaminated air.  

It's your move, San Francisco Zoo. 

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