Bumping this one up on the list of future posts, noted in my previous post.
As I start to bat this one out, I looked back to my last post, which I thought was an Update about the Orangutans finally going into Triple Grotto. Well, ... I have found two irritations. First, there is no such update. Second, the last update I did do, is incomplete. Incomplete as in, I posted an unfinished post. What the hell. I've never done that. How half of it disappeared is beyond me. I write posts in Notepad and then paste to blog when done, and I re-read it several times before publishing. Maybe I accidentally hit publish. Good grief. Anyway, it will be linked at the end of this post.
Backing up a bit. ... The Orangutans were given access to the North Grotto June 2. Here's a short clip from the first time I saw them about an hour after they entered.
The Orangutans have all day access, and they go out and spend time there. They also still spend time, staring into the Chimp yard. Whether they are just watching the Chimps for entertainment or longing to climb the netting or make their way around the large topical space, who knows. What I do know is that their space is subpar. The Triple Grotto renovation was a cheap, ugly attempt to throw something together, most likely to appease the AZA Inspectors later this fall. As I noted before, not ONE thing was done for the Orangutans. All attention was on how the Keepers are going to access the Grotto, since they (unnecessarily?) knocked down the bridge from the island to the building.
A clip from June 30. Ollie had been in the short tube, watching the Chimps, who were calm, when he backed up and made a run for the access door. He started banging and gesturing. Then Amoi ran from inside their night quarters and started banging as well. I had never seen the run and bang by both before. I had to wonder if they aren't pissed that they don't get to go into the yard anymore? I was told they would still get a few mornings in the yard, but I have yet to see that happen. That said, Cobby passed away a few days after the Orangutans accessed North Grotto, so the sharing could have been halted to give the Chimpanzees more space while grieving. Just a thought. ... Here's a clip of the interaction that I had not made public.
I am constantly thinking about the Orangutans situation. Some might wonder, What situation? as they now have their own dedicated space. In my opinion, that space is not appropriate and never will be. It's a Prison Pit, not a Habitat. They don't know how Disgraceful the situation is but, I do, and I'm not alone.
The only reason to be happy? relieved? at this point, is that they do have a space dedicated to them, that they have full access to. They do seem to be enjoying it. The Animal Care Staff has done a great job at positioning fire hoses and hammocks for them to move around on. They always seem to have Enrichment Items with food to occupy them. I just think they need more than an ancient structure on an ancient island.
Are they supposed to just live on that island structure for the rest of their lives? What about when they breed? Ollie, Amoi and their babie just going to sit there? No topical space for the babie to crawl around? A few moves in one direction and the poor thing could roll right off the island. These are valid questions, since the Zoo does no fundraising and seemingly cries poor for everything Animal need related. I had a whole portion of that post I now know published incomplete, that suggested a Tree Structure be made using trunks around the Zoo. I had photos, and drawings, still can't believe it somehow didn't save. If anyone remembers seeing this idea in a post, let me know! Anyway, regardless, I described my idea, and asked a Keeper if that would be a good thing for them in Middle Grotto, and she said yes, but said they've been told no money. I guess that meant for anything? I don't think my idea costs anything but for nails, brackets, whatever it would take to hold it together. I'm going to look for those photos, and if I can find them quick, I'll make a blog post, after this. Maybe if I post some diagrams, like the Chimp sign, it will get done. Or maybe now that I'm saying that, they wouldn't even do it out of spite that it came from me. Who knows with this place. All I know is the Orangutans need more.
So, the reason I bumped this initially, was because last week, I saw a group of people who looked like they might be architects. I don't know that, but they had clipboards and were being led through the Chimp yard path, to where I don't know. I can't imagine that they have any money for anything considering they haven't finished Triple Grotto yet. Or have they? Maybe they are seeking ideas for Triple Grotto? That would be awesome, but I'm not holding my breath. They surely should not be starting any other projects, when there are too many current needs. Although that hasn't stopped them before.
In addition to Triple Grotto, they also have Animals hoarded at off exhibit who need enclosures. They allegedly during the past couple years have also shot down simple needs like aviary style netting over Meerkats and Prairie Dogs. It wasn't enough that Prairie Pups were taken by Bird Predators. Thankfully the Animal Care Staff is resourceful and came up with alternative ideas to deter that, but come on, a couple grand and it could have been done properly. These are the things that happen when there is no effort to fundraise. Oh yeah, and the netting over the Flamingos was never completed. No money. It only got the second part done because for some reason the last Chicks didn't get their wings clipped. A few got out, one made it to Gorilla yard, thankfully Gorillas were inside. Ugh. The Fails are exhausting.
Anyway, seeing that group that may have been architects, got me rethinking my ideas for Triple Grotto. In previous (at least I hope THAT published!) I put forth the idea of combining North and Middle Grotto, filling in moat, netting it over, all to create a larger topical area, a suggestion from when the Chimpanzees still lived there. Additionally we now know the Orangutans, especially Amoi love climbing the netting. I also added doing the same for South Grotto, with a walk-in viewing area between. Now that Orangutans are in North Grotto no way that can happen, unless they complete South Grotto, fill and net, and then work on North and Middle. That should have happened before they got here. Now that they are in North Grotto, they shouldn't be displaced unless it's to a permanent new area.
My latest idea has each of the Grottos filled and netted independently, with some sort of access tunnel connecting all three. I still like the walkin viewing area, but Zoo doesn't want to spend money on netting, they aure aren't foing to spring for windows. Anyway, with this idea they get the added topical area and net for climbing and containment, and the different areas can be used in different configurations for both Orangutans and Chimpanzees. Then the Great Ape Passage could be a true rotating exhibit as it was intended. There would be many ways to change up who gets what access and each species can enjoy every area, and each have a trail that is open ended. The later is important, as I learned when questioned why the Chimps no longer had access to the long trail. I was told that in case of a fight, they couldn't have a place that had no outlet. Idea example, the Dayroom, long trail, North (+Middle) Grotto could be one access, the Yard, short trail, South (+Middle) Grotto could be another.
I'd like to see the Chimps in an improved Triple Grotto so they could access the twigging mound. Minnie used to love that. As well they used to love sitting up in the trail. Especially Cobby. Sad he never got to go back up there. Precious guy, I miss him so much.
And more than obviously, that awful skyscraper bridge, platform and extra concrete crap that has made the exhibit an eyesore could be demolished!
Whatever they do there, or for that matter anywhere else, I hope they fired the previous architect company who did the Orangutans and Snow Leopards and who were on board to do the Madagascar because the Orangutans turned out like crap and the Snow Leopard Expansion is awful too. Both areas big eyesores of concrete and metal. Don't even get it in this day and age as they say. That said, regardless of what any architect puts forth, unfortunately in the two cases mentioned, Zoo management did agree to both designs. A real head-shaker!
Previous (incomplete) Related Post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/04/orangutan-update-part-two-current-state.html
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Your voice is being heard, believe me. Don't give up the fight for our precious zoo friends. I am concerned that Blanche isn't getting fed enough food at the palace. She's so disrespected. The fencing is shameful. For the park being 150 years old they are letting it down. I am also concerned with there not being green grass for the Bison herd. I agree with all your concerns. Keep up the fight.
ReplyDelete@Andie ... Thank you for your comment. As always, I apologize for delay in replying. ... Thank you for support and shared concern. I did eventually talk to a Rec and Park Gardener who told me she is being fed greens and a pellet but she didn't know whether that was the same as what the Zoo sent "home" with her. No way to get further info so I've gone as far as I can with that, and have to trust that info. ... The fencing thing is disgraceful. The Rec and Park should be ashamed for not helping the Zoo if they can. And the grass is back to being brown for the most part. I think they only "showered" it with love during the anniversary. Look across the road and the grass is green and lush. Another Fail. ... will keep up the fight as long as I can , but honestly, it's all getting old. Thirteen years of monitoring these places in our City system is a long time, especially when there are people who get paid a shitload of money to do the right thing and don't.
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