Where Are The, ... A PS Post

After thoughts to yesterday's posts.

Someone reminded me of a point I was going to make in reference to the maps that showed Animal enclosures that were in use in 2010 versus now.  

That point was regarding size.  The Zoo always touts it's 100 acres, which while factual, also gives the illusion that it is 100 acres of Animals.  

Compare the stats in regard to size and collection with San Diego Zoo that is 100 acres as well. 

San Francisco Zoo, 2,000 Animals, 250 Species

San Diego Zoo, 12,000 Animals, 650 Species.

Justifiably, they also charge more than double SFZoo does.  That said, SF needs to be conscious that when there aren't that many Animals to begin with, we literally can't afford to have empty enclosures.

I'm not saying we need to be like San Diego Zoo.  We couldn't be.  We don't have their money or community, but at the same time, we can't lose Animals and then leave enclosures empty.  Visitors are not going to come to the Zoo to see no Animals.  From that perspective alone, the Zoo will not thrive.  I've even heard Members say they will not renew and go to Oakland instead.

Note the two words I used in the previous paragraph.  Money and Community.  Two things that go hand in hand, and both I have written about over the years.  It was in 2009 that I mentioned to Director Peterson the need for building a community.  Obviously she found no value in that, as her administration has wasted twelve years, not building one.  What does not building one mean?  It means the Zoo has not created a core of caring members and visitors.  Not having that directly relates to raising funds.  A few posts back, I hinted at this equation, but left the variables blank.  Sometimes, things just need to be spelled out.  I'll do more spelling out in my future post about the Zoo's lack of fundraising.

The Zoo's lack of fundraising is directing related to the attention that has not been given to the Zoo's Needs.  In light of that, SF needs to think like a small Zoo, and not think grandiose, like with the Madagascar project.  It's great to have dreams, but building brand new exhibits while ignoring Needs is not the way to do things.  I also include the Snow Leopard Expansion, in with a Want over a Need.  Yes the Snow Leopards need a bigger enclosure, but the Orangutans needed an enclosure PERIOD!  before that project even started.  The Zoo started the Great Ape Passage which included the Triple Grotto renovation for the Orangutans.  They just ignored finishing that project, and what would be the Needs of the Orangutans they had planned for over six years to bring in, in favor of Wants.  Imagine if the Donors who gave to the Snow Leopard Expansion, gave to the Orangutans, what their home would look like.  Surely not the ancient concrete prison pit with a fallen skyscraper they are living in now.  

The Zoo needs to concentrate on Needs.  There are enclosures that need upgrades, both for exisiting Animals, and to be able to house new Animals.  I shouldn't have to even say this, but apparently Director Peterson and her crew of accomplices, either don't think of Needs, or just completely ignore them.  The Zoo's priority should be, getting all the upgrades done, before starting on new projects.

I've said before, I don't like to give the Zoo suggestions, because they pay people think, but when that doesn't happen, I feel obligated to help them out, for the better of the Zoo.  So, here are some of the things that I consider Needs...

*Anything FOR Orangutans.

*Netting the Prairie Dogs and Meerkats to protect them from Predators. 

*Finish Netting at Flamingos.

*Extend Great Hornbill enclosure.

*Remove solid fence at west end of Sand Corral at Farm, replace with open air fence and add solid fence barrier to back Pasture to create an area that public can view.  Essentially making it part of the Farm instead of an off exhibit area. 

*Add Deterent Barriers at Black Rhino and Bears.  ... Coincidentially in the Topeka Zoo video linked in my previous post, they have the jagged barriers I've suggested be put in front of ours.  They were put at Anteater to prevent people sitting, standing etc.  I then blogged they should also be put at Bears, Black Rhino, Hippo.  That was six years ago.  

*Renovate Children's Zoo Pond to safely accomodate an Aquatic Species.  I'd like to see Beavers!

*Acquire Animals for Walk-a-bout.

*Acquire Pygmy Hippos or Tapirs for the Hippo enclosure.  Even though Id love to see Tapirs, I'd go for Pygmy Hippos (who I love too!) since we have a Hippo statue there and people are used to seeing a Hippo. ... Having an Acquisition Animal in place for this space and the two empty Big Cat Grottos should have been a priority, before they were vacated. 

*Clean-up FCC 

*Clear out South Gate and make enclosures habitable.  Move Bongo's there so the male and female can live side by side in decent sized spaces and both be visible.  Acquire other Hoofstock species for space available.

*Create space for Condors (side of Tropical as planned?)

*Create a universal enclosure that could temporailly house Animals in need (rescues) or others off exhibit (like the Fossa could have had). Maybe that space between One Horned Rhino and Komodo.

... That's just my starting list.

Additionally, NO more areas that cater to Humans!  The Zoo is an Animal Care Facility.  People come to see Animals.  

I had also done a map that included blacked out areas that were for Humans rather than Animals.  The ones with X are either closed or used by Staff.  The ARC houses many Animals, most not viewable to public on a regular basis.  Together with the dark blue closed animal exhibits, that's a good portion on the Zoo.

I looked at the Joint Zoo Documents to find where the Emperor Tamarins went.   I didn't find that info.  What I did find was the confirmation to a rumor that the Black Howler Monkeys were being transferred out.  That leaves the Zoo with two species of Monkeys.  BIG Fail!  

I was hoping at some point the Howlers would get a home back in the main Zoo.  They are a personal favorite, but also favorites of so many.  Like the Langurs, they are very active and people love that about them.  If the Zoo was smart, they would have taken that garden area between the back side of Langurs and the path to Mandrills and made an Aviary style enclosure for them.  Then there would be a specific Monkey area.  Even better would have been to move Langurs to FCC temporarily, reinvent those cages and current indoor holding to accommodate both, and then create a space for both on that  garden site.  

Sad the Howlers will soon be gone.  I have always felt a connection to them ever since I saw Mama Baya, the day she was born.  I'd been on babie watch for a couple weeks, and got lucky one Thanksgiving morning.  Her Mama Diamond brought her over to the fence and turned to show me her babie.  She was named Baya, which means Berry in Spanish.  Berry having a connection to Thanksgiving.  Hope this sweet lady and her two daughters have a wonderful life at their new home at the Brevard Zoo in Florida.  Information showed her son already moved to Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas.  Hope he has met a nice lady friend there and is happy. 

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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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Where Are The Monkeys? - No Animals Part Two

This post was actually started before the previous one.  It became a two-parter because more and more Animals keep leaving.  Sadly some have passed away, while others have been transferred out.  Either way, the Zoo's collection seems to be shrinking, with no acquisitions seemingly in the immediate future.

Years ago, and I'm talking about 8-10 at this point, I used to hear alot of people walking around the Zoo complaining about there not being any Animals.  I was like, what's wrong with these people, are they blind?  There's tons of Animals. And there were! 

Now I hear people say that, and I obviously agree.  The question is, What the hell is Director Peterson's plan?  I can't imagine she even has one, because if she did, the Zoo would not be in the state it is. 

Here is a map I edited to show what the Zoo was like in 2010.  I did it several times, so I hope your able to follow it.  The Key is below.  ... Light blue are enclosures currently being used.  Dark blue are enclosures that are closed, some were being used in 2010.

1 Previous Duck Pond. Vacated approx 2017

2 Walkabout. Currently holding One lone Kangaroo, Two? Wallaroos, and One Emu. Collection deaths 2020

3 Area adjacent to Tropical Building.  Slated to be new home for Rescued Squirrel Monkeys (2010)

4 Previous Sea Lion Pool. Vacated 2020

5 Previous Ape Grotto (Middle) Vacated 2019

6 Previous Ape Grotto (South) Vacated 2019

7 Previous Primate Building. Demolished 2019?

8 Previous Tamarins, Recent Squirrel Monkey, Vacated August 2021

9 Previous Pygmy Hippo, Hippo Temporary. Vacated pre-2008

10 Previous Big Cat. Vacated June 2021

11 Previous Big Cat. Vacated June 2021

12 Previous Hippo. Vacated September 2021

13 Previous Hoofstock one Species. Vacated approx 2010. Currently used for Zoo Camp

14 Previous Hoofstock one Species. Vacated approx 2010. Currently used for outsourced Therapy Horses

15 Previous Hoofstock two Species. Vacated approx 2010

16 Previous Black Rhino. Vacated 2010

17 Previous.??? (adjacent west of Grizzlies)

I'm not going to say how I would use these areas, because the Zoo employs too many people who should be able to logically figure that out.  That said, below is an example of what is not logical, or in the best interest of the Zoo, and most certainly would not be what I would even think to do at this point in time. 

In 2018, Zoo Director Tanya Peterson entered into an agreement with Zoological Society Member and Donor Barry Lipman to construct his Want of a large scale Madagascar exhibit, in the space on the west side of the Primate Center.  The space that occupied a row of enclosures that housed five Primate species.  Proceeding with that project, at this time, set in motion the mass exudus of over half the Primate collection.  

I have been making notes on this Mad project for over three years.  That is one of the posts that weighs on me, but will get done!  So, while I will voice some opinions here, there is more to come in that post.

There is no place for a Vanity project at a time when there are so many other things that should be priority.  Among too many offences, the mismanagement of Wants over Needs is a common occurrence in the current administration.  That said, the only way Madagascar should have been allowed to go forward at this time, is if new homes for the Monkeys were built, at the expense of the Donor.  That should have been a contingency for two reasons.  No Animal should be displaced without a valid reason, and No Zoo should be without a decent collection of Monkeys.  

Displacing all but three Monkey species off exhibit and in other facilities, was another detrimental hit to the Zoo's ability to thrive.  Monkeys are probably the most popular Animal in Zoos. They are one of the Animals kids most identify.  I've seen kids run to the map as soon as the get in the Zoo and yell, Where are the Monkeys?  I still hear people ask Staff, Where are the Monkeys? 

The Madagascar debacle called for demolishing the Primate Center.   The five Species living there, and three Species within that complex were displaced.  One lone Squirrel Monkey was put back in one exhibit, but he has recently been retired to a Sanctuary.

The purpose of this post is not only to document the situation, but to give some information about where these Primates are, especially the one's that have moved to other Zoo's, as I know people who want to follow them in their new homes. ... Starting from left to right (across from the Mandrill's) ...

The Siamang.  Storm the male Siamang (Lesser Ape), had sadly been living alone since the passing of his longtime mate, Mindy.  He was the first to leave.  A wonderful home for him was found at the Roosevelt Park Zoo, where their female Lizzy was living alone since losing her mate a few months earlier.  I was sad that Storm, could not stay in the place he had lived his entire life.  If this project hadn't happened, a female could have come to him.  I'm thankful he and Lizzy are together and not alone anymore.  They have been very happy together!  Here is a recent video of them singing, and some wonderful facetime with Stormy!  

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157782781796534&id=220495656533&m_entstream_source=timeline

The Black Howler Monkey Family, Mama Baya who was born here, her mate Benjamin, and their three offspring, were all moved off exhibit to FCC. Sadly Benjamin and one of the offspring have since passed away.

The Squirrel Monkeys.  At the time of the evacuation, the Squirrel Monkeys were being housed in three places.  The Primate Center, the Hospital and the Concrete room above Sifaka.  If you're not familiar with that Cruel situation, here's my post about it. 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/squirrel-monkeys-havent-been-outside-in.html

Many of the Squirrel Monkeys were seniors, several passed away since.  Some were sent to other Zoos.  The one remaining, twenty-six year old Atlas was moved into the enclosure that was the previous Emperor Tamarin home.  He thrived there, until he was recently transferred to Squirrel Monkey Haven, where he now has like species friends.

The Colobus couple, were moved to FCC, where they stayed til this past Spring.  They were transferred to the Santa Ana Zoo together.

The Francois Langurs Family.  These two Mama's, their mate, and offspring, were all moved together to an enclosure known as Short String. This is the enclosure that temporarilly housed the Fossa.  Thankfully it was refurished before they moved in.  It is located across from the Fragrance Garden.

The Langurs and the Mandrills are the only Monkeys the Zoo currently has on public view.  Together with the Lemurs, they are the only non-Great Ape Primates on view at the Zoo.

The Patas Monkeys lived at the far east enclosure next to the Mandrills.  I originally heard they were moved as the Mandrill enclosure was in the path of the Madagascar project.  Then I heard, that the Director allegedly didn't want the Patas there after the news scandal surrounding her in regard to the end of life situation with the young male.  The females all had breeding reccomendations and she didn't want to bring in a new male.  So, they were sent to the Topeka Zoo.  Thankfully, all together.  They joined a male and were given a home in a brand new exhibit.  They are thriving and each lady has had a babie.  You can catch up with them by scanning the Zoo's photos on their Facebook page. Lots of great photos of them have been posted! ... I saw some video footage of their new home when it 1st opened, but this video that they posted a few weeks ago is great.  The whole area looks awesome.  Patas are at about 1:35 & again at 6:40.  I enjoyed the whole video though.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-y4hVkGLDLc

Sadly staying together was not the fate of the Mother and Daughter Pied Tamarins.  These two ladies lived together for years, and were supposed to move together, but got split up.  Heartbreaking.  One went to the Philadelphia Zoo, the other to the Dallas World Aquarium.  I need to find notes on where the Emperor Tamarins went.

So, the Madagascar project displaced some from their homes, got some transferred out, and split-up a family.  It's been a disaster from the start, and three years later it's still wreaking havoc on the Zoo.

Worth mentioning...  Long gone but within this complex, lived the Aye-Aye.  Their home in the Nocturnal enclosure, was boarded up and a small theater space created to showcase art films under the guise of being Zoo related education.  Those were great Animals to have in the collection.  So much could have been done to showcase THEM.  Ironically, native to Madagascar, reopening that enclosure is not part of the plans for the Madagascar project.  Big Fail. 

This whole situation has weighed heavy on many.  It truly is Maddening!

Related post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/10/where-are-animals-no-animals-part-one.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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Where Are The Animals? - No Animals Part One

If you've I'm following along with my recent post you'll know that this post was far down on the list of drafts that I had. I'm moving it up for a couple reasons.  One, because I'm still procrastinating on finishing two posts that are mind heavy and I figured I might as well do one's that I can get done as soon as possible. The other is that Tucker's (Hippo) departure is directly related to two very important issues.  The one I'm going to write about here in this series of posts, and the other, regarding the future of the whole area surrounding the Hippo pool. 

I first noticed an evacutation of Animals in 2010 when Zoo closed an area they call South Gate, located east of Hippo. I call it Hoofstock Alley, as there were three species of Hoofstock living there.  At the time, the Zoo allegedly wanted to limit areas they didn't want to maintain, so they put up fences in several places to close off those paths.  They certainly succeeded in not maintaining.  In Fall of 2017, I went on a Bird walk that included access to some behind the scenes areas.  South Gate was one of those areas.  I was shocked what a shambles the whole area looked like.  You could barely recognize it.  The truly disgusting thing was there were two Peccary living back there in barren enclosures.  At least they were side by side, but geez, that situation was not an appropriate habitat.  I felt like crying. 

When it was open, the area housed the Duiker Family, Muntjacs, and two Blackbucks who were housed separately, one a very senior lady, and the other an imprinted young male, Pokemon.  The Duikers were ripped apart multiple times, and housed in various places, the female going to the Savannah, The Muntjacs were transferred out, the lady Blackbuck passed away, and when a tree fell into poor Pokemon's enclosure, he was banished to a stall on the side of one of the Savannah barns.  Since he was imprinted he had a mental attachment to Humans, and thrived seeing and interacting with them.  In this new situation, he saw no one, not even other Animals, as he was surrounded by wooden walls.  He passed away after spending a few years staring only at those walls. 

Part of this area was renovated, not sure at whose expense and now houses an outsourced Therapy Horse enclosure.

I did a map of the Zoo that shows how it was ten years ago, versus now with all the closed areas.  It was meant for this post originally but since I've combined another post into this one, I think I'll post it separate, as I also have text of what was where, and that would make this post even longer.

In recent months we have seen both the Hippo and two Tigers leave.  Leaving three enclosures empty. ... Last June a Kangaroo and two Wallaroos were killed by an outside predator, and since, two other Kangaroos have passed away.  The Walk-A-Bout once filled with a dozen plus animals, now has only three residents. ... The Puente, is also seeing a dwindling population.  A  few years ago, we lost our Capybara, and the Andean Condor was taken off exhibit.  Over the last year, we lost the female Guanaco, her Daughter, the Rheas, and the Black Swan were all sent to other Zoos. ... Both Sea Lions passed away. I don't know how often sightless Pinnipeds are in need of a home, so I don't know what will come of that space.  I do think it needs to remain an option for a rescue species.  As well, it's a histortic icon. 

When exhibits close, it's been typical for them to sit vacant for years.  The Tapir passed in 2012 and that enclosure sat empty for six years.   There is an enclosure between Komodo yard, housing Tortoises and One Horned Rhino, that has been vacant since 2008!   I've said before, if they aren't going to use that as an exhibit area, that enclosure needs to be renovated to be a universal temporary holding area for Animals in need, whether rescues or Animals the Zoo hoards.  The Zoo has no such place for rescues, and as an Animal Care Facility, it should.

I had a separate post about the Animals being hoarded away off exhibit, but Im going to add it in here.

When the Primate Center was demolished in 2018 (see next post for Where the Monkeys went), some of the Residents went to live at the former FCC (Feline Conservation Center).  You can see the original layout on the signage in the lower left corner, in this screencap I took from a Zoo video, showing an archival photo of FCC.

My thought from memory going with this four pod layout, was that some might have been divided into two.  The last time I went there before it was emptied sometime in 2010 I think, it housed two adult Snow Leopards seperately, two adult Ocelots with two babies, two juvenile Ocelots, and three Fishing Cats, can't remember configuration.  The two Snows had a good amount of room, so I'm thinking they shared one half of a pod.  They eventually moved to Cat Grotto E, one female Fishing Cat to Lion House, all Ocelots were transferred out.  Eventually the two Fishing Cats left were transferred as well. 

Here's a current aerial view.  

FCC, now called WCC?, remained vacant for years, until male Snow Leopard Rigel was retired there, so the Zoo could recall male Snow Leopard, Ghurka, who was born there, to breed with female Niya.  Rigel thrived there for a few years, sadly both he and Ghurka passed away.  In 2017  when the AZA/SSP insisted on SFZoo having a breeding pair, they callously wanted to transfer Niya, a senior in her teens to another Zoo.  Thankfully, the Zoo pleaded to let Niya retire to FCC, where she remains today.  Kudos on that, one of the better things the Zoo has done.  Niya was the sole resident until the Zoo started acquiring Animals it had no place to properly house. 

First, was the female Condor Claudia, who came to the Zoo temporarilly while her Zoo built her a new home.  She lived at the Puente, for about a year.  What ended up happening is a bit scandalous in my opinion.  In short, Claudia never got back home. In 2017 she was moved off exhibit to FCC.  A mate was acquired for her, who was also moved into FCC.  To date, they continue to live side by side, but have never been introduced into the same enclosure.

Sometime in late 2018 the Fossa's, two other victims of hoarding, ended up at FCC, after an extended stay in the hospital and a time in some old rusty cages.  ... This is not how you house Animals!  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vh5OaWnXoaQ&feature=youtu.be

but then Director Peterson thought it was ok to keep Orangutans in a caged tube for eight months.

I wrote about Claudia's and the Fossa's stories here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/03/sfzoo-stop-collecting-animals-you-have.html

Here's a photo from Turtle Back Zoo of the new home that was built for Claudia and future mate.  A home the SFZoo Director deprived her of, in favor of hoarding her and her mate away in cages.

So, back to the Primate Center take down debacle, that resulted in five Primate species being displaced.  Two Monkey species, the Black Howlers and Colobus, both relocated off exhibit to FCC.

That brings the FCC population to five individuals (one an adult Snow Leopard, two very large Birds, and two decent sized Mammals), a pair of Monkeys, and a family group of five Monkeys, all living in those four pods. ... One would think that sounded crowded, especially since an adult Snow Leopard needs a decent amount of room.  Then, before the new female Snow Leopard Ana gave birth in 2018, her mate Raj was also moved to FCC.  Then a year later, Ana was also moved into FCC!  Good grief, where are all these Animals fitting?!! 

Before Raj moved in, the Zoo was offering tours of FCC.  The kicker in this is, they called it Secret Safari and charged $20 for Members, can't remember how much for nonMembers.  So, they hoard away Animals that should be on exhibit, aka on view with price of admission, and then charge people extra to see them.  While Therapy Horses that are not part of the Zoo collection are publicly exhibited.  

Anyway, lucky for me, since it gave me the opportunity to see Niya again and visit with my friend Claudia.  As well as see for myself what was going on there.  The place was pretty unrecognizable from what it once was.  

I almost cried seeing Claudia, after a year, she remembered me and ran over to the fence and greeted me with her full wing dance and song.  I told her I loved her and missed her.  Hopefully one day the Zoo will make good on their promise and she and the male get a home where Claudia can have the social interaction she needs.

I felt the area Niya was in needed more space.  She may very well have had the two adjoining spaces, before the Fossa moved in.  The Fossa were a breeding pair at Denver Zoo, yet here they have been separated.  I can't even imagine what the space situation is now with two additional adult Snow Leopards there.   I have no idea if they are living side by side with Niya or hoarded to another area I didn't even see on the tour.  Hopefully with that Snow Leopard Expansion at least one of them will move back down to the main Zoo.  If Raj has been living next to Niya, I hope he stays so she has like species company.  That all said, with the two empty Big Cat Grottos, at least one should be moved to Grotto D.  There is a door in the finger wall from the exisiting Snow Leopard enclosure for access.  Although with some boarding to block the Lions, they could occupy the Lion House night quarters.  Those Grottos should not stay empty, and allegedly there are no plans to bring in more Big Cats.

That whole area looks like a ghost town, especially now with no Hippo.  Very bad planning on management's part.  The Zoo is dying under this administration.

Ok I think that's it for now.  I'm exhausted.  Did this all from memory. No energy to reread notes I've taken over the years.  Thankful to delete it from my mind.  Moving on to part two of this.  I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.

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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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This and That - Recent Short Item Notes

I hadn't been to the Zoo in over a month, when I returned for a visit on September 27, there were a few new things worth mentioning.  Also a few other short items.

> The first thing I was hit with was this new sign at the crossroads just past the gate house.  I already noted it in a previous post, so I'll add in a screencap from that.  Apologies for repeating here.  

I'm also bothered that they built a nice frame around this sign, but the Orangutans have yet to have anything new built just for them.

> The next sign I saw was very curious.  A good deed, but a curious one.  The Zoo has NEVER posted a sign when an Animal is transferred to another Zoo.  So this one about Tucker's departure is curious (sorry, no other word applies).  The only fail is that in saying he will be called Tucker in Cincinnati, is that they still can't bring themselves to say, Tucker is his real name.  They continue to use quotes around it, like its a nickname.  Ugh.  

                           

I posted this in my September 5th post, before Tucker left.  So,...

I've posted several times about Tucker, noting for his fans to follow him on Cincinnati Zoo social media.  The best resource is the Facebook Group, Fiona the Hippo.  I cry tears of joy everyday seeing him so happy with his new Family.  It's bizarre (or is it really?) that SFZoo hasn't shared any of Cincinnati's posts since Tucker's arrival. 

I can't get enough of his underwater face!  Who knew?! this was happening below the water line!  Love so much!  I just smile and squeal at the amount of cuteness it is!  I don't think he's stopped smiling since he was introduced to Bibi and Fiona.

screencap Cincinnati Zoo FB

And as expected, although sooner than I thought, Tucker has made it on Cincy merch!  I was anxiously waiting for this since before he left!  See the link below to order. 

screencap CincyShirts

https://cincyshirts.com/products/fiona-tucker-and-bibi?variant=41020812624026&fbclid=IwAR1IMt2qFvkzOlaodlCQhj1MJPfwylOWRW9LioorpPuZSAT8u4371fUDVOA

> Another new thing for me was this mural up by the Chimp yard.  

Nice to see something colorful on the blank wall, I like the heart leaves that seem like repros of messages decorated by kids, but I'm not a fan of this as a whole. Art is very individual, it either speaks to you or it doesn't.  It's creepy to me that the Chimpanzee is underground. 

I actually had a mural idea in mind for this exact space, since this area opened.   In my notebook of ideas, mine was based on a mural of a Chimpanzee that I saw online and loved.  I thought something similar with an Orangutan as well would have been beautiful.  I wish I could find the screencap of the mural I saw to post here, but I'm not that organzied, as I screencap constantly, and have none organized.  Someday!

> Another notation I made in a Tucker departure related post, was about our female Gorilla Kimani.  

Kimani came to the Zoo two years ago, and as of the September 18 date of that post, she had not been mentioned. 

Again, curiously, when the Zoo made their World Gorilla Day post on Sept 24, they included Kimani, even using her real name!  I say included, since they didn't mention her in 2020. 

screencap SFZoo Twitter

I can only figure that now they finally acknowledge her since they can call her something.  By that I mean, they were obviously unable to get the $15,000 to rename her, so I guess the poor lady gets to keep her true identity, but only by default. 

> Reaching back a month or so, while driving on Great Highway for the first time since it reopened, I saw the work being done at the south-east corner of Sloat, at the water station.  Immediately I was bummed not to see the Mosaic Statues that have stood on that corner spot for thirty years.  

I always associated this installation with the Zoo, since the one that popped most was the Lion.  

screencap 

artandarchitecture-sf.com

I hope they were saved and will be replaced, but the last couple weeks that spot seems to be taking on another shape, and while I'm still holding out hope, I'm doubtful. ... I finally emailed the contruction company this weekend to find out what happened to them and their fate.  Hope someone will get back to me. 

Here is some history that about the Statues and Artist that created them.  

https://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/earth-air-sea.html

> Going back to signage, this was new this past week.  

They had this Nigel series last year.  I think its a fun thing, my issue is this...  If the Zoo can put a large size sign on a barrier for a game, why can't they do the same for safety?  All the signs that pertain to this issue are a great deal smaller.  The largest one, seen here on the post, is about a fourth the size.  Those who have followed my blog, know I have had a huge problem with barrier safety, specifically at Bears, Hippo, and this very enclosure at Black Rhino.  You can search the blog for  "barrier" if you want to read more of what I think.  But yea, Ugh. 

 > Thought I would close with this and the next item out of respect for these precious Beings who brought joy to many lives.

Something else new for this week, was our beloved Jamie actually got a sign.  

Thankfully there are more words about this lovely lady than they posted on their social media, which I complained about in my September 23 Tribute post for Jamie.  Curiously, her faux name is not in quotes, nor are those of her Tampa Family Twiggy and Nick.

I miss this little girl so much. Tears still stream everytime I think about her.  

> Sadly, we recently lost two other Zoo Friends. Koala Akoonah, who came to SF from San Deigo less than two years ago. So sad that another young Koala has passed away.  Kudu Girl born August 29, sustained trauma from an alleged run-in with a fence.  I'm pretty sure a female calf from a couple years ago, suffered the same fate.  The details of this loss are heartbreaking as it is, but for it to be a repeat cause of death, makes it really upsetting.  Why did this happen again?  The Zoo should not be allowed to breed Kudu if they can't keep the babies safe.

It's disgraceful that neither got a sign or a mention.  This was the sign at Koalas.  The disrespect of lack of recognition of life is hurtful.

RIP Akoonah, Bless Your Soul

RIP Little Girl Kudu, Bless Your Soul

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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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Does The AZA Follow Covid Safety Protocols?

This comment came in regarding my previous blog post.  I publish all comments.  This came from a credible source, so I have no reason to doubt it's validity.   Like with words of my own, that have not been something I've personally witnessed, I will note it as "alleged".

That said, all I can say is Wow!  Just Wow!  This alleged action by the organization that is supposed to set industry standards, is Shameful.  

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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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Great Plains Zoo Snow Leopard Passes Away From Covid - Protecting Captive Animals

Baya the female Snow Leopard lost her life to Covid.   She was the first non-human casualty to the virus in a Zoo setting.  RIP Baya, Bless Your Soul.

Screencap Great Plains Zoo FB

Big Cats and Great Apes seem to be the captive species most affected.  The first reported case was a Tiger at the Bronx Zoo in April 2020, close to the start of the pandemic.  Since then there have been many Covid cases in the captive animal community.  

This year San Diego seems to have been hit repeatedly.  In January, eight Gorillas at their Safari Park were infected, in July the Zoo's two Snow Leopards, and in August six Sumatran Tigers at the Safari Park came down with Covid.  Among them, possibly our own Jillian and Teddy, who were transferred there not long before.

Last month saw two Zoo's with large groups infected.  Eighteen Gorillas at Zoo Atlanta, and Nine Big Cats at DCs National Zoo, including their African Lion Matriarch Shera, who came very close to having her life end due to virus complications.  Thankfully in the last few days she is doing better, but her condition is still guarded.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, I have been roaring in person and via this blog, about the lack of protection in the way of signage, distancing and sheltering, at our San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzee yard. 

I spend most of my Zoo visits at that enclosure and admittedly worried most for them, as Chimpanzee Jamie would almost exclusively, sit at the netting in a place that was considerably less than six feet from Visitors, expelling possibly contaminated particles on her, and into the enclosure.

It took over a year for the Zoo to get proper signage in that area.  There was never any additional barriers to distance people or any kind of physical sheltering added.

It was not lost on me that the Snow Leopards and Bobcat enclosures were also vulnerable in proximity to Visitor aerosols.  Earlier this year, in a post dated January 17, I wrote ...

Regardless of whether I mentioned this or not, the Zoo should have been and still should be posting awareness signs regarding Mask wearing around all Vulnerable Species.  While neither the Snow Leopards or Bobcat linger at the fencing, aerosol particles travel up to twenty-seven feet, and that is this distance that should be used as a guideline for distance between random Humans and the Animals who are considered a Vulnerable Species.

Yesterday I saw a photo posted to the Fiona the Hippo Facebook Group, that made me gasp.  The San Antonio Zoo is conducting their behind the scenes Animal Experiences, allowing Visitors to not only go without Masks, but also feed the Animals without gloves.  The photo also shows a Keeper with no Mask.  I know it's Texas, but geez, talk about irresponsible.  I have to wonder if the AZA has a Covid Safety mandate for their Accredited Zoos?

I have made a case for protecting the Animals from Visitor aerosols.  While I think that it is necessary to take all possible precautions from the public side, infection from Zoo staff that has access to indoor animal quarters, has to be considered the most likely point of transmission.  Since Keepers have the closest contact, they are the ones that have been linked in most reports.  

As I questioned above, Is there a national mandate for Animal Staff safety protocol?  Are all Keepers required to be vaccinated?  Wear masks and gloves?  At our SFZoo, all Staff seem to be following the local mask mandate, and only once did I see an Animal Care staffer without a mask.  I was shocked.  I saw the Vet at the fencing, mask down, observing the Chimpanzees.  I'm still bothered by it.  

Mask wearing protocol has been a irk of mine from the start.  I have an endless stream of words and tales, about the subject.  The purpose of mentioning it here, is that there has to be some reason these captive animals are getting infected.  Are their Keepers not adhereing to safety protocols?  I'd be surprised, but not shocked if they weren't.  For those who are, mask handling and good hygiene practises, in my opinion, has to play a part in transmission.

In my observation over the past nineteen months, I've been disturbed by the lack of attention to mask handling and good hygiene.  In recent years I've been hyper-sensitive to other people's funk, so going into this my personal protocol may be considered extreme, but since we are about to be in this health crisis situation two years, extreme isn't a bad thing.   And those in close contact with others, non-human and human, especially caregivers, should adopt extreme protocols.

People might be wearing their mask and wearing gloves, but did they sanitize their hands prior to putting that gear on?  If not, whatever was on hands prior is now being transferred about.   I see people taking masks out of their pockets, touching the inside and then putting them over their mouth and nose, which are the places that the mask is supposed to be protecting.  It makes no sense, and it has to have played a part in the spread. Mask handling should be done by ear loops only. Additionally, masks that continually slip, need to go. Masks need to fit properly so they aren't being touched constantly.  In regards to Keepers, maybe it's time they double mask, adding an N95 or medical mask under the cloth mask that they should be changing/washing daily. 

I have a post following this one, that contains multiple small items.  One of those items is regarding a huge new sign at the crossroads after you enter past the gate house.  It touts the Zoo's Conservation efforts.  In my opinion, it seems to have been put there at this time, in preparation for the Zoo's upcoming AZA Accreditation inspection, as Conservation participation is on their checklist.  

In one of my early posts about the lack of awareness and mandate signage at Chimps, I noted that I thought signage about Vulnerable Species and the importance of adhereing to mask wearing around them, could be added to the wood fencing that borders the yard path.  With that idea in mind, the size, positioning and message of that conservation signage, could have been better utilized as a Covid and Animals Educational tool. ... Education is also on the inspection checklist, and current crises that effect Animals never seems to be part of the Zoo's awareness efforts.

I hope better precautions and protocols are put in place, so there won't be any more Animals infected.

Say some Prayers for all the Animals still experiencing symptoms of Covid, and hope they all recover soon.  

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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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Blog Comments - If You Made One, I've Finally Gotten To Replies!

Before I go any further with posts, I needed to get to Comment Replies from previous posts.

Thank you to everyone who follows this blog, and to everyone who takes the time to make a comment.  Each Voice is appreciated!  I apologize for almost never replying promptly, or in any timely manner.  

I have never known if anyone sees the replies, as I don't even know if there's an alert system through Blogger.  In July of this year Blogger sent a notice that it would be stopping the subscription aspect of the Blogs, so even if there was an alert system, maybe that is gone as well?  If anyone knows, let me know.   

I hope to try to respond quicker so if you have commented and check back, there's a reply.  Til then, I might just continue to post them here even now and then. 

These are the ones I just did.  You can go to the posts to see the full replies.

Again, Thank You all for your words!