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!
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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For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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