Zoo Farm Re-Opening ... Curious Timing

I wrote this post last weekend and never got to proof-reading it, or posting it.  

As I previously mentioned I have a post about fundraising, rather the serious lack of, almost done and wanted it posted next.  Over the past few weeks there have been some surprising developements in other facilities with their AZA Accreditation status.  I planned to post about that and relation to our San Francisco Zoo's upcoming inspection, when it came closer to that time, which would hopefully be after I finished the three remaining posts in draft.  Now that's also being moved up.  In fact it was next, til yesterday (Nov 19), when the Zoo's email Newsletter came through.  

I swear, when I think I can try and catch up, it just never happens.  Unfortunately, there will always be something.  

So, the Farm.  For several reasons, I'm disappointed by this.  It's a very curious time to be Re-Opening.  In my opinion it's irresponsible and risky.  Foremost, there still a Pandemic going on.  The last thing that should be happening, is random people being hands-on with the Animals.  Seems like a no-brainer to me, but then so many decisions made there are head-shakers.

During the past thirteen years, a majority of my time at the Zoo has been spent at the Family Farm.  Many of my most memorable Zoo experiences, have been the friendships I developed with the Farm Friends.  When Covid hit and the Farm closed, I missed having that face to face and hands-on contact with them.   I still feel that loss not being close to those still there, and even a greater loss with so many that have passed away in the twenty months its been closed.  

Like everyone else who loves the Farm, I would love to get back in there and be up-close to the friends, but for several reasons, when it closed I felt it was better for the Animals and hoped it remained that way permanently.

The contact yard has never had enough staff monitoring the amount of people that are in there at a given time, especially on weekends and other notable busy days. Over the years I have seen some serious Animal endangerment behavior from the public, as well as cruelty.  I was never comfortable with the set-up there.

With the yard closed, the Animals have more much needed space.  Animals that were previously locked into small areas, are out roaming the yard.  Unfortunately there is still work to be done, one is rotating Slider the Cow.  He is not out and visible as much as he could be.  As much as he had been in his early years at the Zoo.  As much as he should still be.

I had hoped these factors would have prompted an alteration to how it was, creating a better situation for the Animals.  Either severely limiting the amount of visitors in the yard at a time, or by bringing any hands-on animals (Goats, plus?) into the corrals that border the path and visitors could touch and feed them there, with a barrier between them.  And, that would be only when the time came that it was safe to do so.  That time is not now, or in the near future.

Time.  That is my main issue right now with this.  I wrote a post October 10, in regard to the female Snow Leopard Baya from the Great Plains Zoo.  She was the first Animal in a Zoo to lose her life to Covid.  Since then, three other Snow Leopards, have sadly passed away due to the virus.

In early November, it was reported that two Hyenas at the Denver Zoo had contracted Covid.  So far I think the captive species that have been infected have been isolated to Big Cats and Apes.  That said, it shows that no one knows what species are vulnerable.  So, why are Zoos taking chances with other species?

Since our Hippo Tucker moved to Cincinnati, I have been following the Facebook Group, Fiona the Hippo.  People from all over post Hippo related experiences, including their Animal Encounters at Cincinnati and other Zoos.  Around the Hippos, no one was masked, not even Keepers!  I found it outrageous and risky.  After several of these, at Cincy, I messaged them and not only expressed my concern, but asked Why this was?  Maybe they could give some insight to understanding what seemed irresponcible.  Instead of replying, the next Hippo Encounter posted from there, everyone had masks on.  

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if random people are masked in the above situation, or in regard to SFZoo Farm mask mandate, it's still risky.  Keepers in all Zoos are allegedly following safety protocols that include mask wearing, yet Zoo Animals are still contracting Covid.  I think there has to be a connection to hygiene protocol, and there is no way to monitor that.

When I researched if any Zoos had Vaccinated their Farm Animals, two came up in my short search.  Once of them was Cincinnati.  Goats were on their list of Vaccinated.  Hippos weren't.  Seeing that at least two Zoos that made the news, had Goats on their Vaccination list, shows that there is validity to my concern about our San Francisco Zoo Farm Animals.  They are not Vaccinated, and even if they were, the Covid Vaccine is not Immunity.

I have been content with no up-close contact, because that meant the Animals were staying safe.  I didn't think there was ever going to be another kissy face op with my precious friend Slider, and I was (and am) ok with that, because he was staying safe.   

Bless all the Animals, I pray they stay safe.

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