Would An Exit By 49er Jimmy G, Effect Our Snow Leopard's Name?

The two posts I published yesterday, brought me into the home stretch of wrapping up my long overdue drafts.  Those two, in addition to a couple on the Madagascar project, have weighed heavy for two or more years.  I probably got four left, and it feels great to have those weights lifted.  I can hear George Michael singing it now... Freedom!

Obviously this was not a planned post.  I'm no Football fan, but I get my News on Twitter and not long after the score from yesterday's NFL Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams posted, Twitter was abuzz with many saying Jimmy Garoppolo is on his way out of the organization. 

Now you wonder what is this have to do with the Zoo or our Snow Leopard?

When Snow Leopard Raj arrived at the San Francisco Zoo in 2017, it wasn't long before he fell victim to the usual disrespect of having his identity stolen from him.

Named Raj by the Community of the Assiniboine Zoo, where he was born, that name, like too many others, was stripped and he was renamed Jimmy G.

The SFZoo has a bad habit of renaming almost every Animal that transfers in, whether or not there's money attached to it or they just do it themselves.  The Zoo is big on saddling innocent Beings with the names of local ball players, just so they can get some media attention every now and then. 

Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for any length of time, knows the renaming thing is one of my biggest issues.  I can't express how much I hate it.  

My first experience with renaming was with Hippo Tucker.  I had followed Tucker in his previous home at the Topeka Zoo.  When he got to SFZoo the former Asst Curator of Hoofstock, flat out lied and said he didn't have a name.  That wasn't the last time she would either.  I've asked certain people questions I already know the answer to, just to catch them in lies. You would think, knowing me, I'd be the last person these people want to lie to, but maybe lying is just their nature?  If you're gonna rename an Animal, just say so. Say they had a name at their previous home but they'll have a new name here.  It's better than lying!  

Before Raj, in addition to Tucker, there has been so many ball player names.  Some were names given at birth, but it still sucks in my opinion.  One Langur babie was named after Sergio Romo.  Romo came to the Zoo to meet the babie and was quoted in an Examiner news article saying, "Not quite my favorite Animal".  What a jerk thing to say.  People are jerks and no Animal should ever be named after one.  One rename that was not a ball player, but a Zoo Staffer.  Our handsome Goat Blaise had the misfortune of being renamed after the Zoo's VP of HR.  I overheard this guy, say Blaise was ugly.   In addition to being outraged, my heart hurt.  For one, Blaise is not only not ugly, but any Animal is better looking than a Human, and two, for someone who is lucky enough to have a job at the Zoo and one that pays him over $200,000 a year, he needs to keep his mouth shut, unless that is, if he has a fundraising idea! ... I immediately made and Tweeted this photo, while standing at the Zoo and using their WiFi to do it.

The Zoo lost seven of nine Monkey species because of the Madagascar Vanity Debacle.  The latest victims are the Howler Monkeys, who have all been transferred to the Brevard Zoo.  The one good thing about it is that Mama Baya has reclaimed her identity!  She was named by SFZoo Animal Staff to reflect something related to Thanksgiving, the day she was born and the Howler Monkey's native South America.  Baya means Berry in Spanish.  The Zoo renamed her after a male ball player.  Lincecum (Tim) is a disgraceful name for a beautiful little girl.

Another ball player rename that really bothers me, is that of Black Rhino Balozi.  Named Balozi at his birth place San Diego Animal Park, Balozi means Ambassador in Swahli.  There is probably no Animal more perfectly named, and the Zoo goes and renames him Boone, after a 49er.   Good Grief.

Back to Tucker.  After being called Buddy by the former Hoofstock Curator, Tucker was renamed Brian Wilson, an SF Giants player. Note I also hate first and last names and initial names.  When Wilson left the team, something even more disrespectful happened, Tucker was renamed again!  So, the Zoo renames him after the Giants manager Bruce Bochy!  People were like, where's Brian Wilson?  I was like WTF #%$!  Shameful and Embarrassing.

So, I guess we have to ask the San Francisco Zoo, if Jimmy Garoppolo leaves the 49ers, does Raj get to reclaim his identity? 

Or are you just gonna rename him after the next quarterback, another player, or team staffer, so you can continue to pimp him out for media attention?

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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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The Snow Leopard Expansion Curiosity and Woes

I've had Construction woes ever since I first saw the plans for the Madagascar project (post still to come).  It continued with the plans for this Snow Leopard expansion, and my disdain for the designs by the architect firm were cemented with what they came up with for the Triple Grotto renovation for Orangutans.  To be fair, I can't lay it all on them, because the Zoo Director has to sign off on the final plans, but seriously, their use of metal and concrete is too much for modern Zoo exhibits.  I think I commented in a previous post in relation to the Orangutans prison pit home, that the architect firm MKThink should be fired.  When I first started this post two years ago, I had planned to include links to the firm's website, as they had a tab for San Francisco Zoo, and pages with the design layouts for Snow Leopard, Madagascar, and the previously done Coastal project.  I also made screencaps, but I have no time efficient way to find them, and curiously, SFZoo is now removed from their site.  Allegedly, they are no longer associated with the Zoo.  Still curious to remove those designs from the online portfolio.  That said, they also had a narrative that expanded on future projects.  It made me wonder if the Zoo had them on retainer, which would have been another waste of money.  I did copy this text from their site before it was removed. ... "MKThink is the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens’ strategic planning partner in reimagining and strengthening its role as a center for conservation and in advancing its mission -“Connect, Care, Conserve.” The Physical Framework Plan is transforming the 100-acre campus from a collection of attractions into an integrated landscape of diverse habitats that more closely approximate species’ natural ones and amply provide for their behavioral needs.  MKThink developed an implementation strategy that combines incremental improvements and large-scale renovations. Construction is already underway, ...".

I'm sorry, but those words are just a fluffy illusion of  extravagance.  The San Francisco Zoo is not even close to being that kind of Zoo.  They do not have the financial backing to be that kind of Zoo.   They do not have a staff of creative fundraisers to even get little projects done.   For the time being, our Zoo needs to think like a small Zoo and do whats best for the Animals we already have, using what we already have, and spreading funds to all not just allowing Donors to lock in funds for vanity projects while others languish in holding areas inappropriate for them.  Dreams of grandeur need to be put on hold.  

Personally, considering funding factors, and needs over wants, I think functional modern and streamlined, are more logical than grandiose. 

Sorry, I may have gotten off topic, but the architect issue is part of this, and I no longer have a dedicated post for that nonsense.  

So, one of my initial issues with this project was timing.  In regard to that, it's important to know the timeline.  In November 2017, the Zoo acquired a new  pair of Snow Leopards, Ana and Raj (both renamed).  I was told that the SSP wanted SFZoo to have a breeding pair.  Our Male Ghurka, had passed away, leaving Female Snow Leopard Niya without a mate.  At the time, of Ghurka's passing, Niya was still of breeding age, but not much past that time, she was considered a senior.  I was told that the SSP didn't care that she was a senior, and wanted to forward their breeding agenda by sending a new pair and transferring Niya out.  This MO of the SSP is a major issue for me.  You don't just move senior Animals out of their homes, because you want more babies.  Thankfully, SFZoo said they had a place for her to live out her life, and retired her off exhibit.  She lives at the former Feline Conservation Center, up the hill behind Black Rhino.  Keeping her here, is one of the things I am grateful to the Zoo for doing.  By June 2018, Raj was also moved off exhibit to FCC, and Ana gave birth to two Cubs.  I was happy that Niya had a like species companion.  Shortly after the Cubs first Birthday in 2019, Ana also moved to FCC.  ... The Orangutans arrived in April/May 2019.  

Let me start by saying, I got no issue with expanding Snows or any other Animals enclosure, IF every other exhibit, is "decent".  Construction started on the Snow Leopard Expansion AFTER the Orangutans were acquired.  Orangutans were acquired at least six years after first mention of bringing them in, and brought here with no dedicated space for them, and no funds to provide a dedicated space for them.

Why is it funds were made available for Snow Leopards, when the Orangutans were the current Animals in need?  Did no Donors want to donate to a need?  Was there a Donor who locked money for the Snow Leopards?  I have asked many times, to many people, Where did the money for Snow Leopards come from?  Apparently no one knows.   

What I do know is in December 2019, seven months after the arrival of the Orangutans, the Zoo launched pleas on social media for donations to the Snow Leopard Expansion.

All I can say is that I found this truly disgusting.  The Zoo Director Tanya Peterson wanted Orangutans for at least five years before bringing them in, and at no point before they got here, or since, has there even been an attempt to raise funds for an appropriate home for them.  I know I sound like a broken records about the Orangutans, but the complete disregard of their needs is beyond offensive.  

Like with the faux plea for a "new home for Maki", originally mentioned in a end of year 2020 post, then again in my recent fundraising post, this plea seems odd.  A project like the Snow Leopard Expansion, it would seem, could only get done with huge donations locked for this specifically.  So, asking the public for more, not only irks me, is curious.  

I used the word "locked" in reference to Donor money, that means a Donor will give money, but only for a specific project.  I find this disturbing.  Most of the Donors are members of the Zoological Society.  The Society is supposed to be a managing entity, yet it has not actively fulfilled that duty in at least a dozen years, but that's another issue.  That all said, in my opinion, if you are part of such a group, one would think you would want to donate for needs, yet too often it seems, only the wants move forward.  I completely understand people have the right to do what they want with their money, but then they shouldn't be a part of something that makes it seem like they care about Animal Welfare.  That said, it's not totally their fault, as our Zoo Director should stand up for the Needs, and thank Donors for their interest in locking funds for Wants, but let them know the priority focus is on Needs first.  That doesn't happen, because all indications point to that seemingly not being how Director Peterson thinks, or feels.

So, it seems no one will ever really know how the Snow Leopard Expansion was funded.  Well, at least not the public.  Now, let's go back to timing.  Since I've already rehashed the fact that the Orangutans were here before the Expansion construction started, I'd like to know why this project wasn't then done back in 2017, before the new Snow Leopards even got here?  Why does the Zoo keep acquiring Animals it has no appropriate place for?  Knowing as soon as the new female got pregnant, it wouldn't be long before the male would have to be moved off exhibit.  Knowing that within a year of their arrival that there would be several adult size Snow Leopards to house, the logical thing to do would have been for this project to have been at the very least started before their arrival.  

Ok, so let's get started on the main reason for this post.  My Issues with the Snow Leopard Expansion design and execution.  

I hate everything about this project, except the scaling wall. Though even that is an issue since it's a part of the extended area that is a huge issue for me. At least I like the function it will provide.  I hate the big metal pole features that hold the net.  I hate the use of so much perimeter concrete.  I think the use of the light wood, makes it look unfinished.  I hate the walk-in viewing feature.  Those aren't even what I hate the most.  My biggest hate on this, is that it extends what looks to be about twenty-five feet out into the path from the Cat Grotto row.   Looking west, with Cats on the left and Rhino on the right, this is an aesthetic eyesore.  It not only disrupts the flow of the path, but it comes up within about ten feet from the Hippo Yard.  I hate it so much, that I can't walk by it without fantasizing about a bulldozer demolishing it. 

I started making videos two years ago, before the project took shape.  The most comprehensive pre-construction one is on one of my unloaded SD cards, but I had four unpublished that I uploaded when I took them.  One is in my previous post.  Here are the links to the other three, so anyone who isn't familiar with the area, and/or hasn't seen this monstrosity, will be able to follow my written words.  Apologies for some repeated information,  I made the videos to stand alone, but there is different stuff in each.  Additionally, some things I say may have changed, but those differences will be obvious, not confusing.

Snow Leopard Expansion Update 11.2021 pt 1

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ0I7VnkdZA

Snow Leopard Expansion Update 11.2021 pt 2

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m5HCxLUxUMY

Snow Leopard Expansion Update 12.2021 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tac_yIzLadY

In the videos, I talk about the things that I listed above that I hate about this project.  I don't expect readers to watch the videos, so here's why I hate those things.  

The netting posts.  Too much metal!  I guess that maybe its supposed to give the feeling of the mountain ledges, but in my opinion the topsy-turvy draping is unnecessary theatrics.   The use of the least amount of metal should always be a forefront thought.  Additionally the tri-pod base takes up too much floor space.   Which brings us to the lay-out. 

I mentioned that I hated the walk-in viewing area.  I get it, and it works at Wolves, but doesn't work for me here.  At Wolves, it puts you into the enclosure.  Why it works there is that the Wolves have two large areas on either side.  Here it just takes away space from the Snow Leopards.  If you look at it from the far end, the space between the walk-in and the wall, make it look like a hallway.  

I also get that Snow Leopards are leapers, not runners in the sense that Cheetahs are, but more topical space for any species in my opinion is best.  The floor space in the hallway  and beyond, is littered with boulders, and those damn metal tri-pods.  The walk-in structure itself is useless.  I have been saying for years that the Zoo needs to create more covered areas, to make going to the Zoo in the rain more appealing.  The roof of this structure is bamboo.  I love bamboo, but it does not create a flush connection.  So, this structure is not a sheltered area.  There is no reason this had to be a walk-in viewing area.  There is a mini walk-in on the other side, this was completely unnecessary.

Too much concrete!  I hate seeing flat slabs of concrete.  If this was the only way, and it most likely was not, but if it was, these walls should have been textured to maybe mimic the scaling wall, or inlaid with some sort of naturalistic art. ... Theres a really nice example I took a photo of on the way south to San Mateo, of course can't find it, but something like this, yet doesn't even need to be as detailed as this.

Finally, the whole area that is supposed to allow visitors to view training, feels too unfinished.  I think its the use of light colored wood.  It feels like a behind the scenes area, not a public area.  I find the mix of glass and mesh, curious and busy. Additionally, the space seems too big, considering the night quarters are behind it, and appear to be smaller.  Overhead graphic below confirms that.   I have been in the old night quarters and found them cramped.  I would have hoped new ones would be more spacious.  This seems to possibly be geared more towards possibly having visitor experiences in there, than it is for the Animals. 

Screencaps below from a video posted by the Zoo.  Viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8SMrZPsOkk

Noting that I saw it long after it was posted, my opinions already in place.

Before this project even broke ground, I was told that it would have different phases.  Yep, that whole phase thing, that never gets completed.  I was told in other phases the expansion would move east across the path, adding another enclosure, night quarters and connecting the two by skytrail.  Anyway, that said, as I rehashed this in my mind for the last couple years, I recently realized there was a better way to do this project.  At least in my opinion.  It would have been more logical, and among other things, allowed for the original flow of the area to remain intact, creating a better aesthetic for the future landscape of the Zoo.  

This graphic I made shows an aerial view of the site.

From left to right in red.  

1 Existing night quarters, in small red box.  Expansion/Renovation of these quarters could go south or expand to tree area.

2  Existing enclosure

3  New enclosure.  Split illustrates, extended area.  Yellow line also represents skytrail.

4/5/6 Anteater/Bobcat/Therapy Horses

From left to right in yellow.

1 Unobtrusive part of new enclosure.  Shown here encircled with existing. Which creates more space and no issue to west path.

2/3/4 Unused east areas.  Could be configured in different ways.  I see it as 2 and top half of 3, the enclosure, with 4 the night quarters and training area.  The yellow line through three on either side has blue notation for skytrail that could run back of west and east enclosures and into east night quarters.

In my opinion this project as it was done, is not only a big fail in design, its a fail in execution.  Maybe no one will agree with me, and I don't know every aspect of why things get done the way they do there, but I'm also not stupid, and I form my opinions based on what would seemingly be best for the Animals and the future of the Zoo.  This project seems to have been done ass-backwards.  In my opinion it would have been better to have constructed the east phase first.  

If they had constructed a new enclosure and night quarters on the east side of the path first, this is how it could have seemingly played out.  There would have been a new enclosure, night quarters, training area, and a skytrail built going west, to later be connected to another new enclosure.  That west enclosure could have eventually been an expansion of the existing/original enclosure, that would run the length, stopping at the Cat Grotto row wall without extending out into the path.  The size is seemingly larger than what they have done.  It could also include an expansion of the existing night quarters.  That west enclosure would then connect to the east one via the skytrail, creating an cool experience for the Cats and Visitors.  As well, there would be a way to manage and rotate the sibling Snow Leopards and the parents.  At least it seems doable and like a more logical plan.  

We could have had what was done at San Antonio Zoo. ... Side note about skytrails.  I've also put forth different ideas over the past two years for the Orangutans in Triple Grotto.  Most recent considering the mess that has already been made, they could still fill in the moats, and net them over, even one at a time. Demolish that skyscraper and create a walk-in viewing area in that space, where the Orangutans can go over Visitors via a skytrail. 

Ok, I'm done with this.  My brain is exhausted by this mess, and this enclosure makes me sad.  At least I can delete it all from my mind now.  Unfortunately, can't delete this enclosure from its permanent existence.

This post is related to the previous one.  I am publishing together, so best read that way.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/01/what-will-become-of-hippo-enclosure.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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What Will Become Of The Hippo Enclosure?

This post was started two years ago when I first heard that Hippo Tucker was leaving.  The original title was, What Does The Hippo Departure Mean For The Zoo?  Obviously Hippo Tucker has already moved on to his new home at the Cincinnati Zoo, but the question remains the same.  

In my post, Why Is Everything Such A Secret, dated January 21, 2021, I note the current information I have, which is that the Zoo is acquiring Pygmy Hippos, but where in the Zoo they end up is a curious thing.   The obvious place is the Hippo pool, which I hear will require adjustments to meet current guidelines for housing Pygmy's.  Then there's the craziness that they will eventually go in the Madagascar exhibit.  Will that then leave them in some make-shift situation until the Madagascar enclosure is ready?  How long will that be?  I certainly hope they aren't hoarded in and kept in an inappropriate situation like the Orangutans were.  Unless there's something I need to be educated about (and I welcome that), it just seems illogical to not use that Hippo enclosure, make it right and use it.  As well, the posted sign mentions "remodel", so...?

The original context of this post back in early 2020, was to not only share that Tucker was leaving, but what I learned was the alleged plan for that entire area.  Those details are still important to document, as they could still be part of a disturbing idea that could see fruition, or just to illustrate, the odd ideas management comes up with. 

Initially, what I heard was this...  Tucker was going to Cincinnati on a breeding recommendation.  The Zoo planned to demolish the Hippo area to expand Black Rhino for breeding.  I was sad Tucker was leaving.  I was furious that the Zoo thought it was a good idea to demolish an existing exhibit, that could be used to house another water species in the future.  With the Zoo's "no money" mantra, how could they ever rebuild?  As well, that enclosure was just renovated ten years ago.  That was a long project, that included the Black Rhino area, which used to house Elephants.  I was not as in tune as I am now, but I think I remember that area being closed off for at least four years, although I think six is more like it.

Anyway, in my opinion, so much was wrong with this plan.  In relation to their "no money" mantra,  how were they going to pay for a Black Rhino expansion?  Why did they need the extra space for that, when there is a huge area right there, that's been unused since Elly the Female Black Rhino passed away, four, now almost five years ago?  If they want to expand, why not expand into Bongo's and renovate unused enclosures in South Gate (area beyond Hippo yard, down toward Grizzlies, that used to house Hoofstock species)? 

Also on my mind, was thinking the Zoo had no problem letting Tucker go without a fight to keep him, because it lent to their Black Rhino agenda.

It wasn't until Tucker left that I learned part of the reason Tucker was leaving, was not just about a breeding recommendation, but that Hippo's naturally live in a group.  While I know alot about Animals, I'd say more of what I know is about our Animal Residents as individuals, than what I know about species specifically.  I have learned alot, but admit there's alot I don't know.  Hippo's living in a Bloat is one of them.  That said, I was sad to learn this, only when Tucker left.  Which meant, once again the Species Survival Plan (SSP) was fine to leave him in a solitary situation for eleven years, when that is not how he should have been naturally living.  Why does the SSP continue to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the Animals? 

There is also the added factor of pool size.  I was told that the size of the Hippo pool is no longer (not sure when in the last eleven years that changed) up to standard to house Nile Hippos.  Eventually learning those two factors, I understand why he needed to leave, and am so glad he did.  If you have followed his journey in Cincinnati, you will see how happy he is.  Watching him in a Family is beyond joyous.  It's a wonderful and beautiful thing.

Sometime before the first Pandemic Shutdown, work started on the Snow Leopard Expansion.  This will have a dedicated post, but it relates to the Hippo area, as well to priorities, and money/no money.   

I made a video detailing my issues, over a year ago.  With the whole Covid thing and life in general, I still haven't downloaded SD cards since Winter 2019.  So That video was made before any perimeter construction was done.  I only detailed the plan as I knew it from talking to people, and the architect illustration.  Still, it was clear that the end of that expansion was going to come very close to the Hippo Yard.  I was still going on the Black Rhino plan as alleged, so I was and still am concentrated on the obtrusiveness of the Snow Leopard Expansion.

Not only does the enclosure expand about twenty-five feet beyond the Cat Grotto row, which is aesthetically distracting and a blight to the flow of that path, it comes about ten feet from the Hippo Yard.  I can't think of another enclosure that does that.  It's just plain weird.  Yet, if plans are to demolish, then I guess that's a moot issue.  Anyway, I asked about this, and was told that there is a plan to re-route the path up around into that Hippo Yard area.   

Here is a link to one of four videos I did upload when I took it.  It's the oldest, taken July 2021.  The other three will be in the Snow Leopard post, coming up next.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZoaZAp7URA

As with all the current projects, this seems to me another scatter-brained and fluid project.  Unfortunately one that could threaten the existing Hippo enclosure.  Just like Madagascar succeeded in getting rid of seven of nine species of Monkeys.  Big Fail!

So, I guess we wait to see what the Zoo really has in store for the Hippo area.  

This post is related to the next one.  I am publishing together, so best read that way.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-snow-leopard-expansion-curiosity.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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RIP Martine Colette - Wildlife Waystation Founder & An Original Voice For The Animals

I had followed the Wildlife Waystation for many years and admired Martine Colette for what she had done for so many Animals.  

After filmmaker Donna McRae contacted me to inquire if the Chimpanzee Cobby in my many YouTube Videos was the Cobby she grew-up watching in a TV Show called Cobby's Hobbies.  Threw our subsquent conversations, I shared Cobby's history.  Donna had no idea that he was taken from the wild, and the horrors of how those abductions occur.  The more information I provided, sparked the idea for her next film.  The film that would become, Cobby: The Other Side Of Cute. 

I had been communicating with Staff at the Wildlife Waystation, since my search for "Lancelot Link", the TV Chimp I grew-up watching, uncovered him as Charlie "Chuckles", a Resident there.  Staff was wonderful, sharing his story and current photos of him with me.  

I was heavily involved in the making of the Cobby Movie.  Not only the obvious, opening my photo and video archives to the production, but as Researcher.  Martine was one of the handful of people I wanted for the film.  I wanted her, and Charlie to be a part of this.  I'm grateful to Staff who I had been communicating with for connecting Martine with the production.  I am thankful to Martine for her participation in the film and opening up the Waystation to Donna and Michael (Vale).   I wish I could have met this lady in person, but am comforted by the connection to her I did have.

When I first watched the film at it's San Francisco Premiere in 2018, I remember there being a quote from Martine that grabbed me.  I wanted to include it here.  Today, via streaming, I have rewatched Martine's interview and the end several times now, and it is not there.  Maybe I'm not remembering accurately, seeing it in the theater was an emotional experience.  That said, watching it now after Cobby has passed, has had me sobbing.

Recent times has seen all three of these important Beings, leave us.  While gone from us physically, their affect on us is lasting.  Bless them all.

Thank you to Cobby for the Friendship, it is one of the most special experiences of my life.  And to the San Francisco Zoo circa 1968 for giving him a forever home, when he needed one.

Thank you to Charlie for bringing Chimpanzees into my life. While you brought me so much joy, I'm am sorry my young self did not know the horrors of your life in entertainment.

Thank you to Martine Colette, for your care and compassion that led you to create the Wildlife Waystation, that became home to so many non-Human Beings in need, including Charlie.  Thank you for your empathy, that made you a strong voice for the welfare of the voiceless for so many decades.    

Please read more about Martine's life.  There are now many obituary articles, as well some detailing the controversy that led her to step away from the Waystation.  Regardless of those allegations, in my opinion that does not take away from the good she did for Animals for so much of her life.  I liked this on from 2014.

https://www.samaritanmag.com/animals/wildlife-waystation-rescues-neglected-abused-lions-tigers-bears-oh-my

Also my related post about the Chimps In Need Project that is still on-going, as 18 Chimpanzees still remain at the now closed Wildlife Waystation pending funding for their rehoming to Sanctuary.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-consider-helping-chimpanzees-at.html

Finally, if you haven't already, you can stream Cobby: The Other Side Of Cute on several platforms, find out which one is a fit for you. ... The film came out good.  The only thing that I would have done different is I would not have concentrated so much on Cobby's former trainers life that didn't connect to Cobby or Chimpanzees.  I think a better use of that time on screen would have been with Cobby's first San Francisco Zoo Keeper, who I connected the filmmakers with but they passed on interviewing him.

https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/cobby-the-other-side-of-cute

Say Goodbye To The Zoo's Historic Sea Lion Pool

So, I had planned to finish this post last weekend, but the Fundraising novel wiped me out.  I also now have additional information, which I will post at the end.

The week before last, I saw this at the Sea Lion Pool. 

Before getting into the thick of my opinions about this, I'll say, this did not require a banner.  Anyone following along will might remember my issue with spending money on single use banners. There are cheaper ways to note this happening, like the small coming soon signs at Snow Leopard (see this and that), that only require a color printing and laminating.  

Now for what I think of this.  I hate everything about this.  I hate the choice of location.  I hate that this will destroy an iconic piece of Zoo history.   

Before I expand on the opinion above,  I must note that most of all, I hate that an area wasn't built for these poor Birds years ago, and instead they became part of the Animal Hoarding the San Francisco Zoo likes to do.  The Female Condor was already acclimated (and appearing on the banner!) at the Puente exhibit.  Then all of a sudden she is moved off exhibit to the FCC (now WCC), and a male acquired for breeding, under curious circumstances.  They have never been introduced and have been hoarded away for at least three years.  The Fossa living at FCC have been hoarded in various places for near five years.  As well, I put the Orangutans in the hoarding category as they did not have a dedicated space for two years.  Hoarding in my opinion is acquiring an Animal that has no dedicated place to live.  The Condors were supposed to have a place on exhibit, and the Fossa were brought here for the Madagascar exhibit, which is still in progress.  They should have remained where they were until there was an appropriate place for them.  As well the Orangutans, and I don't need to repeat their sad story.  

Last year the Zoo acquired yet another Animal for the Madagascar exhibit, a pair of Aldabra Tortoises.  These Animals require a certain temperature, as well grow to be huge.  The Zoo has no appropriate place for them.  They first landed in the Komodo enclosure.  Sharing the night quarter area, and using the outdoor yard.   The yard was great for them, when the weather was warm enough, but when it wasn't right for them, they had to stay in the night quarters.  As well, they started to grow, and I was wondering if they wouldn't get too big to even get through the door to the outside.  During that time of wonder, they were brought down to the Farm to live in the former Duck corral.  A great space for them while this size, but same issue remains.  They have to be inside a small barn when weather isn't permitting for them to be outside.  I was lucky to have seen them outside once, enjoying the sun.   

That all said, it's another curious transfer here, before there is an appropriate and dedicated place for them.  I sure hope the home for them in the Madagascar exhibit, is sizable and has both a temperature controlled indoor viewing space and an outdoor yard, because they need both. 

Ok, where was I?  I digressed a bit.  So, the choice to renovate the Sea Lion Pool for the Condors... Big Fail in my opinion.  First,  the Condors were supposed to have an enclosure to the side of the Tropical Building.   Why isn't that location being used?

My main issue is, I have a problem with destroying an exhibit that could have a future use, that because of lack of funds, can never be replaced.  The Sea Lion Pool is an iconic part of Zoo History.   It went vacant for years before Silent Knight and Henry needed a home.  Thankfully, it was available to give them a forever home.  I've learned that because of the size and depth, only blind/vision impaired Pinnipeds could be housed there.  Of course, I would hope there are never Animals injured as such that they would be in need, but what if there were?  We are close to the Marine Mammal Center where Silent Knight and Henry were rehabbed, which probably played a part in choosing the SFZoo for their home.  The San Francisco Zoo does not have enclosures ready to accept Wildlife in Need, and they should.  More and more, the need seems to be there.  If that Pool is destroyed, what happens if that need comes up?   I understand that they might not want to keep the Pool empty waiting,  but it doesn't have to be only for Pinnipeds.  They could rescue Water Fowl in Need.  As well, they have left exhibits empty for years, shit they demolished the Primate Center and had no problem leaving a big hole in a main portion of the Zoo for over three years, and will probably be five til its done. ... I would have liked to see Silent Night and Henry's story stay up, as a tribute to them and tona wonderful contemporary use of this historic pool, as well signage on the history of the Pool.  There is a way to make it alive even without currently having Sea Lions.

It just makes me sad.  I miss hearing the Sea Lions barking.  It was such a joyous sound to hear throughout the Zoo.  It might be an odd thing since there aren't any Residents, but even having recorded barking in that space, maybe even activated by visitors would be comforting to those who miss it.

So let's talk about the space outside the Tropical Building.  This space is huge.  It's large enough for a night quarter and two side by side enclosures, that could be designed to have a retractable divider to make it one big space.  So, again, Why is this space not being used?

A bit of history of the space over that last dozen years.  When the Zoo acquired Squirrel Monkeys in 2010, they were supposed to be temporarily housed in the Primate Center, until their home at the side of the Tropical Building was built.  It was weird with the white base structure, and kids playground next to it, but that's a whole other craziness.  Here's the design for those who haven't seen it.

That never happened, and the $250,000 donation for it has been MIA, meaning I have asked many an no one knows what happened to that money.  You can search Squirrel Monkey on this blog to learn more about their saga at the Zoo.  

While looking back at the blog archives for something, I started reading one of my posts from a Joint Zoo Meeting in 2015, when Director  Peterson announced the Zoo would put $250,000 towards upgrades to Triple Grotto for the Chimpanzees.  That barely happened, but what I now find curious, and can't figure out why I never made the connection, is that dollar amount.  The Zoo was crying poor even in 2015, and they never did anything for the Chimps in near thirty years, and all of a sudden they are putting $250,000 into their home?   I have to wonder if that money wasn't the Squirrel Monkey money?

So, after the illusion of a new home for the Squirrel Monkeys evaperated, The Zoo moved the Dinosaur sculptures there.  Then a stupid ropes course that they bought and built a place for and never used.  It needs to be used for something.  Again, Why aren't the Condors going there?  

The whole plan seems illogical and an irresponsible choice considering, there's an ideal space, that won't destroy an existing space.   It reminds me of what I first heard they were going to do with the Hippo area.   I will write about that in the next post.  Who knows if it is still part of the plan or not.  Things seem to be very fluid with construction plans.  They seem to do things without any long-term thought or care to aesthetics or logistics.  It's almost like they say,  Oh let's do this,  let's do that, oh wait, let's do this.  It's like a short attention span thing.  Just like when they spend money to do things and then they change their mind and take it down and spend more money to redo it.  It's insane, considering there's allegedly not a lot of money to be had.  Or at least not for needs.

So, I do need to talk about money, but first I'll share what I learned this week.  What I wrote above is purely based on my opinion about the location choice.  I had not talked to anyone about it two weeks ago when I first saw the banner.  For that matter, I hadn't even noticed that the pool had already been filled in, which made me feel even sicker.  This week I did have a chance to ask a couple questions.  One was if there was an issue with the pool preventing it from being used as a pool.  There is, but it didn't sound major, meaning not something that couldn't have been fixed.  Certainly it didn't warrant filling the pool in, so fixing it wasn't even an option.  I also learned that the space on the side of the Tropical Building, is going to be included in this Condor plan.  Good Grief, I'm sorry, I can't even with this.  Additionally, if this is the plan, Why not start with the other space and see how that goes, before making an irreversible decision with the pool.

I'm all for as much space as possible for any Animal, but it doesn't seem like that whole combined space is necessary.  That said, there is quite a distance between the two areas, I can't even imagine how that is going to work, without another huge build and frankly the Zoo has seen enough huge builds in the past five years.   Additionally, the Zoo has a poor history with completing multi-phased projects.  

My big question, or maybe it's just a statement.   Who is paying for this?  Two enclosures that will require netting, yet they can't afford netting for even one Grotto for the Orangutans?  Not to mention various smaller netting projects.  All I can say, is like every project, there is usually a lead donor, and it sure does once again seem like the donors hate Great Apes. 

This whole thing just seems like another fail for the current state of the Zoo and for the future state of the Zoo.   

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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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Why Is Everything Such A Secret?

Last week, when I went to visit Wolf Bowie, I didn't see him. I waited as he is usually doing his perimeter check.  When he didn't come by after a bit, I looked through the bushes to see if he was lounging someplace, and still didn't see him.  I confirmed he was ok, but didn't find out til later he had been moved off exhibit, and new Wolves were here.

This is not the first time an Animal has been moved off exhibit without notice.  I feel like I've written about this before, possibly when Hippo Tucker left without notice.  I knew for two years he was leaving and the Zoo never told anyone.  I had meant to write about it, but never got that far early enough for fans of his to know.  Even if I had, my reach isn't that far, and the responcibility of getting that type of information, out is on the Zoo.  Whether it's an Animal who is transfering out like Tucker, or being moved off exhibit like Bowie,  Condor Claudia, the Howler and Colobus Monkeys, and Snow Leopards Niya, Raj, Anna, and my beloved Friend Rigel, the Zoo should give some kind of notice, both on Social Media and with a notice at the Enclosure.  

It may not be two years like with Tucker, but they certainly know in enough time to let the public, especially Members know that it's happening and to come by and see that Animal before the move happens.   By not putting forth this courtesy announcement, it not only disrespects those who are endeared to the Animals, but very much lends to Zoo management's ineptness at creating a Community that is invested in the Zoo.  Disregarding the importance of having a caring Community is a big fail. 

After Wolf Garcia passed away, I barely had time to think about the future of our Wolves, then Prince passed away.  Their passing, left their Brother Bowie alone.  With Wolves being pack Animals I wondered what would happen next.  I asked someone, as I was worried that he could be transferred out, something that should never be a consideration for a Senior Animal, but doesn't seem to be rule.   It was said that one thing being considered is, Bowie could be transferred out, to be intro'd to a new group, and Zoo would recieve new Wolves.   I was very bothered by this, because if Bowie could go someplace else and be introduced to a new group,  why uproot him instead of having the new group come here and introductions on his turf without moving an aged Animal?  It made no sense.   

As time went by, seeing Bowie alone was sad.  Wolves are pack Animals, and his pack were his litter mates, his Family.  They had never been apart.   I continued to ask, even as recent as the week after Christmas, and was told, it was still being talked about.  Huh. 

When I went by Wolves this past Monday...  the new Wolves were out!  All four new ladies, out lounging in the sun.  You can view these beautiful girls in my video:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMmRYodyY0w&t=3s

I'm very happy amd relieved that Bowie did not have to move and has a peaceful retirement home here.

I find it curious and irritating that the Zoo does not share information with the public in a timely manner.  It would have been nice to see Bowie, knowing he was moving off exhibit and any visit could be the last.  It was actually helpful with Tucker.  WHY couldn't there have been a sign put up, before Bowie moved, that said... Our Senior Wolf Bowie will shortly be moving to a retirement enclosure off exhibit.  We will be welcoming a new pack of Wolves soon after.  Keep checking back! ...  Additionally, there is no sign there now, that even says there are new Wolves!  Good Grief.  ...  And, was the exhibit vacant last week, creating an illusion that the Wolves just werent visible?   

So, there's another Secret, I've been sitting on for a couple months, that the Zoo really should have been announced by now.  At first, not many were talking about it, so I kept it under-wraps, but now it seems to be talked about more, so I think it's time and it fits with this post.

In my November 7, 2021 This and That post, I noted this...

There will be a new occupants!  So again, WHY hasn't the Zoo annouced this?  For reasons similar to what I noted above,  there are other reasons that should seem clear, but have obviously been lost on the Zoo.  First, Tucker was very popular and people miss him, and miss seeing a Hippo at the Zoo.  We were the only Zoo in Northern California to house Hippos.  I'm sure many are wondering if we will be getting another one.

Second, with Tucker's pool and yard empty, two Big Cat Grottos empty, the obtrusive new Snow Leopard enclosure still empty, and the unused portion of the Black Rhino enclosure, all meeting at that one end, a huge section of the Zoo looks uninhabited.  It's a ghost town. 

The Zoo should have posted a sign and breathed some life into that area... Future Home of Pygmy Hippos! 

That's right!  A species of Hippo is coming back!  I was very excited to hear this would be happening, and I'm sure others will be too.  In one of my Tucker departure posts I wrote that the Zoo needed to acquire Pygmy Hippos or Tapirs for that area, since it is now a guideline that Nile Hippos have more space than that exhibit provides.  Pygmy Hippos would be the obvious choice, considering, that is where Hippos have lived for over 45 years, and there's a Hippo statue in front of the enclosure.

While I like to post in chronological order, my Madagascar posts, that were started three years, still aren't published, which isn't helping with respect to writing about this. That said, most everyone who reads this blog, knows about the Madagascar debacle, so my posts will basically be personal opinion, documenting the saga, with little surprising news. 

Fast Forward (again), unfortunately, while Pygmy Hippos are on the way back (anyone remember the Pygmy Hippos who lived at the Zoo years ago?), who knows if we will be lucky enough to see them.  It's been over a month since I've heard or seen any activity in that Hippo area.  I heard there were some set-backs to renovating the enclosure.  I also hear, the Pygmy Hippos may eventually make their home in the Madagascar exhibit.  WTH?  I'm sorry, but I can't even with this craziness!

More on this when things become clearer.  Til then, my initial issues with this are:

1- We have a Hippo enclosure.  Fix it, to accommodate Hippos. 

2- Pygmy Hippos are not from Madagascar!  Good Grief.  It made me laugh and frown at the same time.  I knew I never heard such a thing, so I researched it.  There were Hippos in Madagascar, they are now extinct.  They were not Pygmy, but Dwarf, which visually were smaller version of the appearance of the Nile Hippo.  

3- If these Hippos are indeed going to Madagascar, and they are not Madagascar Animals, again WTH? 

4- What happened to the Animals that were slated to go there when plans for Madagascar were developed?  

5- If a non-Madagascar Animal was going to go there, taking up a large part of the area, then Why did we even need a Madagascar exhibit?  The Zoo would not have been in aesthetic disarray for three years AND We could have still had Monkeys.

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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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Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes On My Blog

I was about to start another post, when I decided to take a break and check the News on Twitter.  This random Tweet was under my For You tab, with this quote.  

I realized that all these years, I never made the connection on Martin Luther King Day, between my blog and the quotes that I have here.  The above, was the first one I put up.

Not sure if anyone has ever read the blog sidebars, but the left side contains quotes I've read, that pertain to Being A Voice For The Animals, Why I do this blog and the Repercussions I've had put on me because of my personal opinions. ... This MLK quote also appears there.

I started collecting these quotes after I had my Zoo Membership taken away from me for the second time.  I was being retaliated against by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson for my words in this blog.  So, at the same time I posted the left sidebar quotes, I also posted the Statement on the right side. This same Statement appears at the end of every post as a reminder. 

It's appropriate to post this today, not only as a Thank You to MLK and others who have took a stance for something they strongly believe in, but in relation to this place I've arrived at in my documentation of things that just aren't right at the San Francisco Zoo.

The last two posts I published, will not be Director Peterson's favorites.  Neither will the handful coming.  Which means, each time I'm vocal about the wrongs, have opinions, and frankly finger point at her, I make myself vulnerable to retaliation.  That said, and I quote myself from a post a few years ago, ... "I must remind Director Peterson that while she and others may not agree with what I write, it is not against the law or rules to have an opinion".

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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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Fundraising - My Frustration and Their Fails

I've been making notes about my irritation at the lack of fundraising for years.  The notes are mostly accompanied by my own ideas to raise funds, and the frustration of Why don't they...?

I started this post awhile ago, the catalyst was the all the missed opportunities during the pandemic shutdowns.  That was a crucial time for them to try everything to raise funds, and the San Francisco Zoo basically did nothing. 

This post was slated to publish at the end of October, but when I was almost done, I realized that I had left out at least half of what I was goimg to write. I was already exhausted by the subject and didn't have the energy to think about how to work in the parts I had left out.  Then, when I reorganized my draft posts, I found the post might flow better at the end, so I put it aside.  After writing my Orangutan post last night, it reignited my fury over the disregard for the needs of the Chimpanzees for so many years and for the Orangutans in the past two years.  So, I'm going to attempt to finish this irritation before moving on.  Whatever I get documented here, as lengthy as it will be, won't even paint the whole picture of the lack of effort, and years of missed opportunity, that has left our San Francisco Zoo in despair.

I don't have the time or energy to read through all my notes, for posts I've put off finishing for too long, so I'm winging alot of it from the ticker tape on loop in my mind.  It's not hard to have all my issue points boiling at the brim, as every time I hear something can't be done because there's no money, I'm flooded with outrage.

I've written abit before about fundraising and that I have a notebook of ideas that would better the Zoo (in every aspect).  Thoughts come to me at all times, so alot of my ideas are in various places, emails, messages to myself, computer docs, wherever I can make a note at the time.  All waiting to be entered in that notebook.  I've shared Enrichment ideas with certain Staff over the years, and seen some of those things come to fruition.  Other things I've kept to myself, because why should I share with this administration, who has done nothing but paint me as an enemy of the Zoo.  It's easy to condemn people who are critical, especially if the critism is valid, and illustrates fails.  

When I recently read an old quote from famed SF Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, my mind easily tweaked it a bit, and it played a tune familiar to the vibe that flows through the Zoo. 

“The city is cruel to the weak, deaf to those who love it, and subservient only to those who are wrecking it. Like all neurotics, the city hates its friends, and loves its enemies.”   - Herb Caen

This topic wasn't going to be a post, and then starting in March 2020, it was clear it had to be.  As soon as Covid hit and the Zoo faced its first shutdown, I worried about how the Zoo would survive.  Our Zoo had been crying poor for as long as I could remember.  With no revenue, what was going to happen?

I immediately had a stream of no less than a dozen ideas at one time.  That number just kept expanding over that first week, the following weeks, months, and has never stopped.  The first thing I thought of were masks.  Almost within days, I saw that Cincinnati had done a Fiona mask, in addition to others.   

I waited, and waited, nothing from our Zoo.  The Zoo eventually got the Gift Shop online, something they should have done years ago.  Still there was nothing to capitalize on the Pandemic that had shut them down.  It wasn't til closer to reopening, once masks were being done by all the other facilities, as well as saturated by every retailer, that our Zoo did one. 

Time went on, and other Zoos were doing fundraising through shirt sales, as well as trying (like my mind was) anything to bring in funds.  I had the shirt idea as well, probably because I've had it for other things in the past.  I screencapped all the ones I saw, but this is the one I bought.  So, Yes!  I supported another Zoo, a Zoo who was trying to raise funds to "Hang On".  The Erie Zoo sold these shirts featuring our Ollie's little brother Otis.  I follow Ollie's Family, and Love this graphic!  

Another idea I had was a virtual Telethon.   My mind went as far as to completely work out the whole thing, even content.  Erie Zoo then ended up doing an actual Telethon and raising $200,000.   They have a relationship with a local News station where they do a weekly segment, and the station donated phone lines for the event.  ...  They also had two shirt fundraisers.  The one above that I bought, and one before that. Combined they made almost $34,000.  Pretty sure $234,000 could have bought the Orangutans some netting.

Admittedly, some of my ideas, do lend to the need for a caring Community to support them, for full fundraising potential.  As I've also said in many posts, our SFZoo has not created such a Community. Back in 2009 before Director Peterson became so threatened by my interest in the Zoo, we had an open communication.  In one correspondence I detailed the need for building a Community.  It was when there was a dark cloud over the Zoo, in the wake of the Tiger Tragedy and I wanted the Zoo to be seen in a better light and thought that would be helpful.  Director Peterson found no value in that, or much else, other than adopting my Winter Hours idea as her own.  I had suggested it after the 2009 Grizzly Bear tresspassing event, when I immediately emailed her and asked, Why people were allowed to roam the Zoo when it was getting dark. Was she waiting for another Tiger Tragedy? She never answered me, but at the next Joint Zoo Meeting asked for Winter Hours to be approved.

Let's talk about this Community related item.  This really bothered me, even though I knew it would not be available to me, it should have been to some Members I know.  As well, in my opinion, it was just plain shitty.  I had planned to write a post about it at the time, then just didn't.  It seems to fit right in here though.  When the Zoo was closed for four months during the 1st Shutdown, there was a time frame when they were allowing "invited guests" to come to the Zoo.   Those guests allegedly approved by Director Peterson, included Society Members families and random other chosen people.  That said, after reopening, I met a Member who had also gotten wind of this and complained.  They invited her.  The issue is, if they were allowing Small groups of people in and from that I hear it was 1-5 groups a day, Why were the people who actually donated to their "ask for money" fundraiser not invited?   I know 2 people who are Members who donated and they were never invited.  These people gave when the Zoo said they were in need, and yet the Zoo couldn't do them a solid by inviting them?  It says a lot to how the Zoo views the efforts by the public to help and it certainly does not lend to creating a caring Community.  Additionally, our SFZoo was one of the only places (Zoos and other facilities) that I could find, who did not automatically extend Memberships for the time they were in Shutdown.  Again, does not make for a caring Community.  I understand they needed funds, but come on, in my opinion, that is like stealing from people.  They don't know what people's financial situation is.  Maybe it's hard for some to even gather the funds for a Membership.  Members should have been given the choice whether to take extension or consider the dollar amount of four months as a donation.  Most people would have donated.  Not giving them the choice was wrong.  

I've talked about a few things other Zoo's were doing.  Let's talk about what did our Zoo did do. ... The first thing I saw was a Facebook post, that flat out asked for donations.  I got no problem with that, but if there are no other attempts at being creative with fundraising, then it kinda rubs me the wrong way.  What did bother me is that I saw some Keepers names as those who donated, and I thought, wow, these people care so much about the Zoo, that even though their pay had been cut during the Shutdown, they still donated.  I'm going to talk about that in a bit.  Let me first finish with the one other thing the Zoo did.  

The Zoo's annual fundraising event, ZooFest, is pretty exclusive to the deep pocket Zoological Society Members.  Tickets are pricey, and allegedly they even frown on non-VP staffers attending, it seems pretty clique-y, but I digress.  So, keeping with Covid guidelines, the ZooFest auction was held online.  My eyes rolled as I went through the auction items, many with starting bids out of most people's price range.  In my opinion, opening up this auction to the general public was offensive and useless.  It should have been exclusive as the event usually dictates and been open to the Society Members that are the regular attendees.  Then, my idea would have been to have another auction with reasonably priced auction items for the general public.  Unfortunately I don't think the Zoo gets that small donations add up.  They would rather hold their breath on someone paying $15,000 to rename the latest Gorilla, who already had a name.  When instead they could have had 15 items at $1,000 or 30 at $500 and made the same amount. I assume no one ponied up the 15 grand, because Kimani got lucky and kept her name! 

So, back to the flat out ask for money. Here's how my brain works.  

The top seven earners at the Zoo, have a combined payroll suck of over a million dollars.  That includes Director Tanya Peterson, who ironically, before becoming the Director in 2008, was an active fundraiser for the Zoological Society.  So, that begs the big question, Why hasn't she done everything she can to bring in funds for the Zoo during her fourteen year reign as Director?  She allegedly has not put forth any ideas for raising funds, or we'd see those bright ideas.  So, of these seven people, not one had a fundraising idea?   How is our Zoo going to thrive if it can't "afford" even small upgrade projects, under a Director that doesn't aggressively create fundraising ideas herself, as well expect them from her high paid Executives?  I'm disgusted by this. I don't even work there and I have ideas flowing constantly.  The difference is, I care.

Oh and then there's this.  I posted about this before, as I was so outraged.  

When our Lemur Maki was kidnapped, the Zoo created a plea for donations for "Maki's" new home.  This plea was not only on their various Social Media platforms, but picked up by media outlets.  This had me furious for several reasons.  First, and foremost,  I find turning Maki's traumatic experience into a fundraising op, sickening.  I know the Zoo suffered during the Shutdown a few months before, but come on, this was unconscionable.  Second, as far as I know, a new Lemur home is not part of the Madagascar Project.  Third, the Madagascar Project allegedly has a single donor lock of $7 million. If they need more than that, scale it back! Fourth, this all happened while Director Peterson made no attempt to fundraise for the Orangutans who she had living in caged tubes.  My ears and face are effing pulsating at this moment while I'm typing this.  The whole thing is disgusting and the validity questionable.

All Zoos were suffering during the Shutdowns, but so many seemed to do whatever they could to bring in even the smallest funds.  It's always seemed to me that SFZoo does not find value in small donations.  If they did, there are so many things that could be done.  Even raising $2000 would put netting over the Prairie Dogs so Predator Birds don't steal the babies again. 

This is probably not news to most, as it got alot of media attention, but one six year old girl raised over $80,000 for the Oakland Zoo, making and selling bracelets.  Yet, our top SFZoo earners came up with nothing.  They seemingly just kicked back and took their fat checks.  Disgraceful.

As I've mentioned, together with my own ideas, there were so many ideas out there, before during and after the shutdowns.  One that I had was a Drive-In Movie in the parking lot.  Not just the Movie but other Covid safe things to bring in funds for an event like that.  Food Trucks, Online Vendors, ect.  Only reason I'm putting this idea and a couple others out there and giving them away, is about a month after I thought of this, Fort Mason started doing a Drive-In.  CalAcademy did a take on several of my virtual based ideas, with a Pay Per View Facebook Live for $2.99, raising over $3000.  It's hard to watch so many of my ideas over the years eventually being done elsewhere, while SFZoo does nothing and Animal needs drown in the tears of the Director crying poor.

If only the Zoo had great minds, they could be innovators of fundraising ideas.  I had an original idea years ago.  I've held it close since no other Zoo is doing it.  I did finally pitch it, because I wanted to help the Animals.  It was well received, but then bypassed because the example space was going to be used in the Madagascar project.  That space has now been vacant for three years.  Three years that could have been generating funds for the Animals.  I won't share that idea again, unless there is new management.  Management who wants the Zoo to thrive, instead of standing by and watching it die.

The high-level person I pitched it to, is no longer there, but was successful in their goal to raise funds for more water filling stations.  This really irks me.  When I saw the Zoo's pleas for funds for this nonsense, I was outraged.  At an alleged cost of $10-15,000, this is a waste of money.  Yet a new one went up during this pandemic year of struggle.  Mind-blowing and mind-numbing at the same time.  Seriously, what is up with the minds there?

I have long been frustrated at the Zoo's lack of ambition. I'm sorry but it has to be one of two things, they are lazy or they are just uncreative.  Regardless of which one, and whether related to fundraising or too many other things, it's like they don't want to try to be the best they can be.  They seem to be content on doing as little as possible.  It's curious and disappointing, especially when there are needs that aren't being met.  Doing the bare minimum may have kept them hanging on pre-Covid, but once the Zoo shut down in March, they needed to wake-up.  

I'm sure they will try to discredit my accusations, and this of course, along with the previous post, is one that makes me vulnerable to retaliation.  Unfortunately for them, the dismissive attention to Animal needs is fact.  And if they are doing fundraising, Why do we not hear about the donating opportunities?  And What are they doing with the money?  There is certainly dollars currently going to pretty up the place before their AZA inspection this week, but simple things can't even get done like finishing the flamingo netting, netting meerkats and the prairie dogs, and not to mention the whole Orangutan fiasco.  Whatever funds they do have, it goes to Wants over Needs.  And they can say what they want, there are No Fundraising ideas put forth to the public.

We just left the Holidays.   The Zoo let them go by without a full-scale fundraising menu.  It is severe mismanagement to miss another Giving Season.  I only remember seeing Facebook items for the usual Give A Membership and Adopt A Animal.  No further creativity = No further funds being generated. 

To wrap-up, in the coming posts, I will also touch on Fundraising, but in relation to specific projects.  So, keep in mind all that you've read here, as I hope to illustrate how the Zoo is selective when doling-out funds.  It seems they come up with money when its something they Want, but claim no money for Needs.

I may have missed some stuff, but I've put forth plenty.  This took alot out of me.  Time for a cocktail.

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