For The Lack Of A Better Title ... Our Failing Director

As I lay here after writing two blog posts back to back, I'm thinking about finally tackling the two that have been waiting for five years.  I've complained for years that I just want to be done with writing about the endless stream of SFZoo Fails perpetrated by the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  

The San Francisco Zoo is desperate for a new Director.  It has been since the beginning of Peterson's reign.  Her mismanagement is well documented, not only in my blog, but many media stories, and most severly by the low morale among staff, stemming from her lack of care, in favor of running the Zoo as a dictator rather than team member who wants what's best for the Animals and the Zoo.  We all dream of the day she is replaced and hopefully by someone with a vision on how to keep our Zoo thriving and not circling the drain as she has.  

I have way more to say about this, but will leave it at that for now.  I was just prompted by this post from Oakland Zoo.

I have written about many of my ideas over the years.  Some that have been used, others I keep to myself in a long running notebook.  I see so clearly how things could be different. How things could be better.  I have endless ideas that could help our Zoo thrive in so many ways, but it is not my job.  It is the job of our Zoo Director and the top staffers who make up over a million dollars in salary.  Money wasted in my opinion, as our Zoo slowly dies.

That all said, I've documented ideas I've had that have gotten done at our SFZoo, and those, particularly that were done by other Zoos during the Covid Shutdowns, as SFZoo did nothing during that time to raise funds.  It was very frustrating to have dozens of ideas, and watch them come to fruition at other Zoos and venues during a time when every business was scrambling to create income, and there was our Zoo, doing nothing.  Yet, our Zoo Director's been crying poor for Animal Needs for years before any shutdown.  And there's still the fact that while Animal Care Staff, THE most essential workers at the Zoo, were asked to cut their hours, Director Peterson allegedly took little to no pay cut.  Still getting paid, yet no ideas for fundraising coming from her.  What was she doing for the six months the Zoo was shutdown?  My head just spins at all this disgusting nonsense.

So, as I've finished two posts today, I see this and I applaud the Oakland Zoo for their Member's Hour. ... I have maintained that you have to give to get.  Director Peterson does not see that.  Not just with this, but with so much.   The need for creating community is lost on her.  No Community and No Fundraising, among the biggest fails.  Fifteen years of Peterson, so much wasted time.  By not valuing the concept of community, the Zoo can not flourish.  

It has been my longtime idea that the SFZoo permanently change the hours to 10-4, with 9-10 designated as Members Hour.  By changing closing time to 4, there doesn't have to be seasonal hours, and it allows for evening events during Daylight Saving Time.  Not only does this benefit Members, it creates many different opportunities for extra influx of money.

One of the things that was my suggestion back in 2009, before Director Peterson branded me as Zoo Enemy Number One,  was changing to winter hours.  After our Grizzly Bear incident, which for those who don't know, was when a visitor trespassed into our Grizzly Girls home and almost got them killed.  Allegedly the target team had rifles pointed at them ready to shoot.

I was horrified at this event, as just two years prior, we lost Tatiana (Tiger) because of jerk visitors who were allowed to roam the Zoo as daylight was fading.  I immediately sent an email to Director Peterson, and said, "Are you waiting for another Tiger event?"  Why is the Zoo open during the winter when it gets dark early?  The Zoo should close early.  To my surprise, but also relief, at the next Joint Zoo Meeting, Peterson adopted the idea as her own, and asked the committee to approve winter hours.

The Tiger tragedy was Christmas Day.  The Grizzly event in late November.  How is it immediately after that Christmas Day, the hours weren't changed?   Tanya Peterson was touted in media as the Zoo's "savior" when she became Director in early January 2008, just weeks after the Rec and Park scapegoated the previous Director for the Tiger tragedy.  Why didn't she identify the hours thing as an issue?  Why did a Member of the Public have to point it out?

So many things that need fixing there.  Mostly simple things that the Director and her heavily salaried payroll suckers should be thinking of and doing. 

Ok, well now I'm a bit hyped up, again fantasizing about things that do not exist with our SFZoo, and won't until our San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson is replaced.  Maybe that will someday be a reality and not just another fantasy.

History and Hope For The Mother's Building

Not sure how many readers have had the pleasure of viewing the inside of the Mother's Building, but the murals depicting Noah's Ark were a favorite of mine as a child, and up until it was closed.  I taped a 360 ° video of the room, being used as the gift shop, not long before it closed.  Wish I knew where that footage was.  

A three quarter view of the main room interior can be seen in this photo from sfchronicle.com

I miss being able to view that artwork and the mosaics at the entrance, especially the one of St Francis.  After the inside of the building was closed, the outside was still accessible for a time.  

Closing the Mother's Building was sad, because it's a significant part of the Zoo's history.  What has become even sadder is that it was left to deteriorate, with no apparent upkeep.  I value history, and letting it fall into dispair is shameful.  

Anyone interested in the history and mural/building restoration progress of the Mothers Building at the Zoo, give a view to the first eighteen minutes of this March 2023 video.

https://m.facebook.com/video.php/video_id=1006793866955797

I met the presenter, Richard Rothman at a Joint Zoo Mtg over twelve yrs ago.  He's been working since then to get the place restored and reopened.  He has a Facebook group, Friends of the Mother's Building at the San Francisco Zoo.  It was on his group I found this video.

I was prompted to revisit his group by a post on the Facebook group SF Ocean Beach: Fulton to Fleishhackers, from Mother's Day, that I just saw this weekend, thus this post. 

Coincidently, I very recently had a conversation with a staffer at the Zoo about the Mother's Building. I was told it was allegedly in shambles and the roof could cave at any time.  That would be the ruining blow to the murals.  It's always bothered me that the Zoo just let it go.  I hope that report is over exaggerated and there is still a chance it can be saved.  The City's Rec and Park Department should have taken an immediate interest in preserving this piece of history.  Shame on them.  Unfortunately, its not surprising, they take no interest in the Zoo, even though they are supposed to be a managing entity, they have proven to just not care about anything that has to do with the Zoo.  They can say they do, but their actions have shown they don't.

The person I was talking to didn't seem to think the Building had Landmark status when I mentioned it.  I did a search and found that the Mother's Building was indeed named a City Landmark in October 2022.  Hopefully this Historical status will aid in moving forward to repairing and restoring this iconic building.

There are many articles about the Mother's Building online, here are a couple reports about the Landmark status.

https://www.sfheritage.org/news/mothers-building-on-path-to-city-landmark-status/

https://sfrichmondreview.com/2022/10/11/mothers-building-at-sf-zoo-named-a-city-landmark/

As stated in my opening, the last thing this space was used for was as the previous gift shop.  Other media mentions, have included what future uses could be.  None seem appropriate.  I have always thought it would be a good spot for a Zoo History Museum.  Glass cases holding memorabilia, historical videos shown, etc. Coincidentially, in that video Richard Rothman mentions it being used as a Museum.  If it does reopen, I do hope it's used to showcase history.  Many years ago, I was aghast when I heard Director Peterson allegedly wanted to use it for offices if it ever got repaired.  Good Grief, that would really be a mismanagement of a gem like the Mother's Building.  I sure hope that was a myth and never happens.

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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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Bringing Up Barriers, ... Yet Again.

So yea, bringing up unsecure barriers yet again, because doing so seventy times in eleven years just isn't enough to call attention to the necessity of additional precautions and deterrents.  I guess Zoo Director Tanya Peterson is ok with spinning the roulette wheel with the safety of our Black Rhino, Bears and Hippo.

Before I get into what prompted this post, I want to add in a thought I missed documenting in my previous post.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2023/05/wolves-interacting-with-domestic-dogs.html

I noted that there was still the red (stay back) line from Covid safety and that was ignored.  My thought for this area is that a rope barrier should be added along that red line (which needs repainting).  Granted, a rope barrier would not have helped in this situation unless the Dog(s) were kept at a distance.  That said, considering not many pay attention to signage, which doesn't mean there shouldn't be ample, and the sign noting to "admire them (Wolves) from a distance, a rope barrier (I personally would choose red rope) would at least act as physical reminder for people to stay behind it and away from close contact with windows.

So, yesterday was the seventh anniversary of Harambe's death.  I was outraged when it happened and still outraged.  In my experience at our SFZoo and from media reports about other Zoos, neither Visitors or Zoos have learned from what happened to Harambe.  

I'll start by saying I hate media rehash of Animal tragedies.  There's always some words of opinion that rubs me the wrong way.  With this one about Harambe, it's the "imprisonment" notation, as well the hashtag "OpenTheCages".  These " Close Zoo" mantras are ignorant of reality.  Sure we would all love to not see captive Animals, but the reality is not only is the wild not the safest place for too many species, but the cycle of keeping captive Animals in Zoos can not just be halted.  Close Zoo Zealots do not think about what will happen to these Animals.  Most are captive bred, you can't just turn them loose to survive on their own.  Too many say, send them to Sanctuaries.  Obviously none of those people have ever taken a look at how a Sanctuary operates.  Sanctuaries are non-profit, meaning they rely on donations.  It's a huge cost to provide shelter, food and healthcare to each Animal they take on, something the Zealots forget that Zoos do.  And the biggest hurdle of releasing Zoo Animals to Sanctuary is space.  There isn't enough space in Sanctuaries for every Animal that is already in Need, let alone for Zoo Animals who are already being cared for.  

Sorry, I went off on a tangent that was not planned as part of this post, but someone replied to my comment on the Harambe post with this nonsense and I can't let it go without some words.  I wish these Zealots would just shut the hell up, and instead of spouting dangerous words, get off their asses and try to make a difference in their corner of the world.  Set their sights on their local Zoo and try to make a difference there.

The tragedy that happened with Harambe hit home with me.  I have probably spent more time at our SFZoo, than any one person not on staff, in the past fifteen years.  I have personally witnessed so many offences by visitors it's sickening.  The list is long, I'll spare you.  There is no way to stop humans from doing evil things, but there are ways to deter the stupid and self-entitled.  That is why I've been stuck on this unsecure barrier issue for over a decade.  It's the number one offense, and needs to be addressed, especially at Code Red (Dangerous) Animals.  

I went to the Zoo two days after the Harambe tragedy and people at Black Rhino and Hippo acting the fool, hanging their kids over barriers.  I'm sorry but people who do this are either dumb as shit, or so self-entitled they don't think an accident can happen.  Google Pittsburgh Zoo, Wild Dog.  

One Cincinnati resident commented that "The parent was soley responsible for their child's action, yet faced no charges."   You can not argue with that.  It's disturbing and disgusting, but what usually happens.

Unfortunately, I would guess there is no situation where a parent/caregiver of any child would be held responsible for their own negligence in a Zoo situation such as this.  In every Animal/Human conflict situation, the Human, no matter whether irresponsible, stupid, self-entitled, or evil, will always take priority.  Their actions will be protected, as will their lives. The Animals always lose.  It's just the way it is.  Even if a Human trespasses into an enclosure of their own free will, and there's contact, the Animal gets a bullet to the head.  

Would people care more, or be more responsible if they knew their actions put the Animals lives at risk?  Why don't Zoo's have signs that say,  Keep Our Animals Alive and Safe.  Stay Off and Behind Barriers.???

You can't sinister proof every Code Red Animal exhibit, but you can "accident" deter them.  So why not take every precaution to prevent that? 

I've gotten a bit off on my goal here, which is to again document that The San Francisco Zoo needs to add deterrents to the barriers at Black Rhino, Hippo (pool), Black Bears, and Grizzly Bears (grotto).  The railing just isn't enough.  

I complained countless times about the lack of barrier at the male Anteater's home, as did staff, but it wasn't until right before their accreditation inspection did anything get done.  What they did was simple, and effective, and should be (have been) done at the four Code Red Animals I have noted.  Why it hasn't is beyond me, and probably many staffers.  It's negligent and mismanagement.

The only alterations I'd like to see are less really short poles as there are still some who sit their kids on them, but the jagged poles do seem to deter.  As well the sign.  All the signs that indicate to stay behind barrier only, do nothing to deter sitting on, which is the biggest issue, and the one that can lead to accidental fall-in.  ... The signs should read "Off and Behind".  

As for the "charges" that commenter noted, unfortunately I don't recall hearing of any Zoo situation where charges have been made.  Good grief, not even the asshole who trespassed into the SFZoo, broke into an Animal enclosure, stole a Lemur, caused it mental, emotional and physical endangerment, received any repercussion.  He was let go and told not to go to the Zoo again.  What the serious F***!?  

In fact, WTF with it all?  Our San Francisco Zoo needs to fix these barrier situations I've mentioned, so none of our Animals gets killed because of human misbehavior.

 

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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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Wolves Interacting With Domestic Dogs At Zoo

Before I get into the incident that happened this past Monday which prompted this post, I will start with the signage.  

So, when I walked past Wolves on Monday I got closer to this sign. I don't know how long it's been up, but I think I may have only seen it for the first time the week before.

While I'm all about signage, and have no problem with this, I think this is really curious especially since the Wolves have been here for over seven years.  I learned when the Wolves first got here that the Zoo was in partnership with the government wildlife department and that there were guidelines about a hands off approach to caring for them.  So, it was always curious that the enclosure was designed to have the walk-in area, as well as sixty feet of glass right at the habitat, with no visual barriers to break it up.

As well, starting from their arrival I complained in person and in this blog about people howling at the Wolves, yet it was ignored.  It took over three years for signs not to howl at the Wolves to go up. 

Anyway, when I circled back, I saw a guy with two Domestic Dogs in the walk-in area.  

This bothered me.  Not only is the same sign right next to him, and he like everyone else who disregards signage, gave it the middle finger, but in this particular case, the case of Service Animals at the Zoo, and the Zoo apparently takes no real stand on guidelines.  

Let me explain further.  Three other instances come to mind from previous years.   The first was a woman who wanted her Dog to have eye to eye contact with a Tiger.  The Tiger saw the Dog go by and ran to front of yard, stood on rock and was very interested.  The Dog saw the Tiger and wanted no part of it, yet the jerk owner dragged the Dog to the window.  The second, a similar situation in the Chimpanzee Dayroom.  I questioned this and was told it was ok and enriching.  Maybe that's a valid viewpoint.  In my opinion, especially with the Chimps, they are so sensitive to upset, I don't think chancing them get worked up and possibly turn agression on eachother is something that should be allowed.  The third, a woman at Snow Leopards let her small Dog roam free, while she was several feet away, while it went in and out of the bushes that bordered the fencing.  The Snow Leopard was stalking the Dog and if the Dog went to the fence line that situation could have been very bad.

I have also questioned in the past what the guidelines are for Service Animals, and have been told there are certain places they can't go, etc.  After this weeks event, I asked again and wanted to know what the rule was specifically at Wolves considering the signage.  I was told the same as before, specific areas can't go to, Bear window was one, but unknown if map had been updated since Wolves!!  What?  Not in seven years? Unbelievable. Well not really, but you know.   Anyway it's all noted on a map given to people with Service Animals, which I could not have.  So I'm left with only this as the written rule posted on the Zoo's website. 

This seems too vague to me.  There should be more rules.  In my opinion Service Animals should no be allowed within six feet of any Animal enclosure.  I would have said five but given Covid guidelines everyone should now know what six feet is.

So, Monday.  After the guy was in the walk-in area he went to the front.  You can see the red line from Covid safety still there, and it was crossed, by him with his Dogs at the window barking at the Wolves.  The Wolves were circling and both sides interacting.  As I got closer to film, people around were telling him not to do that.  You can hear me tell them to complain to the Zoo about this.  View my video here:

https://youtu.be/ojz_4_kP2iQ

The interaction to start seemed more curious on the Wolves side, so obviously not detrimental, yet still not following the rules as stated on the signage is an issue.  But then there's this that I captured.

Both the Wolf and the Huskey seem to have their ears down and the Wolf showing teeth. I find this completely unacceptable to have an animal on the defensive in its captive home.

Of course I called Security, but still this shouldn't happen.  Yes people are going to ignore rules and signs, but the Zoo also needs to have better and more specific rules in place.

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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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Animal Updates - Facts, Comments and Thoughts - Including Jaguar Video

Have had this post sitting in draft for three days.  So, starting with this past Tuesday, since that's where I left off.  I have finally seen Tikal the Jaguar!  He is beautiful.  I got some nice video footage of him, here's the link to the first one.  If you're interested in more, check my channel there are three others, in addition to one of Raj the neighboring Snow Leopard.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G72q0vPuffQ

When I got to the enclosure, Tikal was not out and I thought my fourth try at seeing him was also going to be a bust.  Animal Staff were about to enter the enclosure to put up some full tree branches to limit the visual vantage points between Tikal and Raj.  A friend who was there Saturday, said that she thought Raj was exhibiting upset about his new neighbor.  That turned out to be true and when I got there Monday, Tikal was off exhibit to give them both a break.  

Raj watching what Keepers were doing.

I was told he would be out after noon.  Came back round and got lucky!  He had just come out.  He walked toward the fence early on, and I said Hi to him.  He came closer and gave face-time, a few times, as well as rubbed his jaw on fence and chuffed.

He did seem focused on trying to view Raj. From Raj's side, there were still some vantage points, and it appeared he was able to catch glimpes, which kept him moving about rapidly for the most part.

Tikal tried to bug on the branches a bit to get to the window, but the set-up was pretty sturdy.  This and a bit of pacing at the fence line, but in general he seems very comfortable in his new home.  Curiously there was a purple cabbage on one of the platforms.  I was wondering, does this carnivore like veggies, or is it to play with?  Found out, it was the later.

Anyway, hope Raj starts to feel less stressed, because it doesn't seem like Tikal will be moving to one of the Cat Yards too soon.  Otherwise, maybe Tikal needs to move to FCC and the Twins brought back down.  

There are plans to modify a Yard for Tikal, as Jaguars are jumpers, but even if modifications are done, there is still the fact that a female Lion is on the way, and until introductions to Jasiri are successful, she needs an enclosure.  This of course could all have been avoided if we had more Cat Yards.  I previously wrote about the logic or rather lack of, in turning four Cat Yards into two.  Cats are sleeping or resting twenty hours a day, so only one yard needed to be expanded and used on rotation.  That would have left two single yards.  If we had those right now, there would have been room for both the new Lion and the Jaguar (Tikal).  The Snow Leopard (Raj) would not have had upset, and the Snow Leopard twins would not have had to move off exhibit.  I wish things were more thought out there, but it seems with the current Director, that is just never going to happen.  Literally a handful of fails just went through my mind as I typed that sentence.  Orangutans.  Madagascar.  Patas.  Tamarins.  Snow Leopards.  

Speaking of Orangutans... Last week, into this, there was maintence noise in the middle grotto.  By yesterday I saw a new platform added to the current structure.  That's a letdown as they already have a platform structure.  Why can't anything new and exciting be built for these friends?  When they had to cut down the current structure because of rust rot, I wrote a post questioning why they just didn't level it and build a tree like structure for climbing.  There is no lack of sturdy trunks and talent to build such a structure.  I noted ideas taken from my own imagination, as well as photos taken from searching my ideas and seeing similar in other Zoos.  Additionally as I stood visiting my friend Claudia the Condor yesterday, staring at the fabricated tree, I thought, why not something like this but taller with circular landing pads and natural branches?  

I just don't get it.  Why have the Orangutans seemed to be pin pointed to get the shit end of stuff?  It's really disturbing.  My heart continually breaks for them.

Speaking of Claudia, I had not noted her moving from FCC back to the main Zoo.  Happy to be able to hang-out with her every visit now.  She's been off exhibit over four years and I only saw her once during that time.  We had been besties since her arrival and thankfully that friendship has resumed.  Last week she was up on the tree and flew down to greet me.  Very exciting as I think it was the first time I've seen her fly and it was amazing!

Another feathered friend is also back on exhibit, Quetzal the Spectacled Owl is now in his new home at the Puente.  Zoo team did a great job renovating this area for him.  Happy to get to see him again regularly.  

Now if only they can find a space for Hercules the Great Hornbill. ... Also I'm not happy at all to report that Zabebu the White Cheeked Turaco has left the Zoo to a Private Owner.  He was a special friend,  always came to greet me, often with his beautiful wings out-stretched.   My friend Grace caught this greeting!  I miss visiting with him.  I hope he's happy in his new home.

Planned a Primate Center update two weeks ago but didn't get that far.   Heard these moves were pretty recent, but I didn't see them til a couple weeks ago.  It had been over a month since I last walked through the Primate Center.  I was surprised to see the acrylic boxes across from Sifaka occupied.  They were last home to the last Squirrel Monkey, and two species of Tamarin before that.  Good to see life in them again, even though used by more than one species seems too small to me.  That said, if occupying these spaces is happening outside of the ridiculous Madagascar project, Why were the Tamarins, and the Patas Monkeys for that matter, both transferred out?  That was a huge fail that left the Zoo without three Primate species for over five years now.  Any Zoo with little to no Monkey species is not good management.  

The new inhabitants are, one of the Sloths (the one that was in the Lion House), Red Footed Tortoise (last seen in Tropical Building), and Yellow Crowned Amazon Parrots.  The later were the ones rescued last year as ten-week old chicks, that had been confiscated from smugglers.  They were being hand-raised behind the scenes in the Tropical Building, and this may be their first time on view.  I hope these are temporary because the Sloth's area gets smaller with each move, and doesn't seem like enough area for Tortoise or three Parrots. 

Penguin Juveniles in Otter Pool.  Have heard this is temporary, and these yearlings will move back to the Island after the new hatchlings are moved off exhibit to fish school.

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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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Tikal Photos! - Jaguar Enjoying His New Home

A friend of mine was lucky enough to see Tikal, our new Jaguar.  She let me share her photos. Thank you Grace!  Aside from one in the email newsletter, I haven't seen any of him in his SFZoo enclosure, so this is a treat!  I can't wait to see him myself!  

Hi Tikal!

She said, he is gorgeous, and was interested in seeing his neighbor Raj, the male Snow Leopard.  She was surprised by how much of his tail is missing.  I mentioned in a previous post, without going into detail that he and the female in Sacramento didn't get along.  What I didn't say, but will now be obvious, was that she actually bit his tail off.  I felt very sad for him hearing that. Poor guy. Thankfully he survived that attack.  

After seeing my friends photo of his tail, it's shorter than even I imagined.  The female really did a number on him.  I hope we don't acquire her.  He don't need to see her ever again, even through caging.

I also hope I never see a Jaguar tail being hauled out for education.  That would be in severe poor taste.  I've seen docents in the past stand right in front of the Snow Leopards with a tail, and it's disturbing.   Recounting that now reminds me of the time, the Lion paws were brought out and the cart keepers held it up so people could high five it.  It was disrespectful and horrifying.

Hoping I see him tomorrow.  I love him already and have affectionately dubbed him our sweet Bobuar 😊   

Check back here tomorrow evening, I aim to get video of him to share and if I do will link it here.

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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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New Lion News! - Jasiri's New Girlfriend Identified!

I learned two things yesterday that I couldn't share til I was near 100% sure about. One detail, had me busy last night compiling a list of female Lions who could possibly be Jasiri's new companion.  I had sixteen on that list.  After some research this morning on each one, I narrowed my list to four.

I just saw the Joint Zoo Committee Agenda for this months meeting next week. Based on that, I'm pretty sure I just confirmed this beautiful little girl from my short list, will be headed here, and hopefully soon.  Tears of joy are flowing, I'm so happy for Jasiri.  I can't wait for her to get here! 

Meet Lulu!  

The first thing I noticed when I saw her is that she's a blondie, like Jasiri and his Mama Sukari.  Her Mama and two brothers appear to have the light gene as well.  When I first saw Sukari, her stunning coloring stood out.  I saw her at a distance and thought she resembled a Mountain Lion.  One of her daughters gave birth to a white cub, though he eventually turned blond.

Lulu was born at Lee Richardson Zoo in Kansas, along with four brothers, on May 17, 2015.  Both she and Jasiri are eight years old this year.  It will be wonderful to see him have a companion his age to play with.  She has lived her whole life with her Mama and Papa, so I hope she won't have too difficult a time adjusting to this huge change.  

I'm sure Sukari will be resting peacefully once her boy is no longer alone.

I hope she can quarantine on exhibit in the C/D Cat yard.  Even though there has been conflicting information on whether the Jaguar will eventually move into that space, I hope the Zoo will hold off on that (and possibly acquiring a female Jaguar) until full introduction between Jasiri and Lulu is complete.  With limited Cat Yards, this seems the only way to allow Lulu a decent amount of space until she begins sharing A/B Yard with Jasiri.

I noted the Yards the way I did because it's the logical space for each, not because that's what the Zoo intends to do.  Jasiri and Sukari have lived in A/B almost exclusively for a year, I think he should stay there.  And, he does like the windows and heated rock.  I mentioned in a  previous post I hadn't seen him at the window in a longtime, but that's changed.  As for C/D, I think the straight across length of that space would benefit a species like the Jaguar more, as they are runners.  Anyway, just my opinion.

With all the new Cat news, will I ever get to that damn Madagascar post before it's fifth year in draft moves to six?

It's All Happening At Cats!

So, a week ago today I learned that the male Jaguar, Tikal was going to be temporarily housed in Cat E, the original Snow Leopard area where the Twins were living. The Twins have been moved to an off exhibit enclosure at FCC. ... There is still conflicting information whether the move truly is temporary, and he will eventually move into one of the expanded Cat yards, or whether E will be his permanent home.

On Monday I was told Tikal would be moved to the enclosure the next day.  Hoping to catch a glimpse of him, I went round on Tuesday, but learned he wasn't in quarantine as some staff thought, but on his way from Sacramento.  I finished a good walk round and went by in case he got there and was possibly let out into enclosure to stretch his legs after being crated and on the road.  The van was arriving as I approached, so I watched them unload the crate, and waited a bit, but gate never opened.  

Welcome Tikal!

There was an event scheduled that evening for donors, so I figured they were probably waiting for that, so to get a first glance.   On cue like that should not be depended on, and as such I heard he never came out.  

He also never came out the three hours I circled about on my walk round yesterday.  I tried, and hoped as the sun shined brighter it would lure him out, but it didn't.  I was told he came out in early am for a quick sniff of his new home, but went back to night quarters.  Can't wait to meet him, fingers crossed for next week!

I posted an update to a previous post when I got home Monday, as I had learned a few things, related to information I posted.

>> Updated 5.9.23 ... I have learned that while this pair was a breeding pair at Sacramento Zoo, their union was allegedly unsuccessful. This aligns with why only the male has been acquired by SFZoo.  So, I'm assuming maybe this pair is being split-up, and a compatible female is still being identified. <<

While circling the area, I was also unsuccessful in catching a glimpse of the new lady Ocelot, Tica.  I've hear she was only seen out once.  I read that she was not on public view in last two previous homes, so that explains her shyness.  Might be a long time before we see her.  

In encouraging news, it seems a companion for Jasiri could be happening very soon!

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