Madagascar Exhibit Update - Fossa Enclosure +

I know I have still not done my full Madagascar post that I started making notes for five years ago.  That time frame may be ridiculous, but more ridiculous is that this project has taken so long and is still no where done.  My estimation is late 2025.

Who knows when I will do that Madagascar post, I have other weights going on, so documenting Zoo stuff is on an energy whim.  That said, I heard the Fossa area could be ready in the near future, so I took a look at it the other day.  Will be nice for them to be on view, considering they have been here over five years!

I don't know why SF acquired them before there was an enclosure for them, but after over a year of housing in the hospital and a small portion of what is now the Francois Langur enclosure, they have been living at the off exhibit area formerly known as FCC. ...  

In case you missed my video of them from 2018...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vh5OaWnXoaQ&pp=ygUObGVvODExc2YgZm9zc2E%3D

Last week as I walked past the former Patas Monkey, more recently Bald Eagle, enclosure now vacant again, I wondered why there was never a renovation to that enclosure, so they could be on view.  Would seem it could house the Fossa if some containment additions were made.  Considering they could have occupied the space for five years and the space wouldn't have been empty for lengths of time, it would have been a decent investment.  I only bring it up now to document, the length of time animals that can be on view aren't, and that there are often empty spaces in the Zoo that may be able to accommodate them.

My video documentation: https://youtu.be/9wLmcDuUdQA

So, a few things I mentioned in the video, I'm going to add a bit about here.  

First, the original architect rendering of the Madagascar project:

This is the plan that I said I still can't figure out what's going on from this.  Maybe my brain is just blocked for some reason, but when I look at this, I see a spectacle of illsuion.  The whole night time lighting effect spectacle, and the one netted area illusion.  This does not show a firm plan of what is going where, except for that damn million dollar baobab tree.

And the description:

I have taken a photo of this sign as a whole before, and don't remember ever reading this part that states what Animals are intended to live here.  Maybe I was so stumped by the visual plan, I never got any further.  That said, I'm definitely stumped by the mention of twenty-four animal species.  Other than the resident seven Lemurs, the Fossa, and I'm assuming the Aldabra Tortoises, I haven't heard about any others.

What I have heard over the five years is that there is no plan, and details for the giant pit continue to be vague and fluid.  In my opinion after a couple years of it being stagnant, a construction eye sore, a logistic pain in everyone's ass, and years of paying for a rent-a-fence, they should have filled the pit with the Fossa enclosure, another mammal like Mongoose or Fanaloka (which would be very cool), the Tortoises and Birds.  Then used leftover funds to renovate the old Nocturnal area that actually housed Malagasy species.  

What did end up happening, and I posted about this before, is there was/is? an alleged plan to build an enclosure for the Pygmy Hippo?! If this is the case, what happened to the original plans that dictated the Zoo lose seven Primate species???  Monkeys are one of the most popular species in a Zoo and this project forced out four Monkey species and for what?  An up in the air plan?

Anyway, gosh I'm feeling like I'm getting part of that Madagascar post done here!  So, if indeed the plan is for a Hippo enclosure, it should be for River Hippos.  Hippos are popular and everyone loved Tucker (former River Hippo) and everyone loves Akobi (current Pygmy Hippo).  The renovation to Tucker's old enclosure to accommodate Akobi's species specific needs, turned out nice.  That area seems perfect for him and space for a future companion.

Last weekend I thought as I have before on occasion, what could be done at the Zoo logically, for the flow and collection.  Not going to give all my ideas, but considering neither Hippo species is from Madagascar, as all from the island are extinct, I looked at the map River Hippo habitat range.  While the Pygmy Hippo range is on the east side of Africa, the River Hippo is on the west side just across the way from Madagascar.

Not only does this make sense geographically, as I stated in the video, Tucker's new son will need to leave Cincinnati in the coming years and if SF could get him that would not only be awesome but a very smart move considering his popularity.

Ok I'm exhausted... So much rehashing makes me feel insane lol!  I dream of a future where the stupid Madagascar project is done, that damn fence is down, and we have a new Director!  Who's with me?  I see alot of hands being raised!

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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 Fence Graffiti - Zoos R Animal Prisions

Like my previous post about the Bison Paddock, I'm once again writing about that damn perimeter fence, when I said I wasn't going to.  After my last post, I felt like I had done all I could to document the situation past, present and future.  I noted how long it's been like this, why it continues to be like this, and gave an idea of how to fix the problem.  Still nothing has been done.

So, two days ago I saw this added graffiti:

It's bad enough that there's tons of graffiti, but this has got to go immediately!  A message like this can not stay on the Zoo fence.

Has anyone seen this? How long do they plan on leaving it there?   Wonder if Zoo Director Peterson has been to work since this was done.  Did she just drive in past it?

I realize it's not the Zoo's fault that shitheads feel it's their right to vandalize everything, but it is on the Zoo to deter this behavior, specifically on Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  She needs to do her job and take care of the Zoo.  She's had fifteen years to get things right, and she has failed.  She don't like my comments, but that's too bad.  I speak the truth and show evidence to support it.  She may create illusions of doing great things for those who don't know better, but myself and everyone inside the Zoo walls see through it all.  

I recently heard some outlandish and costly alleged plans she has, regardless of whether true, she needs to do something about this fence asap!

Here's my video documentation and commentary:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3BT6UNE-zl4&feature=share

For past posts on this subject, search this blog using keyword "fence".

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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 Bison Paddock - Yet Again With No Apparent Working Sprinklers

So, I've written about this too many times, and pretty sure I said I was done the last time, but maybe I just told myself I was done.  That said, the last few weeks I've watched the meadow get lighter and lighter in some spots, with a two portions turning full on brown.  So here I am documenting this again.

For those who haven't followed this bullshit situation, the synopsis is...

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is responsible for the grounds (including the perimeter fence) of the Bison Paddock.  They have failed to keep the irrigation system that provides water to the sprinklers in the main meadow and from the looks of it, the back meadow as well.  The meadows were left void of water for at least two years straight, when I started documenting last year, which at the time had the meadows completely void of green landscaping.  Bison are grazing animals and need to have healthy vegetation to graze on as part of their natural behavior.  It is cruel to deny them of this.  Note that the Bison are cared for by the San Francisco Zoo.  There is no issue with their care.  The Keepers provided the Bison with supplemental food during that time, placed throughout meadow, in addition to the daily diet they are fed.

I saw the Rec and Park working in the main meadow last year, either late summer or fall.  Upon inquiry, they said the irrigation system was being fixed.  Work was extremely slow, but it halted, I assumed it was fixed.  The rains came and the main meadow turned green, except for the extensive patch of dirt where the work was being done.  So, obviously the Rec and Park did not re-seed that area as they were allegedly supposed to.  

So the green landscape continued until the rain stopped.  It is now very clear that the sprinkler system is still not working and any green that grew was thanks to Mother Nature, not the SF Rec and Park.

My video documentation:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JCgxfUFzG2M&feature=share

For previous posts on this subject, use blog search and keyword "bison"

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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This Week At The Zoo - Fun and Fails

I experience things that make no sense, but aren't something to make a whole blog post about, so I just shake my head and move on.  Sometimes I've written posts and just tacked on off topic irritations and curiosities, in fits of frustration.

Sometimes I want to share a Zoo Friend experience, but I usually never get that far unless it's a whole post subject like a new resident arrival.

So before I get into a couple things (fails), I'll share a couple Animal experiences (fun) from the week.  

Don't think I've ever seen Claudia the Condor eating.  So this was different.  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fF575Arp8CQ

I had some lovely face-to-face time with two Kudu Ladies in the creep area (a small area often fixed with branches to create an area that only certain sized animals can access) where our precious Duikers used to hang out.  

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qpBLwBYoMRU&feature=share

I don't get down to the Donga often, I maybe do that loop once every few weeks.  I wanted to see the new mural in tunnel leading to it.  The mural is beautiful, I love Mosaics.  I must admit that every time I see artwork and gardens, while I think they are nice and needed additions to the grounds, it does rub me the wrong way that money is either spent or donated for these installations specifically, when there are many Animal Needs that arent fulfiled.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xaelKduD9Jc&feature=share

I had decided to do the Donga loop around the Savannah to get to Gorillas so to get in some extra walking.  Just short of the end, the loop was closed off and I had to circle back.  Tired and short on time, I never got to Gorillas.

Two things I asked Security about yesterday on my way out, have just come to mind and I want to document it, as I wasn't satisfied with the answers I got.  It's not on Security, but on the Zoo to just do better.

So, the Donga loop closure.  I mentioned it to Security, noting there really should be a sign at the start of the loop, noting loop does not go through.  

I asked if that's something Security could have done.  I was told, it's (sign) on order.  Needing signs in the moment has come up before and I've noted before that the Zoo has a Computer, Printer and Laminator.  A sign can be made in a matter of minutes.  There is no reason to let the need go or order something fancy for that. I was told people complain about signs not being nice?  Who complains?  And if they were worried about how such temporary signs look, they got a sign made as I've noted can be done, on the stupid $15,000 water station.  I took this photo not for the sign, even though it lent to this issue, but because I still can't believe money was spent on this bullshit when people can get water for free in the cafe and $15,000 x 2! could have gone to Animal Needs.

In addition, by having no sign and just letting it go, someone with physical disabilities, intending to do the loop was forced to back-track around if they wanted to go to Gorillas, African Aviary and that side of the Savannah.  This is a Fail, the Zoo needs to do better.

If you read my recent post about Wolves, you know this is a fresh issue.  I will note that I probably wouldn't bring it up again, at least not now but considering that recent (?) sign, it's up to the Zoo to do better to try and make what their sign says happen.  This is another Fail.

So, from Grizzlies I heard screaming.  I see that a school group is gathered at and eventually fanned out along more than half the length of the Wolves window. When I got closer, I viewed and heard, not only screaming, but howling, banging in the window and chasing the Wolves (all of them were at the window) as they paced the perimeter.

Security should be giving more detailed Rule Talks to these groups and leaders.  Additionally Rules should be mailed when reservation is made and given on entry to the leaders, teachers and chaperones.  There is no reason the adults in this group should have allowed these kids to behave in this way at an Animal Enclosure. 

There is a head of Security and a head of Safety.  In my opinion it's up to these two people to provide Security with talking points that need to be covered.  I'm not going to make a list here, because that's what they get paid for.  They just need to do it.  

I shared my experience with Security, noting the interaction at Wolves last week as well and that I had written a post suggesting they put roping up.  I was told, an order has been put in.  In previous experience years ago with orders having to be "put in", it took months to get barrier poles replaced at Chimpanzees and Lions.  Hopefully things move quicker these days.  That said, in my opinion, not good enough.  This is happening on a daily, probably hourly+ basis.  In my opinion, if the Zoo cared to "protect" the Wolves in the goal stated on their own sign, they would temporarily put up something.  There has to be some rope some place in the Zoo, if not, I find no reason someone can't go to home depot and buy some. There is also the the yellow caution tape like seen in my photo above, "protecting" the mural. Depending on how it can be secured, and if there's no concern it could come loose ànd end up in the enclosure, otherwise there's always the movable metal barriers.  Allowing this to go on repeatedly everyday, is a Fail.

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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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