Nine Years Ago, SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson Tried To Kick Out Our Chimpanzees

As usual, there are many things to catch-up on, but today I'm going off list with this.  It came up in my Facebook memories yesterday, perfect timing for a revisit of this Tanya Peterson offense.

Nine years ago in 2015, February 24 was Oscar Sunday.  Today it's a Saturday and the Oscars are still two weeks away.  This date will always represent a the definitive turning point in my crusade to Save Our San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzees.

Many long-term readers and Zoo peeps already know the story of this moment in time for our precious Chimp Friends, but considering the current atmosphere surrounding Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, and my continuing need to document her fails in that position, it's the perfect time to revisit one of Peterson's cruelest acts.

I have written extensively about this.  Expanded details can be found by searching "Chimps" on this blog, or by visiting my blog dedicated to this travesty and my crusade to stop it from happening.

https://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com/

During a Zoo visit at the end of January 2015, I stood near Triple Grotto, home to our three Senior Chimpanzees since the late 1960s, when it was built.  Our male Cobby arrived at the Zoo in 1968 at ten years old, after being used in the entertainment industry.  Our two females, Maggie and Minnie, arrived at just over a year old, via an Animal procurement outfit that sold Wild Animals.  All three of my Friends had come from the wild as babies, violently kidnapped from their natural homes and families.  I grew up visiting them my whole life, but it wasn't until 2008 when I started learning about the history of the Zoo's Residents as individuals did I know their sad start in life.  I was endeared to the Chimps deeply.  They brought me joy, but also sadness when I would often think of their past.  Thankfully, that start was long ago and in the forty-five plus years they have lived a safe and well cared for life.  Until 2014 when Director Peterson decided she wanted them gone.  She had other plans and their "needs" for a new enclosure and new troop members, didn't fit into her "wants".  So, as I stood there enjoying watching my Chimpers, a Keeper came and stood beside me.  Without looking at me, so it didn't appear he was actually talking to me, he said, "You know Tanya's getting rid of them?"  A chill came over me, as I said, "What?" He continued, and knowing how I use my voice, he then said, "What are you going to do about it?" I said, "They're not leaving on my fucking watch!"

Allegedly, it was happening soon, like any day, so I had to act fast.  Within two days I launched a crusade to save them.  I had never done anything like this, but I had to stop this.  I started a dedicated blog, Twitter, and Facebook, I was non-stop about this situation. Videos to YouTube, Memes, everything I could think of for awareness, including a Petition.  Soon the stars shined on me and a friend told me she had a contact at channel 7.  That contact was connected to Dan Noyes, the reporter leading the I-Team investigations. I explained the urgency and Dan jumped in immediately to help.  He interviewed me two days later.  While we sat chatting off camera, I gave him the full story, and all the people he should talk to.  On the spot, I called John Alcaraz, a friend who was the Chimps first Keeper and he agreed to be interviewed.  The next day, Dan was off to Cedarville eight hours north to meet with John.  From there he literally ran with it, to Chicago to talk with Steve Ross the SSP Chimpanzee Coordinator and to Florida to the amusement park where the Chimps were being sent.  I remember visiting the Chimps one day that week and hearing the transfer cages being built.  I called Dan's assistant as I stood there to update the urgency.  Dan made this story happen in just over a week and it was the turning point in my crusade.  It provided the widespread awareness needed to Save our Chimps.  

As I sat at my computer, working for my Chimpers, while watching the Oscars Red Carpet, I got a message from Dan.  The teaser for the I-Team piece would run after the Oscars.  I tried to stay awake to see the first broadcast but fell asleep.  I woke up after midnight, hearing a familiar voice, I turned to the TV and there I was!   Gosh I didn't expect to see my big face like that, but I was happy to be the face of helping my Chimps.  I had many messages, "I saw you on tv"!  It played a few times an hour, for the two days prior to the broadcast.  People even stopped me in the market to talk about the Chimps.  Evidently the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson really had her panties in a twist and sent out a frantic email to All Staff containing false information about me.  That's her usual MO when someone does something she doesn't like, create untruths to further her agenda against them.  

It wasn't the first time she made-up lies about me and I'm sure it wont be the last.  I dont care.  I did everything I could to help my Chimpers.  To prevent them from being kicked out of the only home they ever knew.  Our Director is a cruel person, who has no empathy or compassion for the Animals.  

Two days after the News report, I was again on my computer, still working for my Chimpers before heading to the Zoo for a quick visit before the Joint Zoo Meeting.  A Keeper messaged me and said, "Chimps are staying, You did it"!  I started sobbing then and just now as I'm writing this, I got a chill and tears are flowing.  It was an amazing feeling to help my Friends.

This post was not about patting myself on the back, because that's not me.  Every time I've used my voice against what goes on at the Zoo, it's been for the Animals.  It will always be about them and their well-being.  It was once again about pointing out something horrific that has happened at our Zoo and who was responsible.

I find it disturbing that someone who could, perpetuate such cruelty towards our Senior Chimpanzees, non-human Beings that share almost 99% of our own DNA, is still running our 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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What Set Me Off Yesterday - The Commentary In Videos

So, as the day is slipping away... I was just up getting food, and thoughts came to mind.  For some reason my mind flows best when I'm in the kitchen, maybe it's the sound of water?  Anyway, I had the thought to just post the commentary videos I made yesterday (note they are listed as Jan 2024 by mistake).  Unfortunately, there are four.  I feel like I gave a tease in the previous post to things I might not say fully in posts in a timely manner.  While when I do, it will then be a bit of a rehash, weaved into even longer winded commentary, but that's ok.  I know there's probably people reading who have followed along for years, and like me are just tired of it all.    If you are one of those people, thank you for caring enough about our Zoo Friends and our Zoo, to still check out what I've got to say.  

Continuing to express how I feel about the situation, even when alot is repetitive, is my prerogative and it's your prerogative not to read or watch, but I appreciate those who do.  And if Director Peterson, anybody in the Zoological Society, on the Board, or in the Rec and Park, happen to be reading or watching,  then you know what, ... You've had sixteen years managing the Zoo, you should have done better.  It should be no surprise, myself and others are all just really pissed off.

Here are the videos,  including information, opinions and a bit of rambling.  I'll include a few notes and the length, as a couple are a time investment.  I appreciate those who stick with it, but also know it's alot to listen to me gripe, especially all in one sitting!  They were meant to have been sprinkled into a few different posts (and might still be), I don't expect anyone to spend a continuous chunk of time on this.  

*New Madagascar Plan ... Thumbs Down From Me (11:37)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=d_edOH_mfKk&si=rt9wguyoAuk05GZp

Ok, so first!  This is what set me off.  This damn Madagascar debacle.  I don't know how long this new plan diagram has been up, because I hadn't been to the Zoo in almost two months.  So after five+ years of the same one up with multiple different times through the years with no one really knowing what's going on with the Pit, this took me by surprise.  And while standing there my brain was in a tizzy trying to comprehend the layout, which for some reason I always have a problem grasping.  I mostly wondered if there was an indoor viewing of the Tortoises for days when the weather is not in line with their needs. Upon a second look it seems there might be (a very small one), but who knows. I didn't really talk to anybody about the whole plan, which at first glance is awful in my opinion, so have had no discussion other than asking a quick question to someone passing by, and they didn't know.  

*Orangutan Overview Feb 2024 (5:12)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=67L2jhcWZGY&si=13HM6PLJvxC_vMNH

Next I did a current complain rehash about Triple Grotto and the poor Orangutans.  It's important, as their journey here completely illustrates the lack of care by Director Peterson.  Her "want" to have them, took priority over what their "needs" would be, and she brought them here anyway, without having an appropriate enclosure for them.  Their housing situation the first eight months here, in my opinion really messed them up.

*Upcoming Art Installation Feb 2024 (4:30)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=nC1XvVsM1K4&si=GoWLwTxcRBtde3Vv

Every time one of these pops up, it irks me that money is being spent on non-Animal things.  

*Gorilla Trek VR Feb 2024 (1:09)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DZV9YrHBwas&si=7JnruWTqb53clytO

Yet another thing that is not an Animal related improvement or a live Animal acquisition.  It's like that damn zipline.  The Zoo bought that dumb contraption, and what a waste of money.  I'd like to know the numbers on this.  How much is it costing, versus how much money is it bringing in?

We don't need Art Installations, VR stuff, or anymore Gardens!  We need a better home for the Orangutans, the netting over Flamingos to be completed, netting over Meerkats and Prairie Dogs, Enclosures for Animals being kept off exhibit, Animals at the Walkabout, Monkeys!.............

On occasion I pull quotes from shows or movies.   I had this line in my notes.  There is no reference point, so maybe it's my own?  It may very well be, because as the only member of the public who is vocal, I have felt this way for a very long time. Anyway, it's the truth.  

"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." 

Previous Post: 

(Includes some commentary on the Baobob tree in the MADagascar Center of Craziness)

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/02/post-set-backs-hopefully-not-plus-some.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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Post Set-Backs? Hopefully Not! - Plus Some Fossa Fun!

Slowly but surely as the saying goes, I'm getting to posts.  Got another set of days in, and maybe, hopefully, I'll make some progress. Seems more trying than doing, but again, it takes alot out of me to do them, and even more to get psyched up for it.  I just don't want to, but it seems caring about something so deeply, and seeing it wronged, instills a drive that doesn't wane, even after a dozen plus years of writing about it.

After the last post I made a short list of posts to do, to get me caught up and to those damn Madagascar posts I've been talking about for years.  Yea, the one's that pretty much define all that's wrong with current management.  Current management being those three cogs of authority, Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, the Zoological Society, and the Rec and Park Dept. 

Anyway, that list had a handful of posts.  Easy to get through, and I figured I had it in me for this weekend.  After my visit yesterday, that list went from four to ten, pushing my long overdue updates to previous posts to the bottom of the list.  The culprit, something that ignited all those swirling thoughts rooted in mismanagement... wants over needs, lack of fundraising, misuse of funds when there is some, basically, no friggin' clue how to run our Zoo for it to thrive at it's optimum and setting a course for it to thrive into the future.

I woke up a bit ago, not thinking about blogging, resting in bed, watching old videos on YouTube from a band I hung with in the 80s.  Then all of a sudden Zoo stuff popped into my mind and now I'm thumb typing this post on my tablet.  

As I said, I was all set to push those updates to the end, but I've been doing that for a couple months, as more current irritations surfaced.  So while I was all set for that, I think I just have to get those done first.  Believe me, my mind is swirling and in need of getting out the upset at what I came across yesterday that got me going, hopefully I can get to it all in a decent time frame.  Who knows, but I really need these overwhelming thoughts lifted soon.  It's a new year and like I wrote last month, it's this year or never!  That said, for me, "this year", means sooner than later. 

So, I apologize that for a bit the posts may not flow, but when I get to a certain point, I will link them in a good flow.  Remember, the main mission of this blog is documenting, the finale goal is illustrating what is now sixteen years of mismanagement by San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.

For your time (reading my ramblings) and pleasure, here's a video from yesterday.  After not visiting for almost two months, I had two great visits this week with wonderful Zoo Friend moments. Yesterday, I captured some good footage of Violet the female Fossa.  It's a bit long, lighting gets screwy, and I'm in the MADagascar Center of Craziness (haha just made that up!), so you know there's cranky commentary.  At least give the beginning a view to see Violet 😊

https://youtube.com/watch?v=EKCtiIqv9ZQ&si=BvQGJwEoLcUm40-P

video screencap ... sniffing through wood wool, close face, tongue and toothers!

Previous Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/01/januarys-posts-truths-about-zoo.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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