Think About The Things You Love This Valentine's Day

I honestly don't think there is any member of the public who Loves Our Zoo more than I do.

There was something at, or rather not at, the Zoo this week that irked me, but I wasn't sure I was going to post about it. Last night, it came up again and on the Eve of Valentine's Day, I realized it has ties to love.  

Late last Friday afternoon, the day after Our Gorilla Oscar Jonesy passed away, the Zoo posted this to their Twitter...

When I visited the Gorillas on Wednesday morning, there was No Memorial sign, No container for Flowers, No designated area for Cards or Drawings.  Not only do I not understand, I wondered, How many people have gone to the Zoo in the past six days with expressions of their Love for Jonesy and were confused by this?

I understand if no Memorial sign text could be immediately formulated, but there was a sign in a standing frame (like those used for other Memorial signs) that asked for visitors to be respectful of the Gorillas during this time of mourning.  A container could have been placed below that.  As well, a space on one of the walls for cards, drawings or other memories that wanted to be shared.  This was done on the barrier fencing at Bears when Our Ulu (Polar Bear) passed away.

I'm sorry to be judgemental in this time and about this, but this should never have happened.  It lends directly to mismanagement.  There is a general lack of communication across departments, and there certainly had to be in this situation, or someone just dropped the ball.  This can not happen with situations relating to Animal passings and Tributes to them, especially when the Zoo announces an invitation to visit and pay your respects with items in their memory.  

I don't know how this happened, but I do know, or rather I strongly believe, If Our Zoo had a Caring Management Administration, this would not have happened.

That said, I noted in a previous post that I had thoughts about the future dynamic of our troop.  While I don't like to talk about anything remotely in reference to "replacing" a beloved member of our Zoo Family, especially so soon after, I know I'm not the only one who wonders what happens next, because it's something I've been asked.  In my opinion, I think after a period of mourning, the best option for the future of our troop, would be three things. 

Before I note those things, I want to share this photo I took Wednesday.  

It was sad to see Kimani still seemingly not part of the "family".  She watched on as Monifa chose to sit with Bawang.  All obviously still adjusting to the sad new norm, but at the same time, without Jonesy, Kimani may have no one.

In my previous post I wrote about the history of the three Ladies and Jonesy. 

> In 2019, a female Gorilla named Kimani was moved to the Zoo, as a recommended breeding partner for Jonesy.  Jonesy had previous sired two offspring, one with Monifa, who also still has a breeding recommendation with him.  From monitoring the Gorilla history and other information, as I understand the situation, Kimani had previously been around breeding females and has witnessed births.  Monifa had not, so she had either no instinct and/or no interest in being a Mother.  It was thought that Kimani, would be a successful Mother and Monifa would learn from that.  It's been over five years and from what I last heard, they were allegedly still not actively breeding either female.  The reason I heard repeatedly, was that allegedly Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, didn't want to breed them or anyone, because she was unwilling to pay Keeper overtime if a birth resulted in a Mother rejection, requiring round-the-clock care.  Now, we have missed the opportunity for Jonesy to have been a Father again. <

The related take-aways are,...

*Kimani had a breeding recommendation with Jonesy.  

*Monifa didn't have instinct or interest in being a mother, so it is unknown if that would happen again.

*Kimani seemingly has no friendly connection with the other ladies.

What I think is a logical and doable plan, would be to first put Monifa on birth control in preparation for bringing in a new male.  I think recalling Monifa's son Hasani to rejoin the troop, would satisfy the genetic compatibility with Kimani's breeding recommendation.  Since Hasani is still young, before physically bringing him back, I think another female, breeding or non-breeding, of similar age to Hasani (16) and Kimani (20) to hopefully bond with Kimani, so she has a friend in the troop.  It has been sad observing her seemingly be shunned for the last five years.  

Those are my thoughts for today.  Thoughts because I care.  Thoughts of love for these Friends.  

I hope the Zoo gets it together by next week and provides a place for those who want to, can bring those items of tribute and/or remembrance, and have a place to put them.  

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.  

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , 

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison