Three minutes to midnight and I'm just starting this post. I wanted it dated today, August 19, as it is World Orangutan Day. So, I cheated, published title, then reverted to draft. Apologies if that's not cool, but I ran out of time this evening, as I spent a couple+ hours pulling videos to share, and getting side tracked watching Orangutan videos.
When I went to the Zoo yesterday, I saw Zoo Friends doing new stuff. I decided this week I might try to start a new regular post, This Week At The Zoo. I have a post in mind that follows-up the last post, so wanted to to do that one first, then the week wrap-up. I thought, it'll be fun, I can share Ben the Camel and Bajkit the Przewalski Horse are now sharing space, Raj the Snow Leopard had a huge cardboard sand box with wood dust from a tree trunk, and his daughter Tikka, had a huge play pen box. Then there was today, and now we have this post instead.
Happy World Orangutan Day to Our Ollie and Amoi! ... This photo and video are from August 19, 2020, before they had their own enclosure. They had some access to the Chimps yard, and got a wonderful celebration for their Species Awareness Day.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-jaXezBDzGM
But not today. There was nothing for them, and there was nothing at their enclosure to educate visitors on the plight of wild Orangutans. Big Fail!
There was a time many years ago when Our Zoo didn't do anything for Awareness Days. Some where along the way, little by little celebrations starting popping-up, to the point where they were decently regular. If it's a weekday, I always go, just in case, and hope to see some special enrichment fun. I was surprised there was nothing. Not even a sign stating the day, and some information about why it's important to recognize this Species on this Awareness Day.
I was disappointed and frankly pissed. Not pissed because I didn't get to see some fun, I'm pissed because it's mass disorganization, that reflects badly on Our Zoo. It was an opportunity to educate visitors about Orangutans, their plight, how to help, and about Conservation efforts. Even larger than usual missed opportunity, as it was Free Day and the Zoo was packed.
I have high hopes for new management, so I don't want to be too judgemental, but I do feel like the Co-CEO's should have had this coordinated. The CFO/CEO of the team, Jeff Pace, in my opinion should have had a game plan in place of what he thought the Zoo's Needs were as soon as they took the reins. He had his previous knowledge and at least a couple weeks before the former Director left. The COO/CEO, Cassandra Costello, gets a little bit of a pass because she probably doesn't know anything about the Zoo's Needs. He's been there over a year I think and if he has risen to this position, then he should have identified Needs and prioritized what could be done with no money, what could be done with little money, and beyond. I obviously don't know anything that is going on in regards to what their course of action is, I'm just saying I have a game plan, so I expect those who actually have the job, to have one. Mine may be a fantasy game plan but hey, you got to be prepared in case you win the big Lotto and can buy the Zoo. So while that's very far-reaching, I am just trying to say that we're now in the third week of their management, there's no reason why there couldn't have been at the very least a sign for World Orangutan Day. Making sure Awareness Days happen on the actual Awareness Day is essential for all the factors I already mentioned, and one that lends to what I think is desperately needed there. I'm not saying what that is, because they have the gig, they should know.
Someone texted me in the afternoon and said they are now planning to do Orangutan Day on Saturday. Good Grief, that's just lame. Today was the day and they missed it. At least Ollie and Amoi will get party fun.
The Phoenix Zoo had it together and celebrated today. Our Amoi's brother Wgasa, and his Lady Rayma, got Orangutan Day fun at their home there.
https://x.com/phoenixzoo/status/1958015974222827905
One of my big irks from the former Director's reign, was funds spent on Gardens and Art Installations. It was often rumored some of those were allegedly funded by Donors, not money from the general fund. I've heard doubts about that though. Regardless, in my opinion when you have Needs, your Wants have to wait. I also take issue with Members of the Zoological Society who would fund Wants, before Needs in a facility that cares for Live Beings. Anyway, the Canopy Installation is the latest unnecessary addition. This in particular offends me. It's a Rainforest set, with fabricated trees. It's not that it's not well done, it's the slap in the face to the Orangutans that upsets me. The Orangutans were kept in caged tubes, and when they were finally let into Triple Grotto, there was no renovation FOR them. No Trees to climb on, yet they watched fabricated ones being built across the path. Sad and Shameful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_sTe9zZZWJ8
Related Post:
*Orangutans Can See Construction Of Fabricated Trees, But They're Not For Them ... 10.15.24
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/10/orangutans-can-see-construction-of.html
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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
So sad for the precious Ollie and Amoi. They had to sit and watch the forest installation being made but not for them. Celebrating after the fact is disrespectful. It also bothers me that donors don't give to the animals. It's just a write off for them and that seems to me they aren't true animals lovers. Happy Ollie and Amoil every day sweethearts
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