Looking Forward to Finally Seeing Cecil Today!

I'm sure most have already seen video coverage from the Zoo's media event for Cecil, this past Wednesday.  Finally a peek at him here and with the girls.  It was nice to see, and already provided some insight (at least my perception) to his personality, and behavior.  By all accounts, the four have only been fully integrated about two weeks.  He seems very respectful of their territory.   I noticed he and Monifa sat very calmly near each other.   Not surprised, as on Gorilla Day, the girls had outdoor access, but still went in and out of the building often, assuming they were visiting Cecil, who remained inside.  Monifa especially was displaying behavior I had never seen before.  When she came out of the building, she repeatedly rolled down the hill with an apparent glee.  Very cute to watch, and a seemingly flirtatious display!  The other thing I noticed was when Cecil had his hands on the boomer ball, he was tapping his fingers.  I seen this, referenced as drumming, in a video that I shared in a previous post, of him doing the same in Louisville on another item.

The only complaint I have about some media coverage was the interviews with Curator Robbie.  I have a personal disdain and disgust for him, ever since he disrespected Our Chimpanzee Minnie after her passing, telling me, "It was good that she died...".  It's disturbing that he is not only still employed there, but has been given even more responsibility since then. The Zoo must really be desperate, but I digress.  Despite my personal feelings, the Zoo should keep him away from cameras.  He stumbles through interviews.  Put Keepers in front of the camera instead, they sound more knowledgeable.

So, obviously I was not one of the first members of the public to see Cecil.  I tried my best, checking every visit, inquiring when Gorillas would be open, but for some odd (to me) reason, the Zoo kept him under wraps far too long (in my opinion).  One former Zoo Member asking me, Why is everything still such a secret?  That in reference to exactly what I've been saying since his arrival over two months ago.

I have written a few updates, sharing what little  information that I've heard, but I shouldn't have been the only source for those eager to know more about Cecil, and his new life here.  I have written that I thought the Zoo was doing a disservice to both to Our Zoo and Louisville Zoo, where Cecil came from.  Cecil lived there for over twenty years, gaining popularity and a fan base.  

The announcement of his transfer was high profile, with extensive media coverage and a subsequent Going Away Party.   Not like here where Animals disappear without any warning, whether moved off exhibit, or to another Zoo.  The fanfare showed the Louisville Community cared, and because of that, in my opinion, they deserved updates.  Louisville had him off exhibit a month, prepping his departure.  SF had radio silence on him for two months.  It really makes no logical sense.

So, that said, it remains my opinion that once he arrived here, it seemingly would have been beneficial in many ways to have had some updates about how he was settling in, personality discoveries, along with the introduction process and progress to the girls.

I am still giving interim management a chance to fix things, right wrongs, and create new frontiers for Our Zoo, that will show change and bring optimism for Our Zoo's future thriving.  One of those things in my opinion is building Community, something that is so very important in many factors.  Something that Our Zoo has lacked for seventeen years, possibly longer.  Something that the former Director did not value.  I know this, because in 2009, I explained the value, need and benefit of what building community could do for Our Zoo.  That was sixteen years ago, and just a little over a year since the Christmas Day Tragedy.  It was after that, I became endeared to Our Animals more than ever.  I expressed that to her, and about community, because it hurt me that there was so much negativity surrounding Our Zoo at the time.  I wanted people to know the good there, to be endeared in the same way I was.  Unfortunately, she wasted all those years since doing nothing.  That can't continue.

I mentioned before that I had made a chart of Our Zoo's Gorilla History, to include in the post I will make once I see Cecil.  I'm sharing it here, in case that post gets delayed.