Happy New Year! ... Sadly Not at Krefeld Zoo.

I had planned to use my opportunity for extended time at home over this Holiday to finish many posts.  Who knows if I would have been productive by now, but I have certainly been disabled by the tragedy at Krefeld Zoo since the moment I heard about it.

For those who don't know, the Monkey House at Krefeld Zoo in Germany, fell victim to a fire in the early hours of New Years Day.

It was 11:40p here and I was trying to stay awake to see in our new decade.  Thinking of things I needed to accomplish, and of how surreal the year 2020 sounds.  Then I read the news.  First reports that all Residents of the Monkey House had perished.  My insides immediately felt heavy and tears started flowing.  The same feeling would have overtook me had there been a single Soul lost, but the final number of lives lost, is now Thirty.  Thankfully there were two survivors.  

The two Chimpanzees who survived this horror, lost their friend.  Probably watched as he was either burnt alive or succumbed to smoke inhalation.  The family of five Orangutans, included an infant, whose Mother was probably trying to comfort and save her babie.  Two Gorilla's, who lived through being taken from their wild families decades ago, only to die this way.   These are just the Great Apes who lost their Lives.  Dozens of other poor Souls, spent their final moments in fear, trapped in cages, not being able to escape.  The images that I've created in my mind of all these precious Beings desperation to stay alive, has been hard to shake. 

As the minutes ticked on, I read that the possible cause was Fireworks. It was now midnight and several backyards over from my Richmond District home, I can hear, illegal Fireworks being set-off, and see bursts of light from them.  I was so enraged, as I am every July 4th and every New Years Eve that this happens.  I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but they are illegal for a reason.  They are a potential hazard.  In that moment the audacity was too much. For many reasons I am sick of people.  I'm sick of the self-entitled.  People who do whatever they want, with no regard for those around them.  This is another example of that mentality.  The City of San Francisco puts on a display at the waterfront.  Go there.  I mean seriously people don't even have the sense to do this shit at the beach, if they want to be reckless. ... It has been confirmed that Sky Lanterns, illegal in Germany were the cause.

It has also been reported that the Monkey House structure had no Sprinkler System.  It has not been reported Why.  It has not been reported whether not having them went against any EAZA accreditation guidelines, or government ordinances.  I do not know for fact, but would hope our AZA has a guideline for that.  It would seem, any space where there are lives that are confined, should at least have some sort of emergency help system. 

There has been no comment by the EAZA.  The WAZA posted condolences to their Facebook page.  In a search, only one other Zoo (in the world?) posted condolences.  I hope there were others, because its shameful that a community would not have any caring words for their peers and what has befallen on them. 

Lastly I want to include two other tragedies.  Admittedly, I sometimes tend to shut out reading about sad things, because there is so much of it, and sometimes I just can't.  After seeing a sad video, I read only one article about the tragedy last month at African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio, who had ten of their Residents perish in a barn fire.  I have also, until the last couple days, passed up most of the sad photos of victims from the tragic situation that continues in Australia, where it is now reported that over 500 million Animal lives has been lost.  It being 2020 isn't nearly as surreal as that number of Wildlife lost. 

All documentation of these events are heartbreaking and horrific.  I can't imagine how people are dealing with seeing this first hand, especially those who cared for and knew the captive Animals affected.  To all of them, I am sorry for your loss.  It is heartbreaking from a afar, it would be unbearable to be close to.

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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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World Bonobo Day - Update on Bili at Wuppertal Zoo

Valentines Day was also World Bonobo Day.  Fitting, as over 300,000 caring people have signed Petitions showing their Love and Concern for Bili.  I hope one day, Bili will feel loved, because right now, it sure doesn't seem like he does.

For those following Bili's story, I wanted to post an update.  When I last posted, Bili was by all accounts still being forced to stay in the Wuppertal Zoo Bonobo Group full-time, and left victim to the Zoo's "process" of integration, which included repeated attacks.  His flesh was ripped open, half his ear ripped off, and other reports of serious injury, without intervention from Zoo staff.  Concerns were raised last month via Petition, resulting in public outrage, many news stories, and an offer by Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary (WAMS) to give Bili a forever home. Bili was being brutalized, and most empathetic and compassionate people wanted him removed from the Zoo and placed somewhere safe.

At the time of my last post, WAMS representatives were on their way to Wuppertal, and an agreed meeting with Officials.  Entering into a meeting, was assumed that a discussion about possibly releasing him to Sanctuary was an option.  When WAMS got there, it was a very different situation.  The Zoo made a public statement against WAMS, basically never having any intention of entertaining the idea of releasing him.  That was Sunday 2.10.19. Bili remains there today.

This video, taken three days later, Wednesday 2.13.19, shows Bili in a seemingly relaxed state, together with one other Bonobo named Mato, who was reportedly the only one who didn't attack him.  They are separated from the group.  It is unknown how long they will be separated or how often.  The public must rely on Visitor photos and video to assess what's going on.  Prior to this, there were no reports of Bili being separated, but instead repeatedly forced to "integrate" into the group, and being brutally attacked every time.  I believe this separation, is the result of public outrage, to both the Petitions, letter writing, and media attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQs4JT26_0A

There are still concerns for Bili's safety and long-range stay at Wuppertal.  There has been exchanges by many, myself included, with Zoo Officials, and the EAZA.  The Zoo, EAZA, and WAZA have all issued statements regarding Bili.  They maintain they will never send him to Sanctuary, stating that WAMS (and that would probably mean other Sanctuaries) are not fit to house Bonobos because they have never worked with them, and currently do not house them.  I personally don't agree with this mindset, as it would seem to me, that providing a safe place for a Being rather than killing it, or watching it be killed would be the way to go.  Silly me! ... They maintain they are confident in their introduction process, which is formed by "Professionals and Experts".  Considering by all accounts they have no off exhibit space, there doesn't seem to be much of a space for monitored and barriered introductions.  I asked and they have not answered questions regarding what that process is. ... Many have asked, how long they will continue to try to integrate him, and how brutalized does Bili have to get before they intervene?  Considering they never intervened when he was having his flesh ripped open before, I think that's a valid question. They have not answered these questions. ... Bili was sent there for breeding, I questioned what will happen to Bili if he doesn't breed?  Will he be deemed surplus and killed, as that is a common practice in EAZA Zoos.  They didn't answer. ... Wuppertal Zoo Director has stated he would euthanize Bili if he didn't integrate and do the same, before he would send him to Sanctuary.  The EAZA stated he would never be euthanized.   I asked them to respond to the Director's words, they have not.

I'm glad I'm not a Professional working

at Wuppertal Zoo, watching Beings in

my care get their Flesh Ripped Apart. 

Anyway,  I think letting the Zoo know the World is Watching, is at this point, the only way Bili will stay safe.  Anyone interested in contacting Officials on Bili's behalf, you can visit the Facebook Group, Save Bili the Bullied Bonobo at Wuppertal Zoo, for a list of contacts. 

Related post:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/02/bili-bullied-bonobo-at-wuppertal-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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European Zoo's Thirst For Murder

As you can see, I have many posts in "coming soon" mode.  Sometimes I just don't have time, other times, I just don't have the energy it takes. Writing about Animal issues is a real drain, sometimes, so it remains on the to do list.  I apologize.  This post will be the first I've written about this Event, even among personal Friends.  This is not related to the SFZoo, but is something that affects all of us who love Animals, especially touching those of us who are Zoo Visitors.   As the week is closing and posts about this tragedy are still being made, I'm going to post these thoughts for awareness.  

Much like the post I did on the Murder of Marius the Giraffe by the Copenhagen Zoo, this post will be a place to vent my heartache over the way Animals are perceived and treated in general.  You can use the search option to read my Marius post if you'd like to.

By now most have heard the reports that the Copenhagen Zoo has Murdered not only another, but a group of Animals in its "care".

I came home to this news after my almost daily visit to the Park (Golden Gate).  I am very attached to the Ducks that live at a couple of the Lakes there.  Some I have Friendships with, as I've known them for years, named them and they not only know me, the name I've given them, but know my car and come running when they see me.

The continual disrespect and lack of Empathy for the Wildlife, especially the Ducks that live at the Lakes in our Park, is painful for me to witness.  And YES I'm the person out there calling people out at every turn when I see something being done against them.  The disrespect is present each time I visit the Zoo, and when I'm home, the constant stream of posts via Facebook sources is overwhelming.   The crimes against Animals are not just what I see local, in the Park and at the Zoo, but Global.  Its really disheartening the extreme of feelings shown toward other Beings.  A range from unthinkable pains to wholehearted compassion.

I have been moved many times to start a blog about Animal issues beyond the Zoo, but that overwhelming sadness and anxiety it causes has always put it on hold.  Recently, I did start an FB page to share for Awareness the posts that come through to me.

https://www.facebook.com/ActWithEmpathyAnimalsFeelToo

As of this past Tuesday that too was put on hold.  Monday, late afternoon I was at the Park.  One of my Duck Friends saw me drive up and started to walk towards me.  THEN three Dogs off leash ran up and surrounded him and one bit him in the butt.  He ran to get away and then flew off.  Tuesday morning, per usual drivers speeding around the Lake and one hit one of my Duck Friends in the butt. You know I jumped in my car and took off after them!  Gave them the what for and called the Police. These issues are an everyday occurrence at Stow Lake and the Dog issue everyday at Lloyd Lake.   I have a blog about the Park issues to publish, and will post the link, but til then, the bottom line here is that people just don't give a shit about other Beings.  AND that blatant disrespect and uncaring is reaching epidemic proportions, on so many different levels.

Upset after seeing that woman hit my Duck Friend, I come home and first post I read on my feed is about the DEMONs at the Copenhagen Zoo once again Murdering Animals, this time four Lions.  I just felt numb.  I've never felt non-reactive before.  I'm the one who gets very worked up, very vocal, enraged over Human behavior, but that action, just paralyzed me.  

After all the public outrage over the Murder of Marius, they go and do it again. Seriously, I have no words, they've all been expressed by myself and many others,  in many ways via Social Media.   I can only hope at some point eye for an eye justice comes to those involved (with any Animal mistreatment) and that they live long painful lives. 

The DEMONs at the Copenhagen Zoo are going to continue this barbaric tradition, because its legal in European Zoo's to do this.  DEMONs at Longleat Zoo Murdered a Pride of Lions during the same week as Marius was killed.  I'm not sure what the lack of logic is via the EU AZA , but this type of culling is obviously outrageous.  They do not use birth control and THAT there is the problem.  I can only guess that they want pregnancies and babies, to boost gate admissions to their Death Camps.    

I am not a fan of Humans in general, but there are so many wonderful ones out there all around the World trying to help Animals in all different threatening and vulnerable situations, and then you have these DEMONs. As well all the other DEMONs who are Murdering Animals in Trophy Hunts, Sourcing for Products like Palm Oil, Body Parts for Bullshit Medicinal purposes, and these are just the ones based in Greed.  There are also those who are cruel and torture Animals because they are Evil, Bullies, Psychopaths, whatever.  Sadly I'm feeling a bit defeated as part of the Species that has Empathy for the other Beings who are breathing the same air as we are.  I feel like the DEMONs are far more numbered and sucking the air from us all.  

What can we do to end the pain for these Animals and for those of us whose Hearts break for them?