Concerns For Our Lone Lion - How Long Will Jasiri Be Left Without A Companion?

I had a few other posts in draft to put before this one, but after another visit to the Zoo yesterday, this can't wait.  I need to document this situation now.   It's unfortunate because the other posts were Animal Updates, but energy with not right Zoo stuff is near zero and has been for many years, that's why I still haven't gotten to the Madagascar bullshit after five years.  I need to wrap up all these posts that document and illustrate the management fail by Director Tanya Peterson.  Hopefully someone who cares will see them and the Zoo will see brighter days under a new Director.   

I apologize for not being able to make those Animal Update posts, right now, this is most pressing and obviously there can't be any truly smooth times at the Zoo for that to happen.  

Two of the things I was going to write about was the passing of my sweet friend Sukari (female Lion) and how thankful I was to be a part of her life & a pleasant visit I recently had.  Three weeks ago, after hearing about Sukari, I went to the Zoo to talk to her spirit.  I am a believer that the spirits are always around, and it's important for me to have a moment after their passing to tell them how important they are to me.  I still talk to many of our passed friends when I'm at their former homes.   

It was a nice morning and not many visitors, so I had some time alone with Sukari's spirit and her son Jasiri.  As I stood there, watching Jasiri sleeping, so many questions swirled my mind.   The main one being, when will Jasiri get a companion.

I always worry about the survivors, especially when one is left alone.   The thought to bring in a companion, is not to replace Sukari, which could never be done, but because Lions are social beings, who need to live with other Lions.  Seeing him alone has sent me on a course of major upset.  

Last October, there was a notation in the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting minutes that the Zoo was seeking approval to acquire two females from the Oregon Zoo.  Reading this and knowing it was in preparation for the future of course made me uncomfortable, but also comforted that Jasiri's future needs would be taken care of.  I don't read the minutes every month for the same reason I don't closely follow the Zoo's social media.  There's always something that's going to irritate me.  So, I didn't see this until the end of December.  I immediately checked the Oregon Zoo socials to try and learn who the Lions were, but they seemed to have several females, so I emailed them.   I asked which two females were being transferred.  Their reply was none.  This was curious.

On my visit the following week, I saw Animal Staff and Maintenance in the newly finished Cat Yard.  It seemed they were doing a safety inspection, so I thought maybe the girls were already here in quarantine.   I later found out they had not yet arrived.   I was happy to hear new girls were still coming, so when the time came Jasiri would not be alone.  

Here's a video I made a few months ago of the finished Cat Yard expansions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aC6yWTq2sI&t=71s

I don't like to think of losses at all, but once an Animal reaches a certain age, while we hope and pray they continue to thrive and push the limits of life expectancy, in the case of a social being like Lions, thoughts to the future have to take place.

Over the next couple weeks, each time I've gone to check on Jasiri and see how he's doing, he's been sleeping.   The new yard remains empty.  Allegedly there are no new Lions on the way.  I'm now very concerned with how long Jasiri will remain alone.

The work on the new yard began last June, around the time that Sukari celebrated her 20th Birthday.   Twenty is a huge milestone for Cats, and I would have hoped a search for additional Lions would have started then, if not sooner.  Early last year when the first cat yard expansion started (finish time was approx six months), the Zoo knew they would have a new yard for additional Lions in the next year.  Acquisitions should have been secured.  Yes, that is here nor there now, just noting that the Zoo could have been proactive earlier.  

So here we are closing in on a month after losing his Mother and Jasiri is still alone, with no companion allegedly even identified.   It's beyond sad.

Here are my questions:

*Is the Zoo actively looking for companions? ...  They have to have known since before Sukari's passing that those two from Oregon weren't coming.

*Does the Lion SSP (Species Survival Plan) help? ...  I thought they did, as they manage the Lion population in North American Zoos. 

*Will the Zoo be passive and just leave Jasiri alone? ...  I heard a couple years ago, after the Zoo lost it's two Tigers to San Diego, that allegedly Director Tanya Peterson did not plan to ever bring in new Tigers or Lions.  Is that about to happen?

There have been too many instances of mismanagement by the Director, and this is just another in the long list throughout her fifteen year reign.   I hope that Jasiri will not end up another Animal who's needs suffer because of her uncaring attitude toward the non-human lives that live at our San Francisco 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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Oscar Day Always Reminds Me Of How We Almost Lost Our Chimpanzees

While I have weaved in good stuff during the years, the goal of this blog has always been to document all the things that just aren't right.  Writing posts has never been easy.  It's not only been time consuming, but more damaging, it's been emotionally draining and many times has caused great anxiety.  A few years ago, while trying to get to all my posts in draft, I decided to streamline them and only concentrate on the ones that illustrate what are in my opinion the worst actions Director Tanya Peterson has perpetrated on the Zoo, in an effort to highlight her extreme mismanagement.

The list is lengthy, but can and will be narrowed in a future post.  That said, this time of year always reminds me of what almost happened to our Chimpanzees at the hands of Director Tanya Peterson.

For those who are unfamiliar with this disturbing almost event, I'll try to synopsis it, as well here is the link to my dedicated blog that covers every aspect of it.

http://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com

I grew up coming to the Zoo (circa the 1960s) and seeing the same Chimpanzees that I would become endeared to as an adult.  Within a couple years span, the Zoo had acquired four Chimpanzees that would become a family who called the Zoo and it's new Triple Grotto enclosure home for over forty years.  Tallulah arrived at eight yrs old in 1967, Cobby at ten years old in 1968, and Maggie and Minnie at the same time, at less than one year of age in 1970. ... In 1997 SF Residents voted for a $48 million bond for the Zoo, that was in part supposed to be used to build the Chimpanzee's a new home.  They were used as the "poster child" for the campaign, with their faces literally on posters, rallying for city residents to vote for the bond.  The money was misappropriated and the Chimp's continued to live in the same enclosure, as is for the next twenty-two years.  At no time did any of the Directors (David Anderson, Manuel Mollinedo, or Tanya Peterson) during that time frame, make any attempts to fundraise for the Chimps to have a new home built, or even to provide their existing home any upgrades. ... With the passing of our beloved Tallulah in early 2013, our Chimp family was reduced to three members.  The AZA's Species Survival Plan who monitors what Chimps live where, put forth the recommendation that three was not the ideal size social group for Chimps.  They also would not send any additional Chimps to live in the ancient Triple Grotto enclosure.  There is more to this in regards to ideas for solving this issue, but for this post, I'll leave it at that. ... During 2013, I had been contacted by a childhood fan of Cobby's.  She was also a filmmaker, and after a couple of our chats, decided to make a documentary on Cobby.  She planned a trip to see Cobby in late 2014.  I had been planning a series of blog posts about the status of the Chimpanzee enclosure for some time, even before the loss of Tallulah.  I put off finishing and publishing those posts til after the filmmaker's visit. ...  In late January 2015, word got to me via Keepers that Director Tanya Peterson had planned to ship the Chimps out.  Sitting here writing this, I still get chills.  In the two years since Tallulah, kicking out senior Chimpanzees from the only home they have known, was the action she chose to take.   Getting rid of the longest Zoo Residents, instead of giving them the home they were promised back in 1997,  securing they could live out their lives in an environment they knew, with people they knew, is unconscionable.  

I was told of this dastardly scheme by Keepers, because they knew I would make some noise about it.  They were right.  I was consumed empathetically by what my poor Chimp Friends would go through, if this happened to them.  Within a day, I had a dedicated blog, facebook group, twitter, petition, videos, meme's, anything I could think of to gain awareness to this moral crime.  I wrote letters to the board and city officials.  After about a week, a friend who knew Dan Noyes from KGO-TV, contacted me.  I called him and asked if he could do a story about this.  He was on it immediately.  I gave him all the people to interview, and he traveled by car eight hrs to one, by plane to Chicago and Florida, for two others.   He and his team did a great job and the story was ready in less than two weeks. 

While watching the Oscar Red Carpet, I got a message from Dan... The teaser commercial would run after the Oscars!  I fell asleep during the award show, and woke up hours later to a familiar voice, mine.  The teaser was replaying.  Evidentially it had been on heavy rotation since airing.  I had tons of messages.  Everytime I had on channel 7, from then til the Tuesday night broadcast, I saw the teaser and my face, at least three times an hour.  

I am so thankful for Dan's help in bring awareness to the Chimps plight. I have a decent but small following, so my voice is limited and what I needed, what the Chimps needed was public outcry and outrage.  The news story did just that.  Two days later, was the Zoo's Monthly Meeting.  That day I was still working hard for my Chimpers, and cut it close getting to the Zoo in time to visit them before the Meeting.   I got a message from a Keeper, "You did it!  Chimps are staying!"   I'm crying as I type this, just like I did in that moment.  I had never done anything like this, and the feeling was joy, relief and a sense of wow at the achievement.  I helped them in a way that no one else had been able to do, and through this crusade I had learned of two other attempts by Keepers, once in the 80's and once during the early 2000's.  When I next visited the Zoo a Keeper saw me and announced, "There's the most powerful woman in San Francisco!"   I don't know about that, but I have appreciated every one who recognized my efforts.  And that Keeper's statement was inline with the fact that I did basically go up against a group of City influentials and came out winning a new lease on life for my Chimpanzee Friends. 

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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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News Flash! ... Gorilla Born At SFZoo Gives Birth At Cleveland Zoo!

Congratulations to our Resident Matriarch Bawang on becoming a Grandma for the second time.  Bawang's Daughter Nneka, who was born at the San Francisco Zoo in 1998, gave birth to her second babie, last Friday!  

Screencap Cleveland Zoo Facebook

Unfortunately, Nneka once again showed no interest in her newborn infant. Another troop female named Freddy (Fredrika) has now assumed the role of the little boy's Mother.

Here is a link to one of the News articles, that also includes a video of the babie and Freddy.

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/11/gorilla-born-for-first-time-ever-at-cleveland-metroparks-zoo.html

I am happy the birth was successful, for both the health of the babie and Nneka, and I am thankful for Freddy, who was available to be a surrogate Mama. 

In 2013, when Nneka gave birth in SF, it was on exhibit.  She had it and then walked away. Thankfully her Mama had been trained to surrogate, when five years earlier, our female Monifa did the same thing.  Both ladies had not been around breeding females, and their first-time experiences were chalked up to just not knowing what to do.  

View an SFZoo visitor video of the birth here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bGIlI1_JMP0

At the time, considering this had happened twice now, I asked if there had been any prepping in hopes for a maternal connection, via some kind of education.  There had not been.  I questioned whether using videos of other Apes, even Humans giving birth would be a good tool?   Response was favorable, saying that was a good idea.  One would also think, watching a surrogate to be education, but I'm wondering if from the Gorilla's perspective, that triggers anything more than, drop it and someone else will come by and pick it up. 

Nneka moved to the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo around three years ago.  She was moved there on a breeding recommendation.  I thought I heard that there were other breeding females, for her to learn from, but I can't be certain I'm not confusing that with our current SFZoo situation.  Our Monifa, who walked away from her newborn in 2008, still has a breeding recommendation.  Before breeding her again, it is my understanding that they want her to experience a birth and care by a biological Mother before that.  Two years ago female Kimani was transferred to SF to be that teacher.  Kimani had seen births and care by other females in her previous troop.  Neither of our ladies has gotten pregnant yet, so it remains to be seen if that will be teachable in Monifa, or Kimani for that matter, as it would be her first-time.

So, I have to wonder, considering this birth at Cleveland Zoo is reportedly the first in 139 years, What, if anything, was done to prepare Nneka to be interested in her babie after giving birth?  ... Likewise, I have to wonder if anything has been done with our females to help them learn what they should do, to avoid possibly needing Bawang to take care of a third babie.

I also am concerned that in the future Cleveland/AZA/SSP,  may still want her genetics represented and they will try to breed her again, regardless of her history.  I hope this will not happen and all parties will take her cue and not put her through a third pregnancy, when she obviously does not want to be a Mom. 

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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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Great Plains Zoo Snow Leopard Passes Away From Covid - Protecting Captive Animals

Baya the female Snow Leopard lost her life to Covid.   She was the first non-human casualty to the virus in a Zoo setting.  RIP Baya, Bless Your Soul.

Screencap Great Plains Zoo FB

Big Cats and Great Apes seem to be the captive species most affected.  The first reported case was a Tiger at the Bronx Zoo in April 2020, close to the start of the pandemic.  Since then there have been many Covid cases in the captive animal community.  

This year San Diego seems to have been hit repeatedly.  In January, eight Gorillas at their Safari Park were infected, in July the Zoo's two Snow Leopards, and in August six Sumatran Tigers at the Safari Park came down with Covid.  Among them, possibly our own Jillian and Teddy, who were transferred there not long before.

Last month saw two Zoo's with large groups infected.  Eighteen Gorillas at Zoo Atlanta, and Nine Big Cats at DCs National Zoo, including their African Lion Matriarch Shera, who came very close to having her life end due to virus complications.  Thankfully in the last few days she is doing better, but her condition is still guarded.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, I have been roaring in person and via this blog, about the lack of protection in the way of signage, distancing and sheltering, at our San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzee yard. 

I spend most of my Zoo visits at that enclosure and admittedly worried most for them, as Chimpanzee Jamie would almost exclusively, sit at the netting in a place that was considerably less than six feet from Visitors, expelling possibly contaminated particles on her, and into the enclosure.

It took over a year for the Zoo to get proper signage in that area.  There was never any additional barriers to distance people or any kind of physical sheltering added.

It was not lost on me that the Snow Leopards and Bobcat enclosures were also vulnerable in proximity to Visitor aerosols.  Earlier this year, in a post dated January 17, I wrote ...

Regardless of whether I mentioned this or not, the Zoo should have been and still should be posting awareness signs regarding Mask wearing around all Vulnerable Species.  While neither the Snow Leopards or Bobcat linger at the fencing, aerosol particles travel up to twenty-seven feet, and that is this distance that should be used as a guideline for distance between random Humans and the Animals who are considered a Vulnerable Species.

Yesterday I saw a photo posted to the Fiona the Hippo Facebook Group, that made me gasp.  The San Antonio Zoo is conducting their behind the scenes Animal Experiences, allowing Visitors to not only go without Masks, but also feed the Animals without gloves.  The photo also shows a Keeper with no Mask.  I know it's Texas, but geez, talk about irresponsible.  I have to wonder if the AZA has a Covid Safety mandate for their Accredited Zoos?

I have made a case for protecting the Animals from Visitor aerosols.  While I think that it is necessary to take all possible precautions from the public side, infection from Zoo staff that has access to indoor animal quarters, has to be considered the most likely point of transmission.  Since Keepers have the closest contact, they are the ones that have been linked in most reports.  

As I questioned above, Is there a national mandate for Animal Staff safety protocol?  Are all Keepers required to be vaccinated?  Wear masks and gloves?  At our SFZoo, all Staff seem to be following the local mask mandate, and only once did I see an Animal Care staffer without a mask.  I was shocked.  I saw the Vet at the fencing, mask down, observing the Chimpanzees.  I'm still bothered by it.  

Mask wearing protocol has been a irk of mine from the start.  I have an endless stream of words and tales, about the subject.  The purpose of mentioning it here, is that there has to be some reason these captive animals are getting infected.  Are their Keepers not adhereing to safety protocols?  I'd be surprised, but not shocked if they weren't.  For those who are, mask handling and good hygiene practises, in my opinion, has to play a part in transmission.

In my observation over the past nineteen months, I've been disturbed by the lack of attention to mask handling and good hygiene.  In recent years I've been hyper-sensitive to other people's funk, so going into this my personal protocol may be considered extreme, but since we are about to be in this health crisis situation two years, extreme isn't a bad thing.   And those in close contact with others, non-human and human, especially caregivers, should adopt extreme protocols.

People might be wearing their mask and wearing gloves, but did they sanitize their hands prior to putting that gear on?  If not, whatever was on hands prior is now being transferred about.   I see people taking masks out of their pockets, touching the inside and then putting them over their mouth and nose, which are the places that the mask is supposed to be protecting.  It makes no sense, and it has to have played a part in the spread. Mask handling should be done by ear loops only. Additionally, masks that continually slip, need to go. Masks need to fit properly so they aren't being touched constantly.  In regards to Keepers, maybe it's time they double mask, adding an N95 or medical mask under the cloth mask that they should be changing/washing daily. 

I have a post following this one, that contains multiple small items.  One of those items is regarding a huge new sign at the crossroads after you enter past the gate house.  It touts the Zoo's Conservation efforts.  In my opinion, it seems to have been put there at this time, in preparation for the Zoo's upcoming AZA Accreditation inspection, as Conservation participation is on their checklist.  

In one of my early posts about the lack of awareness and mandate signage at Chimps, I noted that I thought signage about Vulnerable Species and the importance of adhereing to mask wearing around them, could be added to the wood fencing that borders the yard path.  With that idea in mind, the size, positioning and message of that conservation signage, could have been better utilized as a Covid and Animals Educational tool. ... Education is also on the inspection checklist, and current crises that effect Animals never seems to be part of the Zoo's awareness efforts.

I hope better precautions and protocols are put in place, so there won't be any more Animals infected.

Say some Prayers for all the Animals still experiencing symptoms of Covid, and hope they all recover soon.  

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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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Great Ape Timeline - Updated 11.23.19 - Pinned Post

7.3.20 Update ... Redated this post to before Shutdown, to keep current situation at top.

This post will be pinned here, for the foreseeable future, using a date in the future as the posting date.

Scroll down archive list for most recent post.  New Updates will be listed by date and highlighted.

I will continue to add to this until Triple Grotto is renovated to complete the Great Ape Passage Exhibit.

Moving immediately forward, the Big Question is, when will Triple Grotto be renovated, and or a Temporary Enclosure (as I suggested in my previous blog post) be ready for the Orangutans?  With Seven Chimpanzees, they need both the Dayroom and the Yard.  Are the Orangutans expected to live in the Skytrails indefinitely?  

SFZoo Chimpanzee, Great Ape Passage, and Orangutan Timeline

This is a partial highlight of information in a previously posted Timeline from 1960s-2015, with additions from then to present.  For more details on the Chimpanzees, please see original post:

http://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com/2015/07/san-francisco-zoo-chimpanzee-timeline.html

1960s  (mid to late) - Triple Grotto built.

4.24.67 - Tallulah Chimpanzee arrives at the SFZoo.  

7.10.68 - Cobby Chimpanzee arrives at the SFZoo.  

4.25.70 - Maggie Chimpanzee arrives at the SFZoo.  

4.25.70 - Minnie Chimpanzee arrives at the SFZoo.  

Between 1976- 1981 Minnie gave birth to four babies with Cobby. 

1980s (mid)  - Triple Grotto upgrade Landscaping and Structures built ... update > No further upgrades made since.

1997  -  San Francisco Residents Vote and pass a Bond for improvements to the Zoo.  The Great Ape Forest, a new home for the Chimpanzees and Orangutans. 

Using the Chimps and the Orangutans on Posters urging City Residents to vote in favor of $ for the Zoo to make much needed upgrades, a City Bond of $48 Million was awarded to the San Francisco Zoo.  The bond was for specific projects, the building of a new home for the Chimpanzees and Orangutans, was one of them.  That never happened.  Money was misappropriated and never replaced.  Last Orangutan was moved to another Zoo and the Chimpanzees remain in the same enclosure with no upgrades in Thirty Years.  ... Not one Director during the past Eighteen years has made an attempt to Show the Chimps Some Love.

2003-  Last Orangutan, Lipz, moved to Milwaukee Zoo (now a Mom, living at Birmingham Zoo).

2005 - Bond Update showed the Great Ape Forest (Chimpanzee and Orangutan exhibit improvements) had been cancelled.

2008 - News article notates, that over 10 yrs after the Bond was awarded, there were still questions about How the money was spent and Why the Chimps were still living in the "ancient" Triple Grotto.

* Zoo Management already allegedly aware for many years that our Senior group of Four Chimpanzees, should expand, allowing the addition of younger Chimps to create a "Family" group agewise, that would sustain as time goes on, the Zoo still does nothing to prepare for a loss.

January 2013 - Tallulah Chimpanzee passes at age 54.

2013-2015 - The SFZoo is very well aware of the AZA Guidelines in regard to Groups being Four or more.  Zoo Management does nothing to ensure that Tallulah's Family, Cobby, Minnie and Maggie are guaranteed a lifelong home at the SFZoo, the place they have called home for 45+ years (as of 2015).

January 2015 - Zoo Animal Advocate and Blogger Kim (me) hears that Zoo Director Tanya Peterson has plans in place to Remove the Zoo's Senior Chimps from the home they have known for the past 45+ Years.  "HELL NO!"  I said, and launched an online Crusade through my Zoo blog to Save them.  A dedicated blog, Petition and Facebook Group followed, along with a letter writing campaign.

2.20.15 - KGO-TV starts airing SFZoo Controversy teaser Commercial after the Oscars. ... I was lucky to make contact with the KGO-TV I-Team and have Reporter Dan Noyes take an interest in the Chimps Story.  Over the week prior, I provided all the information to date, as well was interviewed.

2.22.15 - Letter Writing Campaign responses received!  It seemed all wrote letters received a form of the same curious statement provided by Zoo Director Peterson, basically denying that the Chimps were set to move.

2.24.15 - Director Peterson writes frantic email to Staff, in an effort to damage control her untruths in the situation and place blame on me, grasping to discredit the information I provided to the Media (KGO-TV).

2.24.15  KGO-TV News Story airs. The issue is covered completely by the I-Team investigation.  In addition to myself, I suggested several other interviewees, including,  John Alcaraz, the Chimps first Keeper, Steve Ross, the head of the Chimpanzee SSP, and the Director of Lion Country Safari, the facility I heard they were being shipped to.   In addition to an awkward Zoo Staffer interview, the I-Team additionally confirmed the plan was indeed in place with information provided by the Oakland Zoo.  There is no way Director Tanya Peterson can deny Moving The Chimps was Her Plan.

2.26.15 - Just hours before the Monthly Joint Zoo Committee Meeting, Director Peterson Announces to Members via email that Chimps are staying! ... The News investigation, Exposing Director Peterson's Covert Mission to Kick Out the Chimps, obviously forced her to bow to Public Outcry!   We did it!  We Saved The Chimps!

2.26.15 - Zoo Director Peterson Announces at the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting that Chimps are staying and Zoo will be moving forward with upgrading the current enclosure, to include additions of Sky Trails, while launching the "largest Fundraising Campaign to date", to raise 10 Million for a new enclosure, the Great Ape Forest. ... Note 9.15.19:  I have since come to find out this $10 Million enclosure was an alleged plan mocked-up over a decade ago.  It was never something intended to be done at this time.  And, there has been no large fundraising effort.  If there was, there would be funds for Triple Grotto.

3.7.15 - San Francisco Zoo launches Website Donation Page. --

...  Update > Only publicity for it has been the initial Facebook Mention.

3.14.15 - Million Dollar Donation for Chimps! ... News from Zoo is an Anonymous Donor gave 1 Million toward the Triple Grotto Upgrade and Sky Trail addition.

3.26.15 - Upgrades Start!? ... The Rusty and Peeling 1980s structure in Grotto 2, has been sanded and painted!  Not an upgrade but hopes for a larger plan of immediate action!

... Update > The excitement ends there.  The only other thing to be done is long overdue maintenance to the structure in Grotto 1 and the night quarters.

3.26.15 - 

Director Peterson noted in discussion with me at the Joint Zoo Meeting, that the Million Dollar donation was enough to get the initial Sky Trail/Pachyderm Building addition completed. 

April 2015 - No answers as to why delays or why Sifaka exhibit being built first.  Was told Sifaka completion date eta Spring 2016 and Chimp Expansion Fall 2016.  

2016 - New exhibits for Wolves, Sifaka (New Animals to Zoo) and a Flamingo Upgrade open.  Not only do the Chimps sit waiting, as another year and a half passes by, but so does the Komodo Dragon, who lives in a terrarium.

November 2016 - At the same time the Expansion was supposed to open, work finally began on it, gutting Pachyderm Building.

February 2017 - Construction begins on Dayroom and Bedrooms for Chimpanzees in Pachyderm Building.  

February 2018 - Construction begins on new Yard!

September 15, 2018 - Chimps access the new Skytrails for the first time!  Their first time outside of Triple Grotto in fifty years!

October 2018 - New Chimpanzee Qadeer arrives!

November 21, 2018 - Over three and a half years after promised new living space, the Chimps access the new Dayroom for the first time!  Dayroom opens to public the next day, Thanksgiving!

2.8.19 - Chimps See their new Friend Qadeer for the first time!  First Chimp they have seen in almost fifty years!  They see their new Bedrooms too! Super Hootfest!

2.16.19 - Erie Zoo News Flash!  Ollie Orangutan is moving to San Francisco!?

The Big Question is "Where is he going"?

March 2019 - Chimps move out of Triple Grotto.

May 2019 - Both Male and Female Orangutans are Here!  Occupying Triple Grotto bedrooms.

5.30.19 - Full integration of Chimps successful and the four access the new Yard together for the first time!  Another Super Hootfest!

June 2019 - Chimps have random access to Yard.  My count is less than a dozen times and that's generous. ... Female Orangutan also has access.

8.15.19 - New Chimpanzee Nick arrives!  (From Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa) The Two Females he lived with will follow in September.  

July - August 18, 2019 - Chimps have had no Outside access for Seven Weeks.  Not to the Trails, Not to the/their Yard. 

8.18.19 - I wrote a blog post about what is going on with Chimps, not having outdoor access in seven weeks.

8.19.19 - In tears, The Chimps were given outside access! 

9.11.19 - Two Female Chimpanzees, Twiggy and Jamie! arrive from Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa.  Total of Seven Chimpanzees now!

9.16.19 - Chimpanzees: All Males Integrated.  All Females Integrated.  Boy group or Girl group occupy either dayroom or yard.

9.26.19 - The Chimpanzees have thankfully had continuous access to yard since 8.19.19. ... This means that (for the past five weeks) with no other yard, the only access outside of the bedrooms for the Orangutans is the Skytrails. 

9.30.19 - The Orangutans touch for the first time! .. Until now they have only made no contact swipes at eachother.  Ollie initiated grooming to Amoi.

10.1.19 - The Seven Chimpanzees now have mesh to mesh access to eachother!  ... The Boys and Girls can now touch eachother through the mesh.  Full Integration is a long process, but hopefully soon!

10.10.19 - This week saw a change in Ollie.  Since his grooming interaction with Amoi, he has been out from under his blanket and following her around.  This is important to note, as the Orangutans are more active and continue to only have the Skytrails as outside access, for the seventh week. 

10.17.19 - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

10.24.19 - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

10.31.19 - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

11.7.19  - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

11.14.19 - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

11.18.19 -  Full Integration of Chimps starts!  The male and female Chimpanzees have been separted since he arrival of the three additions two months ago.  The mesh howdy fence was opened today for the first time all seven no have access to eachother!

11.18.19 - This week ended with there still being no renovation in Triple Grotto.  The Orangutans only outside access remains the Skytrails.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HOT TOPIC Posts - Chimpanzees and Orangutans - UPDATED 12.1.19!

7.3.20 Update ... Redated this post to before Shutdown, to keep current situation at top.

This post will be pinned here, for the foreseeable future, using a date in the future as the posting date.

The last post (linked at end) presented the specs for the current areas within the Great Ape Passage (GAP).  I used those specs against the AZA Care Manual recommended Guidelines for Chimpanzees and Orangutans.  Presenting the facts of sizing, I showed that rotating these two species through the only two available areas of the unfinished GAP project, is not feasible.  I also questioned Why the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) would allow a transfer of Orangutans to the San Francisco Zoo, before there was a proper living space for them?  

Considering that last post's inclusion in regard to the AZA, I'm going to add two post spacers before this post, for flow purposes.  I hope to get to them next weekend, but regular followers know that I procrastinate because I get overwhelmed thinking about these Zoo wrongs.  I currently have a spacer for an AZA post I intended to write months ago.  Dated 6.23.19, the title of that post, Is The AZA a Questionable Leader in Zoo Animal Welfare? , will probably be bumped into one of the new spacers.

Another post I never got to compiling, this one, HOT TOPIC Posts - Chimpanzees and Orangutans.  I meant to add all the links to relevant posts on the current GAP situation.  So I will do that here now.

Thank you to all who follow along here, even though I'm not always as consistent or timely as I hope to be. 

Previous post referred to:
11.3.19 Week Eleven Orangutan Update ... AZA Habitat Guidelines For Great Apes
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/aza-habitat-guidelines-for-great-apes.html

HOT TOPIC POSTS Related to Great Ape Passage project being unfinished and how that has and continues to affect the Orangutans and Chimpanzees.

12.1.19 The Future - Orangutan Week Fifteen and Beyond
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-future-orangutan-week-fifteen-and.html

11.30.19 Understanding How The Orangutan Acquisitions Got Approved - Pyramid of Power
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/understanding-how-orangutan.html

11.30.19 Thanksgiving Words from SFZoo Director - Are You Kidding Me?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/thanksgiving-words-from-sfzoo-director.html

11.23.19 I Support Empathy and Compassion. - Orangutan Update Week Fourteen 11.18.19
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/supporting-empathy-and-compassion.html

11.23.19 Orangutan Watches Chimp Birthday. How Long Will This Go On.- Week Thirteen 11.11.19
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/its-orangutan-caring-week-does-sfzoo.html

11.17.19 Week Twelve Orangutan Update 11.4.19
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/its-orangutan-caring-week-does-sfzoo.html

11.11.19 Orangutan Caring Week - Does the SFZoo Director Care About the Orangutans?
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/its-orangutan-caring-week-does-sfzoo.html

11.3.19 Week Eleven Orangutan Update ... AZA Habitat Guidelines For Great Apes
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/aza-habitat-guidelines-for-great-apes.html

11.2.19  Week Ten Orangutan Update
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/orangutan-update-week-nine-102119-amoi.html

10.20.19 Week Nine Orangutan Update
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/10/orangutan-update-week-eight-still-stuck.html

10.16.19 Week Eight Orangutan Update
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/10/orangutan-update-week-of-10719.html

9.29.19 How Long Will Orangutans Live in the Skytrails?
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/how-long-will-orangutans-live-in.html

9.29.19 SFZoo Board Members ... Tour Great Ape Passage
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/members-meeting-sfzoo-board-members.html

9.8.19 Triple Grotto Renovation Post Follow-up - Orangutans
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/triple-grotto-renovation-post-follow-up.html

9.2.19  Triple Grotto Renovation - When? and What?
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/triple-grotto-renovation-when-and-what.html

8.18.19 Chimps Haven't Been Outside in Almost Two Months!
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/08/chimps-havent-been-outside-in-almost.html

Orangutan's To Finally Get Yard - Triple Grotto Update 2.21.20

Two weekends ago I made progress on all the draft posts I've been talking about for over a year.  I thought that was it.  That I was almost done for awhile.  That I would be caught up.  While it seems that can be my reality, some things happened since then, that I felt I needed to bat out before then. ... Will start with this.

Ten months after the Orangutans arrived at the Zoo, an enclosure they can have daily access to, will finally be created.

Work on the North Grotto in the old Triple Grotto exhibit, could start as early as Monday.

This past Tuesday, I noticed that the overgrown bushes in front of Triple Grotto had been cut down.  By Thursday, lumber creating a plank in two places in Middle Grotto, that appear to be positioned for worker access to North Grotto.  

 

I did a short video overview.  Will post all updates on construction progress on my YouTube.  Subscribe to follow along.  I don't plan to post an update again until its done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzXoO3Jgspc

If you've been following along, I'm sure you agree, this is long overdue.  So, before anyone applauds this, let's not forget the facts.

This screencap is from the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Minutes.  It supports my long standing opinion that the Orangutans were brought here prematurely.  Why? I can only guess, to have something new for the Summer, in light of the hole the tear-down of the Primate Center left, the disappearance of more than half the Monkeys, and the Snow Leopard Construction.  This presentation was made on March 21, 2019 with a notation that Orangutans would be coming later in the year. As well, it's curious that the Acquisitions seemed to have been made before the Committee even approved them. Something is not right with the oversight system.  See related post linked at end.

The Male Orangutan arrived in less than a month after that presentation, the Female two weeks later. At the time, the Chimpanzee Yard was not even finished.  There was no dedicated outdoor space for Orangtans.

The Chimp Yard was finished and in use by end of May.  By end of June, Chimps were locked inside with no outdoor access or fresh air for seven weeks during Summer.  The Female Orangutan had yard access.  Male had not been given access yet.

Mid August, Chimps reclaimed access to their yard.  The Orangutans were given access again on January 17th.  It had been four months since the Female had access, and the entire Eight Months since his arrival that the Male had been outside the trail and bedrooms. 

Not having a third space created in the Great Ape Passage, so that both the Orangutans and Chimpanzees could have daily outside access, is a serious Animal Welfare issue.  It is cruel and should be an unacceptable offense on the part of SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson.   Both these Great Ape species have had a great disservice done to them. The Orangutans situation may be the top disrespect in the last decade, in a close tie with our beloved Falcor the Komodo Dragon.   

As I said in a previous post, the overdue construction to make a space for the Orangutans, is not a redemption, it's a relief. 

Related post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/11/understanding-how-orangutan.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

News on Triple Grotto! - Orangutan Update - 1.13.20

I came across this photo recently and wanted to share it. Since this post is about Triple Grotto, I thought I'd do so here.  Taken by me many years ago.  I have always love it and cherished its perfect capture of Our four Precious long-timers, Cobby, Tallulah, Maggie and Minnie.  Enjoying the sun in South Grotto.  I Love them.

Before I report what the update is, I want to say a few things. ... If you want to skip to the update, scroll down to highlighted paragraph.  I hope that even if you do, that you will read the entire post, as I always put alot of time and energy into writing a well illustrated post.

I got this update on Monday.  Since then I have been trying to decide how to write this post.  The main thing was whether or not to name who I got it from.  This person is not someone who I talk to in confidence, so that is not the reason.  Regardless of whether in confidence or not, I don't want anyone who talks to me, to be vulnerable to any wrath.  So, I decided not to use a name.

After my blog post How Long Will The Orangutans Live in the Skytrails? dated 9.29.19  I started weekly updates, that included blog posts and videos, regarding the situation.  The first week in December was the eight month mark that the Orangutans had been at the Zoo and still had no proper home.  It had been the full eight months since the male had been anywhere except the bedrooms and trails.  In that same eight months, the female had access to the yard for seven weeks.  For those seven weeks, the Chimps were locked inside, with no outdoor access or fresh air, for the whole Summer.  None of my social media efforts seem to be making a difference in shaming Zoo Director Tanya Peterson to do the right thing and move forward with creating a space in Triple Grotto for the Orangutans.  

At that point, I thought, enough of this crap.  What is going on?  Why is this being allowed to happen?  I sent an email to the AZA President Dan Ashe, the Orangutan SSP Chair Lori Perkins, and Orangutan Studbook Keeper Megan Elder.  I never expect to get responses, and I didn't, but I wanted the people responsible for sending these poor Animals to a place that has no proper home for them to know what was going on (if they didn't already), and that someone is watching and documenting this crime.  After eleven days, I sent the same message via Facebook Messenger to the AZA and the SSP.  The gist of the message was a repeat of my emails, Do you know...?  Maybe they did and didn't care, maybe they bought the illusion that there was or would be a place for them in the new Great Ape Passage.  Hard to believe that any professional would think rotating them through the Dayroom and Yard with an eventual Troop of seven Chimpanzees, was a feasible option, which I have illustrated many times it is not.   My message included a link to one of my shaming videos. ... Three days later the Orangutans had access to the yard.  Two days after that, there were people in Triple Grotto.  I'm not assuming my correspondence is connected to those events, but I'm not one who believes in coincidence.

That said, if there was a connection to my correspondence and something happening at this time, its disgraceful that a member of the public has to go to these lengths to get something done, when the Director who pulls in a hefty salary, is getting paid to ensure the right thing is being done for the welfare of the Animals in the Zoo's Collection and those being Acquired.

Week before last, was four weeks since the Triple Grotto sighting, I still had not seen any sign of anything happening.  I decided enough waiting, I want an official word in regard to the situation.  We all deserve to know what's going on. 

This past Monday, I saw an upper management staffer who I talk to.  I approached and asked specifically, "What's the time frame on a space in Triple Grotto for the Orangutans?"  My question was met with, "We're working on it."  I said, "Well they have been here for eight months and should have had something before they got here, but we are way past that now."   The instance of them going to the yard three times a week, was quickly put forth, to which I noted that has only been happening for the past few weeks.

There was more discussed, mostly the same that I write about here in posts.  I will note about some of it in later paragraphs, but for the purpose of getting to the point, the update, the main take-away is this,...

There will be a renovation to the North Grotto.  There will be no netting!?  The only topical information I was given was that the exisiting bridge between the bedroom building and the island, would be removed and replaced.  I have no other information about what the renovation will include.  The design team from MK Think who did the Snow Leopard and Madagascar designs is working on it.  I was given a timeline of two months.  I don't know whether that is done in two or starting in two.  I would have to think the later.  

Before I go any further, I want to say a few things.  Thank you to this person for the information.   I always appreciate the conversation.  I have known this person for years, and even though our views are different, and I know this person does not like what I write in this blog, but it seems it has never been held against me.  I approach with questions as a member of the public and should be treated with the same courtesy, regardless of my personal opinions and what forum I share them.  I value a healthy discussion and rational dialog, something other people there could take note to learn.  I hope that continues, as I will say, that I will continue to believe what I believe based on what I see with my own eyes, what I learn about situations (both from my own research and outreach), and what my conscience tells me.   

That said, I want to bat about some things from the conversation.  I didn't get into a debate about these things in conversation because the purpose was to find out when a space would be created, not to enter into a debate knowing we each believe what we believe.  Contrary to what some think, my opinion is just that.  I write the posts to document information, and in addition to facts, I use my opinion to support the issue.  My opinion, is not meant to tell anyone what to think.  The facts stand for themselves.  I was told in this conversation, that I write negative things.  I answered, "Yea but they're true."     

My comment that there should have been a space for the Orangutans before they got here, was addressed.  The reasons given were repeated a few times.  It was noted that the male, until recently was not recalling.  It was noted that it took time to introduce the two. ... I personally don't see the relevance of either reasoning.  Regardless of personality and procedure, when an Animal is acquired, there should be a proper home for it at that time, or upon the completion of quarantine.  Regarding the issue of the male's recall.  Yes I heard that was a concern, if he had went into yard earlier (when female had access).   My understanding was that is because at the time it was a shared yard. If this was their own yard, if he wanted to stay out all night, so be it.  He went out to the trails and stays there all night.  My personal opinion that I've expressed in previous posts, is that he knows his name, so because there were circumstances with his transfer (on both sides) that could have caused him to not be happy with the situation and therefore be stubborn about recalling. In regard to introductions.  As I remember, they were introduced soon after they arrived.  Getting them to interact favorably may have come later, but in my opinion has no bearing on there being a proper home for them.  If there was a yard that they could have had daily access to straight out of quarantine, their interaction may have even progressed quicker.  The Zoo is lucky that the male took refuge in the trail for months.  The Zoo really would have had a problem if they had two active Orangutans stuck in the trails.

Another reason given, that I heard, funding.  Again, this is something I've already written about.  The Zoo Director and Society, have wanted to bring in Orangutans for at least five years.  This was the catalyst for Director Peterson trying to kick out our Senior Chimpanzees in 2015.  So at minimum, they have had five years to raise funds for creating a space in Triple Grotto.  The two spaces created in the first phases of the Great Ape Passage, the Dayroom and Yard, were created for the Chimps.  A third space in Triple Grotto is needed for the Orangutans, and to make the whole exhibit, including trails, complete.  That is the only feasible way to rotate the two species, so both have daily outdoor access. 

The Yellow Loop shows the area the Great Ape Passage is supposed to encompass.  

I left it open ended at Middle Grotto since that seems to not be part of the current plan.

Screencaps from Google Satellite Map

Seemingly taken during first phase of construction.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sloat+Blvd,+San+Francisco,+CA+94116/@37.7338905,-122.5028247,16z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x808f7d7145afd71d:0xd489456a03250c4e

I'm going to continue on talking about Triple Grotto.  Already noted was the confirmation that the third space will be renovated in North Grotto only.  I have given my opinion in many posts about what I think is the best and logical thing to happen there, and doing just North Grotto and doing it first isn't it.  That said, obviously, in that regard all I can do is fantasize.  If you haven't read my opinion before, its basically, first do South Grotto.  Net it over, and be done with it for now.  Just to give them immediate access.  Then, take the time to do a permanent space right.  In my opinion any space created should compliment the two new spaces, as it is an extension of them in finishing the Great Ape Passage.  Its also my opinion that the North and Middle Grotto should be combined by filling in the moats.  The grotto islands are not enough topical space.  In the photo, I have circled the island and the outer circle.  When the Chimps lived in Triple Grotto, they had access to all three islands and it still wasn't enough.  When in North Grotto, they sat like literal bumps on a log, on that structure, because there was no place else for them to go.  I hope that is not all that's planned for the Orangutans.  It sure won't be a space that seven Chimpanzees can rotate into.  I sure hope the renovation somehow extends the topical space, but without netting, I don't see how that can happen.  Without that happening, I don't see how much renovating can be done to North Grotto, and frankly fear the Orangutans will be pretty much living in North Grotto as is.  This would be sad, and feel like a quick fix to a pressing problem.  Hope I'm wrong.  I still think filling in the North Grotto moat is essential at some point.  Regardless of what happens now or in the future, expanding the topical space of North Grotto has to happen.

My previous post about Triple Grotto.
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/triple-grotto-renovation-when-and-what.html

That all repeated, I actually have a new idea.  With all the rain we have been having, in addition to the popularity of the Dayroom, my new idea is creating more indoor spaces.  With the news that only North Grotto will be renovated, there would be space for my new idea, which would be in the space of Middle Grotto.  It would take filling in the moat and netting.  Creating an indoor viewing area for visitors that is an extension of North Grotto.  Initial thought, something covered, like at Sifaka, but with the animal side enclosed like a mini-dayroom, but that opens out into the Grotto.  So not two separate spaces, but something that even during bad weather both the animals and visitors can be sheltered, while not sacrificing any topical space.

So, to wrap-up, I am glad to have an Official word on what is going on with Triple Grotto.  No matter what is done, the goal is to get the Orangutans daily access to a yard as soon as possible.  

I still maintain that there should have been a third space created before the Orangutans got here, or at least soon after.  The Orangutans have lived all to most of eight months in a caged tube.  The Chimpanzees suffered seven weeks without fresh air and outside access to a yard created for them.  At this point, the efforts are all just too late.   The damage has been done.  When the space is done, there will be no redemption, just relief.

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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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Will the Orangutans Get a Home by their Anniversary?

Today will be three weeks since the Orangutans started having access to the yard.  From what I can figure, they get to go out twice a week.  So, over 21 days, they have been out of the caged tube approximately 6 times.

I haven't uploaded photos from my SD cards in quite a while, so this is a picture taken off the back of my camera from New Year's Eve when I saw them out in the yard.

When I wrote my last update about them going out,  I didn't write much of what I saw and my thoughts. I thought I'd wait, as I expected to see something else by now, but there has been nothing.  No maintenance to the area at all.  No paint prep for the night quarter building.  No NOTHING.  So, this means, there will apparently be no third area created anytime soon so the Orangutans can have daily access to a yard.  As they head into their nine month as Residents of the San Francisco Zoo, they still have no proper home.

Video I took yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Hgh5q1lZI

A note about what I saw at Triple Grotto on 12.19.19  As I stood watching the Orangutans, I heard non-zoo staff inside the exhibit talking about measurements and one of them came out into the long trail and took photos toward the night quarter building. For me if attention was only paid to North Grotto, that does not seem to be the quickest way to get the Orangutans into a yard, unless its going to be a quick build just to get them out.  That would be curious, as there has been nothing quick about resolving this issue, or about what's best for the Orangutans.

As I've written, ideally South Grotto would be netted over immediately, so they have access to a yard now.  Then they can continue to take their time renovating an area in North and Middle Grotto that will compare in style to the dayroom and yard and complete the Great Ape Passage.  Anything less, in my opinion will be something they slap together just to get it done.  Then they can move on to other projects I hear are in the works, like the alleged plan to ship out our Tucker the Hippo, in favor of expanding the Black Rhino area.  THIS is another disgraceful plan in my opinion.  More on that another time.

So, as it usually goes I'm sure there are people on staff who will get their panties in a twist about what I've documented, but that's not my problem.  I write the truth.  There is no sugar coating the shameful situation that the Orangutans are in.

Fact: Orangutans brought with no proper space available for them.

Fact: After quarantine female Amoi had yard access seven weeks. ..Chimps then had to be on lock down in Dayroom.

Fact: After being here eight months both orangutans were given access to the yard. It had been four months since the female had been out. It was the first time, since his arrival eight months ago, that the male Ollie had been out.

Fact: There is still no third space, creating a place for the Orangutans to have daily outdoor access.

When members of the public ask staff about the Orangutans and where is their exhibit, they have no other option than to sell the illusion that has been forced upon them.   At least now, the rotating of the Orangutans into the yard is not a total lie but two days a week is not right.  They are also obligated to say, the Zoo is working on a plan for Triple Grotto.  That plan seems indefinite and that's just not good enough.

I don't know what prompted the Orangutans getting yard access or the people in Triple Grotto, but this all happened days after I sent out some emails.  That said, if connected, this should not happen because a member of the public complains. It should happen because its the right thing to do.

The Zoo Director, Tanya Peterson, should being doing better for our Animal Residents.  

Our Animal Friends deserve better.

At the end of April, the Orangutans will have been here one year.

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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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Could the Orangutans Finally Be Getting A Proper Home?!!

So, I guess I was premature on my end of year Orangutan Update.   

When I walked up to Chimps yesterday, our three longtimers, Cobby, Minnie and Maggie, along with new lady Jamie were sitting on the stairs that lead from the yard to the short trail.  The three were intently looking toward Triple Grotto.  The girls proceeded to climb higher and all three started hooting!  From their vantage point, they could see into Triple Grotto. I could hear people in there, so something is happening!

Miss Minnie came over 

to ponder with me!

Toggling between my camera and my cell, I uploded the three clips I captured on my cell.  View all three parts starting here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbgfuxytDbE&fbclid=IwAR1lmis16E2ObqPbQMKD5rhicOdo39l9Qmtju04HjgqgUIXPUvQsZq23n-Y

With the event on Tueday of the Orangutans having access to the yard, and then yesterday, Thursday, non-Zoo Staff in Triple Grotto, something is a brewing!  

Some who know me, might be thinking, is that all she has to say?  Haha, of course not!  I did have a much longer post, but for some reason I felt like I should wait to post all my thoughts. 

So enjoy this new development, and let's all hope there is a lovely yard for the Orangutans and Chimps to rotate through soon!  ... As it should have been eight months ago.

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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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Dear Santa, We've Been Good Please Bring Us A Home! - Orangutan Year-End Wrap-Up

With the Orangtans getting to go into the yard yesterday, I'm hoping to take a break from their situation, til after the holidays.  Hopefully there will be some news on something happening in Triple Grotto.  Maybe their Christmas wish will come true!

I started this post as a synopsis for anyone just catching this story recently.  So that will follow.  I did want to share something that happened yesterday morning, as I found it alittle surprising and outrageous in the grand scheme of things.  I've written before, that after I write a post, considering what's happened in the past, I always expect that I could be denied entry at any time, based on someone not liking something I've written, but I don't think I've ever noticed someone who has talked to me consistently in the past to just stop.  So, when I crossed paths with someone who I've talked to for many years, and they just ignored me, when I said, Good Morning, this was my immediate thought.

How am I the Villain in all of this?  Or in any other issue I post about?  The Orangutans are being kept in a caged tube for eight months, but I'm the Villain?  If this wasn't a serious situation, it might be comical. ... A friend said, "Truth-tellers are never appreciated." ... Ain't that the truth!

                                                                                                All I can say is, these are the facts as I know them.  If people can't handle the truth being talked about, or don't believe things such as the Orangutan situation are a problem, then they need to do some soul searching.                                                                                             
The Orangutan Situation:

The Orangutans at the San Francisco Zoo have no exclusive enclosure.  Their living space consists of their bedrooms and one and a half, Skytrails.  The Skytrail is not a Habitat, it is meant as a passage between areas.  This is not appropriate housing for this species.   As of last week, the San Francisco Zoo Director allegedly had no immediate or current plans to provide them with a proper living space.  

In 2015,  Director Peterson wanted to kick out our three Senior Chimpanzees who had lived at the Zoo for almost fifty years.  Public outcry led by my crusade and a news story, forced Director Peterson to let them stay in the only home they have known.    According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) guidelines, they would need a new space and additional Chimps to create a better size social group.  As it stood, the AZA would not send any more Chimps to live in their home at the time, Triple Grotto, built in the mid 1960s. 

The new Chimpanzee area would be called The Great Ape Passage.  It will initially consist of new Bedrooms, a Dayroom and a new Yard.  All new areas built out of a renovation of the Historic Pachyderm Building.  Access to the Pachyderm areas from Triple Grotto, would be by Skytrail.  A renovation to Triple Grotto in the future would allow for the addition of Orangutans and the ability for both species to rotate the three areas. 

The renovation to Triple Grotto phase never happened and the AZA still allowed Director Peterson her want of a pair of Orangutans, regardless of there being an appropriate place for them to live.                                

                     

October 2018 - First New Male Chimpanzee arrives

November 2018 - Chimpanzee Dayroom in Pachyderm Building opens

February 2019 - Chimps are Introduced

March 2019 - Chimps move out of Triple Grotto into new Bedrooms in Pachyderm Building

April (end) 2019 - Male Orangutan arrives

May (beginning) 2019 - Female Orangutan arrives

May (end) 2019 - New Chimpanzee Yard opens

The Chimpanzees got to access their new yard for for less than a month.  After that they were locked inside the dayroom with no outdoor access or fresh air for seven weeks.  I wrote a blog post about this and the next day they had access.  They have had access everyday since. 

The female Orangutan was given access to the yard for those seven weeks.  The male was not allowed access as he still had no recall ability.  Once the Chimps were given access to their yard again, I began counting.  Tomorrow would have be four months, since the female had access, but it had been the full eight months since the male arrived, that he had not had access to any outdoor area except the skytrails. (Written to reflect Orangutans having yard access yesterday.)

In September, three new Chimpanzees arrived, bringing the total group size to seven.  This week marks one month of full integration.  There are still random high energy outbursts which even more so, requires there to be enough space for everyone to have their own corner to go to.  This is important during this time as well as for general Chimpanzee management.  According to the AZA Care Manual, their recommended guideline for space for seven Chimps is 4000 sq ft.  The Dayroom and Yard are 3800.  Including the Bedroom space brings it in at the minimum recommendation         .  

The SFZoo's official word is that the two species will eventually rotate.  I've heard different things over the last year, so its been kinda unclear, whether that would be through both areas or just the yard.  In my opinion, and going by the AZA recommendations, rotation without a third space this is not a feasible  option.  Even if they were to rotate periodically or only for half day, that can not happen indefinitely, because of size constraints for seven Chimpanzees, not to mention the need for the Orangutans to have an environment where they can stretch and climb.  Both physical actions are noted in the AZA Orangutan Care Manual. 

Based on what the Zoo has put forth, and the fact that the Orangutans are living in the trails, the Zoo is selling an illusion. It is wrong that these poor Orangutans were brought here without there being a place for them to live.  

So, they went to the yard yesterday, but as I wrote in my previous post about that, it's wonderful, but not a solution.  Something needs to be done to create a third space and soon.  A few months ago I wrote a post of what could happen.  

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/09/triple-grotto-renovation-when-and-what.html

In short, there needs to be a Triple Grotto renovation to create a second yard.  Over the course of this situation, I heard Director Peterson only wanted to do one grotto.  That does not seem like the best use for the space, or for the completed potential of the Great Ape Passage (GAP) project as a whole.  With three grottos, combining two (the North and Middle Grottos) would create a good sized area, that would and should compliment the style that's been created in the dayroom and yard.

At this stage of the situation, in my opinion, it seems like the best approach would be doing whatever gets the Orangutans into a yard that they can have daily access to as soon as possible.  After seeing how long it took for the new yard to be done, it seems any work done at Triple Grotto to make it look like it fit into the GAP project would take months.  Something quick and simple should be considered. 

That would leave the South Grotto, which is currently an off exhibit area.  After the building is painted, that Grotto could be netted over and the Orangutans given access.   It would create a temporary yard for them in a short period of time, which at this eight month mark is needed immediately.  It could be used to house another Primate species at a later time.  Whether they make the area accessible to the public or not, at least the Orangutans would have a yard and that is what is most important.  They could still go to the trails and be visible to visitors.  

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