Mandrills Get Glassed! - Success!

Oh I was doing a happy dance when I spied this outside the Mandrills on Monday!

Yes! THAT would be glass!  Finally!  I've only been posting about this particular Exhibit for over a year.  This Exhibit and that of the Male Anteater, are notorious for Barrier Breaching.  It never fails, EVERY visit, there is more than one Visitor hanging over the Barrier at both these Exhibits.  

I'm actually pretty surprised by this and wonder what made them move on this finally?  Did something happen?  Was it all my blogging?  Doesn't matter, as long as it got done!  Just wish it didn't take the Zoo so long to move on things, especially ones of a safety nature.  

This all said, I wait for the finished product, as there is also open air access from the upper level. Will that too be glassed in?  I hope so.  But, I'm still waiting for the other two landings at the Gorillas to be glassed in.  

San Francisco Zoo Connecting People With Wildlife

The Zoo's Mission statement includes, 

"to connect people with wildlife."

I'd say they are doing a great job! 

WORD!

I usually don't go to the Zoo on the weekend anymore, but I was out and about yesterday and went by to see my Barnyard Friends.  The Zoo was packed and so I decided to go round to some of the trouble spots (where there is the most misbehaving going on)  and snaps some photos.  I of course have quite a collection,  it was a banner day at the Hippo and Rhinos.  Much of the same I have posted in the past "Breaching Barriers" posts, so instead of a string of repeated offenses, I decided to choose just the one above.  

I will relay that the one pic I didn't get was the best example.  A mother holding her infant dangling over the exhibit yelling, "Here Rhino!"   Unbelievable.  Well not really.

So much wrong with these people, so much wrong with the Zoo for allowing this without any effort for deterring this behavior.  I've made many suggestions via this blog, which I know they read, yet the only thing they have done at any of these exhibits is put a few small signs along the Black Rhino barrier that are the size of a large index card.  Yet this sign is full sized, in color and with a photo!

Another example of how the San Francisco Zoo prioritizes stuff.  There continues to be major barrier issues at the Anteater, the Rhinos, the Hippo, the Mandrills, to name a pawful.  Apparently the obnoxious intrusion into the Animals home isn't a "Wellness" concern, nor is the possibility of a stupid Human dropping their kid into an Animal exhibit.  Yet, the possibility of someones Hot Dog getting stolen, big deal.  

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As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org

Thank You for taking the time to read

about things that matter to me.

Breaching Barriers Continues - Ski Week Stupidity

Much like the Zoo's Lunar Event, and the Day following it, the Zoo does not hire enough Security to patrol the grounds not only on a daily basis, but on days they know will be extra busy.  Sadly, some Staff have even said to my friend Lee and I, that they count us as Security.  The day after the Lunar Event it was packed and not only was there not enough Security ( allegedly two total, of whom are directed to mostly patrol the parking lot and entrance, unless they are called elsewhere), but the Chimps didn't have the extra barriers in front of them like what is put out on free day.  Again, these Chimps, are particular targets for Visitor Abuse and with their aging, they need the extra protection.

A common occurrence (seen here @Chmps) kids chasing the free roaming Peacocks.  Sadly most of the time they are encouraged to do so by the Parents who think its funny to document this terrorizing in photos.   Often times they also try to pull out their feathers.  Aren't Humans wonderful?   The chasing also happens with the Gulls, Pigeons and Squirrels.  Some of which most would think who cares, but note that they all have souls and the old saying goes, "Do unto others as you would want done unto you."   Remember people, Act with Empathy.

The Zoo has still failed to put up proper signage at ALL exhibits, in regards to how to behave at Animal Enclosures (their Homes), including the most dire (for the Animals, who will lose their lives if they do a natural attack on an intruder) keeping the hell off the barriers!  Good Grief people, What's Wrong With you?  This is directed at both the Zoo Management, who should have more signs (and not ones the size of an index card like at Rhinos) and the jerks who continue to think its ok behavior to hang over and stand on barriers.  They are barriers, do you know what that means?  Keep the hell off them! 

 @Sea Lions

 @Mandrills

this was only moments after another family 

had their kids legs completely daggling over.

 @Mandrills

Would the photo be worth it if she fell in

and the Mandrill attacked her?

Not to mention the Animals don't need to see 

Humans faces hanging into their homes.

 @Black Rhinos

Not one but two!  That's nice, lose your 

whole family by accidentally dropping both kids in.
Think it can't happen, tell that to the
gal in Pittsburgh who did just that.

This happening a foot from the tiny sign that

the Zoo put up after I blogged about this the last time.

 Both these pix @Anteater

Poor Angelo's home continues to 

be breached on a daily basis
and the Zoo Management doesn't care.

Stupid behavior comes with Stupid comments.  I hear them every Visit, but these were the prizes last week during Ski/Snow Week (no school for fools!)

@Polars Bears -  "I didn't know they had Polar Bears in Canada, cool!"  ... Seriously, what planet are people on?

@Family Farm - "I bet that Sheep wishes he had Horns in the back of his head for when Lions sneak up." ... Yea for all those Sheep on the Savannah lol!

@Train - Mother hearing the Sea Lions says to her kid:  "What's that?  Is that an Elephant?"

All you got to do is listen, there are some doozys out there and these people are serious!

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

 

As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

 

Check back as I reply to all comments.

 

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org

 

Thank You for taking the time to read

about things that matter to me.

Veteran's Day - SFZoo Visit 11.12.12

As usual I'm behind on my posts, but no matter when I post my experience's and thought's, they will always be necessary, since my mission is always that of being the voice of the Animals.  There is no other reason I do this.

So, last Monday.  Until I walked up to the gate and saw the line for ticket sales into the parking lot, I didn't realize it was a Holiday.  I usually spend part of the Winter Holidays with the Zoo friends, but sometimes I try to avoid other Holidays and Free Day because it seems to bring out the worst kinds of Visitors and an abundance of them.  This Veteran's Day was no different.

That said,  the Zoo continues to not hire extra Security on these high traffic days and there is no Staff presence.  If they think that a handful of Docents is going to be their eyes and ears on the property they are mistaken.  I saw Docents, but I didn't (and rarely do) see any interact with any Visitors and def not the ones who misbehave.

If you start out Visiting the Barnyard Friends, usually not much can dampen your day.  How could it when you have faces like Paddy's greeting you?!!   ...  Unless you see a grown woman try to sit on a Dwarf Goat :(

 Paddy says, "Good Morning!"

Moving on, as we went through the Primate Center to see little Romo (Langur babie), on our way to check on Lily (Duiker) babie watch, we ran into Keeper Percy (?).   As I have often done recently, I asked her if Lily had her babie and she said, "I don't know, I'm not working over there today".   Plausible but unlikely as word of a birth would have spread.   Completely unlikely since she was walking ahead of us on our way to the Giraffe Barn (where Lily has been  corralled) and went into the Barn, not a foot from Lily!   Would have been better for her to ignore my question rather than lie about it, but hey, nothing up in that place should surprise me at this point lol!

Moving on we arrived at the Black Rhinos.  There is a sign there with the universal "shoosh" as well some words about being quiet.  I have posted similar photos, and again this is just to say, Why can't these type of signs be at every exhibit?  There is too much excessive human noise around the Animals.  This is their home, it should be a place of peace, people need to observe them in quiet.

In light of the tragedy at the Pittsburgh Zoo earlier that week, I decided to take photos of some of our exhibits breach-able barriers.   Below is the barrier to the Black Rhinos.  These Animals can come right to the barrier almost, making them very vulnerable to people's misbehavior.

In my post about the PZoo incident, I noted our Anteater's exhibit.  I know the Zoo peeps read my blog, one would think they would pay special attention to these breach-able areas, and not only prepare to upgrade them so the Animals aren't vulnerable, but post signs not to breach the barriers in anyway.  But alas, as usual the Zoo does not make the Animals safety and Well Being a priority.

Not only did I see at least a handful of people physically breaching the barrier at the Anteater, but people also use this barrier to lay all their crap on, purses, maps, food, drinks, whatever.  It would be very easy for something to fall into the exhibit and for Angelo (Anteater) to get it.  

Guy leaning over barrier INTO the exhibit.  Is this photo going to be that much closer because of this?  The real question is, why would someone think this is acceptable behavior?   Is the photo more important than the Animals security level?   Would this guy want someone leaning into his window to take a photo?   

Same rules apply as above.  Hello, Animal comfort levels.  If your kid isn't tall enough, lift them up but in no way is it acceptable to sprawl across a barrier and dangle your legs into it.

And finally, I guess this parent didn't hear the news this past week.  The kid who fell into the exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo was being held this exact way.  Granted I don't think an Anteater would cause the same harm as the Wild Dogs, but regardless, this is unacceptable behavior.  

While at the Big Cats, ironically specific the Siberian Tiger exhibit (shown below) I saw a kid standing at the fencing area, then walk over to the landscaped area and pick out specific items, sticks and large rock sized bark, and walk back over the barrier to the fencing.  I knew exactly what was going to happen next.  I said, "Don't you throw that stuff at the Tiger!"   Without facing me he dropped the items and then turned and walked away.   WHAT is wrong with people?   I don't care if this was a kid, kids should be taught that this behavior is not acceptable.   Good grief, how hard is it for people (since the Zoo isn't going to educate people who enter) to tell their kids to Respect the Animals before they come in.  Oh yeah,  its usually the Adults who are worse.

When will the San Francisco Zoo start protecting its Animals and become a Zero Tolerance Facility?  They need to make barriers not vulnerable and start educating people as they enter and have tons of signs everywhere reminding people what not to do.  

I'd like to see people throw stuff at the Tigers again without a barrier.  See how brave they are then.  This behavior boils down to Bullying.   Karma is a Bitch as they say and in this type of instance, that kid just might get bullied at school and have sticks and rocks thrown at him. 

Tiger/Big Cats barrier upgrade after the Tiger attack in 2007.   One would think this was enough to keep people from harassing the Animals, but its not.  Unfortunately I think all Zoo's need to have complete glass barriers between the Humans and the Animals, in order for the Animals to stay safe.

On the subject of Bullying.   Why is it Humans take pleasure in verbally assaulting the Animals with insults?  I hear this all the time.  I heard it today at the Anteater and although what people say has no barring on my life, it hurts my heart to hear such things about innocent Animals.  Its disgusting and again, Humans sure don't like it when their behavior is turned on them.   Even when its a verbal insult.   I hear it and comment on it often.

I'm sorry but i just don't understand how society got littered with so much Human Trash.   

Thankfully the Animals always make me smile.  As we headed out, we saw precious Tallulah daydreaming.  She is also lounging on a blanket that my friend Lee had given to Padang (passed Tiger) on her 21st Birthday.  I'm glad Miss T is getting use and comfort from it.

Another heart warming moment as I left the Zoo, there was a family at the sign on Sloat.  The Father was taking a photo of his two kids posing with stuffed animals they bought in the gift shop.  One was an Anteater, the other a Tiger.

Exhibit Alterations I'd Like To See

I have a series of posts in draft form that I just haven't finalized, but on the heels of my last post I'm going to start getting them out, as a few are about exhibits.

Its been my increasing opinion that the Animals are too exposed.  Sure I love the idea of open air exhibits, but honestly, based on misbehavior I witness on every visit and documented evidence in regards to what happened to Tatiana (Tiger who was taunted into a nightmare), I truly believe that more barriers are necessary.  I have not done the research on barrier types/situations/instances/ect at other Zoo's, but I think the SFZoo needs to take into account the Tatiana event and other trespassing/breaches by humans and create better protection for the Animals from the Visitors.  It may not be ideal, it may not always be visually attractive, but I think the safety of the Animals should be a priority.

In my opinion, an ideal situation would be if barriers were designed as much to keep people out as they were to keep the animals in.

I'd like all the exhibits to be like the Big Cats, Glass with a distance between (on either side). There can't always be a moat like at Cats, but take for instance at the Snow Leopards, there can be some sort of barrier set more than an arms distance back from the glass.  The same type of glass situation also is in the corner (Grotto A) Cat exhibit.  The purpose of the glass is for the Visitor to view the Animals (as well as keep them in).   What does the glass do for the Animals?   It allows them to be taunted with people constantly knocking/banging/tapping/rapping/ect.  The view would be no less from an arms distance.  There should also (and I mean that by there should already be) sign decals on the glass at these areas saying not to do such things.

In fact, I will add that I was told that recently the female Snow Leopard became sick and upon medical review, was found to have a bowel obstruction of a foreign object, possibly due to someone tossing something into the enclosure.  .. I have seen tiny plastic toys in the Puente Al Sul, right where the Swans can reach them.  I have seen those little packets of poison (Silica) that come in with new shoes/purses, both in the Barnyard and one was found at Cats.  I've at least twice seen plastic bags in the Lemurs.

There are tons of exhibits that Visitors can lean right over into.   No exhibit should give a Visitor that kind of access to the Animals.

My previous post on Inti's (Bobcat) new home, had a photo of the enclosure upgrade.  It was an old exhibit, that may not have been used in the past two decades if even that.  Making use of these two Historic Exhibits while keeping with their original structure I think is a good thing.  I give kudo's to the team that constructed both Angelo the Anteater and Inti the Bobcat's new homes.

Below I have a photo of the two exhibits side by side.  I previously posted that I had seen people sitting/laying across the existing barrier and leaning over into the Anteater exhibit.  I still see this way too often. In my opinion, this exhibit needs an additional barrier.  It is too wide open and Angelo is too easily vulnerable.  Initially, I thought a floor to waist rail/fence barrier like in the Lion House would be applicable, but after seeing the netting at Inti's maybe that would work.  Just the front portion.  In light of the recent possible Snow Leopard incident, I think both a rail/fence barrier and netting would be best.

Last year I saw a video of captive Tapirs and their pool was wonderful looking.  I had meant to post it as an idea, but never got that far.  Now in light of Inti's area having such, ....  The pool I saw looked liked it had man made rocks around the edges which created a natural look.   These are photos of a small pool in Inti's enclosure.  I think it looks great and using this as a model for other pools would be something I'd like to see.   I don't think that existing pools should be completely enclosed with rocks as the Animals living there have established pool routines, like the Polar Bears who when swimming/playing, often lean on the edges of the pool.   

My point is (and that I tried to make when I took an interest in creating a more natural environment for Wishbone) that there are ways to bring a natural environment to the Animals living in the older exhibits, using landscaping and creations like this. THAT is what the Zoo's Master Plan should be, NOT building new playgrounds for humans and new areas for new Animals, unless for dire rescues.

Thursday January 12, 2012 - Welcome Niya!

Today was all about hopefully getting to see the new female Snow Leopard!  She was out of quarantine a few days ago and today was her second day out in the yard :)  First few rounds about the cats, she wasn't out, but got lucky on the last round and saw the gate open.  No sign of her at first, but I could sure hear her!  She was vocalizing to Rigel while both were in their bedrooms.  After about 20 minutes of this she came out!  

Welcome Niya!

She seemed to like this tree 

and went to it for a scratch a few times.  

The first time she tilted her head back in my direction 

and upside down smiled :)

She was intrigued with the fencing above.  

Maybe birds or leaves.

Pretty little thing :)

I loved this.  You can't see it, 

but she is on a bed of hay that Rigel had been on previously!  

This is a great sign for their future :)

Angelo was out having a walk about in the sun :)

Miss Thang Leanne was grooming near the window

I like this one with a lick of under fluff :)

and of course some cute tongue!

I am NOT an anteater!

 I am Goober!

 This is my good friend Kim :)

She likes when I smile at her :)

Words can not explain how much I love this guy!   He is absolutely precious.  I named my first Zoo related blog after him, goobers sfzoo friends.  He is still inspiring me with this blog, i am not an anteater!

The reason for the title is I am constantly amazed at how little people who visit the Zoo know about animals.  Ok, so maybe a Bairds Tapir, which Goober is, is not one of the main animals you learn about as a kid, but its insane and irritating when people don't even care enough to read the sign that they are standing in front of!   

It is not just with Goob, but many other animals are victim of mis-identification, not only by visitors but by San Francisco Zoo Docents as well.   I have heard people call Goob a Rhino, a Hippo and one of those extinct Dinosaur things.  Not a joke.  Come on, there are certain animals that people should know and Rhinos and Hippos are two of them.  So are Lions and Tigers, but I constantly hear people get those mixed up.  Mind boggling.  There are many people who can't even tell that the Polar Bear is just dirty from playing in the grass, they think its a different kind of Bear lol!

The other thing about getting it wrong is that its mostly adults.  They don't even care to teach their children about the animals they've brought them to see.???   I don't get it.  I stood at the River Otters one day and a gal walked up and she stood in front of the sign and then turned to her friend, "Hurry, Hamsters!"  I said, "Sea Hamsters."  When her friend arrived she told her they were Sea Hamsters.  I had to laugh.

I also hear visitors say mean things about the animals.  Why do people come to the Zoo to be mean?  To me, animals are the most beautiful beings, and when someone says one of them is ugly, I not only want to ask them if they've looked in a mirror lately, but it hurts me.

The moral here, please take your time to enjoy each of the wonderful animals that live at the Zoo.  Learn what they are for the sake of their individual greatness and as a to respect to them.