My Zoo Outtings Synopsis - Sunday May 25, 2014

Have another entry to make today, so check back this evening!

>May 24, 2014 - Zoo Grandbabies!  News from London Zoo, Tiger Cubbies have Names!  The Zoo has thoughtfully named the Three Cubs, whose Papa Jae-Jae is our Skylar/"Leanne"s Son with her former mate Bali.  Cub's Mama Melati was sent to London Zoo from Australia (If I remember right), as a perfect match for Jae-Jae :)  ... View the naming video and see these Beautiful additions to the Sumatran Species!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu6TQhuo9TU

>May 23, 2014 - I was wrong when I previously posted that there were Three signs at the Red Panda, there are EIGHT!  AND NONE note anything about behavior, especially at the too low windows.  Four Signs are you enter the area and another four inside, including two on the glass.  I was there for less than five minutes and people were knocking on the glass, one kid repeatedly kept backing up and running into the glass, ramming his reflection while his Mother sat there smiling at him. Again why can't we get anti-reflective glass?  Sorry I digressed. SO, SFZoo, Why are there no signs on the glass here or at any of the exhibits stating not to Bang, Rap, Tap, Kick, ect the glass at these Animals Homes?  Been questioning this for years now.

>May 23, 2014 - Female Red Panda in quarantine!  I've known about this for a couple weeks, but haven't had time to fully research her and post.  Her name is Grace and she came from the Boise Zoo. She and her mate Tiki had Two Cubs there, who have now gone on to live at other Zoos.  So, here she will not be breeding, but here for companionship with Kodari/"Tenzing".  So, there will soon be double the cuteness at this new enclosure :)

>May 22, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 1st Birthday Erin!

>May 21, 2014 - And it starts already.   Visitors breaching barriers at the new Red Panda enclosure. What is wrong with people?  What is wrong with the Zoo?  Why do they continue to make bad decisions in regard to the barriers at the Animals homes?  When I saw the constructing this exhibit, I thought the height of the glass was too short, then when I got up close, its definitely too short!  Its not even Six ft.  and there is no "stand back" barrier in front of it.   I just don't get it.  ... As well they got about three big colorful signs around the exhibit area and some smaller ones actually on the glass, yet not a one notes anything about barrier behavior.

Note to Visitors:  The view is the same through the glass as it is over the glass.  DUH!  To me when Visitors hang on/over barriers, its like home invasion.  Think about how the Animal feels People. You want People hanging in the windows of your home?  

>May 21, 2014 - Visited the cuteness that is the Sloth :)  When I saw him for the first time last week, one of the Curators was there and I asked if the mixed Species in this enclosure have been done before and he said yes.  I have thought this enclosure was too small to house the Anaconda and Toucan, and now with the Sloth it really seemed cramped to me.  The Toucan is the only one that probably NEEDS the extra space, as he's very active and flight is probably stunted.  Those observations made, while watching them today, the Sloth leaned over as if to say Hi to the Toucan and the Toucan bit him in the Face!  It was awful to see.  Poor Sloth, seems like such a sweet and gentle Animal.  His Face around his Eyes looked a bit red afterward, which I confirmed when I got home by looking at photos from last week and today.  I asked Security to alert the Keeper to this, so I sure hope they are monitoring the situation.

>May 18, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 11th Birthday Tucker!

>May 16, 2014 - Meet New Zoo Friends!  Please view my blog post on my other blog, much cuteness happening at the Zoo!  Toucan - Black Howler Monkey - Sloth

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2014/05/meet-new-zoo-animals.html

Meet New Zoo Animals

Several new Residents have moved to the Zoo!  In addition to Kodari (now Tenzing :( so not confuse) the New Red Panda, this post will introduce you to three new boys, a Black Howler Monkey, a Keel-Billed Toucan, and a Linnaeus's Two Toed Sloth :)

I first saw the Toucan a few weeks ago and got so busy didn't get to posting its photo and an update on the enclosure its in.  A new enclosure was built in the Lion House to house Oliver the Green Anaconda and the Toucan, both who will eventually move into the Tropical Aviary when Phase Two construction is done (end of Summer?).   In my opinion this enclosure should have been bigger, so the Toucan had more room to fly around.  I thought it was going to be more of the length of the LH front wall, but instead its a small square off the Ladies Restroom.  I didn't calculate an estimate in size, but by memory seems its about 10x20 ish.  Disappointing, so I hope the Aviary is done on time and these Animals get into a larger home. 

What didn't disappoint was the Toucan.  So beautiful!  I had only seen one once before when it was for sale at a local Pet store :(.   When I saw him again yesterday he was very active and I took this vid clip, you can see how fast he moves!  He will be fun to watch!  He is also part of the Breeding Program and when a Female becomes available she will join him :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eps60D89owU

Note to Zoo: Why is the price tag still on the plant?  Looks lame.  ... This reminds me of the laziness of not taking the stickers off the fruit that is given to the Animals whole.  

Keeping in chronological order, last Monday I saw the new Male Howler Monkey for the first time! Again, short on posting time, for this to be timely, BUT this was an awesome moment!  I was so happy to see him I teared up.  The Female, Baya has been alone since the passing of her Father Bosco.  The Howlers were a very close Family and it was heartbreaking to see her alone.  She lost her Mama last year, her Sister, then her Brother, were both sent to other Zoos, and then losing her Father. So sad.  So I have been anxiously waiting for this moment :)  So happy that Benjamin is finally here and Baya has a companion :)   At Five, she's a few years older than him (I've been told).  They have a breeding recommendation, so we could have little ones at some point :)  I think they like each other, he was vocalizing to her when I was there, as well I was told she has been flirty with him :)  .. So happy for you Little Miss Baya!  Welcome Benjamin!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGNZ-lGls8

Benjamin

Yesterday was filled with firsts.  For the first time (I can remember) I actually got a good look at Oliver's face!  What a Cutie!

Oliver

The other and most exiting first yesterday was seeing the new Sloth!  Love Sloths and this was my first one in person :)  Beyond Cuteness!  I took some sweet video, although at first I wasn't sure this was a good use of battery time (considering how slow they move ;) but he did some cute things at a faster speed :)  I liked the part with him scratching his head.  He scratched his tummy first but I tried to get still pix and they didn't come out. The cutest thing he did repeatedly was tilt his head back, make eye contact and smile :)  Its ridiculous cuteness and I love it!   He too is set to get a companion once one becomes available.  ... He is sharing the enclosure with the Toucan and Anaconda, and will move into the Aviary as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYcPF42ZjCc

Additional notes about the Sloths debut.  After seeing him, I spread the news to all the Staff I saw, "Did you see the Sloth?"  Everyone's response was, "No, I didn't know he was out."  Seriously?  Again WHY is everything such a secret there?  They don't even tell Staff what's going on.  UG!  ... As well, the Director was at the Sloth while I was there and I could hear someone ask her a few questions about him, and then a pause and someone else answered.  Once again, she apparently doesn't know anything about the Animals at the Zoo.  Shameful.

I also saw the Two new Pelicans, bringing the total of American White Pelicans to Five!  Lovely sight to see :) They were all hanging out together, but it seemed like there might still be some territorial issues to be worked out.  Also one of the new ones is a Female, and the others are all Male!   I took some video but its from far.  Will do another post about them soon.

My Zoo Outtings Synopsis - Sunday March 30, 2014

Synopsis from http://mysanfranciscozooouttings.blogspot.com/

> March 30. 2014 - Tiger Tummy Tickles!  Silliness just because. 

> March 29, 2014 - Trash Update.  Good Grief, Seriously?  YES people, seriously!  The trash I reported over two months ago, was still there on my Visit this week.  Again, as I questioned in an earlier item, what's everyone so busy doing, that after telling several people, that pile of trash in the Pelicans Lake was still there. FAIL!

> March 28, 2014 - European Zoo Murders Continue. 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2014/03/european-zoos-thirst-for-murder.html

> March 26, 2014 - This one is for reader @Ellicruu ...  New Birds!  Well they have been streaming in for a few months now, but we FINALLY have signs for them all!  I just don't understand why it takes so long to get stuff done there. What's everyone so busy doing?  Seems like a whole lot of not much sometimes.  

Well, looks like I didn't upload the videos I had made.  Check back here (or on my youtube channel) and I will post the links.

> March 25, 2014 - Howler Monkey Update!  After losing her Papa, our Precious Bosco, in January, I hadn't seen Sweet Little Baya up and mobile since.   I was lucky to catch her enjoying some Yums :)  Thankfully I am told that the Zoo is planning to get her a mate, and one may have even already been found.  Let's hope.  It breaks my heart to see her alone.  Last year she lost her Mama.  Her Sister and Brother both went to other Zoos.  They were a very close Family, always seen cuddled together.  Hopefully her companion will arrive soon.  

Link to my video clip:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yevWOefds3w

> March 24, 2014 - Brown Pelicans out!  Not sure when this happened, but I just noticed it today!  I was wondering when they would be out, but kept looking in the Lake area where the American White Pelicans are. The Brown ones aren't there, but sharing the Lake area where the Eagles live.  Kudos to whoever built the perch, it looks nice!

> March 23, 2014 - Congratulations to Skylar/"Leanne", who became a Grandma again!  AND to Son Jae-Jae and his Mate Melati at the London Zoo.  Melati gave birth for the second time to a litter of three Cubs on February 3rd!  ... For some reason my notifications for London Zoo got turned off (when Facebook made one of their most welcomed changes) and I just read about this.

See the awesome video of Melati and the Cubs.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/video-watch-rare-tiger-cubs-3236506