Questions for Friday (May 31st, 2013)

So as I sit here attempting to finish replying to all the appreciated comments recently, and finish some posts in the works, there are a few things swirling that don't require their own post, but I need to purge.  Another post is born.

So, yesterday I went to see the new Giraffe Calf.  You can read about the two new girls in the post

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-giraffe-girls-are-here-but-where.html

With this set-up, the question still begs,

Where is Lily the Mother Duiker and her Calf?  

I have posted this question three times now to the Zoo's Facebook page and have yet to get an answer. 

......

While on the subject of the Disrespected Duikers, which ofen goes hand in hand with Why can't we see Pokemon (Blackbuck), I wonder why can't this space be used during the day for Pokemon?   He is rumored to be behind the wall of this area which is the Ostrich night quarters.  If that is so, why can't he be visible during the day in this area?   Pokemon has lots of Fans!  Give us some Pokemon face-time!

......

The Zoo continues its trend of not educating the people who work there.   As I stood and watched new girl Amani, a Visitor posed a question to the Staffer there observing.   She asked about Reticulated Giraffes (the kind that SFZoo has) and if there were other kinds.  The Staffer fumbled for an answer before just saying, ".. they have different patterns".    It amazed me that someone who works at a Zoo doesn't even know there are other types of Giraffes and at least the name of another species, such as the Masai, which are also kept in captivity in North American Zoos.

Bititi and Amani, becoming best friends :)

 

......

I was surprised to see this being constructed.

It looks nice, and note I know nothng about the reason behind it or what its final state will be, but I will go on record saying I sure hope its an - Enclosed Viewing Area -  by this I mean that the sides that border the exhibits are going to be barriered with plexi/glass, that also extends along the existing "fencing" barrier.  This barrier is about waist high and allows Visitors to hang over into the exhibits of both the Patas Monkeys and the Mandrills.  I have posted about issues I have with many barrier breaching incidents and other breachable spots.  Too many Animals are vulnerable to Visitor misbehavior and in my opinion perimeter additions made to exhibits should be to benefit the Wellness of the Animals and deter this behavior.  So, I certainly hope that this "hut" is not just a - pretty thing for Humans - .

New Giraffe Girls Are Here, but Where Are The Dukier Girls?

Yesterday the Zoo finally released news that there was a Giraffe Birth.  I knew Carolina (Kristen) was pregnant and had given birth last week, so it was great to finally see photos of the new calf :)   I have suspected the other female Bititi to also be pregnant, but there is no confirmation, because unlike other Zoo's the SFZoo doesn't like to confirm pregnancies, which I find curious.  ... Look forward to seeing the new babie!  Congratulations Carolina!

 Tuesday I spied Carolina looking out of the Giraffe Barn :)  

Bititi had come by to say hi

but I missed the capture of the ladies having a visit.

Welcome Amani! 

This is the new addition, who recently came from 

Albuquerque Bio Park Zoo 

 At two years old, she is a bit smaller now
but once she grows she
will be identifiable by the little marking on her neck 

that to me most looks like a bird :)

You can see photos of Carolina's calf in this news article, but I wouldn't pay much attention to the text as reporter Raji didn't take the time to actually fact check and when mentioning the Tiger Cub refered to it as male.  UG.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/SF-Zoos-Newest-Member-a-Baby-Giraffe--209427421.html

SO the BIG question is, since Amani is in the Coral and Carolina is in the Barn, where is Lily (Duiker) and her babie girl?  They had been penned up and separated from Erik the father (another curiosity)  in the corral since the birth, so where have they shuffled them off to now?   ... There was no one around to ask, and even if there was who knows if I'd get a straight answer.  There seems to be a big hush these days where I'm concerned.  Curious since I only write about stuff I see or hear first hand and my own opinions.  It is my opinion, that this shouldn't be an issue if everything is on the up and up.  So, that does beg the ? why is everyone so afraid of sharing information, if its the truth?  If they'd stop being so preoccupied with being so secretive, there would A: there would be signs explaining what is going on and B: be someone to ask,   so that, A: people are informed  and B: assumptions would not have to be made.  The assumptions in this case are that the poor Disrespected Duikers have once again been moved and or separated to other places in the Zoo where they aren't on view.  Like their son Houdini who lives in seclusion alone behind the old Eland exhibit and poor Pokemon (Blackbuck)who we will probably never see again, despite him loving the company of visitors, yet is being housed in an area off the Savannah that is boarded up so his view is of wood instead of other beings.  OK i've digressed a bit, yet its related.

If you're interested you can read more here:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/disrespected-dukiers.html

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

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

Happy Birthday Pokemon! - Blackbuck Bday!

One of my favorite Zoo Friends turns 13 today!

Happy Birthday Pokemon!

The Zoo keeps Pokemon tucked away in secrecy 

and I haven't seen him for over a year :(  

I love this guy and miss him!