My Zoo Outtings Synopsis - Sunday May 11th, 2014

>May 11, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 11th Birthday Bititi!

>May 10, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 12th Birthday Inti!

>May 7, 2014 - Yesterday, the Farm Celebrated Three Zoo Friend Birthdays!  

Minature Donkey Clint had Cake with his Papa Nikos :)  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32vZ4ejAGI

This video makes me smile so much, I love how they are singing too and then give each other kisses! LOVE! ... I didn't know about Clint's Birthday til yesterday, so I just posted his photo.  Scroll down to May 4th to see him in his Party Hat! :)

San Clemente Goat Twins shared their Cakes with their Grandma Ramona :)

(uploading now :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmVOUHMFeD8

>May 6, 2014 - Meet Kodari!

I was lucky enough to see him and all his super cuteness for the first time today!  They are still working on the outside of the exhibit area, but I could view him from the path.  You can see more of my photos and a video clip at the links below.  

https://www.flickr.com/activity/photostream/

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

As well learn more about him on my post on my other blog.  I try to write a post there, when I have enough information to post a good new Animal profile. Enjoy learning more about him :) http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2014/05/red-pandas-return-to-zoo.html

>May 5, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthdays Today!

Happy 1st Birthday Maverick & Dakoda!

>May 4, 2014 - Zoo Friend Birthday Today!

Happy 19th Birthday Clint!

Visit, July 10, 2012 - Its Not My Party :(

Whenever possible I try to Visit the Zoo when one of the Friends is having Birthday.  To wish them Happy Birthday, a simple Honoring of the day they were born and their life.  It comforts my Soul.  

I have written before in posts regarding Enrichment and other related topics, about my feelings regarding celebrating the Animal Residents Birthdays.  In short, like stated above, its a way to Honor them and Celebrate their lives.  Its Respecting them.  When I have witnessed Birthday Celebrations, it is wonderful.  Foremost the Animals love it!  But, its also Fun and Joyous for the Visitors.  I would think the Animal Staff would find Joy in seeing the Animals in their care Happy.  

In the case of the Chimps, I think any extra activity is essential.  These Animals are closest to Humans with brains that need constant stimulation.  I'm not about to preach to those educated about this, I am giving my opinion based on what I've learned and what I've seen.  The San Francisco Zoo Chimps are very often bored.  They have lived in the same situation for over 40 years.  They literal crave these activities.  When they have gotten plentiful Enrichment activity like Birthdays and Holidays, they go crazy watching the Keeper put stuff out.  A couple weeks ago, they got Ice Treats which I hadn't witnessed in a very long time, and they were Happy as can be, with just something that simple.  They should have it everyday.  

 I visited the Chimps and saw nothing special had been put out for Cobby's special day :(   I knew there wouldn't be, but it would have been a nice surprised to see remnants of fun.   I wished Cobby a Happy Birthday and watched them for awhile.  Cobby was restless and kept moving almost the entire time, up and down the structure, into the night quarters, over to the other grotto, and back again.  He literally seemed to be looking for something.  Alas there was no celebration for this precious guy, who has given the Zoo over 40 years of his life.

I once had a discussion about Birthdays with the Primate and Carnivore Curator Corinne MacDonald whose response was, "I'm not interested in celebrating Birthdays."   That is a miserable and selfish attitude.

Skylar/Leanne was not out in the yard today, so I couldn't wish her a Happy Birthday.  ... Maybe her party was private?  NO!  There was no party for her either.

It was interesting (one word for it) that there was not one, but two signs on the windows to her yard, saying she would be off exhibit, yet we still after a couple years of calling attention to the need, have NO signs on these same windows, asking Visitors not to Tap on them.   ...  Didn't that recent article about the new "Visionist"  say they would be putting the Animals above the Visitors now?  

As well, we continue to have additional barriers at Inti's home.  Yet, Angelo remains wide-open and vulnerable.  

And no "Shoosh" signs, even tho Inti's little sensitive Cat ears can obviously hear the high-pitched Visitor voices.

Gorillas was closed today and I could hear work being done.  I truly hope this is not the work of the new "Visionists" vision and an area such as Gorilla's which is lush and green = natural, is not the priority fix.

Sat. 6.30.12 - Dupe a Docent & Liquor up Visitors

Stupid stuff happening at the Zoo again lol!  Honestly, the lack of knowledge from some of the Docents is sadly comical.  

While waiting for Lee, I thought I'd use my time wisely and take advantage of the Docent "Ask Me" booth aka Dupe a Docent.  

Docent Helen was in the booth.  I've never talked to her before, but I hear my blog is well known, so I didn't know if she knew me.  She asked if she can help me.  That's like inviting a Vampire in.  I asked, "What kind of Tigers do you have?"  She paused a second and said, "Sumatran."  I said, "Is that the only kind?"  She replied, "Yes", followed by, "We have a new one."  I said, "Only the one?"  She answered, "Yes."  I asked, "Where are the Warthogs?"  She replied, "In the back."  I said, "Thank You", and walked away.  

Since Docents and Zoo Staff read this blog, take note:

1- This is Taymor (aka Larry), he is a male Sumatran. 

2- This is Skylar (aka Leanne), she is a female Sumatran.

3- This is Shastyuh (aka Martha), she is a female Amur (aka Siberian).

San Francisco Zoo Tiger Tally 3

2 Sumatrans

1 Siberian

FYI  The last senior Warthog, passed away last year.

NOW, didn't I just write a blog post titled, San Francisco Zoo Docents Don't Know Jack?  Well, YES I did!  http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/san-francisco-zoo-docents-dont-know.html

Why is it the Zoo still hasn't educated these representatives on Who's Who at the SFZOO?  Seriously, its embarrassing.

They had a presentation for Docents last week on their new Wellness Initiative.  In my opinon educating them on something that they are supposed to (read should) know versus something supplemental should be priority.  OR don't have them in a booth that invites Visitors to ask questions!  OR put one of the few Docents who do know facts.  They even wear "Ask Me" buttons when they are out walking the grounds!  It is apparent that the Zoo really does not care whether the correct information is getting out.  No one would ever question it, because no one knows any better.  Well, I know its BS and I think that having Education as part of your Mission Statement and having Zoo Representatives not know about the Animals that live at the Zoo is Lame and Misleading.

The Zoo is evidentially more driven to get Visitors liquored up.

The sale of liquor at the Zoo I think is irresponcible and ridiculous.  There is no need for it.  There may be an audience for it, but not a need.  Its a Zoo.  Most people are there with children, do they really want to be supplying the parents?   In fact I saw a school group a couple months ago and one of the Father's who was chaperoning, was standing there holding a Beer!  

 AND there is enough misbehavior that we don't need to supply an accelerant to further stupidity.

Additionally, it appears the Staff also thinks creating signs to line the paths to where the liquor is sold,

is more important than creating signs to deter misbehavior.   http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-signs.html

Don't get me wrong, I think the food, music and face painting is fine, the point is the Liquor issue and how there are more new signs for this kind of stuff and not to address the misbehavior issues towards the Animals that live there.  I will add that the music was too loud (it always it.  Just like those Lion Dancers for Lunar New Year).  I don't think loud noise is something the Animals want to hear.  I was visiting Inti when the music started and I think it startled him.

Not much done at the San Francisco Zoo makes any sense.

On a good note, I finally saw Inti (Bobcat) out in his exhibit!  He was cautious and hid under a log, seemingly alittle scared at surrounding noise (When you're done making "Beer Here" signs, can he get a "shoosh" sign please?  He's still adjusting, the sign is an obvious necessity.) ...  Later when there were less people, he was lounging in one of his hammocks :)

 Lovely to see you out Inti!

Two new vid clip from today
Peccaries and Peacock
Plus a few from the week!
check them all out @
http://www.youtube.com/user/leo811sf

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.

New Bobcat Home!

Inti's new home was open yesterday (Saturday).  Information given was that he moved down from the ARC on Thursday.  He was camped out in his night quarters, so I didn't get to see him.  Hopefully soon!

Here's a photo of his new home,  the team that built the landscape (which I have been told was outsourced) did a great job!  It echo's that of the recent upgrades to the adjacent Anteater (Angelo) enclosure.  Man-made trees and rocks make the landscape more natural looking.

I'm happy for Inti as his living condition would have been my next crusade, if this didn't come to fruition.  No matter how or why, I am grateful he is no longer living in a series of cages, that had been his home for almost a decade.  Although I have heard that moving him was in theme with the Zoo's Master Plan of creating a new North American area.  I can only hope this happened because it was the right thing to do and not the later.  

This will be a big change for him, I only hope not too big a change and that he adjusts okay.  I hope his Keepers from the ARC are still able to take care of him.  I think one in particular raised him since a cub.   .. Read more about Inti  http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/05/inti-zoos-precious-bobcat.html

Note to Zoo.  Please put a "quiet" sign up there.  Inti has lived in relative calmness with not many people around for so long, he should be allowed to continue that.  Yesterday (Saturday) was too busy and loud with screaming wild children about, its no wonder he was not even peeking out.

Can't wait to see you in your new home Inti, I hope you enjoy it!

I wish something similar could have been done for Wishbone (Andean Bear).  He would have thrived on a non-concrete surface, and would have loved a tree to climb on, maybe with a hammock :)  I miss my Wishy friend, and my heart still hurts that he was so disrespected in his living conditions.

Inti - the Zoo's precious Bobcat :)

While trying to crusade for Wishbone to get some grass, my next planned crusade was to get Inti a proper living space.  Inti has been living in a series of cages for a decade.  Granted they are decent sized cages, they are still cages.

About a year ago I asked a Keeper about this and he told me he heard there were plans to find a place outside the ARC (Animal Resource Center) and build Inti a new home.  I asked an Docent who works in the ARC and she said she heard that too.  Figuring this was being taken care of I continued my crusade for Wishy, though because (in my opinion) of Zoo stubbornness and stupidity we all know how that turned out.  

A few months ago, Angelo the Anteater's home was getting some work done and I heard he was staying in the neighboring enclosure while that construction was in progress.  After he moved into his new digs, which I will note look wonderful! ,  I heard that his vacation home was going to be renovated for Inti!  Great news.  I also heard it would be done by May.   Until yesterday I hadn't seen/heard much "work" being done there.  Now that I have, let's hope its not too long before Inti gets a new home!   I hope it has some natural flooring.  It should mimic the Snow Leopard area.

Below are some of the photos I took
when I got to meet Inti in 2010.  

love you precious Inti!

look forward to seeing you again soon!