Happy Birthday Shastyuh! - Tiger Bday!

Shastyuh turns 12 today!
~ August 1st ~

Happy Birthday Shastyuh!

My Fluffy Girl!

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

Happy Birthday Sukari!

Sweet Sukari turns 10 today!

Happy Birthday Sukari!

I have also made a video from her Birthday Party!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4HDdzwk5Ak&feature=youtu.be

My friend Lee and I were lucky to be doing Enrichments for the Big Cats when Sukari's Birthday came around.  Sukari had come to the Zoo over six months prior but was still very shy and not seen very often.  For every Enrichment Toy day before her Birthday, she was either seen peeking out at Tunya enjoying his Toys, or she would quickly snatch it and retreat to the cave.  The first time, all we saw was her paw reach out and grab the Toy!  

For her Birthday I wanted it to be special for her and something she would enjoy.  It was time for her to be experiencing the fun of Enrichment Toy days.  We needed to use this opportunity to draw her out of her shell (and the cave).  The night before I thought about how she is always hiding in the caves, and thought by putting her Cake at the cave doorway, then when the Keeper would open the door she would at least see it before she ran.  Hoping that by seeing it she would want it!   The next day I told the Keeper about the idea I had, so she placed the Cake on the Lion House side of the cave door.

When she opened the door, there was Suki and she started to dash, then saw the cake and stopped.  She turned around and sniffed it a few times, checking it out, and then snatched it and ran!  Struggling to get it out of the cave, she pulled it through and took it to the yard!  YAY! Suki!  

By the time I ran out to the yard, her companion Tunya had already laid claim to it and was enjoying the bottom layer that was filled with Rhino scented hay :)  Sukari came round and sat there staring at him like "hey, thats mine!"  ... They were an awesome couple and share :) ... FYI we made Toys for all the Cats!  It was Suki's Ice Cream Social!  I will try to make a video of more of the fun!  You can see photos here: http://gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com/2499

After a Lion Dance, Suki snuck in and reclaimed her Cake and eventually went and retrieved the top layer and trotted off with it proudly!  YAY!  I was so proud of Sukari, for being out and taking part in her Birthday Party!   That was a major turning point in her gaining confidence and feeling comfortable. It truly was a celebrations!  She didn't hide anymore after that.  She came out each week and enjoyed Enrichment Toys :)  I'm glad that something I did helped her to feel more secure in her new surroundings.