Who is the San Francisco Zoo Educating?

I'm once again behind on posts I'd like to do, as thoughts swirl continuous with each Zoo visit.  

The Saturday before last, my visit was very short.  In and out within an hour.  Why?  There were just too many people for me.  That isn't the point of this, I'm glad Zoo attendance is up, hopefully that will mean extra money for the Animals. 

As I zoomed through visiting all the Friends as quickly as possible, I wondered, just Who is the Zoo Educating?

One of the Zoo's Mission Points is Education, yet beyond their advertised efforts, ZooMobile, Summer Nature Trail and Keeper Talks, the short times the ARC is open, and possibly a few others of the like, what efforts does the Zoo Staff make to Educate Visitors daily?

Many of my posts are words in regards to the Misbehavior of Visitors and the lack of Education, either by Staff/Volunteers (Docents) or in the use of more signage.  In my opinion Educating the people who visit the Zoo on how to Respect not only the Animals who live there, but Animals in general, is more important that Educating them on specific species.

I am a daily visitor to areas where Wildlife live.  With each visit, there is always someone acting the fool towards the Animals who live there.   Whether its ignorant (trying to pet a Duck in the Park) or malicious (everything else), its wrong.  

The issue of Mistreating Animals is rampant, not only locally, but globally.  

As I looked around and saw thousands of people that day at the Zoo, I was saddened that the Zoo doesn't make an effort to try and reach the people who visit the Zoo.  That would be some wide- spread outreach of Education on how to treat and share our planet with the other beings who live here.   I thought about all the people annually who could have been Educated.  Huge amount of people = huge amount of missed opportunity to make a difference.

I have posed many ideas about promoting more Education regarding Animal Respect, but there is still nothing more being done.  

This past Sunday, I noted at least six sandwich boards advertising everything from membership to liquor.  

Why can't the Zoo use sandwich boards for Educating messages?

The Oakland Zoo uses them to remind people that the Zoo is home to Animals and should be a peaceful place.  The message on many of their boards is "Quiet Please".  At the San Francisco Zoo people run all over the place screaming.  There is no quiet there, as people stand with their backs to the "Shoosh" signs.  

The San Francisco Zoo needs to adopt this way of using sandwich boards on the paths to Educate people as much as they do to sell liquor and pimp other stuff.  

Sandwich boards at the entry as well as in other areas, should read, "Respect the Animals" and "Animal Exhibits are Quiet Zones".

The San Francisco Zoo needs to step it up and start Educating people as stated in my highlighted paragraph above.  

Protect the Animals that live at our Zoo and others, while planting seeds of Respect for Animals everywhere.

Read more about misbehavior at the Zoo in several blog posts on my blog:

sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com

Read more about misbehavior at the Zoo in several blog posts on my blog:

stopthehurtagainstanimals.blogspot.com

Thursday July 26, 2012 - Visit Yay's & Nay's

First the Nay.  

Once again poor Lily is sequestered on her own.  They really are just plain cruel to her in my opinion.   She just got reunited with her long-time mate and now they have separated her once again.  I don't get it.  AND being alone isn't enough, they have her in the baby giraffe corral, that is just that, a corral.  This is not a habitat enclosure, its a caged in pen.  Its all very heartbreaking and awful.

You can read about her being yanked about here:

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/disrespected-dukiers.html

 This is not a home its a cage.

If they are so intelligent why are you being so cruel to her?

Finally!  

This is the new barrier at the first viewing landing at the Gorilla enclosure.  I love this!  The only thing I would have done different is make the bar-barrier two-tiered, so it would make it harder for those with long enough legs to kick the window, which will happen.

Less than two months ago I wrote a blog post that suggested this type of barrier.  

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2012/06/exhibit-alterations-id-like-to-see.html

<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.>

Hopefully this is not a one-off and more of these types of barriers are planned for other areas.   As much as I hate taking photos through glass, I love the Animals safety more.  I hope they add a bar-barrier at the Snow Leopard window and extend the one at Cat Grotto A back.  Also adding some window decals, much like the one below that is now at the new Koala window.  With obvious general behavior notations.  

Frankly I have to say, I'm not sure what took them so long to make this change at Gorillas.  There has been issues there for years.  Not only by Visitors acting the fool (a guy standing next to me one time, leaned over and spit into their home), but the male Silverback Jonesy is very sensitive and easily agitated.

When my friend Lee was a Docent in 2009, she was sent a Memo detailing recent behavior that he had been exhibiting, as well as noting that he had been having a real problem with Docents and certain Photographers that would sit there for extended periods of time watching him.   Docents were instructed to take off their vests when in the area, or to not go there at all.  Photographers were instructed to rotate viewing areas.  

I know for a fact, Docents have again received the same type of Memo.   There should not still be a problem with this.  

At this time I still had an open email communication with Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  When Lee told me of this, I immediately had ideas that would work in that area, that would educate the Visitors before they entered that area, so that Jonesy would stay calm.  Maybe its just me, but I'd want to do anything to keep an Animal from being upset.   None of my suggestions were ever used.  

Three years later, they are still having the same issues with poor Jonesy being upset, when there are simple ways to help alleviate the situation.   There should be a large sign on the paths (from Giraffe Barn and from Savannah)  That say not to vocalize or gesture to the Gorillas, and to use low voices when talking.  They should post a Docent (without vest) before the entrance (out of Gorilla's sight line) who points to the sign and/or also provides Visitors with this information.  Its very simple. 

The Zoo claims in their Mission Statement that Education is part of their Mission.  Informing and instructing people how to behave is part of Education.  Sadly from what I've seen, the Zoo seems to be afraid to tell Visitors anything in regards to behavior.

If they do not plan to put glass at all the viewing landings they need to at least put in the bar-barriers.  There also needs to be a "Shoosh" sign at each landing.  

Hopefully the new barrier will make Jonesy feel less exposed to threats.  Maybe the Zoo will adopt some other ways to help him.

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Please check the Post Archive to keep up to date

on what's happening at the San Francisco Zoo!

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

San Francisco Zoo Docents Don't Know Jack!

Good grief, where do I begin.  

I honestly hate even writing these words because I'm pretty sensitive about "health" things and don't like to even talk about them, but the nonsense that keeps coming out of the Zoo is too much.  Will it ever stop?  Sadly, I think the answer is no, because its run by people who obviously don't know what they are doing on all different levels.   

I have recently posted about animal welfare (Rhino's dryness), dangerous construction in an animal exhibit (Snow Leopards), curious signage (Big Cats), and awful comment made by the Zoo Director (Great Horned Owl passing).  Check "recently" is the operative word.  The list is never ending. 

Zoo Docents not having the accurate information on the Animals that live there is a constant.  Its not all of them, but honestly, its the majority.  BUT Why?  My main guess is the Zoo just doesn't care, partnered with the fact that not even the Zoo's own PR Dept knows which Animal is which (Rhino Gene's passing).  Additional notable guesses include, the Zoo passing on the wrong information, Docents not caring enough to really learn anything, or Docents just not being on the smart side of the slim human spectrum.   Who is in charge of teaching these people, who I might add are representatives of the Zoo?  Is there updated information shared with them?   Are they required to learn about these Animals, by way of talking to Keepers when given the opportunity?   Honestly all I ever see is Docents wandering around in a cloud of blankness.  It is very rare that there is one who will approach and offer any information, whether right or wrong.  Often I see the same three walking together and not engaging Visitors.  I recently heard a Docent at Cats answer a Visitor who asked what the Tigers eat, "All the Animals get chow".   Are you sure about that?  This gal must have confused a Tiger with a house Cat.  FYI Tigers don't eat kibble.

So, what sparked this post.  Yesterday my heart was hurt by something I heard.  Here-say carries no real weight, but still it presents a bad vibe.   I was visiting with my friend Goober, the Bairds Tapir.   Two gals walk up and they see the sign at his exhibit that explains "he has had oral surgery recently,....".  This sign was put there over a year ago because he has medical issues with his mouth, that sometimes cause bleeding and so not to alarm the public (ME originally) its remained there.  Only regular Visitors would probably notice that.   One of the gal's said, "That signs been here for a year, someone here is dropping the ball'.   Yes, while the ball is dropped many times at the Zoo, this is not one of those times.   They were muttering to eachother, when I said, "They have that sign there because,...".   One of the gals was like, "No this is a different Tapir, the other one passed two years ago,..."  I said, "No, this is the same one and he is doing very well".  They both looked at me like I didn't know what I was talking about.  I then asked them where they had heard this.  They said, "A Docent told us".   I again told them that was not correct information.  They walked away thinking what they had been told was true. My heart broke, as Goober is doing remarkably and this kind of lie shouldn't even be in the air.  

I also heard a Staff Member from Education, telling a small child, he's old and sick.   For one, a seventeen year old Tapir isn't old.  So, not only is a Staffer spreading doom, one who is in Education doesn't even know the lifespan of a Tapir.  

Yes, I'm over sensitive when it comes to Goober, who I love and adore :)  but come on, this truly is another BIG FAIL by the Zoo.

Note to San Francisco Zoo, please send out a memo on the Animals with correct information.   You can start by updating your official Animal list which I know hasn't been done since 2009.

FYI you can view new Zoo Friend pix, photo site updated :)

http://iamnotananteater.shutterfly.com/pictures/176