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

Zoo Hippo's Unfortunate Namesake - Ballplayer Brian Wilson, Typical Human

I had another post in queue, but someone just posted this on Facebook and their comment prompted me to write this post now.  The person who posted this is not a Zoo Visitor, but knows that the Zoo did name one of its Animals (one that already had a Name) after former San Francisco Giants Ballplayer Brian Wilson.  I don't follow sports and didn't even know he wasn't with the Giants anymore.

Brian Wilson didn't help himself with angry stunt

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Allegedly, yet apparently, BW isn't a stand-up guy, which prompted the Facebook poster to comment:

"I think the Zoo should rename the animal that was named after him"! This is a good reason ANIMALS at the ZOO should not be named after celebrities!!!!"

All I have to say is A-Friggin'-MEN!  

Everyone knows my opinion on the Zoo's naming processes, if not you can search this blog for references. That said, in regard to this particular naming travesty,  at Eight years old, Tucker the Hippo came to the Zoo with a name he had his whole life.  Then at Zoofest, the Zoo auctioned off his name and Board Member Mark Roberts decided to name him after the Giants Ballplayer.  Not just Brian, not just Wilson, but the whole stupid thing.  FAIL!

http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/05/name-changing.html

I not only hate the name change game the Zoo plays, but really take issue with the Ballplayer Names. In my opinion the Zoo allows this and does it themselves because they know they will get Media attention from it, since SF has been on a winning streak with Sports Teams.  It makes me feel like they are raping Animals of given Names just to pimp them out.   If an Animal is without a Name, as in a newborn, and its appropriate, I may not have a problem with a Celebrity Name, but the keyword is appropriate!  Not like the gal who wanted to name the Female Penguin Chick after Male Comedian Russell Brand.  

This all said, the problem is that Celebrities are Human, and in my opinion, should not be put on pedestals, as they fall off, just like anyone else.   I'm not a fan of Humans at all, but regardless of my bias about that, this is a proven fact.  Unless they are going to be named after Humans who have proven to have done great things in their lives, especially for Animals, then it just shouldn't be done. I don't see an Animal named after Leonardo DiCaprio who has done alot for Animals.  Yea, that's what I'll be looking forward to, an Animal (that's born there) being named Leo or DiCaprio.  

In the case of Brian Wilson the Human, this guy has never even acknowledged that poor Tucker now bears his name.  I even read once that he was at an event across the street from the Zoo and didn't bother to even visit Tucker.  This is clearly not even a guy who likes Animals.  

The Zoo named its newborn Female Francois Langur (Monkey) after another Giants Player, Sergio Romo.  He at least came to the Zoo, BUT he was also quoted allegedly saying the Langurs weren't his favorites!    What an Ass!  

So, YES as the Facebook poster suggested, that awful moniker BW should be removed from our precious Tucker and he should be allowed to keep his given Name.

Zoo seems to really be blowing smoke up 49er Alex Boone's bum, so I think poor Rhino Belozi will never get his Name back.

February 8, 10, 11

I apologize, again I am void of much text for this week :(  

Please enjoy the photos :)

 Sweet Orkney has been making alot of eye contact :) LOVEZ!

 This little one was staying statue still til it was safe to come down and hide his nut!

Ulu Bear had her stuffie Easter Bunny that my friend Lee gave her two years ago!

Ground Hornbills

 Slash (female Cassowary)

 Ulu enjoying the warm air :)

 Rhea, flightless bird

new to the Puente Al Sur

 Black Necked Swans

 My precious Goob!

 Goober smiles are the best!

 Tucker 

 Tallulah

 Maggie

 Tallulah

Rhea

 Happy Capy! (Capybara)

 Leanne saying Hi 

 Hello

 You're still here?

 Like me, Cobby disapproves of the rain forecast!

 Incredible capture of his eyes!

Love this one!  Miss T with a mouthful of Broccoli

Classic exchange of expression between she and Minnie lol!