Why Hasn't The Zoo Said Anything About The Lives Lost?

It's been four days since news articles noted that the Zoo released a statement to Media that one Red Kangaroo and two Walleroos had been recently killed. 

I've been deeply saddened by this loss and the event that caused these deaths.  It hurts my Soul that their passing has been ignored.

I keep waiting for this type of statement to be posted by the Zoo to it's social media, but there has not been one word.  They died eleven days ago.  

'We are Sad to announce a horrific loss to Our Zoo Family...'

Why hasn't the Zoo acknowledged these Lives? 

Additionally there are other questions.   

I don't even know if this is a thing but, it would seem that there should be a protocol and maybe there is to report suspected wild animal trespassing.  The Zoo made their statement last Friday, a week after the killings and three days after the first reported spotting if the Mountain Lion.

Coyotes are common in the City and have been spotted in the Zoo, but a Mountain Lion it seems should be reported and neighboring area warned to be alert when out. That's just my thought and curiosity.

Many more thoughts since this news about how the animals are housed at night. In addition to note about Coyote presence, the Zoo is on the route a Mountain Lion would take north to the City, where they have been spotted on the westside, so predator tresspassing should be a concern.  It would seem that all the animals should be locked in at night, especially ones that occupy exhibits around the perimeter fence which would be the first point of access. Closest to the fencing would be the Farm, the Walkabout and the Cassowary.  

So, that's another question in my mind.  Are these animals locked in at night or are they left out?  If they are left out, considering the obvious concern, what is the thought process for leaving them out after hours?  Not being judgemental but definitely curious.

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"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Three Lives Lost - Mountain Lion Roaming SF Suspected

The Mountain Lion roaming the City this past week, is suspected to have entered the Zoo and killed a Red Kangaroo and two Wallaroos.  

I followed the story of the Mountain Lion and its rescue by Animal Care and Control, and taken to Oakland Zoo for evaluation.  There have been several of these instances and each time I wish our San Francisco Zoo was set-up to intake Wildlife in need.  After evaluation, this yearling was taken by Fish and Wildlife and released.  It seemed like this story turned out ideally.  Unfortunately, only for the Mountain Lion.

I read the Heartbreaking news from the Zoo yesterday late afternoon.  Been shedding so many tears, it's just so awful.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/amp/San-Francisco-mountain-lion-dead-kangaroo-zoo-15352957.php?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3j31EBeUfEmYk9WxuH9kd9MXs2nxrpZJcQ5FBHDjKLtwdiR2FFUEKyUTE

What a horror for a captive Animal to experience. For any Animal, but for captives, whose live is peaceful and safe, with no fear of predators, it had to be terrifying. Just too horrible to imagine those moments.

Hard to know the specifics, not much information provided.  I thought they were kept inside barn at night (assuming it happened overnight) but another article noted they were found in "outside exhibit".  There have been multiple Mtn Lion sightings in the past year, as well there is a huge Coyote population in the City.  There is the possibility of a predator threat, I would think none of the Animals in the collection should have outside access at night.

I'm so Sad for this loss, especially for the Kangaroo and Wallaroo Families, who have witnessed this and lost their loved ones.

RIP Precious Roos.  Bless Your Souls.

Oakland Zoo bans Single Use Plastic. Why wasn't SFZoo first?

So, last weekend while working on those draft posts I continually mention, two things that irked me came up.  ... This was one of them.

Oakland Zoo Takes Stand Against Single-Use Plastics
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oakland-zoo-takes-stand-against-143500842.html

Why does this bother me? Because our SFZoo should have been first to do this.  In recent times I have tried to limit my issues, especially ones I use my time and energy to write about, to those pertaining to the Animals.  But, after twelve years of being sensitive to what goes on at the Zoo, ten years documenting, I have been increasingly irritated, and frankly at my breaking point, that our Zoo is not the best it can be.  I'll save the rest of my rant for another time. 

In a recent post, News on Triple Grotto (1.20.20), I referred to a conversation I had with an upper management staffer, who I asked for a timeline for when there would be a third space created in Triple Grotto, so the Orangutans had a yard to use daily.  In that same conversation, the subject of single use plastics came up.  In the midst of talking about the Orangutan situation, this staffer brought up a personal goal to get rid of single-use plastics in the Cafe, by installing more water filling stations on the grounds.  I said that one does not relate to the other, as the Cafe could stop selling them anytime.  The staffer said, it takes time, noting the agreement with SSA who manages the concessions.  I said, but they are in the Zoo and if you request they stop, shouldn't they stop? The staffer said, the Cafe would lose revenue, that's why the stations are needed.  I said, that makes no sense, as regardless of where and when the stations appear, they are still not going to be selling them, so no revenue anyway.  If revenue was the issue, they could easily replace the bottled water with canned water at anytime.  They sell canned liquor, they can sell canned water.  As well, there are two plain water taps in the Cafe at the Soda station, as well two filling stations on the grounds.  Even though its unnecessary, I also suggested installing a watering station in the Cafe.  If they had to have another one, that seemed like the logical place. The debate went no where, as there was no where for it to go.  It made no sense to me.  Maybe I'm missing something?

The article mentioned 

canned Dasani water

so this can be replaced.

There are also juices

 that come in cans,

 these plastics can go too.

Considering SSA also manages concessions at Oakland Zoo and they were able to get it done, what is the disconnect with San Francisco Zoo successfully accomplishing this?   

This is not to throw anyone under the bus, but come on.  SFZoo keeps Orangutans in cages, and can't even negotiate a water bottle situation.  There is something seriously wrong at management level.  Our SFZoo should be doing better.

I know that even the mention of management flaws makes me vulnerable to retaliation, as I have been targeted in the past twice now, but things need to be said, and I'm going to continue to say them. There is no rule or law against me voicing my opinion.

I voiced my opinion on the installation of more water stations in a post from December 2018.  I took issue with the Zoo soliciting donations for them when there were Animal related needs that could use funding.  It's a waste of money in my opinion.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/12/enrichment-and-soliciting-donations-for.html

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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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