Survey and Quotes - What Other's Would Like To See Done At The SFZoo

In my previous post, I wrote about what I would want to see done at the Zoo.   The catalyst for posting those thoughts was hearing about yet another project that once again in my opinion did not support my feelings that the Zoo should Take Care At Home, meaning, do what's best for the Animals that already live there. I decided to take a poll.  Without going into detail about the new project, I asked people in my circle what they would want to see done at the Zoo.  Below are quotes from those I asked.  Some who work at the Zoo, some who used to.  Some who visit randomly, some who are Members.  Its been six months, so if anyone has additional thoughts to add, please contact me or add them via the survey. 

I am interested in hearing how others would answer, so please take (and share) my short Survey.  Five questions total, three are optional.  The Survey is completely Anonymous!  So, if you work at the Zoo and want to express yourself, you can do so confidently.  If you want your voice to be heard, I'd like to post your answers in an update of this post.  If you prefer not to have them public, write Private in the comment box for that question.  

What Projects Would You Like To See At The San Francisco Zoo?

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6GGF8RN

"Building/Upgrading exhibits for Senior Residents. Constructing for Animals in behind the scenes holdings, so public can see them and they can get added Enrichment by people watching."

"Improve Bear and Cat Habitats, (and Chimps pending size of new areas).  They need more space and more naturalistic.  Combine some areas, or build new in undeveloped areas of the Zoo." 

"Conservation projects.  I'd like to see SFZoo as a Global Awareness Advocate like San Diego, and the Bronx Zoo.  I'm ashamed our big City Zoo isn't a prominent figure in Conservation, like SDZ and BZ.  ... Exhibit Updates."

"My big number one is signage: a single uniform style. includes: clear directional signs, eg, the way out of the parking lot. intelligent animal descriptions including age of species. taxonomy charts my group, eg, primates, carnivores. make the Zoo's organization by group transparent. AND a sign telling people where to exit from parkinglot!!! ... more art. more history, eg vintage engravings by species classifiers. ... non-reflective glass. ... plastic casts of skulls, as at grizzly bears. ... flight space for all birds, eg rebuild the short string & give the kookaburras a sunny home. ... swing space for siamangs. ... redesign Insect House as per Patrick's needs. ... BATS!!! ... reclaim that body of water from the duck-weed. ... restore the Wetlands — this will never happen, merely a fantasy!"

"Education.  More specific Education about SFZoo Animals.  Stronger Education about Wild Animals in Crisis." 

"Upgrade All, including Mothers Building"

"All for the Animals."

"After Update all, bring in Big Animals."

"Upgrades for all.  Build area to Rescue Lab Chimps. 200 are sitting in holding with no place to go."

"New Gorilla Habitat with and pool and more Enrichment.  Swinging and Climbing Equipment and space. ... Waste of money on new exhibit. They should turn down the money."

"Upgrade all. . Tram" 

"Take care of old exhibits and Animals first.  More Enrichment for the Animals."

"Upgrades to the Animals Exhibits , that Benefit the Animals!"

Thank you to everyone who gave me answers.

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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

What I'd Like To See Done At The San Francisco Zoo

For almost a decade now I have had ideas about what I'd like to see at the Zoo.  As I became more aware and endeared to the Animals as individuals, those thoughts grew and became endless.  I have kept notes on each thought, most that involve the Animals and really need no notes as they loop through my mind constantly.  

The catalyst for this post is an upcoming project, that in my opinion should not be happening at this time, as there are in-need projects that are ignored.  My list here will mostly highlight projects I feel are in-need, with some other ideas.  It's not my complete list, although I may ramble on, and it may seem like it is!

There's been several projects over the past five or so years that have taken priority over those in-need.  Each time one came about, my thoughts went to three Animals.   The Chimps, who waited over thirty years to get any updates to their home.  They waited to the point where they were in jeopardy of being kicked out by the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  I Roared as loud as possible for them and with KGO-TV's help, created public outrage, and thankfully these Friends never knew what was happening.  Not only a callous decision, they could have lost their lives in a move like that.  Wishbone the Andean Bear, did lose his life to being forced to live exclusively on concrete.  I Roared for him, but never reached the right people.  The Zoo knew, the Rec and Park knew, the Donors knew,  no one cared to do the right thing for him.   Falcor the Komodo Dragon, who was stuck living in a terrarium for years.  Again everyone knew and no one cared. The Zoo will say timing coincided with health issues.  I call BS on that.  He was supposed to get a new home within a year/half of arrival.  His health issues didn't start til after that time frame.  If he had a proper home, his post-op rehabilitation would have been optimum and he'd probably be more advanced in his recovery than he is.  These three cases have broken my heart many times over.  Animals in-need and yet those able to help with funding ignored them.

Wishy passed away in 2010.  Since then, so many projects came before the Chimps and Falcor.  The Playground, Sculpture Garden, Tiki Hut, Tropical Aviary Renovation, Red Pandas, Wolverines, Wolves, Sifaka, New Flamingo Fencing, Fragrance Garden.  Some of these projects had money locked, which means donations specifically for these projects.  Four included building for new Animals, while those already living at the Zoo were in-need.  

So, What would I do at the Zoo?  A whole lot that's not being done.  These are the projects that I think are in-need and should be a priority over anything else, except for Animals in-need of rescuing, like our Black Bear Cubs or our Sea Lions and Grizzly Girls before them. 

Number one priority for me is Zoo-wide upgrade to barriers.  Specifically at Black Bears, Grizzly, Hippo, and Black Rhino.  If they don't want to put up glass everywhere, at the very least there needs to be a deterrent much like at the male Anteater exhibit.  A jagged barrier that would prevent people from sitting on/over, or standing on barrier railings.  Signs not to do so at every barrier, code-red or not.  Signs at the Entrance. The signs about not crossing barriers are useless.  Keeping the Animals safe, and the Human offenders by proxy should be priority.

I'd like to see Aviaries built for the Birds that live in cages across from the Chimps and the one behind the old Komodo area.  The open field between the Wrinkled Hornbill Aviary and the Food Depot is an obvious location.  Even using that Depot area which is unnecessary for food and then for entertainment during their Zootoberfest.  In my opinion all Events should take place at the Playfield area.  That Depot area, which many years ago was the site of Monkey Island, should be used for Animals.  There is also a huge unused area behind it.  Once those cages are empty, an Aviary could be built there.

I'd like to see the area for the Sloth expanded.  There is no reason the area in the Tropical Building that houses the Sloth is so small and houses four Animals.  The seating to the side should be done away with and the area expanded. As well, an appropriate area for the second Sloth that has been moved from the Tropical Building to the Lion House and to a reduced space.  That terrarium is not a habitat.

I'd like to see the closed areas opened.  There are too many areas closed and have been for too long.  Not only do people not like it, there are Animals that could use the space, and Animals living there that should be viewable.   

First, behind that south east fencing that starts at Hippo and goes toward Grizzlies is an area called South Gate.  This area used to house several species of hoofstock.  It was closed many years ago, as I understand originally because they didn't want to spend time keeping it up.  That proved to be true as I saw the condition it was in last fall, and was almost shocked. I was also shocked and disgusted to see two of the Peccaries living back there, among the ruins of downed fencing, overgrowth, and just plain devastation of once what was a lovely area.  I thought I wrote a post about it with photos, but it didn't come up in a search.  Will link here later if I find it.

So, I'd like to see South Gate re-opened.  They could move the Bongo there.  They could create the extra Peccary habitat that is needed.  They could move the Guanacos from the Puente there.  The Guanacos are on rotation.  The male is living alone, and is rotated a few days a week out of a small holding area to the Puente yard.  He is rotated with the female and their daughter.  These Animals need their own appropriate sized space.  Creating one side by side in South Gate would give them visible access if they wanted.  There is also space for future hoofstock or part of my Rhino idea below.

Next, and even more so now with some Monkey species living there after losing their homes to the new project, the Feline Conservation Center needs to reopen.  An area closed in 2008, in the wake of the Tiger Escape, but allegedly closed for not being handicap accessible.   For those who don't know, the FCC opened in the 80s.  A very cool and secluded area for Medium and Small Cats.  I always liked visiting this area, seeing Sabrina the Black Leopard, who I had visited for so many years, even when she sadly still lived in a cage before FCC opened.  The FCC had maybe half dozen aviary style enclosures. Too small really to be habitats for Leopards, the Snows lived there too, but decent for the Ocelots, and the Fishing Cats.  I remember watching the Fishing Cat kittens out in the open with a Keeper learning to fish.   

There was a time in 2010 when all Cats were either moved down to the Main Zoo or shipped out (Ocelots).  It became an active home when Senior male Snow Leopard Rigel moved there to "retire" as the Zoo was bringing in a male that was born there to be the new breeding companion of Niya.  He passed away, and Niya was then retired to FCC, while the Zoo brought in our current pair.  The FCC now is home to more Animals than it has room for.  In addition to Niya, Raj the father of our Snow Cubs also lives there.  I'm actually happy that Niya now has company, so that didn't work out too bad.  When the Zoo decided it just had to have a male Andean Condor after allegedly refusing to send the female back to her original home Zoo, they both have now been living there for a couple years.  The Zoo had no space for two Condors on exhibit.  Thankfully, the Fossa have now also moved to FCC.  None of these Animals co-habitate, so that is already six aviaries in use.  With the displacement of Monkeys from the Primate Center (read future post about Madagascar project)  allegedly some aviaries were split in two, to accommodate the Howler and soon Colobus Monkeys.

My point about reopening FCC is that there are so many Animals there now, they should be able to be viewed.  Especially the Monkeys that will not be on exhibit during the future construction.  This should have happened long ago and now, it definitely should have been part of the deal prior to the new project breaking ground.  In my opinion that deal should have called for construction of new Monkey enclosures in exchange for displacing from current ones.

Other things I'd like to see as a secondary priority, exhibit upgrades and additional space for Animals who could use it.  

The Animals at the Farm could use some additional rotating spaces.  There had been talk of re-purposing the old Duck pond but nothing has happened.  There are a couple other surrounding areas that could be used as well.  The Cow spends half his day isolated in a back coral.  The San Clemente Goats are contained in one area all day.  The Farm needs at least two additional areas.

Improvements to any Enclosure that is in-need. Some things simple, like adding landscaping to the Gorillas so at least half of their contact window is level with Humans.  They shouldn't be directly looked down on.  Some full on renovations, like new floor to ceiling glass barriers at Cat grotto, allowing for moats to be filled in and topical areas extended by ten plus feet.

I would like to see both Rhinos in better habitats.   I've always hated the Black Rhino enclosure front and back configuration.  Poor Elly the female (passed now) was banished to the back for years.  This exhibit should have had side by side areas so both Animals had equal living situations. Expanding Black Rhino into Bongo area would allow for the back part of Black Rhino to be used for Hippo.  Hippo pool should be glassed in, taking away all the heavy wiring that he constantly gnaws on and eliminating the issue of people hanging over the barrier. 

I would like to see the Asian Rhino have an expansion or new enclosure and a companion.  At the San Francisco Zoo.  It is possible.  There is space.  Expand into the adjacent empty exhibit or build a new one in the old Black Rhino enclosure and the area adjacent to that. That would provide so much room. This exhibit sits along the path going west of the Grizzly Bears, behind the fenced off area across from the lake.  That area is huge, and could accommodate not only an area big enough for two Asian Rhinos, but for a mirror enclosure to the Grizzly Gulch, which could house the Black Bears in the future, allowing the Black Bears and the Grizzlies to rotate.  The Grizzlies have running water in the Gulch so there should be no reason an awesome new pool for Asian Rhino could not be built.  I want to note that Gauhati the Asian Rhino loves his pool, and the waterfall has not been working allegedly for near a year.  Much like the six months that the Lion House had no heat, this is wrong. While not as necessary as heat obviously, its still something that should have been fixed promptly.

Anyway, those are just a short list of things I can think of that should be done for the Animals currently living at the Zoo, before bringing in any news ones and building homes for them, unless they are in-need rescues.  

All the Animals living at the Zoo deserve appropriate habitats.  The Zoo needs to provide that, without entertaining ideas of shipping them out, like they tried to do with the Chimps and have now done with three species living in the Primate Center.  Take Care At Home!

Something non-Animal related, there is an effort by a Historian to repair the Mother's Building.  When this is done, it would be a wonderful place for a History Center.

This post is one in a series of three.  See next two posts for subject matter in full.  Thank you.

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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

I Sure Am Popular! - Membership Crime Update

This could all be uninteresting to the masses, but I need to document certain things, so I'll make it as interesting as possible!

Today's Zoo visit was entertaining.  I spied a Security Guard following me.  The reason I know this is because I rarely see Security, and this guy sat there while I stood watching them build a climbing structure for the Bear Cubs.  So Ridiculous and a waste of time, when Security should be watching for people harassing the Animals and misbehaving, like hanging over the barriers and putting the Animals lives in jeopardy, but oh my bad, more important to tail me.  That said, at least it gives them something to do. Usually they speed by and don't even look at what visitor's are doing.  The last few visits I've seen multiple guards standing around shooting the shit, while someone's hanging over the barrier.  Oh, and I'm being literal on that.  The other day I saw two guards outside the Lion House, yucking it up, and a few minutes later when I walked up the path to Hippo, someone had their kid sitting over the barrier.  

Anyway, I'm sure this could be called harassment since I have done nothing to warrant this, but good on them if they want to follow me.  I'm usually spotting visitors misbehaving, so instead of calling Security and waiting for them to get there (which is often never),  they will be right there with me and I can just point the offenders out to them. 

Speaking of not doing anything to warrant the harassment and denial of Membership, Zoo Management must be working hard to find something to pin on me, whether truth or lie.  I've heard whispers of alleged scenarios involving me.  Apparently I'm becoming quite a Legend!

Maybe I'll use the GoPro as a hidden body cam to document all the action?

Anyway, like in 2011 when I was slandered by San Francisco Zoo Director Peterson,  many there got obsessed with me and what I was doing, saying and posting.  For someone who is not liked by some, they sure are interested in me.  Recently I've been hearing whispers of the same. All I can say is, if the Zoo Staff spent as much energy on important things as it does on me, maybe the Animals would have better Barriers, more Enrichment, and other necessities and the Zoo in general would have less Turmoil and Scandals.

So yeah, entertaining, comical, ridiculous and pathetic.   That's ok.  I just keep on loving the Animals and watching out for them.

Caring about the Animals might be a Crime in the Eyes of the San Francisco Zoo Management, but in My Eyes, its just Doing the Right Thing.

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I got home and had a FedEx delivery from the Zoo.  An envelope with my refund check.  Its only been near four months since I paid and almost two months since I requested it.  But hey, par for the course, the Zoo does whatever it wants to maintain its position of dictating all situations.  And, of course there was no letter of reasoning for denying me renewal of my Membership. Didn't expect one, as they don't feel they need to provide that.  They didn't in 2011 and again not now.  Bottom line, it's because they got nothing valid.

  

Is SFZoo Director Peterson Fundraising For Our Chimps?

I've talked about our Chimps alot over the past few days.  Yesterday I spent time at the Zoo with Friends meeting Friends and Celebrating our Chimps.  I also did an interview for the Documentary being made about our Cobby.

Those events have resonated the feelings of passion I have in my advocacy for our Zoo Friends, and for my Chimp crusade in particular.  So, again I thought my days off would be filled with catching up here.  Instead I caught up on sleep, only to wake up and click on a google news alert for the Zoo that pissed me off.

Its not hard to piss me off in regards to the Zoo.  That is part of the problem.  Too many things are upsetting, and rather than write about them on the spot, they just get added to the to do list.  

Today, I'm bypassing my want for chronological order, for things to have backstory, for each post to flow into the next.  I just couldn't keep my thoughts to myself, until the right time in the post line came up.

So, even without proper updates, we all know, at this point,  four months after Zoo Director Tanya Peterson promised upgrades to our Chimps, that nothing except painting one structure from the 80s and doing neglected maintenance inside their night quarters has happened. 

We know that to date, Director Peterson has not forged into the "biggest fundraising campaign", that she touted at the announcement Meeting in February.   The only apparent effort to raise money for the Chimps has been by putting up a Donation page on their website, which was mentioned once on their Facebook page.

We know that one million dollars came from an Anonymous Donor, and I was told as of April 6th, that $10,000 was raised via the website.

I have been focusing on the asthetic state of the Chimps night quarters, as to me, this shows the blatant disregard and disrespect these Beings have gotten over the years.  At the very least, their home should have been painted by now.  I think they can afford a few cans of paint and manpower to get it done.  At the very least, it would show they care.

Cobby, wishing he was watching paint dry rather than peel.

On the extreme end of the upgrade situation, I was told by Director Peterson that the 1 million was enough to get the Sky Trails done.  So why hasn't that begun?   She knows very well that with the ages of our Chimps, that this is a time sensitive project.  This is an upgrade that in tempoary lieu of a new exhibit, will allow for more space and an additional holding space for bringing in additional Chimps, which is essential to them being able to remain at the Zoo, under the AZA guidelines.  

So, let's talk about the new exhibit.  With a price tag of ten million, Director Peterson has been quoted saying that she's found it difficult to fundraise for this project.  I'd personally like to know what attempts she's made?  I've written before that I have not heard of any attempt for the Chimps needs at any ZooFest during her reign.  I have also yet to hear whether they were mentioned at this years ZooFest.

I also want to add, as I've done before and will again, that I think its disgusting that Members of the San Francisco Zoological Society are choosy what they donate to.  Maybe they should be reminded this organization they chose to be part of is a home and facility that is supposed to be dedicated to the care and well being of Living Beings.  Their Needs should be priority over "pet" projects.

That all said in brief, this is a ScreenCap of what came through the google alert today.

Don't get me wrong, as a San Francisco Native I'm all for history festivities, BUT you got to effin' be kidding me "led an expert fundraising charge to support these frolics and raise multi-million dollar funds,..."   So, the way I read this is, Director Peterson had ambition for and was able to, raise funds for frolics and lights, but can't seem to do the same for Living Beings in Need?   I'm also pretty sure she and every other Member of our illustrious San Francisco Zoological Society live in homes with no peeling paint.  Shameful.

Blog Update

Instead of the ongoing silence on my blogs, I wanted to at least post something, to let everyone know I'm still out here and still keeping my eye on Zoo Happenings.

Everyday for near two months, I have sat at the computer, trying to work on the long list (over a dozen, maybe nearing two) of blog posts I have in draft.  Chimp Updates, Visit Notes, Joint Zoo Meeting Reports, Topics of Issue,... So many things, and for some reason I just haven't been able to get any of them done.  

It may seem like an easy task, just write my thoughts and hit publish, but its not that easy for me. Writing these posts takes alot of time and energy.  I like to post in chronological order when I can.  I like to make sure to include photos and links, to support/supplement what I'm writing about.  Most of the time these are issues of extreme irritation and frustration, so I get pretty worked up.  That all said, I'm passionate about the Zoo Friends and it means alot to me to document the things I do.   This is something I will never give up on, because I will never give up on the Animals.  

Please continue to support my efforts by checking in.  I hope to move forward with a spurt of energy, I'm just waiting for it to hit!

Thank you to all who visit my blogs.

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I have been posting the Zoo Friend Birthdays on my Facebook Group :)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/716283861824320/

Yesterday was Sukari's 13th Birthday!

Save SFZoo Chimps Update - CHIMPS to STAY!!!

In case you haven't been following my blog dedicated to my Save SFZoo Chimp crusade, here is a screencap of recent posts!  Including all the information about this wonderful News to come out of the Zoo yesterday after noon.

Head on over to savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com and catch-up!

I can not be more happy with the Victory for Cobby, Maggie and Minnie!  Tears of Joy streaming still.  These Precious Friends will get to stay home and will eventually get a new home!  YAY!

San Francisco Zoo Chimps on TV Tonight!

Our Chimps will be on TV Tonight!

Check out KGO-TV investigative report!

SFZoo Chimps Moving? - The Story So Far!

The San Francisco Zoo Chimps In Jeopardy of Losing Their Home.

If you have been following this blog since the start, you have read all the information on the situation that I have gathered from fact, third party, and research.  There has been more since my last attempt at a synopsis, so this will be a full update, of the story so far!

Three weeks ago I started this blog, after hearing the disturbing news that Director Peterson was planning to move our Group of Senior Chimps.  

The information I got was, they were being sent to a facility in Florida.  Allegedly Lion Country Safari.  Allegedly Director Peterson had been there to see the place.  Allegedly the move is happening end of March.

Our Chimps are aged 45, 45 and 57.  In my opinion they are too old to be moved to another facility.  They have lived at the Zoo for near half a century.  I think it would be traumatizing.  Additionally at 57, Cobby, should not be integrated into an established group with other males. That alone could prove to be life-threatening.  These Chimps should be allowed to live out their lives at the SFZoo.

Why can't they?  THAT is the question!  Two scenarios.  One, the AZA guideline recommends social groups of four minimum. After losing Tallulah in 2013, we only have three.  The AZA may or may not be willing to send additional Chimps, based on the current condition of the enclosure.  The other senario is, Director Peterson, just doesn't want them there and is using this AZA guideline as an excuse.

From my research, the AZA would prefer Zoo's to keep their Chimps and they are willing to give generous timelines for fundraising, upgrades and/or new exhibit builds.  So, the Zoo could be given the time, as well, I believe the Zoo has or has access to the funds.  They recently broke ground on another play area for kids that is rumored to have cost over a million, but down from three!  As well, rumors are there is plans to bring in another species of Lemur, and build a new exhibit for it.  As well as the rumor that a version of the previously planned Great Ape Forest is still on, only not with Chimps.

If the enclosure is the issue, then there lies the issue of Zoo Management disregarding the Chimps for years.  The enclosure was built in 1968.  The last upgrade was made in mid 1980s.  In 1997, City Residents voted a Bond in for the Zoo to build a new Chimp exhibit, the Great Ape Forest.  That never happened. Nothing for them ever happened.  Why?

The Zoo under Director Peterson's rule, has seen the Chimps home with peeling paint and rusted structures, while Director Peterson spends money bring in new Animals and building new exhibits for them.  The only obvious answer for this is that she favors the New and Shiny over the Old and Gray. Is doing right by the Chimps and other current residents in need?  Hell NO!

In an effort to fact find on this, as much as possibly considering, Director Peterson has made a statement in personal correspondence to several members of the public, as well as Zoo/Park/City staff.  

In her own words, Director Peterson states "... there has been no decision to move them anywhere (zoo or sanctuary)."   ...  This is very interesting.  Good to hear if true, but interesting as it differs from what Staff have heard.  OR is it a play on words, as Lion Country Safari is neither a Zoo or a Sanctuary?

Additionally, the other day, they were building transfer cages in the Chimps indoor quarters, one Staffer said, "in preparation for when they move".   .. Where does that fall into the "no decision to move" statement?

Something else that was curious in her correspondence was this quote to a member of the public, "...I too am not eager to see them leave." 

? Director Peterson, if you are not eager to see them leave, WHAT are you doing so they can stay? Are you preparing to upgrade their current home so additions can be made to the group?  Are you going to stop building new play things for humans and new exhibits for new animals and plan for building the Chimps the new home they were promised 18 years ago in 1997?   Are you doing what it takes to keep them in the only home they have ever known?   

Remember to follow this story on its own blog

http://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com

You can also find the Chimps on Facebook!

Help Save SFZoo Chimps! - Letter Writing Campaign Call to Action!

Please Help the Chimps, by being their voice.  Reach out to those on this list or anyone else you can think of.  Express your opinion about Director Peterson's decision to Kick Out Our Chimps.  

I am posting this as a Call to Action Letter Writing Campaign, although earlier discussions we batted about the idea of sending Bananas to the Zoo, to make a point.  FYI for purists, I know Banana's are a symbol for Monkeys, not Apes, but it was the only relate-able item we could think of!

For those of you who want to write letters, I plan to write a post that is a synopsis of the information I've posted to date.  You are welcome to use it as a guideline.  Thank you for any effort you can put into this situation.  Please remember that the Chimps are set to move sometime over the next month and a half, so this is a time sensitive issue.

Yesterday I started compiling contact information of people who are in an authoritative position over San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson. ...  I do know many Zoo Staff and other Zoo related entities read my blogs, so if you have any other contacts (or corrected addresses or anything else for that matter) please comment or you can contact me directly (leo811sf@gmail.com) with that information.  Thank you.

I will start by providing again the contact information for Zoo Director Peterson.  Since she has not made any public statement about her decision to move the Chimps, you may have questions for her directly.

Tanya Peterson - San Francisco Zoo Director

tanyap@sfzoo.org

1 Zoo Rd

San Francisco, CA 94132

Robert Pedrero - San Francisco Zoological Society Chairman (unconfirmed address but worth a try)

c/o Golf Insider

3310 Baker St San Francisco, CA 94123

David Stanton - San Francisco Zoological Society Member and former Chairman

c/o Francisco Partners

One Letterman Drive

Building C - Suite 410

San Francisco, CA 94129

Mark Buell - San Francisco Recreation and Park President

P.O. Box 29921, 

San Francisco, CA, 94129, US

Allan Low - San Francisco Recreation and Park Vice President

Alow@perkinscoie.com

Eric McDonnell - Recreation and Park Commissioner

https://www.facebook.com/eric.mcdonnell.54

(Note I've seen this guy with Tanya during the Gorilla Tragedy, as well as a spokesperson in Media)

Meagan Levitan - Recreation and Park Commissioner

mlevitan@hill-co.com

(Bio was appealing as a contact for this issue)

To tailor your appeal, bio's for Rec and Park Commissioners can be found at http://sfrecpark.org/about/recreation-park-commission/  ...  There are more, I just picked two I thought were top choices for the reasons I stated.  Many are San Francisco Natives, therefore most likely grew up going to the Zoo and like me, have seen these Chimps through their own lifetime.

Last but not least, the Mayor.  The San Francisco Zoo is owned by the City, even though it is managed by the Zoological Society, it still must answer to the City via the Rec and Park.

Edwin Lee - San Francisco Mayor

City Hall, 

Room 200,

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

Telephone: (415) 554-6141

Fax: (415) 554-6160

Email: mayoredwinlee@sfgov.org

Other people who may be interested and/or have some pull:

Norman Yee - District 7 Supervisor 

Norman.Yee@sfgov.org

Tad Taube - one of the Zoo's major Donors 

Taube Philanthropies 

1050 Ralston Avenue

Belmont, CA 94002

Remember the Full Details are now on the blog 

savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com

Save San Francisco Zoo Chimps!

I have started a new blog dedicated to my current effort.
http://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com/

Additionally I have started a Facebook Group
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San Francisco Zoo Director Kicks Out Senior Chimps!

I apologize ahead of time at the length of this post.  This is a real Passion Issue for me and because of the nature of it, I feel its necessary to be very clear on all points.  If you care about our Chimps, please read in full.  Thank you.

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Outrageous News out of the Zoo.  Well, not really "out" of the Zoo, since the Zoo has made no public mention of this, I guess just another thing they hope to keep secret.  

San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson has given the boot to the Family of Three Senior Chimpanzees who have lived at the Zoo for over 45 years!

Where are they going?  To Florida. I'm still not completely sure exactly where.  I've heard a Sanctuary, yet the only place I've heard the name of,  I don't think falls into Sanctuary category.  

As noted, the Zoo has not made any public mention of this move, so I guess its all being done on the hush and those of us who love these Chimps will just show up one day and they will be gone?  

This News makes me sick.   I am not the only one who loves these Chimps and is heartbroken at the thought we will never see them again.

As well, I am not alone in feeling this is wrong.  Our Chimps are aged 57, 45 and 45.  These Chimps should not be put throught the trauma of a move.  The reality if you picture it will be such:  They will think everything is going routine in their life, til they are darted and tranquilized.  They will be flown across the country, wake up in a cage in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people.  After a quarentine time, they will be intergrated into established Chimpanzee groups, all with an already established Alpha Male.

Imagining them put in this situation is heartbreaking.  What happens if they don't intergrate?  What happens if Cobby has a hard time?  He has been the only Male in his group.  Will he be banished to live alone?  Separated from his Girls?  Sent off to another place?   I already know that Cobby had a really difficult time when he came to the Zoo in 1968.  I am friends with one of his first Keepers John Alcaraz (1968-1986).   John, an established SFZoo Ape Keeper started working with Cobby a couple months after his arrival, when the new Keeper hired to work in the new Triple Grotto (that went up in 68 as well) couldn't hack it.  Upon meeting Cobby, he found a frustrated, upset and out of control Chimp, yelling and screaming.  Cobby came to the Zoo after living in someone's home and being used in Entertainment.  When he arrived at the Zoo, the new Keeper did nothing to help him transition to Zoo life.   He was thrown in with other males and they beat on him.  John worked with him to get him comfortable living in captivity and with other Chimpanzees.  He has said this took sometime because they had to develop a relationship of working together.  This was 47 years ago.  The Girls, both Maggie and Minnie came to the Zoo as infants together 45 years ago and only know the SFZoo as their home.

How can this be happening you might ask?

The current situation as I have come to understand it is such.

The AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)  has a "loose rule" that requires Chimpanzees to live in groups of four minimum.   Less than four they are required to add the the group, to bring it to an ideal social size that resembles how they would live in the wild.

The problem with doing that with our group comes with questions.

Would the AZA allow the Zoo to bring in more Chimps?   Is that not an option unless enclosure upgrades are made (which has come up for other Zoos)?  Did Director Peterson just take the easy way out and opt to just send them away?

Would the Chimps be in this position if their home had been at the very least, upgraded?  OR would they still have been booted out by Director Peterson, in favor of bringing in more "new and shiny" Animals?

As I've noted in previous posts: 

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/sfzoo-chimpanzees-need-some-love.html

Please read if you haven't, to get full understanding of situation with SFZoo Chimps.

There has been a steady stream of new areas built both for Humans and New Animals during Director Peterson's reign (several this past year) and the new continues to flow with rumors of new species, needing new homes built, already on the agenda.  ... This week I saw construction begin on building yet a new childrens's play structure next to the current playground.  Are you friggin' kidding me?  More for Humans?  

As well, as incoming, I have seen many Animal species get transfered out.  At first I thought it was for better management size, then new ones just came in to seemingly take their place.  So, basically what appears to be  happening is theres a personal agenda in place and some Animals are more desirable than others. ... That said, allegedly Director Peterson has a plan to bring in another species of Ape and of course then, they will need to build a new home for them.  If this is true, I can literally feel the SLAP in the face for our poor Chimps.

I did some investigating in regards to the AZA position.  I still haven't heard back from them, but I called several of the Zoos that were listed in the 2012 Chimpanzee Studbook as having 3 or less Chimps.  I spoke at length to the Director at one Zoo, whose group of 3 is in the same situation.  Valuable information  was shared and makes me question in regard to our Chimps, Is moving them the only doable option?  I believe HELL NO!  is the answer!

*The Zoo Director I talked to said his Zoo has had only three Chimps for near five years.  We lost our Tallulah in 2013.  We have only had three under two years. 

*The AZA would prefer Chimps not being transefered out and are "willing" to work with Zoos to keep them.   

Considering those two statements, I'm led to believe Director Peterson  just doesn't want to try.   But WHY?  Is the question.  

Has the full picture (as I'm describing it) been shown to the Recreation and Park, and Zoological Society?

If so, how can they be caring of the Animals if this is allowed to happen?

AND if they say its better for them, then they might as well send every Animal at the SFZoo away, because that's saying something about the care there.

This other Zoo has recently been given a timeline, as their situation mandates that they upgrade the enclosure before they can bring in additional Chimps.   If they can raise money to upgrade the enclosure, they can keep their Chimps.  ... They are currently running an online campaign outreaching to the public for help. ...  They WANT to keep their Chimps.

Does the San Francisco Zoo WANT to keep their Chimps?  OR are they on Director Peterson's hit list of Animals to send out in favor of bringing more in?

Has the AZA said they can't bring in additional Chimps to enlarge the group?  OR Has the AZA said they can't, unless they upgrade the enclosure?  OR is this just the ticket Peterson needed as an excuse to send them packing?

While their life at the SFZoo is not the best it can be, it certainly isn't the worst.  They deserve to live out their lives in the only place they've known as home.

Doing everything that can be done to keep them there to live out the duration of their lives, should be the priority.  ... WHY?  Isn't it?

The biggest disgust and crime, is that this move might not have ever been necessary if the Zoo had not disregarded the Chimps for the last 17 years.  If we are going with one assumption, that its an enclosure upgrade issue, then there is no reason these Chimps should be traumatized because the SFZoo has slighted them.  Thats not their fault. ... Its not their fault that the last upgrade to their enclosure was in the mid 80s.  Please read my post: for full details ...  Its not their fault that the SFZoo misappropriated money in 1997 from a City Bond that was voted in with a designation for a new Great Ape Forest.  For more information please read my previous post:  http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/san-francisco-zoo-steals-money-for-new.html

In addition to the two posts I've linked, I also wrote one with a idea for expanding the group.
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2015/01/rescuing-research-chimps-would-be.html
Both my suggestions for upgrading and for expanding the group would Save Our Chimps.  BUT thats only if the Zoo actually wanted to and again, that's NOW the real question.  

San Francisco Zoo do you want to Save Our Chimps?

Sadly, because of the years of disregard I think I know the answer, but that doesn't mean the SFZoo shouldn't be made to do better by these Chimps.

I have done a tremedous amount of complaining about the SFZoo.  Its because I care, and I want them to do better.   

In light of that, one could ask, do I think they could get better care at another facility?  Who knows.  And that could then be a questionable concern for every Animal at the Zoo.  

Does that mean the San Francisco Zoo Team, Management and Officials should get off easy, with a convinent send off,  for the disregard they've shown to the Chimpanzees?  Hell NO!

Should the SFZoo continue to be allowed to bring in more New Animals before taking care of the ones already there?  Hell NO!  THAT is the main issue.  

As I've written before bringing in New Animals (which does not include those in need of rescuing),  to enlarge the Collection, based on personal agenda and gate sale greed, is a disgrace and disrespect to every current Resident Animal in need.

Allegedly the San Francisco Zoo has to answer/get the okay from the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Recreation and Park, and the San Francisco Zoological Society.  That said, those "Offices"  of authority should take a better managing position. In doing so they should:

*Put a STOP to this move.  The Chimps SHOULD NOT LEAVE the San Francisco Zoo.

*Put an indefinite hold on any current and future plans that include bringing in New Animals, that require new exhibits to be built.  ... Zoo should be forced to take care of "home" , before anything else. 

*Find Funds (because I know they are there) to upgrade the current Chimpanzee enclosure not only for them, but to accomodate any assumed AZA issue in regard to expanding the group.  ... Upgrading they could bring in two new females that wouldn't change the current dynamics too much.

*Find Funds/Fundraise for the construction of a New Chimpanzee Exhibit.  ... They could then complete a move and add more Chimps to expand group, after a decent integration time. 

THIS is the only way to respect these wonderful beings who have given near half a century to the San Francisco Zoo.

My head is spinning over this whole situation.  So, In closing (for now), I only can keep asking myself, ...

How does the San Francisco Zoo (Director Peterson and others who have supported this Motion to Move) think this is a good idea? ...  I'd bet as noted, they don't really and this is just an easy out for them.  The Chimps aren't being sent away for their own good.  As well, Director Peterson will probably be praised for this, as the public hears the word "Sanctuary" and thinks its the best thing for all Animals.  While this possibly might have been a good thing 20 yrs ago, at their age now its not. Its even more disgusting because of the disregard and apparent discard circumstances.

How does the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Recreation and Park,

and the San Francisco Zoological Society, (the governing agencies the Zoo answers to) think that this is a good idea?  ... My bet is they have not been given the full picture, and/or don't care.  Definitely its per usual, just go along with whatever Director Peterson says.  They take the easy way out as well, never questioning anything, never getting involved, never anything that has to do with the place they are supposed to be "watching over".  

Over the next week, I do plan to make more noise about this.  If you are outraged as well, please check back for my next post which will include contact information for letter writing, as well, I may have some other ideas to Save Our Chimps!

Until then, please feel free to contact San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.

As with all posts,

please expand comments

for additional insight and information.

Check back as I reply to all comments.

Contact the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson

if you want your voice heard.

tanyap@sfzoo.org