Bid Farewell To Akobi - Our Pygmy Hippo Is Leaving

Let me just start by adding on to the post title a bit...

Bid Farewell To Akobi - Our Pygmy Hippo Is Leaving ... What the Serious F%%k!!!???

So, per usual when I go off course with my current post list, I constantly rework it for flow, as I always try to get back on track with some order if possible.  That said, once again I didn't even get to pick back up with even one draft post, before something else presented itself.  

I've said before that I usually don't look at the Zoo's Social Media regularly, unless I'm looking to see if they posted something specific.  Same goes for the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Minutes, which are monthly and sometimes I go a few months without checking that.  With both, it's just a thing where there is always something that's going to bother or upset me, and I got enough without going looking for it.

So, now for getting into the title of this post.

I've been sitting on this for a week now. Last Saturday, I remembered the Joint Zoo Meeting was the Thursday before, so I thought I'd take a look.  There it was, 1.0 (meaning one male) Donation to Houston Zoo.  I was shocked.  Even though upsetting, I'm glad I did, otherwise I may never have known about Akobi, and would have went there one day and he would have been gone.  

I feel bad for all of us who love this guy, but most of all for him.  This was his first home away from his Mother, and he seems happy.  

Akobi coming to sat Hi! 

screencap from video linked below

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3jcEl1Elwwqm_eTNfCcqVrVUYHKoRCGslEaqOLYFn6N0tlK-HlizsyP7A&v=nTRMjDTho6w&feature=youtu.be

The Animal Care team did a good job renovating the enclosure for him, even adding to it after his arrival.  As well, modifications were made to the night quarters as Pygmy Hippos have different needs than Nile Hippos.  Will this be the end of Pygmy Hippos occupying this enclosure?  Akobi is popular and not having him (or another Pygmy Hippo) here is big hit to the Zoo.  Hopefully the Zoo doesn't go ahead with a previous plan to demolish this area, because that would be a really bad call to not use this enclosure, and another waste of money, doing one thing, then changing it not long after.  

I waited to write a post about this because I wanted to confirm it verbally with someone there.  I was 99.9% sure this meant Akobi, but just in case, I like to be as sure as possible when I'm documenting something.  There are times, and coincidentially one listed right after this Akobi entry, where transfers for Black Rhinos (or other Animals SFZoo owns that are not part of the onsite collection) are listed and it's just paperwork. I knew this couldn't be the case, because we don't own any Pygmy Hippos in other Zoos.  So, I visited the Zoo on Tuesday, and my inquiry in regards to Akobi leaving was curious.  Usually I can ask a question and get an answer, but literally four people quickly said, "I don't know anything".  When I added that we don't own other Pygmys, one said, "There's your answer".  That's essentially giving me the answer without actually telling me, which leads me to believe, staff has been told not to talk about it, or not to talk about it to me.  The fifth person I mentioned it to, said, "I heard something about that".  

So, while it is sadly indeed true, I do not know when, or why.  I can speculate on why, but don't think I'll be confirming it, since no one is even talking about him leaving.  I was told Akobi is high on the genetically valuable list for breeding, and that is the only thing I can think of that would be a factor.  When he first came here, I was told that at some point a female would be joining him.  Considering that, I am assuming that SF does not want to breed him, so maybe he is going to where a female will join him.  It wouldn't be the first time we lost an Animal because of breeding conflict.  Again I'm just speculating, but it's worth the lead-in to documenting the whole non-breeding issue.

Like with Akobi, who was brought here as permanent resident, I thought when our Tiger Jillian came back to SF to be paired with a male (Teddy eventually transferred here) for breeding, they too would be permanent residents.  Then we lost both Tigers back to San Diego who owned Teddy.  This allegedly happened because San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson allegedly will not breed any Animal that might result in a birth that will require round-the-clock care if it is rejected by the Mother.  You may wonder why, as other Zoo's hand rear infants.  Allegedly Director Peterson will not pay for after hours care.  That point lends to the fact I have continually presented, Our San Francisco Zoo has been mismanged by Director Peterson through-out her sixteen years at the helm.  No money for any Animal related need, but we got gardens galore, and art installations keep on coming.   

Since I got a Panda post in draft as well, it's worth it to note that part of the agreement with China for acquiring Pandas is that they breed.  So, that makes me wonder how that would then come into play?  Would Director Peterson create yet another illusion and lead them to believe she would allow them to breed, or would they get a pass on the alleged no breeding issue?  Or would millions be spent to get them here, only to have them repossessed?

Another example of no breeding is with Gorillas.  In late 2019 female Kimani was transferred to the Zoo to breed with male Oscar Jonesy.  Jonsey bred with two first-time Mothers, resulting in two offspring, both who had to be hand-reared until a surrogate could take over.  Both our resident female Monifa and Kimani have breeding reccomendations with Jonesy.  Kimani was supposed to breed first, as she came from a Gorilla group where she witnessed births and mother raised babies.  It was hoped she would do the same and that would show Monifa how it's done.  It's been almost five years and this still has not happened.  Jonesy will turn 43 this year.  

Also note that the Orangutans have and I think still do, a breeding recommendation.  Nothing yet and last I heard the female was still on birth control.  That all said, while I'd be over-joyed to experience a babie Orangutan, I personally don't think they should bring a babie into the situation that is, that shit show, ancient, enclosure they were thrown into.  It needs a complete overhaul to provide a new life an appropriate home.  They've already damaged the personalities of Ollie and Amoi, hope they don't bring a babie into it.

I digressed a bit about the no breeding issue, but let's get back to the lack of transparency issue, specifically about Animal transfers.  Since the Zoo is owned by the City, it is responcible for certain transparencies.  Even though Acquistions and Dispositions need to be documented publicly in the Joint Zoo Minutes,  that often doesn't happen until after the the transfer, and the Zoo does not let the public know anything via their Social Media platforms.  Which in my opinion is a huge disservice to Visitors who are endeared to the Animals.  Before I expand on that, I want to make a notation that will support a future post about how the the Zoo management system works and the Pyramid of Power.  All Acquistions are supposed to be approved by the Joint Zoo Committee.  In my opinion, that is all paper pushing, as no managing entity really cares about what goes on at the Zoo.  The whole Orangutan situation has singularly made that clear.  And in relation to the Joint Zoo approval, the female Orangutan arrived at the Zoo, before her acquistion item was even introduced to the Joint Zoo Committee.

So, transparency.  Let's start with another Hippo, our Nile Hippo Tucker.  The Zoo knew about his transfer over a year before him actually leaving.  At no point did they alert the public.  It wasn't until he was gone and Cinncinati anounced his arrival did they post a sign at his enclosure.  In my opinion, that was a COMPLETE mismanagement of his departure.  Tucker was extremely popular. He had a huge fan club among visitors.  Many Zoo's will post about their Animals moving to another Zoo, giving their fans a chance to come and see them before they leave.  Some have even have going away parties.  When Tucker left Topeka, they had a party.  Not San Francisco Zoo.  You become endeared to an Animal, and you go there and one day they are gone.  I've mentioned the lack of Community for our Zoo, meaning there has never been an effort to build a community that cares.  Having a community that cares, lends to people being invested in our Animals.  Creating an enviroment that endears people to our animals, gives them the opportunity to learn more, feel more, care more.  It also leads to more Visitors, more Members and productive fundraising.  A win for everyone.  Our Zoo has none of that.  The individuals that are invested and endeared, have had to seek out information to feed their interest.

So, like with Tucker, there have been many residents before him that just disappeared, who have had their fans upset.  A big one for me, was the departure of Slider the Cow.  I have a stand-alone post about that in draft.  Before him, my little Turaco Friend Zabebu, was sent away.  Usually I get wind of these things, but with both of them, I didn't know.  I have a friend who's a Member, who five years later is still upset that Hasani the Gorilla is no longer here, but at least I knew and she was able to visit him before he left.  The Zoo didn't announce it at all and that was a huge mistake.  He was born here, and hand-reared, so he was in the News, and had alot of fans.  Going back a bit further, when Director Peterson was going to kick out our senior Chimpanzees, she was trying to do so without anyone knowing.  The Zoo's longest residents, having lived here near fifty years, and she was just going to ship them out in the dead of the night, without telling anyone.  It's Disgraceful, and very rude to every Visitor and Member, to not alert and allow for people to know what's happening, especially if its an Animal they'd like to see before it leaves.  My guess would be she doesn't feel like she has to, but a good and decent "manager" would want to.  The disappearances are not even all transfers to other Zoos, but taken off public view and never to be seen again.  There have been many.  I've been attached to three Snow Leopards, Ming Wah, Rigel, and Niya who were taken off view and retired to the off exhibit area FCC, never to be seen again.  Most recently the Great Hornbill Hercules, who has been my first stop of the visit for over a decade, was taken off view.  I can hear him talking from FCC behind Black Rhinos, but who knows if I will ever see him again.  These are all just a few of my personal accounts,  I'm sure everyone who visits regularly has their own sad stories.

So, the goal of this post was to alert everyone to Akobi's upcoming departure.  If you're endeared to him, be sure to visit as who knows when he will disappear. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hot Topic Blogs and Blogging History.

Current Hot Topic Blogs linked at bottom of this post. ... Moving forward you can search this blog for "Hot Topics" to pull up others I think are of constant interest.

When people find out I blog about the Zoo, they are curious what I write about.  I tell them that unfortunately most of what I write about are things I have issue with.  Its not all I write about but it is a huge part.  It wasn't how this blog started, and it certainly was not how my blogging started.  

For those who have known me for many years, know that my first blog ever, was aimed at sharing all the I was learning through my own research, and from Keepers, about the SFZoo Animals.  In the wake of the Tatiana Tiger event, I had read so much slamming of the Zoo, that I wanted to put forth some good stuff and hope that people would be endeared to the Animals as I was, and find the good in the Zoo.   That blog was http://gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com/  Started in 2009 and like this blog, named in honor of my Beloved Tapir Friend Goober.

Through the years, there have been many other happy animal themed blogs and other online efforts. They are all listed here  http://mysanfranciscozooexperience.blogspot.com/  ... One of my favorites is my Enrichment dedicated blog  http://thebigcatnip.blogspot.com

I want to note three other blogs that like the others, I no longer post on, but do contain important past issues.  These are my Hot Topic Blogs. For anyone interested in SFZoo related issues, take a look through the archived posts on these blogs.   

Dedicated to my Crusade to Save our Chimps from being kicked out of the Zoo.

https://savesfzoochimps.blogspot.com/

Dedicated to my Crusade to get our Andean Bear natural surface added to his home.

https://projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com/

Assorted topics of issue

https://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/

Thank You to all who have an interest in everything about the San Francisco Zoo.

Membership Posts and Why It's Important

I apologize to those who read my blog to learn what is going on at the Zoo, for what will probably be more than a handful of posts on the subject of my membership issue.  This blog has the most traffic, so I must post about it here.  I guarantee it will not be pity me posts, but documenting the situation and putting forth information about Zoo Management that reflects the situation, so it will still be about the wrongs at the Zoo.

Every weekend I sit down to attempt past posts in progress, and except for a few entries, I haven't kept up on posting here about the things that just aren't right at the Zoo.  Its very weighing on me to think about these travesties, and energy zapping to organize thoughts to post about them.  Some are the same old topics, like the on going barrier safety issue, which is at the top of my list, as I see barrier breaching issues every visit and fear for the Animals lives.  Some of it new stuff that comes up unexpectedly, like the Patas Monkey tragedy, that I had to write about, there are other awful things that I just never get to, that don't get media attention.

Last weekend I started a post that I abandoned.  The post was meant to reiterate for those who don't know me and/or are new to this blog, a brief history.   I had run into someone I've known along time, someone who knows the Zoo, Management and Politics.  Someone who knows me and what the Zoo Animals mean to me.  The subject of the Zoo always comes up.  They ask and I always rattle off my frustrations and how behind I am with putting all my thoughts to paper here on my blog.   I was encouraged to get it all out.  I try every weekend, both to free it from my mind and most important, as a Voice for the Animals.  For me, it has always been about the Animals.

So much that isn't right goes on at the Zoo and I used to be able to write about everything, then it became overwhelming. Each time I don't put something out and document it here, I feel like I'm failing the Animals.  I am without a doubt, the only person outside the walls of the Zoo who pays attention to what goes on there, and is a Voice for the Animals.  I never used to identify with labels, but I am an Advocate for those precious Zoo Friends.   Inside the walls there few, as most Staff including Security who pays zero attention to what's going on, and those who do are reprimanded, and often fired.  Its a sad and frustrating situation for anyone who cares. 

I am a San Francisco Native, life-long Resident of the Richmond District.  I grew up going to the Zoo and have been a Member most of my adult life.  As a teenager, my Mother sent me and my friends to the Zoo in the 70s for Summer Volunteer Orientation.  Learning that we wouldn't immediately have hands on experience with the Animals, but instead cleaning, we opted to continue our goals of meeting teen idols instead.  I believe everything happens for a reason, but in hindsight I wonder if I had chosen the Zoo as a teen, would I be in Management by now and having a hand at making the Zoo the best place it can be.  Who knows, as there are some who have worked there and still do, who started as teens and made the Zoo their life career choice, because they care about the place and the Animals in their care.  Sadly things haven't been easy during this current reign for those who care.  

In 2008, I started to visit more often and learn more about the Animals, both from the Keepers and my own online research.  I wanted to share what I had learned.  I started my first blog to do that.  I was there on Christmas Day the year before and was heartbroken over the events that took the life of Tatiana (Tiger).  I was also bothered by the dark cloud it left over the Zoo, a place that was dear to me.  Part of sharing my knowledge was to hopefully endear people to the Zoo Animals and change peoples minds.  I wrote to the Director Tanya Peterson and put forth that goal.  I also included other suggestions, as being there so often, I could identify things that were in need.  One Keeper warned me that the Director didn't like suggestions/comments, and I'd have trouble.  As I became more involved emotionally to the Animals and privy to other things that went on, I felt there was so much the Zoo could do to be better.  I continued to share those ideas regardless of the warning.  Director Peterson always replied and thanked me for my suggestions.  I had also been lucky to have my idea to make Enrichment Toys for the Big Cats accepted by the Keeper and Vet Staff.  My friend Lee who was a Docent at the time, and I made toys for most of 2010.  In October politics played into it a few times and we finally opted out of continuing under the impossible guidelines the Zoo decided to put forth in order to squeeze us out of something we created.  By Feb 2011, Untruths were fabricated and Director Peterson revoked our Memberships.  Six years later,  its happening again.  

When this happened in 2011, my friend Lee was given a reason via email from Director Peterson. Untrue as it was, it was a reason.  That reason had nothing to do with me.  So, why did I have my Membership revoked?  Over eleven months, I contacted the Zoo, including Director Peterson and Zoological Board Chairman David Stanton, requesting a reason and was never given one.  After my second letter to Stanton, I received a condescending letter from him, noting that I had been given reason, and listing several untruths, all from the mouth of Director Peterson.  I responded that had I got a reason I would not be continually seeking one.  I let him know that he had no idea what goes on there, since he or anyone else on the Board ever goes there, only taking Director Peterson's word for everything.  I then asked him if he wanted to be the face of Director Peterson's words?  ... Our Memberships were reinstated within a week, complimentary. 

Now, again I have been given no reason other than, "past circumstances".  Since "past circumstances" were based on untruths, what exactly does that mean?   This came out of nowhere.  I had not been warned of any misconduct.  So,  I am waiting for the answer.  Tuesday June 6, 2017,  I sent an email to Steven Haines, VP Strategic Growth and Marketing.  I relayed that I had been advised not to speak to Management and requested my Membership Fees be mailed to me, along with a letter, detailing the reasons for denying my membership renewal.  I noted I had not received one the last time and I have been told it is their responsibility to provide me with that.   I said I would be expecting that by next week.  Once I receive that I will post it here.

My SFZoo Membership Revoked AGAIN!

So yea, once again I am, I guess, branded the Zoo's Worst Member.  If it wasn't so disturbing the ridiculousness of it might be comical.  And, once again I have been given no reason.

For those who don't know the story of the first time Director Tanya Peterson revoked my Membership,  you can read all the details here:  http://sanfranciscozoocrime.blogspot.com/

In short, Director Peterson sent my friend Lee, who had also been a Zoo Docent, an email accusing her of calling in a "false alarm" that resulted in a Code Red alert.  Further noting that her Membership was being revoked.  A couple weeks later, I found out my Membership was also revoked, but never received a reason.  This is in no way throwing Lee under the bus, but fact,  If I was to go off the reasoning given to Lee, since we were together at the time this "false alarm" was allegedly called in, then it had nothing to do with me.  I didn't make that call.  But, grouping us together was consistent with rumors that Peterson didn't like that we were that involved at the Zoo, that we had opinions, and suggestions, and frankly we were privvy to too much inside information.  I later found out that in addition to the "false alarm" untruths, Peterson had spread other untruths about me throughout Staff. Peterson's goal in revoking our Memberships, was to force us to pay per visit admission, financially limiting the amount of time we spent there.  It didn't.  ... I spent eleven months, writing letters to City Officials and the San Francisco Zoological Society Board Chairman.  Eventually we got our Memberships back and complimentary, which I read as an admission that the whole thing stunk.

In 2011, Lee and I had been the only people in the history of the Zoo to have their Memberships revoked.  Now, not sure if there's been anyone else, I doubt it, because there is a list of people who the Zoo watches, and one of them is a Member who continually feeds the Animals and goes into unauthorized areas.  She's been asked to leave a few times, and as far as I know, still is allowed to have a Membership.  So, this may make me the only person in the history to have theirs revoked twice.  

That brings us to today.  I share a Membership with Lee and another friend Michael.  Our Membership expired 3.31.17.  I renewed on my next visit, I think it was 4.4.17.   Our temporary cards were issued, expiring 5.31.17.  Today I went into the Membership office at the gate, as I had not received the hard copies yet.   The gal (I've seen her often but don't know her name),  said that there was a notation on the account that said, "deactivated, deceased".  I said what?  I was most upset by it saying "deceased", seriously?  I asked her if it said that under all our accounts and she said yes.  She pulled up each name and repeated it.  They called the Membership Dept and someone said they would be down.  Fuming at the "deceased"  notation, I asked this gal to print  it out because I wanted that documentation.  She went to ask someone and they said they can't do that.  They also couldn't take a photo of it, and when I tried to get her to repeat that's what it said on camera, she refused.  I made a pretty big issue of the "deceased" notation, which I frankly take as a threat of sorts.  That is no mistake, someone deliberately wrote that on each one of our accounts.  I'm sure the Zoo will deny this, but why would I make something like this up?  They have probably deleted in an effort to cover-up it was ever there. 

After waiting about fifteen minutes, I called the Zoo Main number and had them connect me with Membership.  The guy I spoke with Wes, said he would come down.  After several more calls and a total of forty minutes, Lamar and Nicole, Membership Manager, who I met for first time today, showed up.  Nicole introduces herself, shakes my hand (are you kidding me?), and then says, "The Zoo is "exercising their right to deny my Membership".  I asked why and she said all she knows is its based on "past circumstances".   I asked for more detailed reasoning, she said that's all she had.  So here once again is someone in a role of authority and they claim to know nothing.  She handed me a card to call a guy named Steven who is VP of Marketing and,... and he would then take it up with Tanya.  I asked if Tanya was there. No.  I asked for the Deputy Director Joe, not there.  I asked who the Manager on Duty is.  Nicole didn't know.  I asked Lamar, he said in his usual I don't know nothing response, I just deal with, ... naming his depts, like that's an excuse for not knowing who the Manager on Duty is.   So, once again as usual, no one has any answers, no one knows anything, its all smoke screens in that place.  ... I asked for my refund and told there was going to be some further delay, so I said I need to go, I'll be back tomorrow, have the check here. ... I called the Steven guy and left a message.  A couple hours later, I left another message that I would be there to pick-up my refund tomorrow and I would like a written detail of reasoning for them "denying' my Membership. We'll see if I get that reason, since I still never got one for the 2011 crime.

I seriously can not figure a reason that they can give that would be an honest one.  I have no idea what the issue point would be.  If I get a reasoning I will post it, and respond to it, because unlike Zoo Management, I have no problem with transparency. I can't imagine anything that would be justifiable to denying me Membership, but then so many unjustifiable things go on at the Zoo, and Director Peterson gets away it it all.  Why?  Because there are no checks and balances within the Zoo Management structure.  Director Peterson is both Director and President, creating a dictatorship.  As I understand it she is responsible to the San Francisco Zoological Society, who is responsible to the San Francisco Recreation and Park.  Not one person from the Zoological Society or Rec and Park, have any hands on dealing with Managing the Zoo, even though I think that's how its outlined in the Lease agreement.  All parties take Director Peterson's word on everything.  I don't know why, but nobody in either, really cares about the Zoo.  The way the Zoo works within the walls is, its either Director Peterson's way or you're out.  Director Peterson has wreaked havoc through Staff since she got there.  Forcing longtime Employees to quit or firing them, for a variety of reasons, mostly for having opinions that differ from hers, or speaking up when something isn't right.  Most recently, the Zoo went through a period of two months without any full-time Vet on Staff.  The two full-time Vets allegedly battled with Director Peterson in regard to Animal Care.  They have license and experience, she does not.  She allegedly fired one, and allegedly old the other to either retire or get fired.  Both left at the same time and the Zoo had no Vet on Staff.  There were outside Vets called in to fill the schedule, but days  there allegedly wasn't even a Vet on the grounds.  I haven't gotten to writing about this, but in my opinion, its really bad when you have over two hundred Animals and no full-time Vet on Staff.  Once the News Story about the sad Patas Monkey situation aired, the Vet who was fired was all of a sudden back.  Rumor has it, it was quick damage control on Director Peterson's part. 

Personally I think not having a Vet on staff at a Zoo is a bigger crime than anything I may have allegedly done.  Its curious the string of scandals over the past nine and a half years of Director Peterson's reign, and she is still there.  That's just one example of someone getting away with too much.   Over the past many years, I have been very vocal about the lack of Management and Security attention to the barrier breaching situation, as well as visitor misbehavior towards the Animals.  I call every time I see an issue.  If its a direct situation that could endanger an Animal, I often say something to the offenders (as well call), as Security never gets there in time, and frankly, an Animal can lose their life if someone falls into an enclosure.  I mention this because it amazes me how things are handled there, which directly relates to how I'm obviously still perceived as the "Zoo Enemy", when other members of the public constantly put the Animals in Danger and nothing happens.  Last year, Visitors threw rocks at one of the Tigers and weren't kicked out.  I was outraged, as was Security, but that was what was dictated by Management.  During Flamingo breeding season, I caught a drunk from the Zoo Oktoberfest Event, pick something up and throw it at a Flamingo Parent ON a nest!  I tried to stop them and they swore at me.  I called Security and reported the incident and that I was sworn at, and according to the rules posted, that is cause for ejection.  Afterward, I spoke with Bob Cooney who was Manager of the Day.  They were not ejected and he cited it as a "judgement call".  I was outraged.  A few months later, someone had their kid hanging over a barrier waving a stick at the Animals.  I told them they aren't supposed to be on the barriers.  The Mother told me to "Fuck off".  I called Security.  No one showed up.  As I was leaving I saw this Mother again and also Staffer Walker and reported the incident as well being told to "Fuck off".   I watched as Walker spoke to the Mother.  He was friendly and laughing.  You would think they were having a casual happy conversation.  No indication this was a serious incident and swearing at me was a violation of Zoo rules.  Afterward, when I saw the Mother not get ejected, I talked to Walker and he said, "It was a judgement call".  Are you kidding me?  I note these things, because, here I sit, I guess Public Enemy Number One for some reason, yet these people who put the Animals lives in danger and swear at other guests, get away with it.  They don't even get asked if they have Memberships (that could be revoked, or at the very least notated as a warning).  I guarantee you, there are different rules for different people.  If I had sworn at these people, I'd have been ejected and my membership revoked on the spot.  I will further note that Walker also told me that people get three warnings.  I have also heard this in relation to Membership revoking.  In 2011, neither Lee nor I got any warnings.  You can't really get warnings on untruths, but you know what I mean.   This time, no warnings either.  No one has said anything to me about anything.  

The other outrageous thing about this, evidently my Membership was "deactivated" on 3.3.17. There must have been an oversight that allowed me to renew on 4.4.17, but regardless, Director Peterson knew about this on 3.3.17, three months ago and at no point was any reason sent to me in writing.  As well, its been two months, since I renewed and at no point were my membership fees refunded.   The whole thing is outrageous.  Furthermore, where does that leave Lee and Michael?  They don't even come to the Zoo but maybe a couple times a year.  Are they "deactivated and deceased" in the eyes of Director Peterson as well?

Some people would say, why does this matter so much?  It matters because I'm tired of Director Peterson bullying everyone.  And whatever her reasoning is going to be about this, I will bet its going to boil down to an untruth, based on my opinions about something.  I can have whatever opinions I want.  I can be vocal about them.  That is not reason for denying Membership.   If it was anything more than being vocal, then why wasn't something said to me?  If it was anything more, I would be banned, but yet I'm allowed to buy a day admission.   I'm tired of being targeted when all I do is go there and care about the Animals and their Welfare.

I'll post an update when I have one.

Polar Bear Notes - Bear With Me

I know, total pun, but just, since I will probably be posting about the Polars a few more times, as I observe Ulu in her new home for extended periods of time.

When I got to Mt Ulu on Friday, there was ice all around, in varying stages of melting.  Some of the ice was icee treat size, a couple were just huge blocks.  Its always great when the Bears get treats, sadly Pike did not have any.  I get that they were celebrating Ulu's new home, but the treats should be equal. Always!   ... Thankfully Keeper Sandy came round and gave Pike a live fish in her pool.

So, the ice.  Its not a secret I hate the loose dirt.  So, I hated seeing some of the ice in the loose dirt.  Seriously, besides making the predicted mud when it melts, what the heck is Ulu supposed to do with it?  Is she expected to play with a big block?  Eat the dirt covered icee treat?  As well I don't like her food being thrown in it either, so that she has to eat dirt along with it.  

 Another small icee treat

in the dirt

that Ulu ignored

You can view Ulu being fed thru the new feeding fence.  Something I actually love about the Mt Ulu Grotto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJAXF2tM3Pc

Additionally, like Wednesday, I never saw Ulu in or on the dirt mounds.  Each time she walked into the Mt Ulu Grotto, she walked around the mounds.  

Like I noted in my previous post, it doesn't matter that she has a pool to clean off, she will always have dirt grit on her feet anytime she walks on that loose dirt.  ... Also even after just being in the pool, once she walked around the dirt, and shook, a spray of dirt came off her.

Since the brainiacs who designed this craziness apparently (since Ulu doesn't go to those doors) didn't think of it, I'll note it here.  To avoid this and so that Ulu can can clean footies at the very least when she goes in for the night, her doors should be through the Concrete Grotto.  Planting grass/sod instead would have avoided this completely.

Also note that I haven't seen Pike in the Meadow.  Poor girl is probably confused since she was rarely rotated regularly on the every other day basis that she was supposed to be.  That said, she probably never knows when its her turn.  She should be using the doors to the Meadow so she can get used to knowing she has permanent access.