This and That - Recent Short Item Notes

I hadn't been to the Zoo in over a month, when I returned for a visit on September 27, there were a few new things worth mentioning.  Also a few other short items.

> The first thing I was hit with was this new sign at the crossroads just past the gate house.  I already noted it in a previous post, so I'll add in a screencap from that.  Apologies for repeating here.  

I'm also bothered that they built a nice frame around this sign, but the Orangutans have yet to have anything new built just for them.

> The next sign I saw was very curious.  A good deed, but a curious one.  The Zoo has NEVER posted a sign when an Animal is transferred to another Zoo.  So this one about Tucker's departure is curious (sorry, no other word applies).  The only fail is that in saying he will be called Tucker in Cincinnati, is that they still can't bring themselves to say, Tucker is his real name.  They continue to use quotes around it, like its a nickname.  Ugh.  

                           

I posted this in my September 5th post, before Tucker left.  So,...

I've posted several times about Tucker, noting for his fans to follow him on Cincinnati Zoo social media.  The best resource is the Facebook Group, Fiona the Hippo.  I cry tears of joy everyday seeing him so happy with his new Family.  It's bizarre (or is it really?) that SFZoo hasn't shared any of Cincinnati's posts since Tucker's arrival. 

I can't get enough of his underwater face!  Who knew?! this was happening below the water line!  Love so much!  I just smile and squeal at the amount of cuteness it is!  I don't think he's stopped smiling since he was introduced to Bibi and Fiona.

screencap Cincinnati Zoo FB

And as expected, although sooner than I thought, Tucker has made it on Cincy merch!  I was anxiously waiting for this since before he left!  See the link below to order. 

screencap CincyShirts

https://cincyshirts.com/products/fiona-tucker-and-bibi?variant=41020812624026&fbclid=IwAR1IMt2qFvkzOlaodlCQhj1MJPfwylOWRW9LioorpPuZSAT8u4371fUDVOA

> Another new thing for me was this mural up by the Chimp yard.  

Nice to see something colorful on the blank wall, I like the heart leaves that seem like repros of messages decorated by kids, but I'm not a fan of this as a whole. Art is very individual, it either speaks to you or it doesn't.  It's creepy to me that the Chimpanzee is underground. 

I actually had a mural idea in mind for this exact space, since this area opened.   In my notebook of ideas, mine was based on a mural of a Chimpanzee that I saw online and loved.  I thought something similar with an Orangutan as well would have been beautiful.  I wish I could find the screencap of the mural I saw to post here, but I'm not that organzied, as I screencap constantly, and have none organized.  Someday!

> Another notation I made in a Tucker departure related post, was about our female Gorilla Kimani.  

Kimani came to the Zoo two years ago, and as of the September 18 date of that post, she had not been mentioned. 

Again, curiously, when the Zoo made their World Gorilla Day post on Sept 24, they included Kimani, even using her real name!  I say included, since they didn't mention her in 2020. 

screencap SFZoo Twitter

I can only figure that now they finally acknowledge her since they can call her something.  By that I mean, they were obviously unable to get the $15,000 to rename her, so I guess the poor lady gets to keep her true identity, but only by default. 

> Reaching back a month or so, while driving on Great Highway for the first time since it reopened, I saw the work being done at the south-east corner of Sloat, at the water station.  Immediately I was bummed not to see the Mosaic Statues that have stood on that corner spot for thirty years.  

I always associated this installation with the Zoo, since the one that popped most was the Lion.  

screencap 

artandarchitecture-sf.com

I hope they were saved and will be replaced, but the last couple weeks that spot seems to be taking on another shape, and while I'm still holding out hope, I'm doubtful. ... I finally emailed the contruction company this weekend to find out what happened to them and their fate.  Hope someone will get back to me. 

Here is some history that about the Statues and Artist that created them.  

https://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/earth-air-sea.html

> Going back to signage, this was new this past week.  

They had this Nigel series last year.  I think its a fun thing, my issue is this...  If the Zoo can put a large size sign on a barrier for a game, why can't they do the same for safety?  All the signs that pertain to this issue are a great deal smaller.  The largest one, seen here on the post, is about a fourth the size.  Those who have followed my blog, know I have had a huge problem with barrier safety, specifically at Bears, Hippo, and this very enclosure at Black Rhino.  You can search the blog for  "barrier" if you want to read more of what I think.  But yea, Ugh. 

 > Thought I would close with this and the next item out of respect for these precious Beings who brought joy to many lives.

Something else new for this week, was our beloved Jamie actually got a sign.  

Thankfully there are more words about this lovely lady than they posted on their social media, which I complained about in my September 23 Tribute post for Jamie.  Curiously, her faux name is not in quotes, nor are those of her Tampa Family Twiggy and Nick.

I miss this little girl so much. Tears still stream everytime I think about her.  

> Sadly, we recently lost two other Zoo Friends. Koala Akoonah, who came to SF from San Deigo less than two years ago. So sad that another young Koala has passed away.  Kudu Girl born August 29, sustained trauma from an alleged run-in with a fence.  I'm pretty sure a female calf from a couple years ago, suffered the same fate.  The details of this loss are heartbreaking as it is, but for it to be a repeat cause of death, makes it really upsetting.  Why did this happen again?  The Zoo should not be allowed to breed Kudu if they can't keep the babies safe.

It's disgraceful that neither got a sign or a mention.  This was the sign at Koalas.  The disrespect of lack of recognition of life is hurtful.

RIP Akoonah, Bless Your Soul

RIP Little Girl Kudu, Bless Your Soul

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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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Does The AZA Follow Covid Safety Protocols?

This comment came in regarding my previous blog post.  I publish all comments.  This came from a credible source, so I have no reason to doubt it's validity.   Like with words of my own, that have not been something I've personally witnessed, I will note it as "alleged".

That said, all I can say is Wow!  Just Wow!  This alleged action by the organization that is supposed to set industry standards, is Shameful.  

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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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Great Plains Zoo Snow Leopard Passes Away From Covid - Protecting Captive Animals

Baya the female Snow Leopard lost her life to Covid.   She was the first non-human casualty to the virus in a Zoo setting.  RIP Baya, Bless Your Soul.

Screencap Great Plains Zoo FB

Big Cats and Great Apes seem to be the captive species most affected.  The first reported case was a Tiger at the Bronx Zoo in April 2020, close to the start of the pandemic.  Since then there have been many Covid cases in the captive animal community.  

This year San Diego seems to have been hit repeatedly.  In January, eight Gorillas at their Safari Park were infected, in July the Zoo's two Snow Leopards, and in August six Sumatran Tigers at the Safari Park came down with Covid.  Among them, possibly our own Jillian and Teddy, who were transferred there not long before.

Last month saw two Zoo's with large groups infected.  Eighteen Gorillas at Zoo Atlanta, and Nine Big Cats at DCs National Zoo, including their African Lion Matriarch Shera, who came very close to having her life end due to virus complications.  Thankfully in the last few days she is doing better, but her condition is still guarded.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, I have been roaring in person and via this blog, about the lack of protection in the way of signage, distancing and sheltering, at our San Francisco Zoo Chimpanzee yard. 

I spend most of my Zoo visits at that enclosure and admittedly worried most for them, as Chimpanzee Jamie would almost exclusively, sit at the netting in a place that was considerably less than six feet from Visitors, expelling possibly contaminated particles on her, and into the enclosure.

It took over a year for the Zoo to get proper signage in that area.  There was never any additional barriers to distance people or any kind of physical sheltering added.

It was not lost on me that the Snow Leopards and Bobcat enclosures were also vulnerable in proximity to Visitor aerosols.  Earlier this year, in a post dated January 17, I wrote ...

Regardless of whether I mentioned this or not, the Zoo should have been and still should be posting awareness signs regarding Mask wearing around all Vulnerable Species.  While neither the Snow Leopards or Bobcat linger at the fencing, aerosol particles travel up to twenty-seven feet, and that is this distance that should be used as a guideline for distance between random Humans and the Animals who are considered a Vulnerable Species.

Yesterday I saw a photo posted to the Fiona the Hippo Facebook Group, that made me gasp.  The San Antonio Zoo is conducting their behind the scenes Animal Experiences, allowing Visitors to not only go without Masks, but also feed the Animals without gloves.  The photo also shows a Keeper with no Mask.  I know it's Texas, but geez, talk about irresponsible.  I have to wonder if the AZA has a Covid Safety mandate for their Accredited Zoos?

I have made a case for protecting the Animals from Visitor aerosols.  While I think that it is necessary to take all possible precautions from the public side, infection from Zoo staff that has access to indoor animal quarters, has to be considered the most likely point of transmission.  Since Keepers have the closest contact, they are the ones that have been linked in most reports.  

As I questioned above, Is there a national mandate for Animal Staff safety protocol?  Are all Keepers required to be vaccinated?  Wear masks and gloves?  At our SFZoo, all Staff seem to be following the local mask mandate, and only once did I see an Animal Care staffer without a mask.  I was shocked.  I saw the Vet at the fencing, mask down, observing the Chimpanzees.  I'm still bothered by it.  

Mask wearing protocol has been a irk of mine from the start.  I have an endless stream of words and tales, about the subject.  The purpose of mentioning it here, is that there has to be some reason these captive animals are getting infected.  Are their Keepers not adhereing to safety protocols?  I'd be surprised, but not shocked if they weren't.  For those who are, mask handling and good hygiene practises, in my opinion, has to play a part in transmission.

In my observation over the past nineteen months, I've been disturbed by the lack of attention to mask handling and good hygiene.  In recent years I've been hyper-sensitive to other people's funk, so going into this my personal protocol may be considered extreme, but since we are about to be in this health crisis situation two years, extreme isn't a bad thing.   And those in close contact with others, non-human and human, especially caregivers, should adopt extreme protocols.

People might be wearing their mask and wearing gloves, but did they sanitize their hands prior to putting that gear on?  If not, whatever was on hands prior is now being transferred about.   I see people taking masks out of their pockets, touching the inside and then putting them over their mouth and nose, which are the places that the mask is supposed to be protecting.  It makes no sense, and it has to have played a part in the spread. Mask handling should be done by ear loops only. Additionally, masks that continually slip, need to go. Masks need to fit properly so they aren't being touched constantly.  In regards to Keepers, maybe it's time they double mask, adding an N95 or medical mask under the cloth mask that they should be changing/washing daily. 

I have a post following this one, that contains multiple small items.  One of those items is regarding a huge new sign at the crossroads after you enter past the gate house.  It touts the Zoo's Conservation efforts.  In my opinion, it seems to have been put there at this time, in preparation for the Zoo's upcoming AZA Accreditation inspection, as Conservation participation is on their checklist.  

In one of my early posts about the lack of awareness and mandate signage at Chimps, I noted that I thought signage about Vulnerable Species and the importance of adhereing to mask wearing around them, could be added to the wood fencing that borders the yard path.  With that idea in mind, the size, positioning and message of that conservation signage, could have been better utilized as a Covid and Animals Educational tool. ... Education is also on the inspection checklist, and current crises that effect Animals never seems to be part of the Zoo's awareness efforts.

I hope better precautions and protocols are put in place, so there won't be any more Animals infected.

Say some Prayers for all the Animals still experiencing symptoms of Covid, and hope they all recover soon.  

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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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Blog Comments - If You Made One, I've Finally Gotten To Replies!

Before I go any further with posts, I needed to get to Comment Replies from previous posts.

Thank you to everyone who follows this blog, and to everyone who takes the time to make a comment.  Each Voice is appreciated!  I apologize for almost never replying promptly, or in any timely manner.  

I have never known if anyone sees the replies, as I don't even know if there's an alert system through Blogger.  In July of this year Blogger sent a notice that it would be stopping the subscription aspect of the Blogs, so even if there was an alert system, maybe that is gone as well?  If anyone knows, let me know.   

I hope to try to respond quicker so if you have commented and check back, there's a reply.  Til then, I might just continue to post them here even now and then. 

These are the ones I just did.  You can go to the posts to see the full replies.

Again, Thank You all for your words!

Remembering Jamie - Chimpanzee Lady Passes Away

Last Saturday the Zoo lost it's most personable Resident, Chimpanzee Jamie. 

In one of her favorite spots.

The Chimpanzee viewing areas reopened to the public on Monday afternoon.  Jamie's absence from the group would be noticeable to any of the many regular visitors, so at that time, there should have been a sign about her passing posted.  If the Zoo wanted to write a more detailed announcement at a later time, that could have still happened.  Unfortunately there were those who were left to wonder. What the Zoo finally did release could have been posted Monday, as it was a brief statement that included using only the name they disrespectfully renamed her.  Even in death, this Precious Lady could not be given the respect of her real name being acknowledged.

So little wording for someone with such a big personality, just will not do.

She was given the name Jamie at birth, November 13, 1977 at Busch Gardens, Tampa. In 1988, she and her Sister Twiggy moved to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, where they lived before moving with their group member Nick to San Francisco Zoo in September 2019.

At Busch Gardens, Jamie was hand-raised and taught gestures, as she would be used in their entertainment shows.  Both these actions would lead to her being imprinted on humans, and lend to the aspect of her character that so endeared her to everyone who met her.  It also seemed to cause her to distance herself a bit from her Chimpanzee group at times, preferring to spend time with humans.  Upon my return to the Zoo after the first pandemic shutdown,  I happily observed her spending more time with her like species friends.  As much as I enjoyed hanging out with her, anytime I saw her interacting with the other Chimps, it was a beautiful thing.

Minnie and Cobby had been my besties for many years, but from the first moment we met, Jamie became my best friend at the Zoo.  All I had to do was arrive at the window and she would come over to me. She could sit there indefinitely, just hanging out and interacting. Interacting with a Chimpanzee, is an extraordinary experience.  I never think of them as Animals, or rather non-human animals, but just as another Being.  

One of the gestures she would make, was pointing to the lower part of her arm near her wrist.  I'd always smile and say, " What time is it?... It's Jamie time!"  She would smile so big!  I'm still shocked at her passing, and it's surreal and very sad, that there will be no more Jamie time.  

The other day, I stood there sobbing, and talking to her Spirit.  One of the things I told her was, she lit up the place.

I love her so much.  We had countless fun moments and shared laughs together.   She is a treasure and a joy to know and to have a part of my life.  Her friendship is a gift.  I hope that in our time together, I enriched her life as much as she enriched mine. 

I Love You Jamie.

RIP Sweet Girl, Bless Your Soul.

Sharing one of many smiles.

Showing me Cantaloupe seeds.

Here are some cherished video clips I had kept private, as I do with most of my interactions.  I am sharing them now as I want people who may not have had the good fortune to know who she was, to meet her. 

The previous Curator told me she liked shiny things.  So I brought her all my fancy cocktail rings. ... She LOVED them!  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0k6R8inB-AI

Jamie got an ouchie and showed it to me daily.  One day I had an ouchie and she gave it a kiss!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZL3iyXgftg

I put my footie up to hers, and she kissed it!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9C5x4m9rjQM

The saddest part of Jamie's passing is that she leaves her Sister Twiggy.  In Twiggy's thirty-five years, they have never lived apart.   My heart breaks for her.

Sisters, Jamie and Twiggy ... sweet girls holding hands!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kk548eggKqo

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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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Where Are All The Animals? - Coming Soon!

This post is in near finished draft.  Hope to finish and post in the next week.  Needed to hold this space, for flow.   Thank you.

... Updated 10.22.21

This post has been published at this link

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/10/where-are-animals-no-animals-part-one.html

Tucker Update ... Why Hasn't SFZoo Given One?

This wasn't even a post, until now.  A friend of mine messaged me and asked Why? the Zoo has posted three consecutive posts about Red Panda's, and not one mention of it being Orangutan Ollie's Birthday. ... Happy 12th Birthday Ollie!  

Unfortunately the lack of and inconsistency of posts, is just another thing in a long line of curiosities there.  It's one of those things that irks me and if it catches me at the right time, we end up with posts like this.

So now here I am posting about the Zoo's Social Media Fails.  It's all good though, because for the Tucker Fans who haven't been following Cincinnati Zoo's socials, you need to!  They are feeding us Tucker fans well!

They have posted eight updates, in the eleven days he's been there, which seems like more than SF did in the ten plus years Tucker was here.  I may be exaggerating, especially since I have never monitored the Zoo's socials, except when I'm looking for something specific.  In this recent case it's been to see what content related to Tucker's departure (if any) they posted.  

The Zoo posted photos of his crate being loaded, but nothing with his photo.  They have also yet to share any of Cincinnati's Updates. ... The only mention of him after that post was a reply to a comment about his name "being changed".  The guy is not theirs anymore and they still couldn't bring themselves to be honest and reply that Tucker was his real name. ... Just now had this thought... Maybe that's why no updates?  They don't want to post anything that actually uses his real name because they might have to explain further how they stole it from him the moment he got here, and they don't want to field those questions?

In a previous post, I noted the issue of the Zoo never sharing an alert about when Animals are leaving.  That could be transfers out, or to an off exhibit area.  I also noted that I thought it was curious that they even posted about Tucker's departure. That post was dated September 5th.  That same day the Zoo posted this... The timing is curious, but more outrageous is that they note he is leaving "early September, ... we hope you will find time to see him, ..."  knowing full well, he was leaving the next day!  Good Grief.  I seriously can't even.

screencap from

SFZoo Twitter

<Sigh>  I just don't get it.  I mean, I actually do, as I have witnessed their continual mediocrity for over a decade.  I hate that it bothers me, but I think it's because it's just a cog in the overall mismangement situation going on there.  Either people get it and they just don't care, or they are just lacking in some way and really don't get it.  Regardless, it's a problem.  I have written about the lack of building a community, and this directly lends to that.  Not using Social Media to it's optimum is a fail that reaches into other areas. Social Media = Community = ...... = ......  And yes, I deliberately left those to parts of the equation blank.  It's not for me to point out the importance of that equation.  There are too many people on staff there to begin with, and too many that seem to just do as little as possible while pulling in a paycheck.  Everyone getting paid there, especially at management level, and specifically at the top with the Director, should be going the extra distance to do things right, because the Zoo is dying with one fail after another.

Related to this post, there is a PR person and a Social Media person.  I don't know if they are both full-time, but looking at the social platforms, anyone in either position should be doing more.   A quick glance at Facebook for August, there were fifteen posts in the thirty-one days of that month, and three weren't related to Zoo Animals.  What are these people so busy doing?  

Tucker Fans,  the people of Cincinnati LOVE him!  Their initial post about his arrival got over thirty thousand reactions!   In comparison, SF has yet to even mention female Gorilla Kimani, that arrived at the Zoo in September 2019.  

Tucker has become a Star there, like I knew he would.  He has also been all over their local media.  Make sure to follow Cincinnati Zoo for all things Tucker!  It's a beautiful thing to see his real name being used.  And this photo they posted the other day, is too cute!  I love photos from this angle, and have taken many of the Farm Friends, but no way I could ever get this of Tucker!  Love it so much!  Hi Tuck!  Love you!  Enjoy your new life sweetheart ❤

screencap from

Cincinnati Zoo FB

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/09/animal-go-round-why-isnt-public.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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