Disgust At The Triple Grotto Renovation - Our Poor Orangutans

Yes, I'm Disgusted.  Yes, Our Orangutans continue to be given no regard by the San Francisco Zoo management. 

Note that my disgust is not aimed at the Primate Staff.  They have done everything possible to provide the Orangutans with the best life they can, given the situation management has put them in.

I am so outraged, that at this point, I don't think it's in my best interest to publish the post I wrote in full.  So, for now, I will just go with this abbreviated version because I wanted to share the video I made on Tuesday, before the week ends.

I have sat here for days, piecing together my thought notes, and too many weave a narrative that could put a target on me, as it has in the past.  While everything I want to say is truth, and my personal opinion based on that, criticism of management to the degree of the words I have written, quite possibly may not fall under MY right to freedom of speech without retaliation.

In my previous post, I started by saying it was a heavy 48 hrs at the start of this week.  Still sad from the loss of Blue Boy the male Swan, I got to the Zoo and felt physically sick when I approached Triple Grotto.  

I wrote an update about the renovation progress February 21st.  At that point the perimeter walls had been built up with cement, what looks like about three feet.  With no netting in the plan (deemed too expensive), this was necessary to bring it up to code. There was other construction that I couldn't tell what it was for, but that took some form by the end of last week.  Obtrusive looking, and with raised perimeter, it has made entire area look like a cement wall.

When I approached Monday morning this was what almost brought me to tears.

I seriously could not believe what I was seeing.  This huge metal bridge looks like a fallen skyscraper.  Together with the built up cement walls, it looks like a prison yard.  All they need is a watchtower with guards.

THEN by the next morning, this stairway and platform were there.  Good grief this is getting worse with each passing day. 

I made a video.  Feast your eyes on this Fiasco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ykFLabiXrs

The bridge moves in a 180, so even when centered, similar to the illusion this photo gives, it's still disgustingly ugly and ridiculous.

 

The video was unpublished until this post, but I shared it with my Zoo Visitor friends and coincidentally, two long-time Zoo Members made the Prison connection without even knowing I had written the same analogy.

"This is not a natural habitat it’s a cement and metal jail that has no place for animals..."

"The grotto needs to look more natural, not prison like"

Here are some others

"It doesn't even look like an exhibit.  Amoi and Ollie deserve better."

"Looks strange. Don't understand what they are trying to do with that exhibit."

"I've never seen anything like that. It's like a throwback enclosure from the 60,s or 70,s... At first glance I thought it was a swimming pool... Poor Orangs surrounded by concrete... how can they people watch? Visitors are a much needed form of enrichment for apes in captivity."

"All this time and this is the best they can do... Its just not good enough"

"OMG!"

"It's way over engineered for what its supposed to accomplish.  This looks more like it all belongs in the maintenance side rather than what viewers will ever see."

"Wow!  They've made a proper mess of it!"

"Your video is upsetting. Those poor orangs... what on earth is the zoo thinking? That looks horrible!!!! I'd love to hear an explanation."

"What the heck!"

"Why did they actually bring orangutans too the zoo if they don’t really care about their well-being? Hopefully they are still working on the exhibit. But it really doesn’t look good."

and,  "Sure hoping this won’t be the final result!"

As for the final result, I can't imagine anything FOR the Orangutans other than some fire hose and roping.  Regardless of what else they do, what they've already done is here to stay and there's no dressing it up!

All of this is just nonsense.  Disturbing nonsense.

Clearly no regard for the Orangutans went into this design.  So far, I've seen nothing for them.  It was obviously born out of keeping the cost down, and since netting is considered to be costly, everything was done to avoid using netting.  Although I can't see where all this crap and two months of labor could cost that much less. ... The cement walls.  Taking down the walkway from night quarter building to island.  The weird bridge.  All so that Keepers can access the enclosure from the visitor path, since there are now no walkways.  Who knows what else will be added, because right now it is curious how the Orangutans will be kept off the bridge, and since no walkway, how they will access the islands.  

I know there are many Orangutan enclosures in Zoos that are open air, with no netting.  Which would have been fine if the topical space was larger to begin with and perimeter design was such that cement walls of this height were not needed in the year 2021.  

If netting had been used, with or without filling in the moat, there would have been no need for the cement walls, or the awful metal bridge.  It would also be clear that the renovation attention would have been with the needs of the Orangutans in mind.  

This is how it should/could have looked. ... All those trees are not necessary, just showing a larger topical area (even with our existing platforms).  Netted over and it would have looked nice and been a decent home for Amoi and Ollie and their future offspring. ... As well, if funding possible, that would have even provided for multiple options of viewing windows to be added in the future.

Coming to the San Francisco Zoo has been a prison sentence for Ollie and Amoi.  Like all prisoners, they have gotten sometime in the yard, but the majority of each day is spent imprisoned in caged tubes and night quarters.  

As it appears, they are going to go from spending time in that nice new Chimpanzee yard, to this ancient pit, that according to the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) wasn't even fit to house Chimpanzees in current times.

Speaking of AZA, I have to wonder if this renovation is only happening at this time, because the Zoo has their Accreditation Inspection this year.  Can't be for the Orangutans, because their needs haven't been priorty in the two years they have been here.

As well their future with the babies they are recommended by the AZA/SSP (Species Survival Plan) to have, will apparently be to sit on two ancient islands for the rest of their lives.  It's sick.  

This enclosure could have gone from two small areas, each approximately a quarter the size of the Chimpanzee yard, to one large area.  This would have also allowed for an additional space for the Chimps to use, and Orangutans to continue to be rotated into the yard.  Isn't that why there are Skytrails?  Isn't that why it's called the Great Ape Passage?  They sure have seemed to botch that, because as is, I don't see how or why the Chimps could, would or should ever be rotated back into this area.

The Zoo Director knew in 2014 possibly earlier, that she wanted to bring in Orangutans.  There is absolulty no reason they could not come up with funds from 2014-2019 to net over South Grotto before the Orangutans got here, so they had a dedicated space and then they could have continued fundraising for however long it took to do North and Middle Grotto right.  Something I wrote about a year/half ago.  Doing that would have done justice for the Orangutans, for the asthetic of the area and the permanent upgrade to the landscape of the Zoo.  As is, this is a blight with no vision or care put into it, other than to do it as cheap as possible.

For those who aren't familiar with the San Francisco Zoo here is a Satellite Map.  Triple Grotto is positioned in a focal point of the Zoo.  ... The red line shows the position in relation to the entrance.   In addition to the disservice to the Orangutans, to make this area what they have, is just bad.  

I don't see this turning out better by the finish, and to that I say, the Zoo should be embarrassed.  

Frankly, I hope one day there is new management and they raise proper funds, and bulldoze this eyesore down.

Related post

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-will-2021-be-year-that-orangutans.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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Palace Of Fine Arts Swans Update - Male Passes Away, Female Returned to Lagoon

Sad News all around for this pair.  

It was a heavy 48 hours as this week began.  I found out late Sunday night that Blue Boy (the male), had passed away. Learning early Monday morning that happened last Thursday.  

This news broke my heart.  I love these two and have been invested and endeared to them for over a decade.  Their illness was upsetting, but I honestly never thought it would end in the death of one, and certainly not the younger of the two.  I was shocked and saddened by Blue Boy's passing, and heartbroken for Blanche's loss. 

RIP Blue Boy.  Bless Your Soul.  Watch over your Lady.

My Photos

I had planned to update by Tuesday, but the day got heavier and I put it off til the next morning.  The post was going to be about this loss, and a continuation of my suggestion from my previous post, about the Swans retiring to the Zoo permanently. 

That all changed when I saw this ...

Screencap Rec and Park Tweet

Again, I was in shock.  Both the action and timing is beyond upsetting.  

I had planned to email a City contact, as well the Rec and Park, after my first post on February 14th.  Per usual, I failed to do so in the following weeks.  Seriously I thought I had time and that my procrastination wasn't an issue.  When I heard Blue Boy had passed, I felt it was now urgent and sent out that email the next morning.  I felt more than ever, the City and RecPark, needed to approach the Caretaker and discuss having a conversation with the Zoo about a retirement home for Blanche.  

While I was probably too late in my effort, those that supposedly care for the Swans, the Caretaker who brought them to the Palace, as well the Rec and Park who oversee the area and apparently confer with the Caretaker, should have both thought to have this conversation despite any effort I may or may not have put forth.   It's an obvious thought to anyone who truly cares. 

I find it completely Irresponsible and Cruel to have returned Blanche to the Palace Lagoon. 

For all the reasons I noted in my previous post, management fails, lack of regular medical care, and improper diet.  When I read that Blanche was 25, versus the late teens I thought, together with this recent illness, it seemed apparent that returning the Swans to the Palace was not in their best interest. 

The latest news about Blanche returning was not only shocking but disturbing.  It appears she was returned Tuesday morning, which was less than a week after Blue Boy passed.  It was also the day a storm was in forecast.  So Blanche spent her first night (as well as last night) alone in the rain.  I can't even with this cruelness.  

Why was it so important to return her, and at that time?  If this was their (Caretaker/RecPark) final decision, why couldn't it wait another week or two?  She could have only benefited from further observation by the Zoo Hospital Staff.  

My soul hurts for this poor Lady.  

It's been reported that the cause of their illness was lead/zinc poisoning.  A build up possibly from soil and coins thrown into the water.  The Rec and Park has cautioned not to do the later.  Seriously, that it?  That's how future danger is going to be prevented?  First, I have never seen people throw coins in the water.  If this has knowingly happened, shouldn't the Lagoon be drained and cleaned of contaminating coins before returning Swans?  As well, I learned there are many factors that can cause soil contamination, so, there is no way to control that issue. The Palace Lagoon remains a vulnerable environment for Swans.

I know that my opinion about this will not be the popular one by local area residents who love seeing the Swans at the Palace, but it is the compassionate and logical one.  Keeping them, and now just Blanche safe and well cared for should be the priority.  At the Zoo she would be in a place those who love her can visit her.  Finding Blanche a retirement home there, would have and still could be, the best thing for her.  

I previously wrote about an area in the Zoo that with small renovation could accommodate them both.  Now that Blanche is alone, there are two other options that are already in use and would be ideal for her.  In fact, a Zoo Staffer thought of Pelican Lake, when I first mentioned Puente.  

Puente

Pelican Lake

It would seem, the action of returning Blanche to the Palace, is a prelude to the Caretaker buying another Swan as her companion.  

I truly believe the idyllic tradition of having Swans living at the Palace Of Fine Arts is outdated.  The progression of bad behavior by Humans dictates this.  As well, the environmental hazards that caused their illness (and death of Blue Boy) can not be controlled. Continuing to subject Swans, is Selfish.

As well, with Blanches advanced age, the next time she is not feeling well, and falls lame, she will literally be a sitting Duck out there for a Coyote.  

The right thing needs to be done by her, and that's allowing her to retire to a peaceful and safe environment with access to regular care and proper diet.  

I am worried for her.  ... If you also have concerns, please email the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Dept at  rpdinfo@sfgov.org  Attn Tamara Aparton Re: Palace Swans

Previous post

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/02/palace-swans-relocated-to-zoo-should.html

My blog dedicated to the Swans, contains past issue of Caretakers Kidnapping Swan Babies.  If you're interested ...

https://savesfpalaceswans.blogspot.com

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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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ReOpening Update - Home For The Orangutans Finally Happening

I've written many posts about the plight of the Orangutans since their arrival at the Zoo in April 2019. ... Most recently right before the Zoo ReOpened.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-will-2021-be-year-that-orangutans.html

In addition to hoping to see change in protection at the Great Ape Passage Yard (see previous post), I was anxious to see if there was anything new happening at Triple Grotto for the Orangutans.  

Like with my previous update, I had planned this soon after reopening, and just now getting to it.  Initially, there was just wood "fencing" around the perimeter.  That was taken down a week later to reveal a heightened wall.   That change in barrier goes with what the architect told me about the renovation basically being a project that brings the space up to code. 

Over the last couple weeks there has been an addition, that I couldn't quite figure out.  I was able to ask one of the workers and was told it will be a bridge to link the two grottos.  This still didn't look clear as of last week.   So, it's a wait and see.  I was also told there would be some structure additions, and that it should all be done in three weeks.

Looking forward to the finished project, though I'm not holding my breath for anything great.  I still believe the optimum use of space would have been to fill in the moats and net it over.  I felt that way even before the Great Ape Passage formed at the Pachyderm Building, but now even more after seeing how much Amoi the female Orangutan loves climbing the netting.  It's almost the only thing she does when she's in the yard. Open air with moat might have been an ok quick, inexpensive fix, if the topical space was larger to begin with. Hopefully one day with proper attention to fundraising something better can be done, with a net, wall, glass combo around the perimeter.  

As well I want that enclosure to look visually as modern as possible and flow with the two other new areas.  Unfortunately, it seems the Orangutans may be spending the next Thirty years on the same size topical area as the Chimps did.  Expanding the topical area should have been a priority. 

Google Maps Satellite view of Triple Grotto.  My Aqua outline is of the two grottos that are being renovated.  The outter ring is the perimeter barrier that has been raised.  The center ring is the topical area.  The space between the two rings is the moat.  The X is the are where the bridge is being built.

That all said, the priority at this point is to get the Orangutans into an enclosure dedicated to them as soon as possible. A place they have access to all the time, not just a couple hours a day, a few times a week.  Hopefully they will like it. I know I'll be happy to not see them sitting in the tubes, frowning while looking down at the Chimps in the yard.

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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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ReOpening Update - Great Ape Passage Yard Vulnerability

One of the main things I was hoping to see addressed when the Zoo ReOpened on January 28, was the vulnerability of the yard that the Chimpanzees and Orangutans share access to.  ... There was none.

I have posted my concerns and suggestions about this in previous posts. ... These are just two of them.

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/11/safety-update-why-was-covid-safety-sign.html

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-san-diego-zoo-gorillas-contract.html

My concern about this was heightened even more when a few weeks earlier it was reported that the Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo had contracted Covid. 

I was disappointed that the path around the yard was open to Visitors, when the Zoo reopened, after the SDZ situation.  There was still no signage about Ape Vulnerability and mandatory Mask wearing in that area. 

I had planned this update the weekend the Zoo reopened, but that didn't happen.  It's been almost four weeks, and just last week something changed.

I arrived on Monday and saw this sign.  

All I have to say is Finally!  About F-ing time.  Sorry, but that's how I feel.  The Zoo has been open near six months (five after first shutdown, and this past one).  Why did it take so long, to post something that protects the Chimpanzees and Orangutans?  Shameful. 

As noted in previous posts, I suggested this signage week three after seeing too many people removing their masks at this enclosure.  A week later, still nothing.  Then Keepers made their own, and it was taken down within a week.  Seriously, what is going on, that the Animals can't be protected in their homes?

In addition to Why did it take so long, there are also these questions...  Why did I have to suggest it?  Why did the Keepers have to make their own?  Why was theirs taken down?  Why is the path even open?

The last question is obvious, as noting that the Chimpanzees and the Orangutans are vulnerable, and in a sign that size, the Zoo is showing they are aware there is a vulnerability issue.  So, in light of the San Diego Zoo situation, now more than ever, that path should be closed. 

Everyone who knows me, or has read this blog, knows I love my Chimpers.  I more than anyone, want to be able to visit them as close as possible, but their health is priority.  I would be just as happy viewing them from farther back, knowing they were the safest they can be.  

There is no reason barriers can't be put at a distance from the yard fencing.  You can see in these photos, there is plenty of viewing available at a distance from the entrance side.  There would just have to be very limited viewing parties at a time.  Unfortunately no one Social Distances anywhere in this town, and the Zoo is no different.  Path width shouldn't be a factor or excuse.  

Approaching path to yard.

pointing to dayroom window

on left

pointing to where barriers 

could be set

view from that point

On the exit side, the metal barriers could be moved up the path closer to the enclosure.

Additionally, there were two of these signs, and one was at the yard path.  If there's only going to be the two, one needs to be at the Exit side, as people use that as an entrance all the time.

The second thing I addressed in previous posts, was about the distance vulnerability, between the Apes and the Visitors.

I suggested a barrier of clear plastic, which wasn't done, in favor of curiously using mesh.  I note this as the first day back, I noticed clear plastic was used at the Train, to apparently shield Visitors in line from those exiting.  

So, clear plastic can be used to protect Humans, but not to protect the Animals in their care? 

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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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ReNaming Mini-Horse, Steer's Hoof Neglect and Spiteful Goat Naming

I'm pretty bothered about alot of things at this moment in time, not just Zoo related, so at another time, this post might not have happened, but one relatively small issue in the grand scheme of Zoo things, ended up being a tipping point for me.

The Zoo's Email Newsletter, Animail, came through the other night.  I try not to look at what the Zoo puts out, including Social Media, as there is always something that irritates me, and I got to limit getting hyped up.  There are those times when curiosity does pique my interest.  I always regret it.  

Some things might just be me picking at everything, because of the overall situation with things that aren't right that go on at the Zoo, and my feeling that things could just be done a whole lot better there.  Most of the time, the things that irritate me versus the ones that upset me, I don't write about, because I have main issues that are necessary that I can't even get to.  That said, some things in this current Newsletter are still bugging me, one I'm not even going to get into, but the following especially irked me after getting Twitter alerts today that related to it.

So, apparently the Male Mini-Horse has now been ReNamed.  If anyone knows me or has followed any of my blogs over the past decade, you know one of my big issues is the ReNaming of Animals that already have names.  

The Male Mini-Horse came to the Family Farm in November 2019, with the Name Viggo.  I'm brain fading on his exact age, but pretty sure he's at least Twelve years old and certainly knows his name.  Viggo is a perfectly decent name.  I really like it and I think it fits him.  There is no reason to change it.  I had heard last year that a new Keeper to the Farm wanted to ReName Viggo, ... Tonka.  For one, WHY?  And, regardless that it's wrong to rename him, renaming him after a toy truck is just plain dumb.  It's not the name, it's using it to change the name he already has.  If he was born here and given that name, I'd have no problem with it.

The Zoo posted him to Twitter during the first shutdown last year, using the name Viggo.  So I thought, thank god that Tonka name didn't happen and he could keep the name he already has.

Then the Newsletter came with this ...

Then I went to Twitter, and sure enough more Tonka's Troop posts with poor Viggo being called a name that isn't his.  As well, apparently being trained with that new name.  So disrespectful, but hey, I guess it gives them a desperate gimmick.

The other issue I have is the coloring photo in relation to Slider, doesn't even look like him.  He doesn't have horns.  As well relating him to an Ox is something I never even heard.  So, I looked it up and Ox is the term for a "working" male of his age, but Steer is used for non-working.  I guess I just don't get the whole thing, unless the two Animal graphics match.  I guess they were desperate to make the Lunar New Year connection. 

It even bugged me that the prize was Slider's hoof prints.  Slider is one of my besties.  I love this guy.  I think the paintings of his hooves is beautiful.  The use of his hooves triggered something sensitive.

There was an issue that unfolded soon after the last shutdown that I didn't document, because when it comes to the Farm,  since I have a good rapport with the people there, I choose to question things to them.  But maybe it's time to document that issue.

A member of the public contacted me and asked me to look at Slider's hooves.  When I did, I felt like crying.  His hooves were so overgrown that I couldn't believe it.  My poor friend, I felt sick that his needs had been neglected like this.  Upon further investigation, I learned that he had not had his hooves trimmed in over four years.  I was told that he needed to be trained to do so voluntarily.  While voluntary presenting for any procedure is ideal, the question will always be, Why did it take over four years to start the training??   

One of my many photos.

Overgrown dew claws

and hooves.

Monitoring the situation with Slider's hooves lasted many months.  I could write an extensive blog post dedicated to just that.  This is the synopsis, and the last question of Why was nothing done sooner, will remain unresolved for me.  I was given answers that may sound logical, but not to me.  There were also other bits of information that didn't add up. Thankfully, his hooves are in good shape now, and I hope never to see that kind of neglect again.  There is no logical reason that training him didn't start for over four years. 

While I'm on the Farm,  there was another awfulness that I never documented.  In addition to the ReNaming issue, I also don't like when Animals are named disrespectfully.  

Two years ago the Farm got three new babie LaMancha Goats.  Right before them, two babie Nubians arrived.  Of the Goat species, Nubians have the longest ears and Lamanchas have the smallest. 

These five babies were acquired after the passing of our last senior Nigerian Dwarf Goat.  I was told that the main Goat Keeper allegedly didn't want any other breed other than Nigerian Dwarf.  So, when the Lamancha's arrived, she allegedly decided to pick names in protest.  She named them after public figures associated with ear losses.  Vincent Van Gogh, the painter who cut off his ear,  Boxer Mike Tyson who bit off an opponents ear, and Evander Holyfield the opponent.  When I heard this I felt sick to my stomach and near tears.  How could anyone who supposedly cares about Animals, think to name innocent little babies, in such a spiteful way?  And, more concerning,  How could management allow this?  I will never understand either, and I continue to be disgusted by both actions.  

Well, this post snowballed into including some things that I hadn't intended.  It's these seemingly little things, that are allowed to go on, that stack up with all the rest and make me sad.  The Zoo should just be better.  It's not hard to do the right thing. 

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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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Adult Size Peachicks, Locked Inside Nine Months

These Peachicks were finally let out last Tuesday, but what does that mean for them and future Peafowl babies?

I first found out about the Peachicks late last summer when the Zoo reopened from its first shutdown.

At first no one I talked to knew the specifics of how the Peachicks ended up at the Farm, only that they were brought there to be cared for in the renovated mini barn, in the area that the Turkey's used to live in.  My most asked question was where is their Mama?  I would eventually learn that these four babies hatched in one of  the moats at Triple Grotto and were abandoned by their Mama when she couldn't get them out.  They were then taken to the Farm to be raised in the mini barn.

In September I wrote about a situation that had unfolded in my presence.  A Mama Peahen hatched babies in the old Patas Monkey Enclosure that had been vacant for two years.  Their hatching coincided with the Zoo deciding to put the Bald Eagle in that exhibit.  There was a conflicting detail, but the end result was accurate, as the Mama Peahen and her babies needed to leave that area.  

I was outraged, but also frustrated as the Peafowl are not treated as part of the Zoo's Animal Collection, but as wild Birds.  They are left to find their own food and fend for themselves, vulnerable to Predators.  Up until a couple years ago when the Zoo had to remove them from public, because of the Newcastle Disease that was affecting Birds, they weren't even banded.  Every breeding season, I think about this, as I watch the number of Chicks dwindle.  I wonder Why aren't these Birds managed in a way that protects these babies?  Why don't they have a place they can be contained in until the babies are a decent size?  Why don't they have a place to go where they know they will be fed?  Surely they should have a decent diet supplement to just foraging the grounds, and eating fries people toss to them. 

I emailed all the Zoos that had free roaming Peafowl.  I asked simply, How are your Peafowl managed?  One reply read as if it was written to confirm everything I questioned about what was not being done to manage our SFZoo population.

Screencap from earlier post 

of other Zoo's response 

to my protocol inquiry.

I wrote about this and relayed it to some staff.  There needs to be a better management protocol for the Peafowl, especially the Mamas and young Chicks. 

Going off Peafowl for a notation, as writing about protecting the Peachicks, made me think of my feelings about the Cygnets (Swan babies), that I wrote about earlier in my previous post.  I felt like my positions on these Birds presented at two different ends, but that's only because the Swans are essentially wild, since they live in an uncontrolled environment.  That said, if you read my post, I noted that I made suggestions regarding breeding management, but one that I didn't note in the post as I just remembered while writing this, was that if they were going to continue to let the Swans breed, instead of kidnapping their babies, "they should relocate the whole Family (to the breeder's farm) while they raise their babies.  Bottom line is that I think Families should stay together.

So, after seeing the Chicks at the Farm, I questioned if the evicted Family could also be brought there and protected. "No room."  I questioned whether this or another place could be used in the future to house Mamas and Chicks, so the babies don't get killed.  "Possibly."  ... I guess with Spring ahead, we will see how that plays out. 

So, time ticked on and the barn Chicks grew and grew and grew.  At six months old, they looked near full grown size as we headed into the second shutdown.  When I returned in February, I couldn't believe they were still in the barn.  They were huge!  These Birds are adult size.  I think there are three males and one female.   

Last Monday I took three video clips.  The first one for some reason didn't save.  Maybe because my commentary was really cranky.  While this second clip shows the close confines they were living in, it doesn't show what the first one did, which was the Birds trying to fly and bumping into not only eachother, but the fencing.  It was awful to see, as one repeatedly flew into the fencing and fell either on one of the others or on the ground, often hitting the perch in the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ0DKa1Dq38

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2xyTT1HBlg

These Birds were kept in this mini barn for nine months.  I write in past tense, as coincidentally, the day after I took that video, they were released.  In my opinion, it would seem that they could have been released earlier, before they grew to this size.  The area they were being kept in,  did not allow for them to be outside (except for a small fenced in patio), or for room to spread their wings.  The barn looks to be about 5x9 and the patio the same size.

Last fall I asked what the plan for them was, as I was concerned they wouldn't know how to fly up to trees to roost or look for food on their own.  I was told roosting should be instinct, and that they were going to train them to hopefully stay in the Children's Zoo and come for feeding.  At nine months, again I wonder why it took so long for them to get out of what became a cramped living situation.  If the other part of that area was aviary netted, there wouldn't really be an issue, but it's not, and these Birds  needed more space some time ago.  I also wonder what happens to them now?   The barn looked closed up, so were they just set free and locked out of the only place they knew?  I didn't see them in the area, so hopefully they are doing ok on their own.  I hope they stay around the CZ and are recalling successfully for food.  

So this all said, I wonder as I noted above, What will happen this breeding season?  Has the Zoo now formed a Peafowl management protocol?  Can Mamas and their Chicks be rounded up and brought to the barn for protection?  Or like the Patas enclosure Mama, who ended up with only one Chick, will babies continue to be lost to predators?  Because that is not a good breeding management plan for Animals in the Zoo Collection. 

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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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Palace Swans Relocated to Zoo - Should They Stay Permanently?

Tues 3.9.21 ... Look for my update to this story in the next couple days.

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Wednesday evening this article came through my email news alert.  

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Palace-of-Fine-Arts-swans-Blanche-Blue-Boy-SF-15941089.php

I hadn't been to the Palace in at least a month, and had been meaning to go by and check on the Swans, the past couple weeks.  With Blanche's age (although I didn't think she was 25!), I worry about her.  So hearing this news is very upsetting.  

The article states that Blanche was the one who was possibly ill, but that same night there was also a Tweet by the Rec&Park, that both weren't well.  Both possibly being ill, is concerning, and makes me wonder if they weren't fed something bad by someone.  I've seen them in vulnerable situations too many times.

I have been visiting Blanche and Blue Boy for over ten years.  I have been lucky to experience some beautiful moments with them and their Cygnets.  In 2013 the priceless event of two babies hatching in front of me, is something I'll never forget. 

Here is a clip just after the first one hatched 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PinJBXIQajQ

And the second one, with its sibling, just minutes after hatching.  ...  Side bit, ...  I had seen Flamingos at the Zoo hatch but this was totally different.  The Flamingo Eggs pipped and it took some time (usually 2-48 hrs) for the Chick to peck its way out.  I never saw any pip holes on the Swan eggs when they were being turned.  Standing there, I heard a loud knock, knock, Blanche talked to egg, and literally the egg must have just split open, because there was the Chick!  Exactly two hours later, Blanche was talking to another egg, sat down, knock knock, and she stood up.  The egg had just cracked open, and the Chick was right there.  Incredible!

Screencap from my Flickr.  Haven't posted there in a long time, but I have some nice photos, lots of Zoo Friends, from when I used to have time to play around with them, edit, add borders, text, etc.

If anyone is interested  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leo811_sf/

Another favorite, but scary sighting, was in 2012, when the whole Family, including Six full grown Cygnets, came marching back from Marina Blvd, where they had decided to take the kids to the beach across the street.  Evidentially not the first or last time they have left the Palace Lagoon with their babies.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlASd--vsCo

I feel it's necessary to illustrate some history, to support my wonder, whether the Swans should stay at the Zoo permanently. I apologize it may be long. I'm going to make as short as possible, and I know will still in no way cover it fully.

Between 2012-2017, anticipating the hatching and visiting the babies was a wonderful thing.  Until it wasn't.  The last few of those years, babies started going missing in curious ways.  The Caretakers exclusively blamed Animal Predators, yet I witnessed and continue to witness, bad behavior from the public the whole time I'm there, every visit.  So, I was suspicious of their tales.  I suspected the Caretakers were taking the babies soon after they were born.  When the whole group of babies went missing over night, in 2017, I knew this had to be true.  

By 2018, I dreaded the Swans breeding season.  From the attention to building their nest, to taking turns sitting on the eggs that contained their babies, and then watching them hatch, only to have them kidnapped within a couple days. It was heartbreaking, and I promised to help them keep their Family together.  

I was there the day after they hatched, which must have been after I had left the day before, because they were already in the water.  I listened to conversations one of the Caretakers had with one of the Gardeners, they were discussing getting "the net".   I was so upset, I can't even describe how frantic I felt, trying to figure out what to do to help them keep their Family together, as it seemed the kidnapping was about to happen.  

I made alot of calls on the spot, Media (they wanted story but didn't have a News truck available), Animal Care and Control (agreed this was wrong, sent someone out, but eventually deferred to Rec&Park), Rec&Park (sent a Ranger who too agreed this was wrong, but deferred to boss, who deferred to Caretakers) , and the guy who they take the babies to, who I had been in contact with a few years before.  His words were the most telling of the situation.  He said that he takes the babies because that's what they (the Caretakers) want.  He felt because he sold them Blanche and Blue Boy that he had to.  He keeps them on his farm, unless he can find a home for them.  Very nice guy who only wanted what is best for the Birds.  In his 80s, this was not a solution that was going to last forever.  I sent an email to an influential source explaining all this.  My source tried to mediate my position with the Rec&Park, and the Caretakers.  Unfortunately, after dozens of phone and email conversations (with all, including other City Officials), and illustrating of how wrong this was, evil prevailed and the kidnapping of these babies from their Parents happened before they were two days old. 

Now you might ask Why? are the babies being taken from Parents.  I was told by one of the Caretakers, it was to save their lives, as the Raccoons would take them.  I am not an unreasonable person, and in no way do I want to see or know that any of these babies lost their lives, this way, but this was wrong.  To me, this was akin to taking a human babie from its Mother because something "might" happen to it in their care.  In my opinion, this is twisted logic, based on a hypothetical.

After this horror, and seeing Blanche and Blue Boy, visibly showing behavior equal to our depression, I further expressed my opinion to my source and the Rec&Park, as it was the Rec&Park who allowed this to happen.  This has to stop.  They continued to defer to the Caretakers "expertise", which is questionable in my opinion.

I had talked to someone I know who has worked with Birds for over Twenty-Five years.  He agreed that there needed to be Breeding Management.  He even suggested that maybe the Zoo should take over their care much like the Bison.  In my post kidnapping correspondence, I noted this, suggesting that they use dummy eggs in the proper way (as one previous attempt had Blanche just lay more eggs that hatched), to prevent them from breeding any further.  Additionally, I suggested a better diet plan after repeatedly seeing one Caretaker feeding them Crackers and Cereal, as well noticing that the plants that border the lagoon are not edible for them.  I suggested Waterfowl food, and a small area be designated for plants they can eat.  Neither have happened.  Aside from the algae and water weeds, it seems the only food supplement they get is a can of corn, some lettuce, and the cereal and crackers.  I did see one of the Caretakers flail some grapes in that repeatedly hit Blanche and she had purple stains all over for days.

I held my breath every time I went to check on them during the 2019 breeding season.  Blanche was on the nest, Blue Boy was guarding from the water.  One day, there were six new babies in the water.  One of the Caretakers arrived and was standing near me.  I had never met her before, but had seen her behaving badly during the hatching of 2013.  She approached me to ask if I was the one with the YouTube video (I had made about the kidnapping the year before).  I said, Yes.  She proceeded to tell me her position. I told her mine.  I told her that she had bad breeding management, and that taking the babies was awful.  I noted that I didn't want to see harm come to them, but that taking them from their Parents on a hypothetical is cruel.  We talked about switching out the eggs, as she had done it unsuccessfully before.  I told her she needed to do better then.  I offered people I knew who could help, she declined.  Then she asked me if I could help her be a Caretaker since her partner was diminished with dementia. I declined and said, I would help, for them, but not if this practice of kidnapping is going to continue.  She asked me to help catch the babies right then so she could pinion them.  I had never done that before and declined.  I stayed and watched, but ultimately learned nothing about what plans were in store for these babies. 

I don't know what transpired, but these six Cygnets were allowed to stay with their Parents.  A group of neighborhood regulars and myself, texted updates almost daily.  The six grew to a decent size, before two were taken by Human Predator.  I flyered the surrounding area in hopes someone caught it on a security camera but heard nothing, and the Police did nothing.  The four continued to grow, but sometime later, after two more went missing, presumed by a Coyote spotted in area that morning, the remaining two were removed.   

I think they ended up staying with the Parents for near three months, which was a good run, and after four went missing, removing them at that time was the right call.  It was very sad that the numbers dwindled, but not unlike other wild waterfowl.  I feel awful that they lost four of the six, and there is always a it of a thought struggle of, what if they had been removed from start?  I still believe, that the Parents deserve the right at a chance to raise the babies they put their souls into creating.  They may be considered captive because their wings are clipped and they can't leave the area, but they live as wild Birds and should be allowed to keep their babies until the natural time when they would all go their own way.  In this case, their own way, is being removed from the lagoon.  Again, losing the four was sad, but having Humans forcibly remove their babies just after hatching, in my opinion is far more traumatizing.

Thankfully, there was success last year in egg management, and there were no Cygnets hatched.  It was sad, but for the best, even though my heart broke for Blanche and Blue Boy to go through nest building and incubating and having nothing at the end.  At least their babies weren't taken from them.

Hopefully, this hasn't been too long of a read, because all information is necessary relating to my title question, Should the Swans stay at the Zoo permanently?  

Personally I think if appropriate space can be found for them, Yes!  Blanche deserves a retirement home, with consistent medical care, and good diet, and that home should include Blue Boy.   I was happy to read he was removed as well and brought to be with her.  As usual there is something I don't understand.  Why did it take twelve days?

The Rec&Park Tweeted this ... Hoping for regular updates.

I have watched these two and they are a bonded pair.  It's documented that Mute Swans mate for life.  I was shocked when in that 2018 conversation with the Caretaker, she told me she was thinking of removing Blue Boy!  We had been discussing breeding management and I asked her why she would ever have brought a male in, instead of just having females?  She didn't answer, but yet blurted her idea to remove him.  I was like, ahhh, No, you can't separate them.  You would have to remove them together and then bring in females.  She told me that Blanche didn't like Blue Boy.  This woman's credibility went from low to zero with that statement.  People, do they look like they don't like eachother?

So, with Blanche's age, the breeding management situation, and the dietary concern, as well as lack of regular medical care and the daily crap they put up with from humans, I think finding them a home in the Zoo would be in their best interest.  

Having Swans at the Palace is beautiful and idyllic, but unnecessary considering many factors and in recent years by the Caretakers own admittance, something that has been increasingly hard to handle on her own.

Thinking of unused areas (they can not be housed with any other Birds) with water sources, ideas popped in this order, ... the sea lion pool, the old Pygmy Hippo area, and then the pond in the Children's Zoo.  In my opinion,  the last being the best option as it is not surrounded by concrete.  

From Google Maps ... Orange is area. Blue is pond. Green is adjacent land area. ... A few of area I took recently.

It is a bit shallower than ideal, but I think might meet the 2-3 ft minimum depth requirements that I've read about.  It would need a few renovations, a border fence to contain them, and a night barn to protect them from Predators.  Additionally, I heard there might have been an issue with the drain, but if that can be fixed, I think that area could work.  Maybe the Rec&Park and the Caretaker could help with the costs of renovation. 

It would be great to see this pond alive again.  The Zoo has too many unused areas that need to be filled, and what better way than with Animals in need. ... I've had a post about this in draft for over a year.  Maybe soon  Stay tuned.

I'm Praying for Blanche and for Blue Boy if indeed they are both not well.  Hoping they recover and retiring them to the Zoo is considered.

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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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