San Francisco Zoo FAILS: 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

one stop synop to all my zoo related sites

i have created a new blog that contains the information below, which is a one stop synop to all my zoo related sites. the direct url is http://mysanfranciscozooexperience.blogspot.com/

i am posting the information here in this post, as i've been told the way the address is linking isn't consistently working. I'm posting here as a back up so those who are interested in the san francisco zoo animals plus ;) will be able to access the blog/site of interest.

thankx for visiting! cheers!

if you've visited any of my other blogs over the past couple years, you know i have alot to say! most of it good, some of it not. all of it in the name of my past passion for the zoo and my forever passion for the animals who call it home.

as a native san franciscan, the sfzoo is a place i've visited all my life. as a young adult until earlier this year, i was a member. in 2008 i lost my kitty of 20 years and found some comfort from my tremendous grief in my zoo visits, which became several times a week. from those frequent visits i became endeared to the animals who live there. i learned more about them in several ways. i read every article in the sfgate.com archive, i read all the minutes from the past ten years of the joint zoo committee monthly meetings and i engaged keepers in conversation.

i wanted to share what i was learning, so i started my first blog and named it after my precious zoo friend, goober.

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june 20, 2009 - march 20, 2011

goobers sfzoo friends

gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com

october 17, 2009 - ongoing

youtube.com/user/leo811sf

the most zoo friend video's anywhere! i try to upload clips after each visit :)

january 16, 2010 - august 2011

goobers sfzoo friends photo site

gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com

i started this photo site as a supplement to the goober blog. i had so many great captures of the zoo friends that didn't fit on the blog and i wanted to share them. i stopped updating this recently, but there are 99 photo albums, with thousands of great photos of all the friends!

august 6, 2010 - march 20, 2011

the big cat nip!

thebigcatnip.blogspot.com

for most of 2010, my friend lee and i were lucky to have the opportunity to make enrichment toys for the big cats and on occasion the bears. it was an incredible experience that provided priceless memories for us, the keepers, the visitors and most importantly the animals! for many months, the big cats had super fun, with tons of toys every saturday! see all the fun here!

november 29,2010

padang's 21!

http://tigerbirthday.blogspot.com/

almost one year ago, female sumatran tiger padang celebrated her milestone birthday when she turned 21 years old! she is believed to be the oldest living tiger of any species in a north american zoo. we wanted her to have a big celebration, so we went all out, so her and all her big cat neighbors could have a birthday blast! read about padang and see some photos here :)

november 29, 2010

padang's party photo site

http://padangsparty.shutterfly.com

see all the photos of padang and all her friends at the party here!

january 28, 2011

ulu turns 30!

bearbirthdays.blogspot.com

female polar bear ulu, also celebrated a milestone birthday in 2010, when she turned 30! making her believed to be the oldest female polar bear living in a north american zoo! with all the bears celebrating birthdays in consecutive months, we asked if we could have a collective bear party in november. so we made toys for all, andean bear wishbone turned 24 on october 25th, polar bear pike turned 28 on november 25th, ulu turned 30 on december 25th and the grizzly sisters kiona and kachina turned 8 on january 1st. there was zoo drama and the bear party didn't happen until january 22nd. no worries as the bears don't care what day it is as long as there's toys! read about there special celebration here, and visit the gooberssfzoo photo site and view each bears photo album from the party!

march 4, 2011 - ongoing

san francisco zoo crime

sanfranciscozoocrime.blogspot.com

sadly this blog marked the begining of my negative posting about the zoo. please note that when i say "zoo" i mean zoo management. after all the positive stuff my friend and i did for the zoo, management turned on us and spread untruths. a week after we reported someone over the barrier at the bear grotto, we both had our memberships revoked. if you want the play by play of this ongoing crime drama, this blog is the place to get it. i will make one more post to this blog at the end of this week.

april 25, 2011 - ongoing

project get wishbone grass

projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

prior to having my membership revoked i began privately seeking out how i could help get this poor bear some grass. after my membership was revoked i decided to make my crusade public. wishbone lives exclusively on concrete and has for years. this is not only unnatural, its inhumane and disrespectful. i have done alot of outreach and online networking to try and nudge the zoo, but i guess they just don't care. its an outrageous disgrace. you can read about sweet wishy, his plight and my crusade on his behalf on this blog.

may 22, 2011 - ongoing

san francisco zoo FAILS

sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com

another post revoke blog. there are many things not right at the zoo. they are all fixable. most were avoidable in the first place, at least that is how it appears to me. i used to pass these observations, suggestions and such on to the director, that was until she took away my membership based on lies. so i started publicly calling out all the things i think are a problem. it kinda bogs me down to do so. believe me, i was much happier when i was just writing the happy goober blog, but times have changed and things just aren't right and they should be. the zoo is not all that it can be, and it should step it up for the sake of the animals. i am trying to taper this blog off and just combine all my observations into one blog. so if you're curious about what i think is just not right at the sfzoo, this is the blog to read.

coming soon

i am not an anteater!

iamnotananteater.blogspot.com

i hope for this to be my only blog as of 2012. i plan to share my visit as i see it. that said, it will be many things. photos and notations about the wonderful zoo friends. curious and ridiculous zoo issues. disturbing and evil visitor behavior. ... fyi its goober that is not an anteater! lol! every visit, there i stand with my bairds tapir friend and someone comes by and calls him an anteater! ???

i wanted to share what i was learning, so i started my first blog and named it after my precious zoo friend, goober.

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

june 20, 2009 - march 20, 2011

goobers sfzoo friends

gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com

october 17, 2009 - ongoing

youtube.com/user/leo811sf

the most zoo friend video's anywhere! i try to upload clips after each visit :)

january 16, 2010 - august 2011

goobers sfzoo friends photo site

gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com

august 6, 2010 - march 20, 2011

the big cat nip!

thebigcatnip.blogspot.com

november 29,2010

padang's 21!

http://tigerbirthday.blogspot.com/

november 29, 2010

padang's party photo site

http://padangsparty.shutterfly.com

see all the photos of padang and all her friends at the party here!

january 28, 2011

ulu turns 30!

bearbirthdays.blogspot.com

march 4, 2011 - ongoing

san francisco zoo crime

sanfranciscozoocrime.blogspot.com

april 25, 2011 - ongoing

project get wishbone grass

projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

may 22, 2011 - ongoing

san francisco zoo FAILS

sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com

coming soon

i am not an anteater!

iamnotananteater.blogspot.com

What's Wrong at the SFZOO aka Stupid Things I See and Hear

I feel ya Cobster!

What's Wrong at the San Francisco Zoo.

That's right, its not a question.

I've started a new blog so I have a place to post about my visits after each one. Photos and bits about the precious Animals who live there and the observations I make about everything else (iamnotananteater.blogspot.com). Contrary to what is probably believed, I hate that this is my go to place to rant about things that just aren't right at the San Francisco Zoo. I hate that I even have things to rant about. Its exhausting. I much preferred when all I did was blog about the Animals and what they are up to (gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com). That was before the Zoo Director, one Curator and whoever else bought into their made-up drama, decided to involuntary drag me into their politics and school yard games. So, instead I'll just make a list and keep adding to it.

There is much great stuff at the Zoo, starting with all the Animals who live there and most of the Keepers. With all the Zoo has going for it, its curious to me that Management doesn't strive to make the Zoo be all it can be. Sometimes I wonder if Management really thinks they are doing a bang up job or if they know they aren't and just don't care? If they do think they are doing all they can, maybe this list will find its way to them and they can see that they are not. At least from the prospective of a regular Visitor, who happens to know much about the Animals and the place they live.

12.7.11 - Free day and not one Security Guard was seen! UNBelievable!!! < not really ;( ... The thing is, the Zoo knows there's more misbehavior on free day, as they put out metal police type barriers at Chimps and Gorillas. If they know this to be, why aren't there more Security on this day? If they know the Chimps and Gorillas to be "hot spots" why isn't there a Docent posted at these areas everyday?

*Not enough Security. Why aren't the Docents utilized as additional eyes and ears in regards to misbehaving Visitors? Why aren't they trained for this? ... Additionally, why aren't the Docents AND the Security assigned certain areas to watch? I continually see Docents wandering together. They should have assigned areas. As well should the Security Guards. The Guards are never around and when you do see one they fly by on a bike. They should be in the hot spots and if needed be called to that area.

*The Zoo's Pet People and Staff saying inappropriate things.

> A Zoo Staffer in the Education Department was standing next to me at the Bairds Tapir enclosure. There was a couple with their child there as well. She said, "He's really old and (a reference to his medical condition). ... It was in very bad taste. For one, at 16, the Bairds Tapir is not even half the life expectancy of that Species in captivity. So, that's just great for someone in Education lol! AND there is no reason to be offering medical information. If someone asks, that is different, although not in the way this was done. This gal should stay in the Education Building and not talk to Visitors.

> The gal who gives the Zoo photos of the Animals to use as they please (this is why they love her/use her, same thing) posted a comment on Facebook in which she said, "The Goats are buttheads" Nice. Calling the Animals names. If the Goats could talk I'm sure they would have a few choice words for her. My choice words, stay off the Farm! ... Will also note this same gal did a photo presentation at an event I attended and got an Animals name wrong and not even the Zoo Staff, including the Director noticed.

*Docents who don't know which animal is which. Why are they Docents if they don't care enough to learn about the animals they are docent-ing about? Why aren't they trained for this and given brush-up tests?

> One would think someone not only that is the head/leader of a docent group at an animal facility would be respectful of all animals, but this was a recent comment by such a person on an article thread in regard to the Banana Sam Monkey Theft. .... "Oh, it was a squirrel MONKEY, not a squirrel. Miscreants are welcome to the squirrels; they don't belong to the zoo." ... Horrible! So, Monkeys and better then Squirrels in her opinion. Is she a hunter too? Where does the Zoo find these people and why are they allowed to speak? Horrible.

>I recently heard one Docent tell a Visitor that the female Sumatran was a Male Bengal lol! The lol is of how ridiculous this is. We don't have any male Tigers and we don't have any Bengal Tigers. Score two for this Docent!

> I heard Tucker (Hippo) vocalizing a honking sound I had heard before when he is upset. I looked over to see if anyone was bothering him and I saw a Docent using a Keeper training signal and getting him all worked up. This Docent was walking around with two Visitors earlier as I saw them at Rhinos and he commented that Gene (male) was grumpy. Gene "I got your grumpy right here!"

> A Docent answered the question, "What do the Big Cats eat?" , "All the Animals get some kind of Chow." LOL! These aren't house cats and they don't eat kibble.

*Inappropriate wording in Press Releases. You would think Someone who has a job in PR would be word savvy.

>The wording (which I will have to find and paste here) in regards to the passing of African Lion Tunya recently, was disrespectful. They basically said, We will miss Tunya, but now we can put Sukari with the other two and build a pride. No break in the sentence. That just isn't the way you say Goodbye. Catch your breath before looking to the future. It hurt my heart. It was like, well now we can do want we had planned. Horrible. ... They have released other inappropriate things in the past in reference to Senior Animals, like using the words, old and elderly. Like noting that when Tony (Tiger was stuck in the moat, that he was surrounded by his urine and feces. Were those details necessary to the story? NO! Whoever wrote that one, I sure hope you are stuck one day in your mess and the world finds out. Think with compassion people.

Friday, November 11, 2011

FAIL Post Updates!

Since I want to wind down this blog as its a drag to complain all the time and I don't have the time to keep up with all the FAILS. I've fallen behind because it seems with every visit, there is something. I'm passionate about these Animals and have constant thoughts about how their lives can be better. I post about it because I hope that these things change for them through the awareness my blogs bring. I've been told alot of this is just my opinion, and yes it is, who's else would it be? Yes, I do base my feelings on human emotion because that's the emotion I was born with. That doesn't invalidate these issues or the simple empathy of how they affect these Animals directly. This post will be an update to previous posts. It will contain photos and observations I've been noticing.

Starting from the top of the blog:

*NEWS for today - Zoo Management Lets Visitors Abuse the Animals!

Security hasn't gotten any better in my opinion. I still see much misbehaving. Security is hardly present in the hot spot areas, Bears and Chimps. I used to call Cats a hot spot, but honestly, even though people constantly bother them, they aren't in any danger since the barrier situation there securely will keep humans out. This is not to say that there shouldn't be someone patrolling that area at times. The Hippo and Rhino who also live on that path, are wide open. There is nothing keeping humans from entering the Bear enclosures, and there is constantly people misbehaving there. Curiously even though I've mentioned it and I know the Zoo reads my blogs, there are still no added signage, especially as suggested one like there is at the Asian Rhino the says to stay behind the barrier. Yes, that would take people actually reading it and obeying, but at least its there as an added measure to deter misbehaving. As well it amazes me that after the incident that sparked this post regarding the Chimps, there isn't more attention paid to them. It is common knowledge that the Chimps upset very easily. On Staffer rationalized it by saying "that's what Cobby does". Unbelievable! So, just because an animal is easily upset, he should be left open as a target? Additionally it was also made public that Tallulah one of the females, has some age related heart issues. THIS alone should be a reason to try and keep the area around them quiet, eg. Visitor heckling, at a minimum. The Zoo only hires 2-4 Security guards a day from what I understand. For three hours one is in the Lion House. There is always one in the parking lot. So on days when there are only two, that's where they are. Who is watching the Animals? No one, that's who. When Security does "patrol" they zoom by on bikes. How can they hear and watch Visitor behavior? They can't. I've said it before, the Docents should be utilized as extra eye's and ear's. They aren't. They aren't assigned these special duties, and for the most part they barely approach Visitors and certainly not to tell them to stop misbehaving. Get it together SFZOO and keep the Animals safe! I recently went to the Oakland Zoo and after talking with volunteers (equal to Docents) I was told if someone misbehaves, even heckles an animal into action (like Cobby was) they are throw out. At the SFZOO they don't throw you out they barely tell you to stop. I was told that even when they have thrown people out, they give them their money back! Outrageous! Come on in, harass our Animals and we will pay you to do so!

*Animal Safety Suggestions

As I mentioned above, more signage would help. As I mentioned in previous posts on this blog and others, more signage and a video would help. As I suggested to Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, more signage and a video would help. ... On my recent visit to the Oakland Zoo I noticed they seem to "get it". They have their signs sandwhich board style right on the paths, not tucked away near a tree so to not be that noticeable aesthetically. The signs are three times the size, and in your face, where they need to be. They also have a video about the Zoo running in their cafe, something I suggested two years ago. I could see their video was highlighting the Animals that live there, and may or may not address Animal Respect, but there is no reason the San Francisco Zoo can't have a video that does both. They need to.

*Project Get Wishbone Grass! & Teddy Bear Festival, but do you Respect the Bears?

Poor, sweet Wishbone. It is obvious that the Zoo has no plans to put grass in his enclosure in anyway (patch size). He will live out his life in an enclosure of concrete that has had no landscaping update since it was built over 70 years ago. It truly is shameful. Please read my blog dedicated to Wishbone's plight and my crusade for more detailed information I gather and post in support of his cause. I will be making some additional posts and updates there soon. ... www.projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

*The Hoofstock Shuffle

Well, poor Lily (Dukier) continues to live on the Savannah, separated from her family and the only one of her kind. To me that's just cruel. I hardly ever see her, not sure if she's hiding or what. BUT i did get lucky a couple weeks ago and she came right up to me when I said hello.

*Tapir Needs Clean Water! & Zoo Wall Spray Painted, Tapir Left Unprotected

Thankfully Goober's water has been clean pretty much every time I've gone by lately. Whether they are cleaning it more often or I just happen to be there when they are who knows. I can tell you that the constant overflow (water waste) in the Grizzly Grotto that I reported possibly utility fund would better be spent keeping Goober's water clean has changed. Over a month now, the overflow is no longer! Maybe blogging does help get some things done? ... The mural seems to be done, but for two Saturdays in a row recently the artist was out there working on it, right at the side of Goober's enclosure. He sure was suited up to protect from the hazards of paint (see photos) but there was no protection for Goob! Definite and direct disrespect for his health. BIG FAIL!!!

*Update on the Dry Elly situation & Black Rhino So Dry Skin is Cracking!

Happy to report the Elly's skin is much better (although her sides could use some oil) and both she and Mishaki seem to be getting oiled regularly! YAY! AND She is very happy being up front :) They really do need to rotate these two more thought because Mishaki seems a bit down sometimes in the back now too. It really is a shame that when they renovation was made the separation of housing areas wasn't side by side instead of front and back. I know this is a repeat of what I already posted but when I'm there every week and I look at these two that is what I think. Repeatedly. Why would professionals not consider this? Most likely so there is always one up front. Not right for the Animal. Anyway, can't change that so I hope that rotating them more starts to happen and I'm thankful they are both being oiled now! BIG FAIL that it obviously took me blogging and contacting the City Animal Welfare Chairperson to get this done.

*Yay, Nay, Nay

The male Giant Anteater's new digs has now been painted a more natural color! As I posted before the walking surface mounds were painted white, which the Zoo said was a sealant. This looks much better, although I personally wouldn't have chosen a glossy paint, but hey its progress! It would seem alittle blogging has helped once again :)

Animal Enrichment Toys

Kita 2002

Animal Enrichment, especially Toys is a subject very dear to me. This post has been a long time coming and honestly by brain is so fried on all things Zoo amiss. I may even miss a few points that I want to make, but the points I do make will be poignant enough.

The Halloween season, makes me most think of Enrichment Toys. So this time of year is perfect to dedicate to this post. I have always loved the Zoo's Halloween event. When I was a Member but didn't visit weekly as I do now, I would always be there for this event. It was a day when not only did my love of animals and pumpkins collide, but the Animals who live at the Zoo always seem to have fun playing with their pumpkins and other Halloween themed "toys".

When I was grieving the loss of my kitty of twenty years, I emersed myself in all things Zoo to dilute the pain if even for a second. Once I started to learn the Animals names and history, I would sometimes spend hours on end just reading about them and trying to learn more. I read all the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Minutes, all the sfgate.com articles, ect. It was through researching photos on Flickr that I learned that Member's Mornings (past-tense) usually highlighted an Animal Birthday. I had been missing this for years. The first one I went to was in October 2008 and it was for the Andean Bears Birthday. Both Wishbone and Annie were born in October so it was a combined celebration for the pair. Unfortunately just three months later as of January 2009, these celebrations would stop when Zoo Management changed the format from Monthly to Quarterly and by late summer had fired the long-time employee who loved the Animals and loved doing this for them.

By July 2009, I had started a blog on the Animal Residents (gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com)

where I started by posting a bio on each Resident. I was making a post on the quartet of Chimps and realized Cobby's Birthday was listed as that week. Lee and I decided we wanted to make him a card. I emailed the gal they had fired (who was still there at this time) and asked if there was any planned celebration for Cobby, especially since he would be turning 50! according to the listed date. She checked with Primates and got back to me a couple days later, that yes they would be doing something. We had our card placed out in front of the enclosure and it was really cool to see all the people excited and from seeing our card, the buzz was on, people were saying it was "Cobby's Birthday!" and kids were running around yelling it. People LOVE this kind of thing. The Animals LOVE this kind of thing! you can view photos of just how excited they were on the above mentioned blog. Unfortunately, that was the last Birthday celebrated for the Chimps as suspected at the time and confirmed when the girls April Birthdays and Cobby's next one rolled around unrecognized in 2010, Cobby only had that celebration because we inquired about it.

I made my own calendar of Animal Birthdays (viewable here: http://gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com/calendar), so I could make sure to wish them on their special day. I think all the Animals should be celebrated daily, whether that's just by greeting them by name, talking nice to them as individuals, giving them treats, whatever it is. Animals the greatest gifts, and these Animals are the heart of the Zoo. Without them there would be no Zoo. As well as celebrated daily, each individual one should have a special day. To me that's their Birthday. Some of the Zoo Animals are rescues and the date listed as their Birthday is estimated or near the date they were rescued or came to the Zoo. Regardless of the circumstances the date is listed as, there is a date listed and that's the one to go by. Its their documented day. Regardless of whether a celebration can be done on that particular day, any day will do! As one Keeper told me, "The Animals don't know what day it is, all they care about is they got toys!"

By January of 2010 I had made many friends among Staff, mostly with Keepers who shared their love for the Animals with me. The Big Cat Keeper Barb was one of them. When mid-January rolled around, I realized with the holidays I hadn't checked the calendar and missed a couple Birthdays (I felt horrible) and that Tunya one of the male Lions Birthday was coming up on the 26th. Having missed female Amanzi's on the 4th and male Jahari's was on February 7th, I asked Barb if I could make some toys for them. She said yes and we decided to have a collective party on the 7th, Super Birthday Sunday!

That started a tradition and after male Tiger Tony's Birthday in March, my friend Lee and I started making Enrichment Toys every week for Big Cat Fun on Saturdays. You can read all about the fun on a blog I started for the Keepers and Vet Staff, along with us to document all the fun and the great Toys we were making for our Big Cat friends! Check out thebigcatnip.blogspot.com

As I understand it, the Animals receive Enrichment daily, in a variety of ways. According to Barb, the type of Enrichment the Toys we were creating she called "high yield", which meant it created an excitement/energy level much like they would have in the wild. She felt that it was a necessary supplement to the other Enrichment they were receiving.

It was a priceless experience to get to create something that you then saw a Zoo friend enjoy. Bringing this fun to their lives once a week was a great thing. We loved it, the Keepers loved it, the Visitors loved it and most of all the Animals loved it.

Unfortunately all the fun came to a halt right before Halloween 2010. Even though we had been approved by the Head Vet, Dr Jackie, the Carnivore Curator Corrine MacDonald made it her primary agenda to put an end to it. She point blank told me, "They don't need this type of Enrichment" & "I have no interest in celebrating Birthdays". We had a brief negotiation that allowed for female Tiger Padang to get a 21st Birthday Party (tigerbirthday.blogspot.com ) and had a drama filled time getting the agreed upon Bear Birthday Party(bearbirthdays.blogspot.com) to even happen.

At the time, Curator MacDonald claimed that yet another formal Enrichment Program would be producing "toys" for the Animals on a regular basis. This Program was to utilize the Renew the Zoo volunteers for this purpose. Interesting as the Renew the Zoo usually helps with landscaping, painting and other needed grounds work. I'll also note that like the first attempt at an Enrichment Committee, both Lee and I were not only asked to join this program but to be leaders and teach the volunteers how to do what we were doing BUT we were not allowed to continue doing what we were doing in the same way. For many reasons we declined.

With the priority of the upcoming Halloween and Christmas events, Curator MacDonald said, "just give us a chance". As suspected aside from these events, the Animals never got any other "toys", at least not on a regular basis, which according to one Keeper they were promised. There would be a painted box or few here and there, but they have had no regular Enrichment Toys for a year now. I will also add that the first "toys" that were made under the new program were for the Halloween event 2010. The "toys" that were provided to the Big Cat Keepers by the Operations/Renew the Zoo team, were boxes with huge staples and tape! All of the Toys we made were safe.

Now with 2011 Halloween behind us, I guess the next time the Animals will get "toys' will be for Christmas. It makes me sad as I can see where having Toys brought them so much joy. A captive animals day is pretty boring and at least for an hour or so that one day of week they had items that were especially designed for them (example Padang, a Tiger with special needs, got opened toys to accommodate her) to stimulate visually with color, and tactually with size and shape.

I will also note that Padang who never really liked Enrichment items, showed not only an interest in our Toys, but at age 20+ showed kittenish behavior and excitement when she saw them brought out! As well, female Lioness Sukari who had been a cave dweller since arriving at the Zoo was finally coaxed out using our Toys, culminating in her full participation starting with her 8th brithday celebration!

I sincerely hope the Zoo gets it together enough one day to organize its volunteer staff in such a way they can successfully produce enough Enrichment Toys for all the Animals who would benefit from them to do so at least once a week.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

upRoar in the Lion House

Admittedly, the upRoar is within myself, as I get frustrated at what goes on at the Zoo AND especially when those in authority positions do nothing about it.

SO this sign is posted in several places along the big cat "bedrooms" in the San Francisco Zoo Lion House. It states "use your indoor voices", which translates to NO yelling, loud talking, or making sounds, including clapping and roaring, in an attempt to get the animals attention. It is the job of Security to enforce these rules.

Today, I witnessed a new gal just standing there chatting with people (on two different occasions), ignoring the disrupting sounds. In this clip you can hear screaming kids, as well on another stop inside, I also stood next to a group who was clapping, whistling and roaring at the Lions. And there were tons of kids climbing all over the barriers.

There are rules in the Lion House for a reason.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Update on the Dry Elly situation

Elly

Mishaki

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

It would seem, that maybe alittle noise has helped this situation! If you haven't read the first article, please see the previous post, "Black Rhino So DRY Skin is Now Cracking!!!"

September 22: It was World Rhino Day, I went to the Zoo to celebrate our wonderful Rhinos! Its curious that the Zoo whose Mission includes Educating People, doesn't recognize these "days" and celebrate the Residents. I digress. ... As I approached the Black Rhino enclosure, what did I see but Miss Elly standing front and center smiling! I was so happy to see her up front! AND she seemed happy to be there :)

October 1: Elly still up front and happy to see the people! Being up front really agrees with her. When she was first moved to the new enclosure, her energy was rejuvenated! So much to the point where she really seemed like she gained years. In her old home, she was also stuck in the back and just laid there most of the time. So it is good to see her looking happy!

Unfortunately, now that Mishaki is in back he seems bummed. I wish when they renovated this exhibit they made the separation line down the center, with both yards having a front and back, rather than a front yard and a backyard. Hopefully the Zoo gets it together and rotates these two on a regular basis. They need the environment switch up. If its too much trouble, I say too bad. Its their job to do right by these Animals.

October 8: WOW! Both Elly and Mishaki look like they have been oiled! Could it be? I think it could! Elly was in desperate need and looks so much better! I'm sure she feels more comfortable! ... Photos are from this day.

SO, in my opinion, doing the right thing for these Animals may have taken some extra time and energy, so not doing is just plain laziness. If I am to go by the information that was told to a Docent by a Keeper, that Elly had not been oiled, because it "was not feasible" to do in the back yard, I have to say there appears to be untruths, otherwise Mishaki would not appear to have been oiled as well. AND if there were adjustments made to make it "feasible", why couldn't these adjustments have been made BEFORE Elly's skin got to the condition it had AND before I had to call attention to it?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Yay, Nay, Nay

Yes tis true there is something I am going to kudo!

Angelo the male Giant Anteater has a new home within the San Francisco Zoo.

One of the original exhibits that has been unused for many years has been semi-renovated to house him. He has for some time had tummy issues due to his love of eating sand :( so relocating him will help keep him healthy :)

He previously lived at the Puente Al Sur, but his sand intake has increased and he has had to be inside the barn in so he didn't have access to his favorite snack. Now he can roam free in his new home :)

Thank you to the Staff who made this happen in a timely manner, so to limit the length of time he was stuck inside.

He seems to like his new home and was exploring quite a bit when I was there. I hope that he will at some point get some soft area so he is not on concrete only, maybe a washable surface like the cork-like stuff used around the base of the animal statues or a rubber mat type surface.

I wish his mounds were a more natural color (not white) as it looks like he is in the snow, but that's aesthetics and secondary, as moving him was priority.

I took a great little video clip of him exploring his new digs :) check it out at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS899JRyhxQ

Thank you again! Now let's work on:

*Getting Wishbone grass in his home, so he is not exclusively on concrete! and can have a soft surface to walk, sit, lounge and play on.

*Getting the grass in Goober's home back to lush and not dry stick like weeds, so he has something comfortable to munch and lounge on!

*Moving Inti into an area that is not a cage. He needs and deserves a more natural environment.

These simple and necessary improvements for the Animals would make me and the Animals happy and by gosh, I just may not have anything, much to blog about!

OK the weekend duo of Nays.

I've been continually bugged that the Zoo is apparently (from the Visitor stand-point, paying an electric bill to continuously keep a HUGE Lion Balloon inflated, when they allegedly balk at paying extra on the water bill to make sure that the Bairds Tapir's pool be cleaned daily instead of the current three times a week. I'm a Leo so I love all things Lion, but this makes no sense and its wrong to appropriate funds this way.

While at the Lions, my friend Lee was talking to Lynette, a fellow Docent from when she was in the program. During this time a Visitor was tapping on the glass, trying to get the Cats attention. After the second time I suggested to Lynette she ask the Visitor to stop. She said, "Let's see if they do it again"!!! Of course I was offended as she has the authority and its certainly part of her job to address misbehavior. This is a trend with Docents, as well some Security. I questioned why wait, when we all just witnessed this twice? She had no answer. I just walked away disgusted.

I don't know why some of the people with authority to stop Visitors who harass the animals don't.

Update: Per San Francisco Zoo Twitter information received, the Anteater's mini mountains are painted white because they needed to be sealed. Good to know, thank you for the response and information. I still think it would have been aesthetically more pleasing to have the area (and others) more natural. Painting them doesn't seem like it would have been too hard.

UPDATE 12.8.11 Please see the last post titled "FAIL Post Updates"

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Animals Upset by Visitors Steps Away from Oblivious Staff

It happens again, OUTRAGEOUS! How will the Zoo deter this behavior? WILL the Zoo do anything TO deter this behavior?

As we turn the corner from the main part of the Zoo and end our visit with the Chimps, we thought we were home free. A visit without seeing misbehavior from humans against our precious Zoo friends. Could it be? Not a chance, unfortunately.

There is always some kind of misbehavior at the Chimps. Always. Humans for some reason feel the need to tickle their armpits and make oooo-ing sounds when they see Chimps. I don't get it, but I don't get the behavior of humans, much less the ones that pay to go to an Animal Park and then mess with the Animals, rather than observing and enjoying them just doing their thing.

I have noted before the desperate NEED at the San Francisco Zoo for more signage, to deter misbehavior. The Zoo continues, just continues to go along its merry little way thinking they are doing a bang up job in all aspects, including protecting the Animals. They are not. WHY can't there be more signage? Are they afraid of how it looks aesthetically? Are they afraid of offending Visitors with too many rules? What is the problem?

As a Visitor who is upset by this behavior and who thinks protecting the Animals should be primary, posting informational signs in a viewable area is a no-brainer. After all, part of the Zoo's Mission Statement is to "educate." So far, I see very little educating going on.

While on that note, I sure hope that the Docent led school tours, Zoo-Mobile Staff and Camp leaders, teach the children they speak to about Respecting Animals.

I must note that the majority of misbehavior is the actions of adults. Take the situation I witnessed yesterday. When I arrived at Chimps, all three females were lounging in the sun. The male (Cobby) was inside. There was a (human) family of rowdies already being loud and yelling things towards the Chimps. Whether this group instigated the situation and/or the rest of the Visitors I don't know, but they were the stand-outs as the loudest and the grandmother was the ring-leader! Ma Barker.

As the crowd got louder with laughter and snickers, Cobby (who was probably watching from the window) rushed out, picking up a book on his way. He was obviously agitated. Since I know his behavior (and that of the humans watching him) I knew exactly how this was going to play out. Cobby displayed his aggravation by rocking and throwing things out at the Visitors who were upsetting him. I video taped most of this, but am unable to upload it at this time.

As Cobby was in action, a larger crowd grew and most from what I could hear while taping, were excited by his behavior. Admittedly before I knew what his rocking meant, I too thought he was dancing, as that is what it looks like, BUT once an Animal throws something out towards the Visitors, regardless of your level of Animal Behavior knowledge, that isn't an action based on just for fun. Something is upsetting to the Animal, so its disturbing to me that Visitors would not only heckle him, but in fact erupt in cheer as a crowd when he threw things (three times).

That said, I again return to signage. At the Chimps there are two signs. One is a universal "shoosh" sign, with a finger up to lips, the other is the Zoo's Respect the Animals sign. One is posted to the far left and the other to the far right, nestled in close to the bushes. Visitors walking up and standing in the front to view, do not see these signs, and the ones who do mostly don't pay any attention. I have seen Visitors yell out to the Chimps while standing in front of the "shoosh" sign. Amazing.

So, we ask, will signs then work at all? I believe more will deter. Since the Zoo will not take other outside the box measures, such as a video on loop at entry village or in the Cafe, we have to go with what little they have already done and that's signs.

Side note on video. There is a new video playing at the Snow Leopard exhibit. The video is on Conservation and Education about the plight of the Snow Leopards. While a great thing, isn't it just as important to Educate and Conservate for the Animals who call your facility home? Again, I would think that should be primary.

I have long thought the necessity of more signage, Zoo-wide, but it is in dire need at the Chimps and Bears. I find that most of the misbehavior happens in these areas AND these Animals are wide-open. It has always been curious to me that there are signs at the Indian Rhino exhibit cautioning about crossing the barrier, but NONE, not one, at the Bears. I have never seen anyone misbehaving at the Indian Rhino, but its a regular occurrence at Bears. AND there is hardly ever Security at Bears. Why are these signs not posted all along the barrier at Bears? WHY??? ... As well these signs should be at all exhibits, along with ones that say not to yell. AND one every window at the Cats, not to rap, tap, slap on the glass.

As for the signage at Chimps, there are several things that need to be noted to alert. Several low placed signs in front of the exhibit would be ideal. Do not vocalize at the Animals (yell, imitate, ect). Do not gesture at the Animals (wave your arms, clap, ect). These Animals are sensitive. If you see them exhibiting motion that looks like dancing, waving Arms, motioning back and forth, that is a display of agitation. Do not encourage, heckle, applaud this behavior. These are Senior Animals and should be kept calm for their health and safety. ... THIS would help the situation tremendously.

I also find it curious, that with the Chimps being right next to the Cafe, that more Staff do not pay attention to what is goign on there. When I'm at Chimps, I see Staff from all levels, going in and out and just passing by. In fact yesterday I witnessed two things that were most disturbing.

Two Cafe Staffers came out and joined in the festivities, adding to the laughter and took photos of Cobby in action.

Five Staffers, including that of Membership and IT, stood about 20 yards from the Chimps, in front of the Cafe, over-seeing the moving of the outdoor seating, in preparation for an event that night. Note photo posted. The Chimps are right beyond these people. There is no way the cheering and laughter was not heard. YET not one Staffer went over to see what the commotion was. INCREDIBLE! I'm so glad that the Staff is alert and aware of their surroundings. Good grief, Cobby could have ran up and goosed one and they wouldn't have seen it coming.

Once again I plead to the San Francisco Zoo, get it together! Do more to protect these Animals! You may not like me, but this isn't about me, its about the Animals in your care who call the Zoo home.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Visitor Dangles Arms in Lion Enclosure! OMG!!!

Once again Visitors misbehave, I witness it and Security basically does nothing. This is one of the reasons I must blog. This is one of the reasons my brain hurts, regarding so much Zoo-wise. I wish it wasn't that way, but I care about the safety of the Animals who live there, in regards to Visitor actions, that I can't help but get upset.

So, here is what happened today. My friend Lee and I were sitting on Tatiana's (Tiger) bench. The bench that was donated by funds raised in her memory by those who loved her and were outraged at the circumstances surrounding her death. I was one of those people. This bench sits in front of the enclosure the Tatiana lived in with her companion Tony. I am sure anyone who is reading this, has knowledge of the events that happened Christmas Day 2007. If not google it.

After those events there were upgrades made to the barrier at the Visitor side, as the drama surrounding the circumstances made it seem as though it was a Zoo fail, that the event could even happen. In my opinion, this was not a Zoo fail. In short, Big Cats had lived there for close to 80 years, without escaping. The issue of wall height was not an issue, as the "recommended height" was NOT "required height". AND the obvious was documented three years later, that she had been taunted (more like tortured to a boiling point). She also did not leap out of the enclosure, she allegedly used some dangling legs as a ladder of flesh.

Knowing all that, why would anyone do the following, and why did I have to witness it? It really amazes me that Lee and I seem to be the only ones who think the behavior we see is bad. Maybe this is why we are witnesses. God knows that we will stand-up for what is right. If the lady who had seem the Dhaliwal's misbehaving at the Lions prior to getting to Tatiana's enclosure had reported it, maybe Tatiana would still be alive today. That is in part, why I get involved.

As we sat there enjoying watching Tunya and Sukari (Lions), a family strolls up. T he father immediately stands on the cement curb and then up on the ledge, body against the barrier glass, dangling his arms over the top, trying to get the Lions attention. OMG!!! I absolutely could not believe what I was seeing. I started taking photos to document it. I have seen alot of misbehavior, its a daily occurrence at the Zoo. I had vowed after the Bear Grotto incident (see blog http://sanfranciscozoocrime.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcomeif-you-are-reading-this-blog-you.html) not to get involved ever again, but when I see something so horrifying, I can't help myself. When a Visitor does something that can put an Animals life in danger, I can not just sit there and watch.

If you are asking how do these actions I write about put an Animal's life in danger, I'll note a couple past events as example. Tatiana, abused by Visitors to the point she got out, hunted them down and killed on of her attackers. She was shot in the head 14 times, because she defended herself, her companion and her home. Two years later a man voluntarily enters the Grizzly Bear enclosure. One of the Bears sniffed him and moved on. Had that not been the the way it played out and one of the Bears went after him, in anyway, even playful, they would have both taken a bullet. So, regardless of the scenario, the Animal will always lose its life.

In the case of today, sure there is a window barrier as such you can see in the photo (in case you have never been to the San Francisco Zoo), but what if there was a fluke and something happened that this guy fell in? One of those precious Lions might have lost their life. I am painting an extreme outcome that I do not believe could happen in this instance, but that is not the whole point. The point is, this behavior is unacceptable. Why do people come to the Zoo, pay to get in and then act the fool all over the place? I don't get it. Until I became hypersensitive to misbehavior, I thought people who visited the Zoo did so because they liked animals. Behavior I see continuously suggests something different.

Even further OMG, this is happening at the same enclosure as the Tatiana event!

Before I go any further with my commentary, I continue with the chain of events.

So, even though I do not want to get involved, I go to the Lion House to ask the Security guard there to call another guard to talk to these offenders. As I walk up, Security guard Gisella bikes in. She played a part in untruths in regard to the Bear Grotto incident, so I would have preferred to not be involved in something she was involved in again, but no choice. I told her what I saw, showed her the photo, she thanked me and off she went. I followed back to the scene to point out the offenders.

When she approached them, she said in a low pleasant voice, " ... for you safety,..." I could not believe it! AGAIN Security basically does nothing!!! Just like when a Visitor threw something at Cobby the Chimp! (see post on this blog, http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/2011/05/zoo-management-lets-visitors-abuse.html) OUTRAGEOUS! What is going on? Why does Security make nice with people who are seriously misbehaving? They should be asked to leave, but at the very least be spoken to with a more stern voice and wording. No wonder people run wild in the place. They know they can.

I may be in the minority, but once a Visitor initiates misbehavior, that should void them as a Security priority. The Animals that live there never seem to be the priority concern Security-wise. Its disgusting.

If I was a Keeper and saw how disrespectful Security is in regards to reprimanding Visitors offending towards the Animals in my care, I would be pissed.

I digress. ... The wife of the offender, then says to me, "Are you happy now?" What is that even supposed to mean? Her husband acts the fool, engages in a serious Security action and she is turning my reporting it around? I had not planned to say anything to these people, but she opened a dialog with me first. I responded, "He should not be up there. There are barriers for a reason." Again she says, "Are you happy now." I said, "Don't you watch the News. You must know what happened the last time someone dangled over the barrier." Then I just stopped. To me asking, "If I was happy now", was the most ridiculous thing to say. NO, I'm not happy that your offensive husband is putting our precious Animals at risk with his bad behavior.

So, again proven offensive Visitors are smiled at and asked not to misbehave. Seriously? Man-up San Francisco Zoo, stop being cowards! Do something to deter this bad behavior. Start sending a message. Start educating people about respecting the Animals BEFORE they enter the Zoo. Don't hide behind the signs that are posted here and there, and think they are enough. They are not. Have a video at the entrance. Have a video in the Cafe. Tell people how they are expected to behave once they enter the Zoo. Have docents talk to groups before they enter. Do something, because misbehavior toward the Animals is epidemic.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Black Rhino so DRY Skin is Now Cracking!!!

^ 12.26.09 ^ How her skin is supposed to look.

^ 2.11.10 ^ Looking dry

^ 2.21.11 ^ After being Oiled! :)

^ 5.22.10 ^ Elly and Mishaki, both skin in good condition

^ 2.26.11 ^ Looking Dry

^ 4.14.11 ^ Dryer!

^ 5.28.11 ^ Even Dryer!

^ 7.3.11 ^ YIKES!

^ 7.10.11 ^ Comparison of Elly and Mishaki

^ 8.12.11 ^ The Sore! :(

^ the sore up close 8.12.11 ^

For months I have been wanting to do a post on the issue "Dry Elly" , but keep having other issues pop up. NOW from my perspective, the issue has literally come to a breaking point.

In the past 4-5 months, Elly, the female Black Rhino has seemed to have increasingly extreme skin dryness. I know that the Black Rhino's used to get oiled, but I haven't seen that in over a year. In fact the last photo's I have of Elly having been oiled are posted here, dated February 2010.

I have posted a time-line of photos to show the changes in her skin. I started noticing it as she was becoming more and more chalky looking, especially on her face and hind area. So much so, she started looking ghostly. I don't have many photos as I found it hard to see this happening to this precious Zoo friend.

Since I do not feel I'm in the position to inquire with her Keepers, there really isn't much I can do or say, other than shout it out here and hope the Zoo takes notice.

It might appear to some that all I want to do if find faults and post about them. That is not true. I do not like using time and energy in this way. But, when things are wrong, and this is very wrong, I can not keep quiet. As a frequent visitor and someone who watches (opposed to looking and moving on) the Animals, I notice things others may not. That said, what I notice is also from the perspective of the visitors eye.

Last Friday, August 12, 2011, I snapped the last photos posted here. I was horrified to see this huge sore on Elly's side! It appears that the dryness of her skin has caused it to crack, flake and bleed! This is horrible and when I think too hard about it, I become physically ill. ... I just want to rub Vaseline all over her!

How can the Zoo allow this to happen? Why hasn't this poor Animal, who turned 40! in January and has given birth to over a dozen Calfs, why hasn't her skin been taken care of? Why has she not been oiled in at least a year? Why has she been allowed to have her skin turn chalky? And NOW apparently, its just flaking off!

This is outrageous.

I tweeted the Zoo about it, and got no response. No surprise, as since the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson has stated outright lies about myself and a friend, most Staff outside Keeper level view us as public enemy number one, and disregard anything we say, including valid CONCERNS regarding Animal health and welfare.

Outrageous as well.

SO, What can and will be done to help Elly? I plan to post this and send it to the Zoo Vet Staff. Hopefully they are aware of this sore and its being treated. Hopefully the Hoofstock Staff gets it together and OILS poor Dry Elly, and Mishaki (the male) as well, on a regular basis.

Sunday August 27, 2011 UPDATE:

Tuesday August 16, 2011 - Emailed a letter that included this link to the San Francisco Zoo Vets, Dr Graham Crawford and Dr Adrian M. Received no reply.

Wednesday August 17, 2011 - Emailed a letter that included this link to the USDA department that handles Zoo animal welfare. Received no reply.

Sunday August 21, 2011- Emailed a letter that included this link to San Francisco Animal Welfare Chair, Sally Stephens. She replied and has been in contact with the Zoo regarding this.

At this point I relinquish control to Sally Stephens and the USDA if they make inquiries. I feel that I have done my part on Elly's behalf by alerting all the entities that I felt were necessary. I hope something is done to tend to Elly's sores and skin on a whole. As well Mishaki the male as I have seen one such sore on him too. ... I was at the Zoo today and neither appear moisturized in anyway, nor any medicinal treatment to the sores.