I'm going to post a bit on Signage and other Suggestions I have made to San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson as early as two years ago. I had planned this post (as well as others) prior to the events of this past Saturday. Today, I feel that I should let this particular subject go, as the Zoo is now aware of this issue and all that is left is for them to make changes, but equally that it be known there are more ways to help deter Visitor misbehavior than they are seemingly willing to do.
I was there on Christmas Day 2007. I have two places I visit on the Holidays, the Zoo is one of them. I decided to go to the Zoo first, had I not, that would have put me at the Big Cat Grotto's near the end of the day around 4ish. This was the time when it has been reported that the Brothers were seen heckling the Lions (prior to moving on to the Tigers). I have always thought if I had been there I would have said something to them or alerted a Staff Member and would have hoped that horrible event would have been prevented and Tatiana would still be alive. In hindsight to the handling of the event this past Saturday, I'm not so confident anything would have been different. Obviously, they would have gotten a warning and been left to continue on their way.
In 2009, a man was able to get into the Grizzly Bear Grotto. I DO NOT hold the Zoo responsible to the Tiger attack or this event, because you can't think ahead and safeguard from all an evil mind can think of. If someone could, there would be no crime. BUT there were two things I immediately thought of when I heard of the Grizzly Bear incident. Things that in hindsight of the Tiger incident, someone on Staff should have thought of. Its their jobs and they had two years to think about it.
I was in an open correspondence with Director Peterson at this time and sent off an email on the spot. I was horrified that one of our precious Grizzlies could have lost their lives because of human misbehavior. I noted and questioned two things specifically in hindsight of the Tiger event. The first was questioning Why? are Visitors allowed to be in the far reaches (Bears) of the Zoo near closing time? The second, Why? is the Zoo even open in the til 5p when its starting to get dark earlier?
The way the Zoo is set-up, it takes about fifteen minutes to cross the entire Zoo. In my opinion there is no reason that Visitors are not escorted towards the center area (Cats and Penguins) at least a half hour prior to closing and no reason anyone should be past Primates/Flamingos later than fifteen minutes before closing. There is no (at the time/often now) constant Security loop and definitely no presence at the far end the last open hour. Even in the days following the Grizzly event there wasn't much change. The day after I went there and stayed til closing specifically to see if there were any changes. They had a Security guard standing outside the Grizzlies just staring into the Grotto. What good is that going to do? Maybe prevent a copycat, but what really are the odds of that? As well, the most important point, this guard walked the Bear Grotto corridor at 4:20p and then left. So, again Visitors were left to wander near closing time.
Regarding the time of day the Grizzly incident took place, which was in the closing hour, like the Tiger incident, the prior mention of Visitors still roaming the far reaches is the main thing but my other concern was the time, since day light savings time was approaching. The Grizzly incident happened in late September, but it does start getting dark earlier and by the following month, with the time change, it will be dark at 5p. The Zoo should close at 4p during these times.
These suggestions were sent to Director Peterson and three days later I went to the monthly Joint Zoo Committee Meeting, where Director Peterson announced that the Zoo would like approval of the Park and Rec to adopt Winter Hours at the Zoo, closing at 4p during winter months. THANK YOU!
I am glad to have suggested that and to have had it have an impact, but that along with other things I have suggested, the question begs, why are people on Staff not thinking of these things?
Signage. Two years ago, the Respect the Animal signs that are decently visible today, were not so much. I suggested there be more signs and at all the enclosures, not just sporadically placed about. That happened, although on not a wide enough scale, but at least there are more postings. I would still like to see window clings at the Big Cat and Snow Leopard full length windows, not to Knock, Kick, Rap, Tap, ... but those suggestions are still in the wind. The ARC (Animal Resource Center) had a great one posted on the window where the Alligator and Turtles live. It listed about twenty offenses not to do. Curiously it didn't last long, and I immediately wondered if Management made them take it down.
Other suggestions I had dealt with verbally explaining to Visitors about Respecting the Animals. This included two different approaches but both that could be very helpful in deterring misbehavior. One costs nothing, the other would cost something, but I don't believe so much that it would not be doable and considering it would help to keep the Animals safe, that should be worth it. To me, in light of the events of 2007 and 2009, and the continued misbehavior on the part of so many Visitors, the San Francisco Zoo needs to think outside the normal box of what is done in other Zoo's. I feel that this Zoo, has special circumstances and should react in light of them, instead of ignore them. The Safety of the Animals should be paramount, as this is their home and there is a Law to back that up.
I think that Entry Village should be the starting point for education on behavior. The respect the Animal signs should be posted 360 so they are not missed.
I think holding entrance to the Zoo at intervals of 10 minutes, (much like an amusement park ride) while a video plays at the Gate House that talks about how to behave while a guest in the place where the Animals live. It could also include short bio's of the Animals, so not to be only viewed with a negative message. "While you're at the Zoo, make sure to visit, .... and remember, you are a guest in these Animals home, so please do not,...." Even having the person who takes the tickets give the short speech would work.
I think there should also be the same type video (adding more of the Animals since the viewing time would be longer) on loop in the Cafe. This is where people sit for extended amounts of time. There is no reason why a message can't be sent using this forum.
I have heard that two weeks ago they have started having Security talk to the school groups about Respecting the Animals. This is a great step (not sure why it too so long to implement), but honestly the misbehavior I see are mostly actions by adults. The talks need to extend to all Visitors, and adding the video on loop would be a big help.
These suggestions were sent to Director Peterson two years ago, but I also posted them to the Zoo's Facebook in February when a Visitor posted suggesting they have a disclosure about being Kind to the Animals. One of the Zoo's response's to the poster was "we do have a prominent "Respect the Animals" sign at the ticket/gate house and throughout the Zoo. There is also a Zoo Manners section on the map. Additionally, there is a sign at the front gate about the new State Law. ... We definitely want visitors to see and know that they need to "respect the animals. .... the Zoo is committed to enforcing respectful behavior." Their other response was to delete my posts with suggestions and ban me from being able to comment on their Facebook page. I ask the Zoo, "How is letting a Visitor throw something at an Animal, enforcing respectful behavior?"
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, worked hard to get the Law to Protect the Animals in our City Parks (not just the Zoo) amended in direct reaction to the insanely ridiculous verdict handed down by the judge in the Grizzly case. He should be offended that the Zoo is not at the very least upholding that Law by ejecting offenders.
My final word on this subject (at least all the I got for now!) is that the Zoo needs to make good on the part of their Mission that states they "inspire caring for nature" and start educating those who walk through the gates how exactly that is done, by telling them what behavior is unacceptable and that they will be punished accordingly if caught disrespecting the Animals. They then of course have to act accordingly themselves and eject all offenders. Warning time needs to be over. The word needs to get out, that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated at the San Francisco Zoo.
I was there on Christmas Day 2007. I have two places I visit on the Holidays, the Zoo is one of them. I decided to go to the Zoo first, had I not, that would have put me at the Big Cat Grotto's near the end of the day around 4ish. This was the time when it has been reported that the Brothers were seen heckling the Lions (prior to moving on to the Tigers). I have always thought if I had been there I would have said something to them or alerted a Staff Member and would have hoped that horrible event would have been prevented and Tatiana would still be alive. In hindsight to the handling of the event this past Saturday, I'm not so confident anything would have been different. Obviously, they would have gotten a warning and been left to continue on their way.
In 2009, a man was able to get into the Grizzly Bear Grotto. I DO NOT hold the Zoo responsible to the Tiger attack or this event, because you can't think ahead and safeguard from all an evil mind can think of. If someone could, there would be no crime. BUT there were two things I immediately thought of when I heard of the Grizzly Bear incident. Things that in hindsight of the Tiger incident, someone on Staff should have thought of. Its their jobs and they had two years to think about it.
I was in an open correspondence with Director Peterson at this time and sent off an email on the spot. I was horrified that one of our precious Grizzlies could have lost their lives because of human misbehavior. I noted and questioned two things specifically in hindsight of the Tiger event. The first was questioning Why? are Visitors allowed to be in the far reaches (Bears) of the Zoo near closing time? The second, Why? is the Zoo even open in the til 5p when its starting to get dark earlier?
The way the Zoo is set-up, it takes about fifteen minutes to cross the entire Zoo. In my opinion there is no reason that Visitors are not escorted towards the center area (Cats and Penguins) at least a half hour prior to closing and no reason anyone should be past Primates/Flamingos later than fifteen minutes before closing. There is no (at the time/often now) constant Security loop and definitely no presence at the far end the last open hour. Even in the days following the Grizzly event there wasn't much change. The day after I went there and stayed til closing specifically to see if there were any changes. They had a Security guard standing outside the Grizzlies just staring into the Grotto. What good is that going to do? Maybe prevent a copycat, but what really are the odds of that? As well, the most important point, this guard walked the Bear Grotto corridor at 4:20p and then left. So, again Visitors were left to wander near closing time.
Regarding the time of day the Grizzly incident took place, which was in the closing hour, like the Tiger incident, the prior mention of Visitors still roaming the far reaches is the main thing but my other concern was the time, since day light savings time was approaching. The Grizzly incident happened in late September, but it does start getting dark earlier and by the following month, with the time change, it will be dark at 5p. The Zoo should close at 4p during these times.
These suggestions were sent to Director Peterson and three days later I went to the monthly Joint Zoo Committee Meeting, where Director Peterson announced that the Zoo would like approval of the Park and Rec to adopt Winter Hours at the Zoo, closing at 4p during winter months. THANK YOU!
I am glad to have suggested that and to have had it have an impact, but that along with other things I have suggested, the question begs, why are people on Staff not thinking of these things?
Signage. Two years ago, the Respect the Animal signs that are decently visible today, were not so much. I suggested there be more signs and at all the enclosures, not just sporadically placed about. That happened, although on not a wide enough scale, but at least there are more postings. I would still like to see window clings at the Big Cat and Snow Leopard full length windows, not to Knock, Kick, Rap, Tap, ... but those suggestions are still in the wind. The ARC (Animal Resource Center) had a great one posted on the window where the Alligator and Turtles live. It listed about twenty offenses not to do. Curiously it didn't last long, and I immediately wondered if Management made them take it down.
Other suggestions I had dealt with verbally explaining to Visitors about Respecting the Animals. This included two different approaches but both that could be very helpful in deterring misbehavior. One costs nothing, the other would cost something, but I don't believe so much that it would not be doable and considering it would help to keep the Animals safe, that should be worth it. To me, in light of the events of 2007 and 2009, and the continued misbehavior on the part of so many Visitors, the San Francisco Zoo needs to think outside the normal box of what is done in other Zoo's. I feel that this Zoo, has special circumstances and should react in light of them, instead of ignore them. The Safety of the Animals should be paramount, as this is their home and there is a Law to back that up.
I think that Entry Village should be the starting point for education on behavior. The respect the Animal signs should be posted 360 so they are not missed.
I think holding entrance to the Zoo at intervals of 10 minutes, (much like an amusement park ride) while a video plays at the Gate House that talks about how to behave while a guest in the place where the Animals live. It could also include short bio's of the Animals, so not to be only viewed with a negative message. "While you're at the Zoo, make sure to visit, .... and remember, you are a guest in these Animals home, so please do not,...." Even having the person who takes the tickets give the short speech would work.
I think there should also be the same type video (adding more of the Animals since the viewing time would be longer) on loop in the Cafe. This is where people sit for extended amounts of time. There is no reason why a message can't be sent using this forum.
I have heard that two weeks ago they have started having Security talk to the school groups about Respecting the Animals. This is a great step (not sure why it too so long to implement), but honestly the misbehavior I see are mostly actions by adults. The talks need to extend to all Visitors, and adding the video on loop would be a big help.
These suggestions were sent to Director Peterson two years ago, but I also posted them to the Zoo's Facebook in February when a Visitor posted suggesting they have a disclosure about being Kind to the Animals. One of the Zoo's response's to the poster was "we do have a prominent "Respect the Animals" sign at the ticket/gate house and throughout the Zoo. There is also a Zoo Manners section on the map. Additionally, there is a sign at the front gate about the new State Law. ... We definitely want visitors to see and know that they need to "respect the animals. .... the Zoo is committed to enforcing respectful behavior." Their other response was to delete my posts with suggestions and ban me from being able to comment on their Facebook page. I ask the Zoo, "How is letting a Visitor throw something at an Animal, enforcing respectful behavior?"
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, worked hard to get the Law to Protect the Animals in our City Parks (not just the Zoo) amended in direct reaction to the insanely ridiculous verdict handed down by the judge in the Grizzly case. He should be offended that the Zoo is not at the very least upholding that Law by ejecting offenders.
My final word on this subject (at least all the I got for now!) is that the Zoo needs to make good on the part of their Mission that states they "inspire caring for nature" and start educating those who walk through the gates how exactly that is done, by telling them what behavior is unacceptable and that they will be punished accordingly if caught disrespecting the Animals. They then of course have to act accordingly themselves and eject all offenders. Warning time needs to be over. The word needs to get out, that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated at the San Francisco Zoo.
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