September 6, 2012 - News Article, New for Today

I haven't posted to this blog for months.  After the passing of Andean Bear Wishbone, I made a final post to my blog dedicated to trying to get him some grass for his home, a soft surface to live on.  projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

I had since been posting my visit experiences and views on my main blog iamnotananteater.blogspot.com 

After the recent passing of my beloved friend Goober (Bairds Tapir)  I knew I didn't want to be involved with San Francisco Zoo BS any longer.  I know things are never going to change under the current administration, regardless of all the fluff they put out patting themselves on the back.  ...  I wrote a draft for a finale post, but was going to post it after I honored Goober with a RIP post, which I still have not been able to do.

I post today as this article just came via a google news alert for "sfzoo"

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=68024

It basically goes over all the same plans the Zoo has for the future, which in my opinion (as I've posted about over and over) all in complete disregard for the Animals already living there.  ... Lending to why I think its futile to continue trying to make a difference there via my blogs.  Yes, I have seen changes that reflect things I've posted about, but I'm exhausted that over all not many people, and certainly not those in authority at the Zoo seem to embrace that a Zoo is an Animal Park.   The Animals should be the priority.

This all said, the reason I'm making this post is because the article writer included a paragraph that quotes me and links this blog.  

"So, new animals and humans, get bright, shiny, new and modern areas, while current animals continue to live status quo. I personally can not imagine being someone of authority in the Zoological Society and being able to sleep at night knowing I was forging ahead with plans that did not include helping the animals that already live there, before anything else," wrote a female blogger who goes by the name leo811 at the site http://sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com/.

I was going to comment on the actual article page, but it forces you to sign into Facebook, and then links your FB, which I don't think is relevant to my blog and public Zoo views.

I will say that, Animal Care VP David Bocian who is the subject of this article, has been at the Zoo well over a year, and for someone being touted as caring about the Animals, how could he (along with Director Tanya Peterson, Curators Corinne MacDonald and Debra Marrin, as well members of the San Francisco Zoological Society and anyone else who holds authority there) let Wishbone live on concrete with known back/bone/joint issues, letting him to eventually die from those issues?   

We all know (and if you don't, check my links and blog archive for related posts)  what I think about this and the future plans the Zoo has.  Anyone working in an Animal facility should want to take care at home before building new areas and bringing in new animals.  Doing anything else is disgusting.

As always, please expand the comments as they do provide extra information :)

Apologies once again I don't know why some parts post highlighted.  There is no way to remove, a color must be chosen.  So I chose one.  Hope its not too bothersome to read.

SFZOO Director Makes Horrible "DRAG" Comment in Regards to Passing of Owl.

The disrespect for the Animals who live at the San Francisco Zoo, never stops, and what I read yesterday has to be the worst in regard to what is put forth in print.  The Public Relations Department continually issues untrue and disrespectful press releases, but Director Peterson apparently has no couth either.  

Director Peterson writes a "Director's Bulletin"  which is posted to the Zoo's website.   In a recent entry posted 4.27.12,  in reference to recently passed 50 year old Great Horned Owl King Richard, she wrote,  "..mid-way through her life, on the way back from a ZooMobile presentation, “he” laid an egg. Her drag career over, Richie regularly laid unfertile eggs..."   DRAG career!! Are you kidding me?!  To me, making a remark like that is completely disrespectful.  There has been alot of horrible statements come out of this place, but this is the worst.  Its just awful and heartbreaking to the memory of this lovely lady who brought decades of joy to Zoo visitors.  But, that seems to be how the San Francisco Zoo rolls under this management.

You can read the full Bull here:

http://www.sfzoo.org/bulletin/04272012

RIP Wishbone - SFZOO Bear Dies After Years Of Living On Concrete

please see my tribute video to this day-dreaming boy XO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZCUaZyJ7SY

Please read my final post (and expand the comments for additional info) on the blog that was dedicated to bringing attention to the issue that this precious Bear needed and deserved to have a bit of landscaping to the surface of his home.

http://projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com/2012/03/rip-wishbone-sfzoo-bear-dies-after.html

Who's fault it is this never happened, all the attempts I made to help, its all there.  

Thank you.

What is wrong with San Francisco Zoo PR Staff?

This is a screen-cap from the Black Rhino Studbook. 

Official documentation on our Black Rhino's history.

Yesterday I was texted the news that yet another precious Zoo friend had passed away.  RIP Mashaki/Gene. This is the third one in five weeks.  RIP Tunya.  RIP Bubsy.  I have yet to post anything regarding these deaths, as well another Zoo friend Wishbone is fighting for his life (please pray for him), as he is hopefully going to recover from a recent back injury.    I will actually refrain from making too many comments regarding the actual deaths.  I am heartbroken at these losses, for myself and those who loved these Animals, especially their Keepers who I know form incredible bonds with the Animals in their care.

When I heard the news about Gene, so many things that I've had in draft form, were compounded once I actually read the reports from the Zoo regarding what happened to him.  The frustration vented here in this post is not concentrated on "what" happened, but "what was reported. ... I will say this as I was shocked by his death and that of Bubsy, both not considered old by standards I've read.  I sometimes fear Animal deaths get reported by simply stating "old age" related issues.  I think the Zoological Society or another governing branch should mandate outside Necropsies be performed.   I have read other Zoo's do this, I think at this point given the erroneous information that comes out of the Zoo, this would be a good checks and balance to institute.

The first thing I was directed to by a friend was the Zoo's post on their Facebook, in which they say, “Gene,” a gentle and friendly black rhinoceros, died yesterday at the age of 41..." ... Gene was not 41. ... I then I read the sfgate.com article, which must have contained information put out by the Zoo's PR and there were no correct biographical facts.  Most of what was reported was part of the Female Black Rhino Elly's bio.  

Some might wonder why this is so bothersome to me and that is because I'm damn tired of not many people (outside Keeper level) who work at the Zoo knowing anything about the Animals who live there and for whom they have jobs because of.  There is no respect.  Its disgusting and ignorant.  I love these Animals, it hurts me.

Gene, deserved to have a proper obituary, that contained the history of his life. ... The San Francisco Zoo male Black Rhino, Gene.  Born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, July 12, 1987 and given the name Mashaki.  He came to the San Francisco Zoo in 1994.  He was 24 years old.

Why is it the Zoo put out a press release with the wrong information on it?   Yes they are notorious for getting stuff wrong and posting disrespectful words about the Animals.  Just this week, they posted to both their Facebook and Twitter accounts the wrong ages of  both their Polar Bears, as well there is a new sign on the Tiger exhibit window with the wrong age of the Tiger they are referring to.  What gives?  Do they not have a copy of their own Animal List?  More important is there no file kept on each Animal that lives there?  Good grief, I don't work there, but when I became endeared to the Animals, I did my research to learn about them.  That research I initially posted on my first blog,  gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com  I invite the Zoo Staff responsible for these errors to read my blog and learn something about the Animals you get paid to know about.  Isn't it part of the Zoo's Mission to educate?  To educate or be educated, that is the question.

The previous paragraph is based on the assumption that they release information in error, but wonder if in some cases its not in error?  I know for a fact that Management tailors information to form untruths.  I myself was a victim of that, so there is no denying it on their part.  I hate to assume theories but I have seen stuff that I don't make public and I wonder if things aren't sometimes worded in ways to deflect from other errors.  If errors as simple as not knowing an Animals documented history can be made, what other errors are being made?

UPDATE: 3.1.12  -  The past few days all the news feeds coming through with the error laden press released information was making me sick.  BUT today for some reason I clicked on one and the lead in was such:
Note:  Zoo Officials initially said Gene was 41.  They have since clarified that he was 24.  

Wonder where they got that information?    Good grief, why is it I'm not running the Zoo? Oh wait, it appears I secretly am.


I'd like to know if they gave a reason for the error <cough>  (sorry I don't mean to be snarky but this was a HUGE fumble on their part) and where they issued this clairification.

The article can be viewed here:

http://sfappeal.com/news/2012/02/sf-zoo-mourns-gene-the-rhino.php

UPDATE:  3.5.12 I'm sorry to be so picky, but I just need stuff to make sense, ... literally "add" up.  Regardless that the Zoo's official Animal List shows Orkney's Birthday (estimate) as June 1, 1962, I have always gone by the sign outside his enclosure (pictured).

Zoo Press Release has his age at 42 (which makes sense), and living at the Zoo for 32 years.  If he came to the Zoo at approx. One year old, that would be 41 years that the Zoo was his home.  I know I went to school in the San Francisco School District, but basic math I can do!

Miss you Orkney.  Yesterday was a tough visit not having you there to greet me :(

After seeing one article the showed six photos of Gene and only three were actually him, I made some Memorial video tributes for my Zoo friends.  I have so many photos of them I wanted to not only share them, but do something to celebrate their life.

RIP Tunya, Bubsy, Gene and Orkney XO.

Tunya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND_IbYiXtXk

Bubsy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ1tCfRVcpo

Mashaki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcLNZCWEXYY

Orkney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raFI1xdu_bY

Bison Paddock Fence - Outrageous and Concerning CONTAINS UPDATE 1.26.12

In light of the tragic event less than 72 hours ago when a baby Bison living in Golden Gate Park's Bison Paddock died, I am concerned the fencing there is still not secure enough to keep further animal intruders out.

shorter version showing just where my foot fits under the fence here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WplGJnJge4

(wide angle shows coyote sign (R) and across path perimeter paddock fence (L)

Last night (Thursday) ended with me wondering why, in all the comments on the sfgate.com article regarding the death of the baby Bison, was there only one person (who I quoted in my last post) who brought up the situation with the fence?  One!  Over 300 others seem to exclusively blame the Dog walker, while the Zoo spokesperson Lora LaMarca is quoted saying, "Zoo Officials are not blaming "anything" or "anyone" for the Bison's death."  

Well, I'm blaming the City of San Francisco Park and Recreation Department.

This morning (Friday) started with me compelled to investigate the fence situation.  The situation being, why, was this fence so easily breach-able?  Yes, the the Dog walker by being in violation of the Law, by having the Dog off leash in an leashed area, allowing the Dog to gain entrance into the Bison Paddock, was the catalyst in this tragedy.  Is the Dog walker to blame?  Most certainly!  Should she be fined and punished?  Most certainly!  Is she the only party responsible?  I say no!

I went out to the Bison Paddock today and walked the entire accessible perimeter, about three of the four sides. ... Fencing is about 8 feet tall, the bottom which borders the ground of mostly loose dirt on 3 of the four sides, is the bar across the bottom (noticeable in the photos).  There is no fencing into the dirt. 


After returning home and thinking no underground fencing was insane, I heard from a source that there has been instances at Zoo's, one in particular, where Coyote's are a problem in the area and that Zoo had to reinforce its perimeter fence by putting several feet of mesh below ground.


As a Richmond District native, I have been a visitor to the Bison Paddock my whole life.  My observations are in hindsight to this event, but I am not the person trained and paid (responsible) to think of these solutions as a preventative.   There were workers out there daily for a couple months prior to these babies arriving, building and readying the Paddock for them to live (presumably) safely in.   The fence as is, keeps the animals in. Which I think unfortunately when holding animals in captivity, those in charge mostly only think of keeping them in.  That fence  may be sufficient where there are no predator threats, but there obviously are here, so why were there no precautions to keep intruder animals out?

Both the Park and Rec and the Zoo know there are Coyotes that roam the area.  They also know there is an off leash Dog area (that reported measured at 50 ft.).  They also know that Dog owners do not keep their Dogs on leashes.  Canines dig, a fence that is breach-able in that way, is not secure.

In my post last night, I questioned who is responsible for making sure this fence is secure.  Today I have an answer from two sources.  Regarding the Golden Gate Park Bison Paddock, it is the responsibility of the San Francisco Zoo Animal Staff to care and feed the Bison & it is the responsibility of the San Francisco Park and Recreation Department to maintain the property.  

Because of that, maybe this post is not directly related to a SFZOO FAIL, but since it is related and its sister post is previous, I am posting here.  ... Although, where as I foremost blame the Park and Rec, I do believe as a daily care-giver for these Animals, the Zoo Staff should be held in some way responsible for the status of the fence.  They are there daily and should walk the perimeter and check for breaches and report them.  That said, the Park Staff should also make a stop there daily to do the same.  Its a hand in hand responsibility.

As seen in the video I have uploaded here, I have documented fence FAILS!  I found 36 points of breach.  8 of which were flimsy patched, leaving 28 areas below the fence that were clear of dirt to the other side.  14 of which I could fit my foot under, one if I laid down I could fit up to my thigh into the animal side of the enclosure!

In some spots there are actual holes that appear to have been dig sites, some as deep as about 7 inches.  These sites had flimsy patch-ups using materials like, leaves, pine cones, branches, stumps, cracked concrete, ect.  

This is outrageous!  Just 48 hours after this little Bison dies because an intruder animal breached the fence that should have been secure, there are areas where the crime can be repeated!  

The Park and Rec has signs posted through out the Park stating warnings of the presence of Coyotes.  There is one at the off leash Dog area across the path from the Bison Paddock.   

Prior to bringing these innocent baby Bison here, did the Park and Rec not think that Coyote's could breach this fence, since there is no underground mesh to prevent digging?   

After a Dog either dug itself an entrance or used an already started dig site, (by another Dog or Coyote), causing the death of one of these precious animals, did the Park and Rec not think that the fence would be breach-able to yet another Canine?

For me, it seems like common sense.  

That said, while I was out there, there was a guy walking his Dog off leash.  The Dog took a crap less than two feet from the Bison fence.  

Why, especially in the wake of this event and with so much focus on the Dog walker, was there no Police sitting out there looking for offenders to cite not only because its the Law, but to send a message to the people like the one I saw (I actually saw a few in the Park itself)?

Why, hasn't anyone from the media investigated the fence angle as I have?

Is this City waiting for another tragedy?


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


This evening I read in one news article, that "Park officials said they plan to investigate how the dog got into the enclosure."    Maybe they will read this blog and find out just how, because one would have to assume that not one Park Official has walked the perimeter, because its pretty obvious just how this happened.

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


Note that I have sent the link to the youtube video version, via Twitter to the Park and Rec, Zoo, City Officials and media sources.  I did not send this link as the post I made Thursday night went out with this url.  Also, providing the abbreviated version is enough.  If anyone truly cares they will follow the link to this site.  


The purpose of my blogging is to be a public voice to bring attention to dismissed matters of importance.  I've done that and now its up to the Officials in the matter to keep these animals safe.

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


UPDATE Wednesday January 11, 2012


Its been exactly one week since this tragedy, and the fence had the same security issues that I documented last Friday. Additionally I also saw a new dig site the was about 16 inches across. ... I have heard nothing in response to the information I have posted, which was sent to many sources in city government and media.  I'm disappointed at the continued ignorance and negligence.  ... That said, I have two questions for the San Francisco Park and Rec.


Why are these animals still without a properly secure fence?


Are you waiting for another incident?


There should also be signage going up around the three sides that are closest to the off leash Dog area, as well at least one on the JFK Drive side.  These signs should be on the fence every 25 feet or so, as well at least one placed at the entrance to the Dog area.  Signs ideally should read, No dogs off leash except in corralled area.  No Dogs within 10 feet of fencing.


UPDATE 1.14.12  Today I saw the babies have been added into the main yard with the existing three ladies.  The sun was setting and the babies were running with so much excitement and joy!  It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  I just hope they stay safe and life a long life with such happiness!   You can view my video here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0iOBmklT0


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


UPDATE 1.26.12  Its been two weeks since my last update.   I did walk the perimeter last week, and yesterday as well.  Wednesday's mark the weekly point of when this tragedy happened.  


There are still all the breach-able areas in the fence.  I just don't understand how this is not a concern to the Park and Rec or the SFZoo Staff.  To me, its a dire issue.  ... There are a few spots in the fence where it looks like fresh dirt /pinecones were used to fill-in dig holes. Lame! Hello LAME!  This is not a fix to the problem.  


There are now a few signs on the back-side of the fence that runs parallel to the Dog run area, as well one (interesting how I suggested at least one - see above) on the JFK Drive side, that state its an on leash area for Dogs.  


Despite posting a few signs, there needs to be action taken to add fencing below ground around the perimeter.  People can and will ignore signs.  People and Predators can't easily ignore more secure barriers.  


If you think this is insane and irresponsible, please contact the Park and Rec.

Theft of Zoo Squirrel Monkey

This story out of the San Francisco Zoo is so curious, I'm not sure what the actual truth will turn out being.

Everyone knows I have major problems with the Zoo's Security System in the way that there are not enough Staffed and out patrolling, nor do they take what I consider appropriate action toward visitors who misbehave.  I am not sure either of those issues played a hand directly in the theft of Banana Sam.

Let me note now that there was an unreported event, I'd say about eight weeks ago that involved the theft from the Children's Zoo of a Rabbit and a Parrot.  Both incidents had the same MO, which had the perimeter gate locks snapped open with a bolt cutter type instrument.   SO knowing that, I had to question to myself and my Zoo going cohorts, how can this happen again AND who would do such a thing?   They batted around theories of disgruntled ex-interns in regards to the CZ incident and in regards to this most recent monkey incident, none of us even has an assumption to what the truth actually is.  What its not is that someone just happened to be walking in Stern Grove and saw Banana Sam in a tree in the dark!  and he jumped into a backpack.  ... I am glad that the Police now see the story as ridiculous and is now investigating.

Back to the San Francisco Zoo Security System facts.  There has been only one Guard on patrol, prior to the Monkey theft.  There are very few cameras on premises, I don't know exactly where they are, except for two I've seen, one at the Gate House (where they take the tickets) and the other at a corner of Big Cat Grotto A.  I also don't know if there are any monitoring the perimeters.  One would hope so.   This is something very lacking.  Lacking as well is an outdoor lighting system.  If there was ever an ER there at night there is no way to light up the place.  Finally, in my opinion based on actions I've seen by Visitors that goes unpunished (reprimand and thrown out), I think the Zoo sends a message that they will tolerate misbehavior.  That hurts me.  I care about the Animals.  I continually blog for better Management in many way, for their well being.  Having crimes against them continually perpetrated because of lack of (read back blogs for all my suggestions) is very frustrating and heart breaking.

Would any of the things I've noted here have prevented this theft?  Who knows.  I would hope better instilled and installed precautions and deterrents would help.  Humans are not a nice bunch for the most part.  

I read a news article that is lengthy, but goes to show, how insensitive humans are.  These are the same humans that visit the Zoo.   ... The humans that make-up phony Twitter accounts, Tweet out stupid, insensitive one liners, just a bunch of clowns who think they are funny at the expense of poor innocent animals.  It makes me sick.

http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2011/12/30/monkey-stolen-from-san-francisco-zoo/

I will also lastly note on the subject of Twitter and the Zoo's lack of proactive intolerance of the kinds of people who visit the Zoo, I have all SFZOO keyworded tweets on RSS feed.  Often there are people who tweet out that they are going to come to the Zoo and do harm to the animals.  I ask, why doesn't the Zoo's IT guy find out who these people are, and tell them to stay the hell home!  Out them for the fools they are and show that the Zoo will not tolerate such terrorism, whether a joke or not.  Who are they afraid of offending?

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.

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

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! ???

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.

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

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! ???

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.

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?

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"