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

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 :)

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"

Teddy Bear Festival, but do you Respect the Bears?

Last weekend the San Francisco Zoo held an event called The Teddy Bear Festival.

I interpret this to be an event that celebrates the Bears that live at the Zoo.

A synonym for the word celebrate is the word honor. To honor, you must respect. To date, Wishbone the Andean Bear, still lives on concrete.

See http://projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

Above is a photo of a sign that hangs outside the Tropical Aviary, two exhibits over from Wishbone. This signs shows a new exhibit as "Coming Soon." A NEW exhibit, while old exhibits like Wishbone's need upgrading.

Wishbone has lived exclusively on concrete, baring a short time when he lived in the Grotto next to the one with the meadow, to which he had shared access. His living situation goes unrecognized as the Zoo Management hire (read pay) artists to render drawings like the one above to illustrate their future Master Plan.

Wishbone has needed grass landscaping brought into his home for years, why is this not part of the new Master Plan? Why is there no (grass) "Coming Soon" sign on his enclosure? Why, because there is obviously still NO plan to bring grass to Wishbone's home. I guess the Zoo's plan is to let him continue living on concrete for the rest of his life?

The "Coming Soon" exhibit is to provide a new, bigger home for the Squirrel Monkeys. My comments are in no way meant to take anything away from the Squirrel Monkeys, but to show the obvious and that is, whoever is making decisions, does not take the Animals into thought.

The Squirrel Monkeys have a home. Its also a home with greenery. This new home will also include a children's play area. Why is it more important to make a new and better home for a group of Animals who have an adequate home for now, while another Animal lives with a hard surface under his feet? Why is it more important to build a play area for a human, when an Animal lives on concrete? Is the San Francisco Zoo a human playground or an Animal Park?

I completely understand that some exhibits are funded by donor's for specific use. I do not know if that is the case with the money being used for the new Squirrel Monkey exhibit. My issue if this is the case, why aren't donor's approached to fund severely important things like getting grass for Wishbone? Why can't the Squirrel Monkey exhibit be done without the children's play area and that money go to get Wishbone grass? Then both Animals win. Do we really need to encourage more screaming children outside the exhibit (next to the coming soon play area) which houses two blind sea lions?

A further note on the Master Plan. I went to a Guardian Member Reception in November, where Director Tanya Peterson showed slides of this photo and more. I was appalled. I was appalled by two things. First, that there is a Master Plan for new exhibits while old ones need upgrading and second, that there were four! new children's play areas planned, again while existing Animal enclosures need help. I am sorry if those reading this have children and are pro there being more play areas, but honestly as stated above, this is an Animal Park. There is already a huge Playfield with more grass than any one Animal that lives at the Zoo has and Golden Gate Park is laden with playgrounds. When people bring children to the Zoo they should utilize the existing playground or spend their time there teaching their children about the Animals.

Also, note that the drawing for the new Squirrel Monkey exhibit shows white tree' structures?? Where in nature are there white trees? I think even the Director feels a need to sell this as she kept saying "Think modern. Think modern." Why should we think modern? This isn't a museum, this is an Animal Park and Animals don't live surrounded by white plastic looking tree's.

In summary. Creating new exhibits while this poor Bear feels nothing but concrete beneath his feet is a crime, is outrageous, is unacceptable and is disrespectful.

UPDATE 12.8.11

Please view the video on the last post projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com

If you support this crusade, please email San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson - tanyap@sfzoo.org

Thank you!

Project Get Wishbone Grass!

I'd like to see Wishbone enjoy grass again!

Project Get Wishbone Grass actually has its own blog www.projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com I am adding a post on this site as it is the companion site to Project Get Wishbone Grass, in that the Mission for both sites is to bring awareness to certain curious issues at the San Francisco Zoo.

The issue that is Project Get Wishbone Grass, is beyond curious in that in my opinion its cruel. Please note that I have no issue with the level of care the Animals at the San Francisco Zoo get from their Keepers, but there are decisions that are made at the level above Keeper that I have a problem with.

Wishbone the Andean Bear is I believe the only Animal living at the San Francisco Zoo that lives exclusively on concrete. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!

I know for a fact that one Keeper has tried to get him (and his passed companion Annie) on a rotation with the Grizzly Grotto/Gulch area that both contain grass and allegedly those attempts have been foiled by those above.

I know for a fact that higher levels, including Management, San Francisco Zoological Board Members Nick Podell and David Stanton, San Francisco Park and Recreation Commissioner Larry Martin, and San Francisco Animal Welfare and Control Chair and Joint Zoo Committee Member Sally Stephens, are all aware of this issue, as I personally have sent them this situation in detail. What I sent them appears on the Project Get Wishbone Grass Blog.

Please visit www.projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com for all the details. There is a collection of recent photos of Wishbone on my photo site, www.gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com

The Contents of this Blog

When I started this Blog and the companion one, Project Get Wishbone Grass, I had a list of things I wanted to address. I had planned to post them periodically so as not to seem exclusively negative about the San Francisco Zoo. Which I am not.

After the event this past Saturday, and the amount of comments I have put forth on that single issue, I'm exhausted. The Zoo drama is emotionally exhausting and time consuming with thought and expression. I do have other things I need to do, but my Zoo friends are so precious to me, that I can't help but speak out in their defense. So, I will be making one more post and I surely hope that will be all for awhile.

The reason I am moving forward with posting about this one issue is that it was THE reason I started the blogs in which FAILS are brought to light and so maybe they will be turned into WINS! Bringing them to light aka making them public, may be the only way they get recognized by the Zoo and changes are made. The Zoo is aware of these issues, yet has chosen to do nothing about them. Management needs to make better decisions for the Zoo to thrive and be all that it can be. The issue to bring a grass landscaping to the Andean Bear Grotto, is something I think should be a top priority, if not THE priority for the San Francisco Zoo. Please read the following post, Project Get Wishbone Grass, that synopsizes this Bears situation.