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 :)

The Hoofstock Shuffle

Early 2010, the San Francisco Zoo decided to put up gates to close off several paths. This made no sense to me. I asked around and got a few different answers as to why, which included, people complained there were too many exhibits with no animals, too far to walk with no exhibits and not enough staff to keep the area maintained.

The paths that were closed were: from the back side of Chimps, past Black Swans (who have since moved to the Puente), to the Indian Rhino; from Cats, past the Dukiers, Muntjac, and Black Buck, to the Grizzly Bears; and from the Black Buck field (above the Lion Fountain), past the opposite side of the Dukiers, to the Warthogs. As you can see all these paths have (exception now is Black Swan) Animals living in these exhibits. Additionally contrary to explanations, closing the path from Cats to Bears creates a farther distance for those with walking disabilities.

As a big fan of the Black Buck named Pokemon, I was really bummed that I wouldn't be able to see him, or any of the other Hoofstock that live along these paths. In a conversation with a Keeper I noted my grief and was told that these closures were especially bad because both the Black Swans and Pokemon love to see people. The Black Swan has since moved to the Puente, but Pokemon has been left to only see the Keepers a few times a day. He otherwise has no visitors. This is cruel in my opinion, as this is an animal who has been so imprinted by humans, that he can not be housed with other animals, so they only gratifying visual contact he gets is those few visits a day from Keepers.

Some Docent friends of mine told me that they were allowed to bring tours beyond the gates, so before getting my Membership revoked (I wouldn't dare ask for this privilege now), I was lucky that I've been able to visit with Pokemon. The first few times, he was no where to be seen. When I asked about this, I was told by a Keeper, "He knows no one walks back there so he doesn't bother to come down (from the far area where his shed is)". Thankfully the last time I was able to go back, I saw him up by his shed and called a hello out to him. He came running to the fence! It made me cry. He was so happy to see me (someone). I talked to him for about 20 minutes and I felt horrible leaving while he was still standing at the fence, craving attention. I do not advocate calling out to the animals, but for Pokemon, just to see people is something he needs, so saying "Hi Pokemon" to alert him I was there and wanted to see him, was an innocent exception.

At one of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting's last year (video clip available online, will find it and post link) the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, excitedly shared the news of the birth of a baby Dukier. She went on to add that right now its hard to see because of the species nature, but that she hoped it would be visible soon. VISIBLE to whom? The path is closed! Now whether it was her intention to say she hopes she will see it soon, or that was an veiled invite for committee members to view it soon, this is a public meeting, so to me this was a statement that the public would be able to see it soon, otherwise this is an knowingly false statement put forth to the Commission.

When the first (that I've seen) Dukier baby was born in December 2009, it was so exciting to try and catch a glimpse of him. I loved going by there and visiting with the family. With the second baby, its over a year old and I've never seen it.

After the arrival of Tucker the Hippo, I contacted Animal Care and Control Chair Sally Stephens, who is present at all the Joint Zoo Committee Meetings. I have gone to many Meetings in the past and found her to be one of the only people on the panel who ask questions. I emailed her with the Tucker concern that prompted the correspondence and distressing issue regarding the recent transfer of the female (mother) Dukier Lily, to the Savannah. It didn't seem right to separate her from her family and move her to the Savannah, where she would not only be away from her long-time mate, but the only animal of her species living there. Ms. Stephens brought forth this concern to the Zoo and they answered that she was moved to prevent her from getting pregnant again. I later discussed this answer with Ms. Stephens and she like I was curious then why Lily wasn't put on birth control. Ms. Stephens failed to follow-up on this at the next meeting, even though I emailed her a reminder.

So, Lily has been living on the Savannah now for almost six months and the only time I have seen her is once as she ran to the barn at closing time. Others has said they seen her a couple times, huddled against the wall under an overhang. Horrible. Why can't she be implanted with a birth control? Every other non-breeding female is. If for some reason this is not possible, then why move her solo to a huge area inhabited by many other species she is not familiar with? Why wasn't the better choice to leave her where she was and move two males to the Savannah together? If she can't be with her mate, at least give her the comfort of her known surroundings. To shuffle her to some place she is unfamiliar with AND alone, is cruel.

Last night I was told that the new Dukier plan is to move the father and son temporarily into the Warthog (sadly the male passed a couple weeks ago) exhibit. TEMPORARILY? Why? Evidently the Zoo is awaiting approval to bring in a new species for that exhibit, so until then I guess they want to fill it? Leave no exhibit empty? If so, that sounds like a very casual reason, as this would involve uprooting these animals, to just put them back later? Unless since the Zoo is still planning to move forward with their Master Plan that includes a new "Americas" area, they are displacing the Hoofstock that live along that path to make way for construction? I have heard that the young Muntjac was moved back to the field with its father, after the passing of the senior female Black Buck that also lived there. Another sad move, as even though Pokemon can't live with other animals, he was next to Baby Jac. So with moving the Dukiers (who were directly across from Pokemon), now as well, Pokemon is the only Animal who will be living on that path.

Moving forward with this Master Plan is a big FAIL while there are still existing enclosures that need renovation. See the post, Project Get Wishbone Grass. In addition there are two other completely cement Bear (Polar) Grotto's that could use some landscaping. I also have an idea to combine two of the three Chimp Grotto's to make one huge area, and when that is done, joining the front area to them. The Chimp area would end up three times the size. San Francisco Zoo, THOSE renovations SHOULD BE your new Master Plan!

Pictured: Pokemon!