wish box with a couple inches of sod?So, a friend of mine sent me this photo, taken Monday (6.6.11). This wooden box has been in Wishbone's Grotto for at least a year and has some wood chips and play items in it. The Keeper's often put some of his food and Acacia browse (shown) in it. He sits both in and out and snacks.
If you take a look at the upper left hand corner of the photo, there is curiously what looks like a few inches of sod thrown in. I'm not quite sure what to make of this. I have to admit my first reaction is to laugh as my mind doesn't put it past the Zoo to think this can be considered "Getting Wishbone Grass." I surely hope this is some kind of sampling, that was left over from a test they have done in preparation for landscaping some kind of grassy play are for him. Because the only thing that could play on this amount of grass is his big toe!
Project Get Wishbone Grass is meant to get the Zoo to bring a decent sized grass area to his existing concrete Grotto. It should at least cover 1/4-1/3 of the ground area. In my opinion the ideal place for it would be the opposite corner to his nest area. Either how it is constructed in the Grizzly Grotto, or even a slightly raised area, with a mesh bottom for drainage purposes. A few inches of sod thrown in his box is not acceptable, as a solve to this issue.
If you take a look at the upper left hand corner of the photo, there is curiously what looks like a few inches of sod thrown in. I'm not quite sure what to make of this. I have to admit my first reaction is to laugh as my mind doesn't put it past the Zoo to think this can be considered "Getting Wishbone Grass." I surely hope this is some kind of sampling, that was left over from a test they have done in preparation for landscaping some kind of grassy play are for him. Because the only thing that could play on this amount of grass is his big toe!
Project Get Wishbone Grass is meant to get the Zoo to bring a decent sized grass area to his existing concrete Grotto. It should at least cover 1/4-1/3 of the ground area. In my opinion the ideal place for it would be the opposite corner to his nest area. Either how it is constructed in the Grizzly Grotto, or even a slightly raised area, with a mesh bottom for drainage purposes. A few inches of sod thrown in his box is not acceptable, as a solve to this issue.
A BIG Thank You to all who have signed the Petition. If you haven't, please visit the site and sign! It only takes a few minutes, to help bring awareness to an issue that could bring Wishbone a lifetime of comfort!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/project-get-wishbone-grass-andean-bear-lives-on-concrete/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/project-get-wishbone-grass-andean-bear-lives-on-concrete/
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
I am encouraged and grateful more people are showing outrage concerning the management of the San Francisco Zoo. I have noticed in my time; at many zoos including the San Francisco Zoo, a constant and consistent percentage of the patrons teasing and taunting the animals. I would say about 25 to 30% in some way act inappropriately and taunt the animals. This has gone on since the 1800s when we started exhibiting exotic animals. Zoo management is aware of this yet they do not increase the budget for security or training but their budget for marketing and fundraising rises each year.
ReplyDeleteThis poor bear has sat on the same concrete floor for 15 years as the Zoo has spent nearly 100 million dollars on new exhibits and PR campaigns in an attempt to convince the public that it is a conservation establishment and more than a swank cocktail venue for politically connected rich folks to have parties at. The San Francisco Zoo belongs to the people of this city. We deserve and should demand more from our city and the zoo management. There is no doubt in my mind that Tatiana was teased and taunted the day she escaped and ripped the throat out of a teenager and mauled his buddies. But she was taunted and teased every day she was denied food and starved for nearly two years, she was subjected to unending and constant construction noise her entire stay at the zoo. Jenkins testified to this, it is a matter of public record. Podell stated Tatiana was the most ferocious animal he had ever seen yet she was kept in an enclosure over 70 years old only a few feet taller than her outstretched body. She literally ate a young mothers arms off one year prior to her escape.Yet the Zoo did nothing even after they received a citation for her enclosure. And warnings from professionals.
Soon there will be another disaster, I know this as sure as I am if I saw drunk person get in a car. Cobby will escape The bear will tire of its plight or worse the new tiger will climb out just like the last one.
@ Anonymous - Thank you for your comment and for the commend in the position I try to take. ... I posted your comment, even though I do not agree with it completely. I did so, because I feel like everyone has their opinions and I can and will counter the parts of your comment that I disagree with. I will also say that comments on my blogs will in the future have to be limited to the subject of my original post. If anyone has any griefs of their own with the Zoo, you need to start your own blog. ... I loved your first paragraph, and agree on all points. I will add that as a regular visitor to the Park as well, humans harassing animals is not limited to the Zoo. I have talked to Park and Rec, and they do not have the budget either to have people on constant patrol. I do think that they as well need better signage if they can't have the man-power. Likewise I understand that as part of the problem at the Zoo. That is why in regards to the Cobby event (from the blog www.sanfranciscozoofails.blogspot.com), my BIG issue was that something DID happen and NOTHING was done about it. I am not faulting them completly for not having the man-power (even though I do think there are ways to better use Docents as eyes and ears and they don't), I am faulting them for not taking action when misbehavior is reported. ... I started out agreeing with your second paragraph as well. I do not agree on all points, mostly because in my opinion it sounds like you may be someone who is involved with the Zoo on the surface, meaning you go to meetings, but you are not a regular Visitor therefore you have not talked in depth with any of the Staff at Keeper level. I often get the feeling there could be a different agenda than mine going on. To me, someone can be an Animal Rights Activist, and still not know all the individual situations. I have been to the meetings and listened to those who spout about particular Animals, who they have no clue really who they are. ... Point- I don't believe that Wishbone and his passed companion Annie, have lived in this Grotto exclusively for 15 yrs. Before the Grizzly girls came, I think there was a time frame they lived in the other end Grotto. The point of all this is that, that time has been long passed and he shouldn't have been on concrete for an extended time like he has been. Point- Tatiana, nor any of the other Big Cats were/are underfed. I know for a FACT that the Keeper Staff weighs each animal once a month and factors in all that's necessary and makes adjustments in their diets. Have you been to the Zoo? Have you seen the size of the Cats? They are not starving. I believe I have the last photo of Tatiana, taken a couple hours before, and she in no way looks underfed. Point- The wall. History has shown that in over 70 yrs, no animal had "escaped." If the wall was non-compliant, the Zoo would not have been accredited. All reports of the height, use the word, recommended, not required. There is a difference. YES Tatiana was taunted to the point she tapped into a frenzied power, but I do not find the Zoo in any way responsible for that. There is no way to for-see what can result (or there would be no crime) when any creature, animal or human is pushed beyond and that is what the Brothers did to her. I do not have documents any longer to back-up what I read, but allegedly she did not "leap" out, but used one of her taunters legs as a ladder. Also, I would not take anything the VIPs say at truth. Tatiana was young and feisty as any youthful cat is, to say she was the most "ferocious", sounds like post hype sensationalism from someone who probably rarely saw the animal and like most Management level Staff probably can't pick animals out of a line-up. ... I appreciate all who visit and read what I have to say. I also appreciate what you have to say, but please stay on topic as you can see all but part of one sentence of the comment I'm replying to, was about Wishbone's need for grass.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous- Thank you for your response. I appreciate the points you make, but since they are off this particular topic, I won't be posting it. If you would like to have a correspondence about overall Zoo conditions, issues with Management, ect, you can contact me via the email option on this site http://about.me/leo811
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