Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Happy Birthday Wishy!


Today marks Wishbone's 25th Birthday!

and 23rd year at the San Francisco Zoo.

For the most part AND the past three years exclusively, Wishbone has lived in a home that only has a cement surface.

One of his previous Keepers tried to get he and his passed companion Annie access to the Grizzly Gulch for some fun time on grass. The Zoo Management Staff was not helpful in making that happen.

Why can't grass be added to Wishbone's home? While Ulu seems to be the favorite for getting access to the Meadow between she and Pike's Grotto's, then why can't Pike have day access to the Grizzly Grotto (which has grass) while the Grizzly's are in the Gulch all day? WHY?

I have recently re-read my San Francisco Zoo History book, put out by Arcadia Press a couple years ago. In it there are photos of a few of the Bear Grotto's taken in what looks to be the 1940s. They look exactly the same as the Andean Bear (Wishbone) and the two Polar Bear Grotto's. 70 years!!! and not one upgrade to landscaping these Grotto's to bring a natural setting to these Bears lives has been made.

It 2011 San Francisco Zoo, wake-up and start respecting the Animals that live there BEFORE building new areas and bringing in more.

Disgusting. Disrespectful. Outrageous. Abusive.

I ask the San Francisco Zoo, how much longer will this go on?

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!


Sunday, October 9, 2011

Zoo Docents Raising Money, but not for Grass! FAIL!


"i found a piece of grass in my moat that i can fit all four feets on!"

IF YOU'VE ALREADY READ THIS POST
PLEASE VIEW 10.29.11 UPDATE
(at the end of main post)


From the October Issue of the San Francisco Zoo Animail:

Calendar For Sale for a Good Cause!

A dedicated group of docents and photographers have lovingly put together a beautiful 2012 calendar featuring some of our favorite Zoo residents. Calendar sales will raise money for our campaign to expand the Americas region of the Zoo, including bringing in wolves. The price is $12 for Zoo Members and $15 for non-Members. Treat yourself and those you care about to this gift that keeps on giving!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From May 2009 to January 2011, I had a welcomed and open email correspondence with the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson. During which time I submitted many ideas, suggestions, comments and observations. One idea to both establish endearing Visitors to the Animals as individuals and raise some funds, I suggested a Calendar. Note that I was thanked for all my ideas and suggestions, even though they weren't used at the time. I have slowly seen some come to fruition, like this one.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see my ideas being used, at any time, as well that there are any new ideas being put into production. The Animals need funds to help enrich their lives, which is what is stated at the new donate by cell phone signs posted at some exhibits. I hope that is what the money raised is being used for. So, please do take advantage in any monetary way you can help, whether by donating by cell, buying a calendar, or any other way.

The purpose of this post is to show that in my opinion, not all monies being raised are for the right reason. When I say "right" you may think, why is what I think right, right. I can only give my point of view, from where I stand as a Visitor, person who cares about the Animals who live at the Zoo, Animals in general, and someone who can not just stand by and watch when something just doesn't seem right.

If you have followed this blog, you know what the crusade is about. You also know that one of my biggest irks shall we say is the fact that the Zoo has a Master Plan that includes a whole new North American Region. An area that they have fundraised for and continue to with major Donors.

Now, with the proceeds from this Calendar benefiting this new region as well, I am deeply offended not only as a regular Visitor, but for the Animals who live there. The San Francisco Zoo Management and Docents should be ashamed at the way funds they raise are used. Making new exhibits, while ones that are over 80 years old, house Animals that have lived there their whole lives, some like Wishbone over 20 years, is a disgrace. Its disrespectful, and soulless.

As I've stated I completely understand not having funds to renovate, but to not even think to update is disgusting. I wouldn't support a renovation, as it would mean displacing these Animals, but updating needs to be a part of the Master Plan, not building new areas that these Animals aren't even a part of. The only new Animals that should be brought into the Zoo are rescues that would otherwise be euthanized.

San Francisco Zoo, help the Animals you already have live the best life they can in captivity.

Wishbone desperately needs grass in his home. He doesn't have access to any grass, or sand, or any soft surface. This is outrageous.

Pike (Polar Bear) could use grass as well, or daily access to the Grizzly Grotto while the Grizzlies are in the Gulch. Currently she is supposedly sharing access to the meadow that is in between her and Ulu's Grotto, but I don't see that happen regularly, and in that I mean several times a day. So, both she and Ulu could use grass added to their Grotto's as well.

Seriously, all the Bear Grotto's should look like the Grizzly Grotto, with grass. These are the oldest looking and most negatively targeted enclosures. Why not add some landscaping to the three existing concrete only Grottos and make them more natural? WHY? Can't hear you SFZOO, please let the public know why?

UPDATE: 10.29.11, I tweeted this post out to the Zoo (@sfzoo) several weeks ago now and still I have heard no rumblings of any plan to add grass to Wishbone's home. BUT I was approached my a Docent I know who proudly told me of the Docents Calendar sale (which had a booth on site during yesterdays Boo at the Zoo event) to raise money for the Wolf exhibit. I said, "We don't have Wolves. Why don't you raise money for Animals we do have to get some upgrades."

AGAIN I ask,

WHY San Francisco Zoo, does this Bear continue to live exclusively on concrete?

WHY are you using funds to build exhibits to bring in new Animals when you haven't done justice to upgrading for the ones who already live there?

WHY WHY WHY???

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!


Petition Reaches Goal!


The Petition I started to raise awareness of Wishy's plight outside Zoo walls AND to call further attention to it within Zoo walls, has reached its goal of 1000 signatures! Thank you to all who signed and believe in this crusade!

I believe it is an absolute NEED to provide these captive animals with the most natural environment as possible. The Zoo Management, Donors and Docents (see next post), should be ashamed that they do not see this necessary. Truly amazing insensitivity, disregard and disrespect.

I know there are many people, I see and hear them everyday, who think this and other animal related issues are not a problem, BUT this way of thinking should NOT be present in those who work and volunteer with animals.

Thankfully there are some who get it.

Here are some of the comments left on the Petition:

# 1
11:07, Jun 04, Miss Kim, CA
There is no concrete in nature. No animal should live exclusively on concrete.

# 2
11:11, Jun 04, Ms. Lee Anderson, CA
Please SF Zoo, do this for this incredible bear without delay !!!

# 3
12:37, Jun 04, Paula Rein, WI
S.F.ZOO I THINK that a grassy area for this bear is warrented, as well as any other animal that would be in grass if not placed in a public domain. Please reconsider this matter and respond to those who care. Thanking you in advance for being humane!

# 5
13:09, Jun 04, Ann Forwood, CA
WISHBONE would love an area of grass. Is this to much to ask for?

#37
16:05, Jun 04, Name not displayed, Ukraine
Think of Andean Bears!

#62
17:51, Jun 04, Ms. Freya Harris, GA
No animal should live solely on such a hard surface!

#66
18:11, Jun 04, Ms. Amanda McManus, GA
This is criminal! I'm so sorry Wishbone. : ( I'm sick of zoos imprisoning animals and not providing an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat. Shame on you San Franciso Zoo!!!

# 89
19:51, Jun 04, Ms. Clarice Grimmett, MI
Legalized animal cruelty must stop.

#105
20:51, Jun 04, Ms. Dianne McGonigle, ON
You deserve better Wishbone

# 122
22:42, Jun 04, Ms. Melania Padilla, Nicaragua
Animals deserve better!

#130
23:43, Jun 04, Ms. Ellen Mccabe, WA
Thank you. Concrete is totaly unacceptable

#164
02:01, Jun 05, Ms. Alison Fennell, United Kingdom
Hello SFZ Management - Please can you improve the surroundings for these sentient beings - they depend on you :) Than kyou - Alison

# 187
03:15, Jun 05, Mrs. Anita Ketel, Netherlands
First of all I HATE zoos, but if people want to gawk at distressed, neurotic animals, let them stay in an environment that is as natural possible, with grass, shrubs, trees etc.

#265
07:34, Jun 05, Name not displayed, CA
Grass would be quite nice for Wishbone!

# 280
08:22, Jun 05, Victoria Molinari, WA
the greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the ways it's animals are treated. - gandhi

#292
08:40, Jun 05, Ms. Deborah Litster, ON
this is just common sense why is it allowed where are laws to protect animals

# 310
09:24, Jun 05, Ms. annie statton, United Kingdom
Come on people,if this bear is being well cared for in every other way ,then surely you can provide som grass/natural surroundings for him , how would you like a bed without covers ?.

#325
09:46, Jun 05, Ms. Carol C., MI
Surely the SF Zoo has people on their staff who are experts on these bears. Please do what's best for them, now. Thank you.


# 330
09:59, Jun 05, Ms. Dianne Douglas, AZ
Every life has a purpose. All animals are individuals and they have feelings and thoughts and they suffer the pain and the joy that we do. They are entitled and they deserve an opportunity to live. "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi


# 390
14:03, Jun 05, Dr. Dianne Hillier, United Kingdom
Compassion is the source of happiness in life….Without loving kindness and compassion, there is no peace or happiness in the family, the society, the country, or the worl
d. 'With the Medicine Buddha mantra you can liberate numberless sentient beings from oceans of suffering and bring them to enlightenment.' - Lama Zopa. Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha BeKanze Radza Samudgate Soha - Lama Zopa Rinpoche

#393
14:17, Jun 05, Ms. Debbie Johnson, CA
Give this beautiful creature a bit of dignity.Either provide him with an environment he can thrive in or transfer him to a sanctuary that can provide this for him.Thank you.

#398
14:29, Jun 05, Ms. Patricia Welch, PA
If you're going to keep these animals in captivity, please do it with compassion. Please give them as natural setting as possible. Thank you.

# 417
18:05, Jun 05, Dawn Hollen, NJ
Please provide much better accomodations for ALL the animals at your zoo...please give Wishbone some grass.Thanks.

# 419
18:29, Jun 05, Ms. Darlene McPeek, TX
This makes me feel terrible. Every animal and person deserves to have access to a green surrounding, especially Wishhbone the bear. He is a captive animal, but deserves the best chance for a happy and full life. Having green grass under his feet will assist greatly in this.

# 429
20:32, Jun 05, Ms. kathryn woolfe, Australia
Please give Wishbone some grass.

# 555
10:16, Jun 08, Ms. teresa royer, NY
What's. Going on here??? Is this the United State or some cave people. You should know better than to have those creatures on cement. what kind of ignorant stupid careless thinking is that shame on you for having animals in inapropiate areas the least u can do is give them a area with grass . Please do the right thing and correct the situation people will be aware of this... this is a form of crueltynobody wants to go to a zoo where animals are not treated right we will let people know!!!!

# 583
01:09, Jun 10, Mrs. Wendy Archer, Australia
Please, be kind to Wishbone; give him comfort.

# 594
08:27, Jun 10, Ms. Darlene Swingle, WI
This is unacceptable not to have grass.And I don't believe it should be that hard to fix.So please fix for sake of the bears . Thankyou.

# 599
09:22, Jun 10, Mrs. Maggie Catterall, United Kingdom
Wishbone has given pleasure to humans throughout his life - please make sure that he has some minimum standard of comfort now in his mature years. That's not a lot to ask for this bloved creature

# 605
11:40, Jun 10, Laura Robinson, United Kingdom
This is unbelievably cruel! Shame on you!

# 614
00:09, Jun 11, Ms. Rebecca Hamilton, AZ
How dreadful! The San Francisco Zoo should rectify this situation immediately. The humane treatment of the animals in their care should be paramount!!

# 663
10:41, Jun 13, Cindy Partipilo, ON
Grass is considered part of the Andean Bear's natural habitat. Animals kept on concrete are prone to developing joint ailments at an early age.

# 666
11:23, Jun 13, Ginny Church, OH
Haven't there been enough problems at the S.F. Zoo?? All of the bears, if not most of the animals, have access to a grassy outdoors area.

# 674
18:37, Jun 13, Dr. Linda Scott, NM
Come on! How hard can this be?!

# 675
23:08, Jun 13, Ms. Debbie Sanders, MD
If you can't take care of these Bears, then let someone who will - have them. SHAME ON YOU!

# 680
06:26, Jun 14, Mr. Don Jay, MN
Animals need grass and a comfortable lifestyle...

# 681
06:32, Jun 14, Ms. Linda Spyhalski, MN
Please address this need ASAP!

# 695
04:18, Jun 15, Ms. Sue Vogt, Australia
If you must keep a wild animal in captivity (why i dont know) then you should reproduce their original surroundings, grass, trees, rocks and freedom.

# 698
12:59, Jun 15, Ms. Donna Mosera, TX
Wake up guys! Give poor Wishbone some grass!

#746
01:50, Jun 22, Ms. karrie carlyon, QC
Not only is it disgusting that you are keeping this animal from it's natural habitat, but you are forcing it to live in such pathetic conditions. This is atrocious and will be fixed now!

# 749
07:17, Jun 22, Ms. jodi marr, FL
this is inhumane.. THis animal needs some green! It's the least we could do

# 753
20:28, Jun 22, Name not displayed, CA
I never realized the SF Zoo was being this cruel to an animal who would live in a green wilderness. It wouldn't cost that much to put in a grass area. So sad, I'm going to put the word out on what your doing. I don't think you need any more incidents and bad publicity talk about your zoo.

# 775
06:43, Jun 26, Name not displayed, United Kingdom
As well as getting some grass, I think you should seriously think about getting him a companion - it's not right that he is being kept all on his own since his partner died

#801
11:04, Jul 01, Ms. Samantha Phillips, Singapore
Give sweet Wishbone some grass and a female companion.

# 805
19:58, Jul 01, Mrs. Dawn Banks, WA
Please let Wishbone live a happier life!! He depends on you to make his life comfortable.

# 807
01:13, Jul 02, Ms. Robbin Harold, NM
What is going on at the San Francisco Zoo is unconscionable. Not only should the management be terminated, they should be brought up on charges as well as the City Council put under a State investigation.

# 829
04:30, Jul 07, Ms. julia still, VT
This is disgusting and just plain wrong. Supprt for the zoo must cease until it can provide adequate living conditions for its' inhabitants.

# 853
12:27, Jul 12, Ms. Hope Sellers, PA
This is a small, inexpensive way to make Wishbone more comfortable and should be implemented ASAP.

# 893
13:42, Jul 26, Mr. David Biggers, MO
Can a brother bear get a patch of grass? C'mon...its cheap and easy, it will add to this bear's quality of life, look better to park guests and generally spruce up his enclosure....

# 896
21:16, Jul 27, Annaliese Kern, OH
Get some grass for the little guy! No one likes living on all concrete!

# 897
17:22, Jul 28, Andy Knobloch, CA
These bears have always been my favorite. It has been many years since ours (LA Zoo) were moved to San Diego. I have donated to Bear Tracks which just spent last year documenting these bears in the wild in a hopes to raise awarness. I glad others (like you) are trying to help too.

# 913
12:39, Aug 03, karen euga, OH
How you YOU like to not have access to the lush grass that is necessary for zoo animals?? Come on people, take care of this problem....thank you

# 966
13:46, Aug 30, Pam Morris, WI
help protect these bears and give them the grass they need

#978
23:01, Sep 14, Tyler Sohooli, CA
The "great" Zoo can't get some grass for a bear? How about set up a donation box or something if funds are a problem? I'll donate! Shame on you.

# 984
11:47, Sep 18, Name not displayed, CT
How is this kind of abuse possible in a zoo of such quality known world wide...shame on you!!!

# 985
12:28, Sep 18, Robert Cohen, NC
Let's stop being jerks and take care of the little guys. Would you rather be part of the solution or the problem?

# 1,000
12:23, Sep 26, joyce murphy, CA
Please help this Bear to live in a natural setting.

# 1,004
03:49, Sep 27, Ms. Robyn Picknell, United Kingdom
Shame on you San Francisco Zoo!!!! You are one of the most well known American cities in the world, you should have world class care for your zoo animals as this is the image that foreign visitors will have of your city and your country. If you do not care about your animals why would you care about people? Pull finger and sort this out, it cannot possibly be that hard or expensive, after all, you are one of the most powerful nations in the world, aren't you?

If you haven't already, join the 1000 + and add your name and be the voice for Wishy!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/project-get-wishbone-grass-andean-bear-lives-on-concrete/

Thank You!

UPDATE 12.7.11 I received this feedback regarding the Petition:
from: www.tierrechtskongress.at and www.vgt.at - Animal Rights in a Non-Ideal World Prof. Dr. Robert Garner, University of Leicester, England
A variety of ethical theories can be identified that can act as a guide to the way in which animals ought to be treated. The three principal models are based on indirect-duty principles, animal welfare and animal rights respectively. An assessment of these theories should be based not only on their normative value but also on the degree to which they are politically realistic. That is, those animal ethicists who wish to influence public policy in order to improve the treatment of animals need to ensure that their ethical theories are not too idealistic. .............................
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK

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!

Letters to Donors


About two months ago I sent the letter that appears below to two of the San Francisco Zoo (and City) Donors.

The Hearst Foundations
90 New Montgomery Street
Suite 1212
San Francisco, California 94105

Dianne and Tad Taube c/o
Taube Philanthropies
1050 Ralston Avenue
Belmont, CA 94002
USA

I picked these two for specific reasons.

The Hearst Foundation donated funds so that the Zoo could renovate a Grotto and build an extending exhibit (Grizzly Gulch) for the two Bears that were rescued from being euthanized. I thought they maybe sensitive to other Bear needs.

The Taubes, who are in person visable at many Zoo functions, Dianne Taube is a Zoological Society Board Member and because of a quote I read in an article. Tad Taube in regard to a recent donation, "Because every night Dianne wakes me up in the middle of the night and asks, ‘What can we do to help the Zoo’,” explained Taube. “So I decided for a million dollars, I can finally get some sleep.” For people who think this way, I thought they might be sensitive to Wishbone's need for a more natural surface.

It is curious to me that there has been no response to this correspondence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Letter sent:

Hello ...

I am writing to you as a visitor and friend of the Animals at the San Francisco Zoo. This is my lifelong Zoo and I am very passionate about the Animals who call it home. I visit twice a week and over the years have been endeared to them greatly.

I read and research everything online regarding the Zoo and have turned up your name as a donor. I would like to bring your attention to a situation there that the Zoo will never have any fundraiser for, which equals an excuse of "There is no money."

The Andean Bear, Wishbone, lives exclusively on concrete. This is unacceptable. I have a blog detailing this travesty, which I would love for you to view. By doing so, you will get just how necessary it is, to bring a small patch of grass (ideally approximately a quarter of his flooring) to his home.

www.projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com/2011/05/project-get-wishbone-grass.html

Almost two years ago I questioned this and made suggestions to the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson and got no response. As well I called attention to this via letters and photos to other VIPs including, Zoological Board Members, Nick Podell and David Stanton, as well Park and Recreation Commissioner Larry Martin. No one seems to care that this poor Bear has lived so many years with no soft surface under him. It is unnatural and cruel. Regardless of the fact that Andean Bears are from the forests, concrete is no surface for any living creature to be on exclusively.

Please read my blog, get the details and what I am suggesting, as it is not a huge under-taking to bring grass to his home. He is the only Animal living at the Zoo who doesn't have a soft surface to lay on and play on. At 24 years old he shouldn't have to live out his life on a hard surface.

As someone who has given to the Zoo, you must have a compassion for animals, please help Wishbone. I ask you as his voice, since Zoo Management will only continue to fundraise for new exhibits, while making small upgrades to existing ones go ignored. This is an issue that should have immediate priority.


Thank you,
Kim ...

See more photos of this precious Bear friend here: www.gooberssfzoofriends.shutterfly.com/

Sign the Petition here:
www.thepetitionsite.com/2/project-get-wishbone-grass-andean-bear-lives-on-concrete/

Watch the videos
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD7hSnSIaqg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr2khpBdVZ8

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!