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.

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

Polar Bear Enjoys Rare Visit To Grass!!!

I visited the Zoo on Sunday and was happily surprised to see that Pike the Polar Bear had access to the meadow in the Grotto adjoining her's!!! She had a bounce in her step and a smile on her face! However this came about, SUCCESS!!!

Admittedly since my Membership was revoked, I am not at the Zoo as often as I had been, once a week opposed to three times, so I obviously can't keep track of as much as I used to. I think that was part of their grand plan. That said, the times I have been there, and prior to the revoking, I haven't seen Pike have access to that meadow since October 2010, with the exception of a Media event for a Snow Day in December. That is approximately 210 days (to my knowledge) she has gone without anything under her feet but concrete.

The Mission of this blog is to bring Grass to Wishbone the Andean Bear's Grotto. The description above is as horrifying, BUT there is a solution to Pike's plight that is as simple as opening a gate. Why has this Bear gone so long without a regular rotating door policy? That would be a question for not only the Animal Management Staff, but the Carnivore Curator. It is my experience that the Keeper's follow the orders given to them by these two branches of Management.

In a newspaper article dated 3.9.10, http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/zoo-tries-avoid-bear-blues , it is the expressed concern and desire of the Joint Zoo Committee chair-members Sally Stephens and Dr Spinelli, that the (Polar) Bears be rotated between exhibits. That would give all the Bears access to Grass and other surroundings for Environment Enrichment.

I have been behind the scenes and have seen the set-up, and it looks like it would be a chore to rotate Wishbone to the meadow, but honestly, I don't know how big a chore that would be OR how hard it would be to make adjustments to make it less difficult. What I do know, is that it is no effort to give Pike access.

The meadow sits with two concrete Grotto's to each side. Ulu, had regular access, yet Pike (and Andy, her companion at the time) had limited (I'll say since I'm not there every day). There was a time frame when Pike and Andy had what seemed like regular access, in hindsight I don't remember that time frame, but it may have been around the time that article came out. Why this access (seemed to have) stopped I don't know.

What I do know, is that Pike was a "new" Bear on my visit Sunday. I visited her four times over almost two hours, while at the Bear area and she rarely was sitting down. When she did it was only for a couple minutes! Normally she is sitting in her one spot, and usually napping. Not Sunday! She was up and about, having a great time! She was in the meadow, then back in the meadow, in the pool, she fished and played with her toys! It was joyous to watch!

The Zoo gets a kudo for this, but why now? Why hasn't this Bear been allowed to have Environment Enrichment for so long? I know its the same question, posed different ways, but there is a big WHY hanging over the Bears and I want it to disappear and I want Grass for all the Bears!

Pike MUST have regular daily access to this meadow
AND
Wishbone MUST have Grass added to his Grotto!!!

There is no reason logically for these two NEEDS to not come to fruition.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

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

Hats to support the cause!

After watching the Royal Wedding I became fascinated with Fascinators (those little wacky hats)! I thought it would be fun to make one. My friend Lee thought so too, so I suggested we make them in honor of the Snow Leopards Birthdays which were in April and May. It was fun and we wore them on the female Ming's bday last month.

I decided to make one in honor of this cause and wear it every visit til Wishy gets some grass. Its covered in dry Dill, and adorned with a photo of Wishbone (backing is Black flocking), leaning on a log, with his (former) Enrichment Toys around him! I love it! The Dill idea really rocked as grass! Lee also made a great one, with a clay sculpture of Wishbone and a Beehive! It has little Bee's fluttering about the Hive and Flowers. Finished with a big fancy Tulle Bow! It looked great! We looked great! Alot of people stopped us to ask about our "hats", as well passers-by would shout out "Great Hats"!

No matter what, given an event, we try to celebrate our Zoo Friends and show up festive! And for this cause, festive and raising awareness was a winning combination!

Photos: Me wearing my Fascinator in front of Wishbone's Grotto. Wishy in the background eating an apple while sitting next to his piece of sod. Lee's Fascinator up-close :)

I took a Video clip of Wishbone wishing for more grass and getting a snack. We love precious Wishy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr2khpBdVZ8

AND if you haven't signed the petition yet, please join the over 650 who have and do so today! Remember your name can be withheld! 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

UNTIL , has inched its way in. Literally!

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.

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/

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

The final post on this situation, until...

I wanted to make a post to conclude this series, since the way the blogs are set-up, they post the last first.

Please note to get all the details of this plight, please at least start by reading the second post, Project Get Wishbone Grass, which details what the situation is.

I have made a petition for this situation, as a friend pointed out, if I'm goign to call it a "Project" it needs goal backing. Please help in this goal by signing the petition. Its not for me, its for Wishbone! ... Note that the Petition site asks for an address, but you can make one up. I don't expect anyone to use their physical address online.

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

Thank you, and let's hope the San Francisco Zoo Management hears the plea of not only our voices, but of Wishbone's by proxy.

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

Past Efforts Fade

I want to post two snips of articles that pertain to this issue. These articles noted that the Meadow Grotto that is between the two Polar Bears Ulu and Pike was intended to be used by all the Andean Bears and Polar Bears on rotation. That would be great if that was still in practice. Why did these efforts fade? No public attention? Laziness? OR as stated in a published comment by former (!) VP Bob Jenkins, "Its what they know and are used to" !!! Unbelievable!

The photo I took of Annie and Wishbone is from 2007, I don't know how often they were rotated into the Meadow after it was made in 2002, but I have not seen them in in there since I have been visiting on a regular basis, over three years now. As well, I rarely see Pike getting to use the Meadow. The last time was for the Christmas Snow Day Media event. Otherwise, she too lives on concrete. Her concrete home is the Grotto's next to the Meadow, so her situation is an easy fix, just open the gate. Although I think both Polar Bear Grotto's that are exclusively concrete, could also use a grass patch on their concrete floors, for when they are alternating the use of the Meadow, there is a Meadow between them, so their situation isn't as dire as the Andean Bear, who is two Grotto's away from the Meadow and has not seen it in years. His experience on Grass is akin to someone who lives in the desert taking a once in a lifetime vacation to the beach.

Ideally, Wishbone, Ulu and Pike would rotate the Meadow AND each have a small patch of grass in their concrete grotto's.

Snip taken from the full article (4.17.02) that appears here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/04/17/BA175482.DTL

"Uulu, 21, had lived all her life at the zoo on concrete in one of the zoo's Depression-era bear grottoes. Last year, after the death of a Kodiak bear, the zoo decided to replace the concrete in the Kodiak grotto with thick grass and clover and to let Uulu share it with two other polar bears and the zoo's two spectacled bears."

Snip taken from the full article (3.9.10) that appears here: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/zoo-tries-avoid-bear-blues

"After touring the grottoes with a carnivore keeper, Stephens and Spinelli recommended that the zoo rotate the bears throughout the exhibits, ..."

The article also makes question of relocating and cost of new enclosures. Neither are needed. I am not an advocate for relocating any of these Animals. They are seniors and have lived here most of their lives. Moving them would be detrimental to their mental and physical health, even within the Zoo itself. There is no need to build new enclosures at this time, when all that is needed is landscaping added to the existing enclosures.

I have to add in light of this, in my opinion its curious and negligent on the part of Sally Stephens who I have made aware of this issue to not bring this up at the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting, which she holds a seat and attends every month. I would have hoped she would be the one to be proactive about this situation. As well in my opinion, she should have been regularly asking for a status update on the Pike's Meadow rotation.

I thought it was the responsibility of Board Members and Committee Members to guide Zoo Management by questioning what they are doing. If not, what is their purpose?

WISHBONE NEEDS GRASS! MAKE IT HAPPEN SAN FRANCISCO ZOO!

Andean Bear Grotto - Letter to VIPs

Andean Bear Grotto

Grizzly Bear Grotto

Lion Grotto past

Lion Grotto present

This is the letter sent to San Francisco Zoological Society Chairman of the Board Nick Podell, San Francisco Zoological Society Board Member David Staton, San Francisco Park and Recreation Committee Member Larry Martin, and San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee. This information was also sent via email to San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Chair Sally Stephens.

I have long had a problem with the Bear Grottos but over the years there has been some major improvements that for the most part I can be satisfied with, even though I think there can be some work done on the two cement Polar Grottos, much like I'm about to describe for the Andean Bear.

Wishbone the Andean Bear is the only Animal living at the Zoo who is exclusively on cement. This is disrespectful, cruel and abuse.

I completely understand there is a funds issue regarding renovations, and would not support a complete overhaul that would displace any of our senior Residents. That said, there is no reason why landscaping modifications can not be made.

I recently saw photos of the new Master Plan. I have great issue with money being spent to start new projects, as well take great offense to adding four children's play areas when there are existing Animal homes that need attention. Note that I have no problem spending money to renovate/construct areas for Animals who need rescuing to avoid euthanasia, like the upcoming Seals. I do have a problem starting Phase Two of the Tropical Building, which would only move Animals who already have decent homes in existing exhibits and I do have a problem with moving forward with the North American project, when the Andean Bear is still on cement.

I have included photos of landscaping type options that would bring soil and grass into his home. The photos are of modifications that were made to the Grizzly Grotto. This may have been in place prior to them arriving, but the bottom line is the Grizzly's have vast grass areas, while the Polar's share an area, and the Andean Bear has none.

This needs to change before anything new is built. This could be done for little money and obviously that money is available. The Zoo takes too long to put things into motion, unless it is of dire need. This is. I read a comment by former VP Bob Jenkins, in part "This is what they know and are used to." Appalling coming from someone who was at such a high level within the Zoo. I take this to mean, they are just letting things stay status quo until the Animal dies. Well, Annie, the female Andean Bear did just that. She died living a life only feeling cement beneath her feet.

The photos show examples of the Grizzly Grotto and of the Andean Bear Grotto in comparison and as a blueprint. Also an old photo of how the Cat Grotto's used to look before landscaping was done and a photo of that same Grotto today. It can be done. It should be done. (end)

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!