A few weeks after the Death of Harmabe Gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo in July 2016, I started a Petition Directed at my local San Francisco Zoo and the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums.) I have advocated for the Animals at the SFZoo for many years, one of the top issues there being the need for better Barriers. I also started a Facebook Page called Zoo Animal Safety, in hopes to raise Awareness and create dialog about dangerous situations in other Zoos, in hopes for change. More Visitors being Vocal in their own community, both when they see issues of abuse and in advocating to their own Zoo Management for Safer Barriers for the Animals.
Today I start this blog, as another outreach to my Facebook Page, as Blogger is picked up by Google search. For more info, post, photos, ect. Please Visit, Like, Share my Facebook Page.
Here is the Descriptioin to my Facebook Page.
As I began Networking this Petition, I came up against too many "close the Zoo Zealots". An over abundance of mostly well meaning people, but whose solution to the problems in Zoos where Animals have been losing their Lives because of Barrier Abuse, is to "unlock the cages" and "free them". I felt these people didn't understand what that really would mean for the captive population of over 10,000 Zoos Worldwide.
The reality is, All Zoos are not going to close within any of our Lifetimes. So, the only real effort we can make to ensure the Safety of captive Animals, living in Zoos, is to try to get the Barriers to their Homes, Secure.
I have been Advocating for the Animals at the San Francisco Zoo for over six years. One of my main issues for as many years, has been Barrier Breaching. I am a Voice for the Animals via my blogs, and have been successful in change there. Not as much as I would like, but for being the sole member of the public who speaks out for the Animals, I've made a difference in some of the Animals Lives.
After Harambe's Horrific and avoidable Death, I went into overdrive on this subject. Blogging, Petition, Videos, whatever I could do. Then came a stand still in Signatures. Hitting 500+ within the first weekend, and now almost two months later, just over 600.
It takes alot out of me to work on Zoo issues, so I often hit stand stills myself. I feel when I do, I'm letting the Animals down. Its just alot. So, I apologize to those that have remained loyal to my efforts, and to those who might come on new and sometimes see big gaps in my post times. I think about Zoo issues many times a day, even if I'm not putting forth something, I'm making notes! Sometimes more notes than I can sort when I do get a wave of ambition. Like now, I'm so upset by another tragedy, that I'm just writing.
That all said, those who know me, know I'm a fan of chronological order. Since Harambe's Death I have been collecting articles about Barrier Beaching, that literally come via email all too often and that was when I decided to dedicate a Facebook Page to the issue.
As you read these articles, keep in mind that every instance could have been avoided if there were Secure Barriers. That means a Barrier that no one could gain entry to without an extreme effort. No Accidental fall-in. No (easy) Voluntary entry.
The only solution I see to this is, floor to ceiling glass. Now, let me explain clearly, as some I mentioned this to envisioned Animals living in a glass cube. Floor to Ceiling glass is a solid barrier of an approximate ten foot window lining the entire exhibit.
My Petition, while directed at my local San Francisco Zoo is also directed at the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). A Call to Action to SFZoo to upgrade to floor to ceiling glass at all Code-Red Animal Exhibits. A Call to Action to the AZA to upgrade their Exhibit Guidelines to the same, which would then ensure Secure Barriers at all Code-Red Animal Exhibits in accredited Zoos Nationwide.
I notate Code-Red Animals, as those are the ones,, like Harambe, that are on Shoot to Kill lists, if they come in contact with Humans.
It is my opinion that all captive Animals should be in Secure Exhibits, but that would be a tough sell to get into motion, even though the lack of Respect towards Animals from today's Society, dictates the necessity of it.
As you will read in some of these articles, some of the Animals losing their lives are not even Code-Red Animals. I write today, even though I have not posted any of the previous articles yet, because of one I read this afternoon that had me so upset by the title alone, I couldn't read any further, yet it prompted me to finally move on making this Page active.
There are still some people who won't get it. Those who don't want to see Animals behind a glass barrier, or would rather still keep with the mantra of freeing all the Animals. That is their prerogative, although not helping the current situation.
Those of you who find sense in what I'm saying, Please Join me in trying to get change in our Zoos. If you are a Zoo goer, please think of writing to your Zoo's Director and/or others in authority. Be a Voice for the Animals that live in the Zoos you visit. Ask for Secure Barriers.
If you are at a Zoo and see someone Abusing a Barrier, say something, and then alert Zoo Staff. You might save a Life.
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Over the years I have documented instances of Barrier Breaching/Abuse on my SFZoo related blogs.
You can search the word "barrier" for the posts in this blog,
You can use your browser find option for "barrier" mentions in this blog,
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