Sunday, May 8, 2011

# * Why Would We?

Something the San Francisco Zoo has obviously failed to ask themselves, in making their reasoning believable.

Why would we make a call with false information, AND make it while standing there in the midst, wearing party hats!??? It was Jahari's (Lion) Birthday coming up, so I made party hats featuring the Cats getting Birthday Party stuff from past celebrations, before Curator Corinne MacDonald took away their fun. Photo taken in Lion House before heading over to Bears, 2.5.11.

It has to be obvious to anyone who has read the documentation on this blog that someone isn't being truthful.

Why would Kim?

Who has:

*Been a Lifelong Visitor
*Been a Member most of Adult Life
*Since 2008 Visiting 3/4 times a week
*Adoptive Parent to Bairds Tapir Goober.
*Part of a group who donated to the Tatiana Memorial Bench.
*Became friendly with a majority of the Keepers and Staff.
*Did extensive online research, including reading every article posted in the sfgate.com archive on the San Francisco Zoo. Dating back ten years. & Read every Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes posted online from the past ten years. More research than most Zoo Staff, paid and volunteer.
*Responded to sfgate.com and yelp.com reader comments, in effort to educate and endear people to the San Francisco Zoo and its Residents. More outreach at the time than the Zoo's own Staff.
*Has numerous websites sharing information and Photos on the Zoo and the Animals. More than official San Francisco Zoo websites.
*Constantly interacted in person with Visitors, sharing my knowledge of the Zoo Animals.
*During most of 2010 Made Enrichment Toys for Big Cats and on occasion Bears.
*Organized a Memorial in honor of Tony (Siberian Tiger), for his Keepers and Friends, that consisted of his favorite meal Meatballs, and handout photo mementos.
*Lent Primate Department Videos for the Animals to watch. I offered to loan in rotation my Disney Collection. Never received the first two back. Its been over a year.
*Worked at Photo Booth, just to be working on Zoo grounds.
*Got Guard Card after being there so often and seeing horrible harassing of the Animals. I never wanted to be a Security Guard, but I was unemployed and felt I may have to, in order to protect the animals, since the Guards working there weren't. Inquired about being part of Security, but after new Company was hired, felt secure they were doing a good job.

Why would Lee?

Who has:

*Been a Member of many years.
*Is a Former San Francisco Zoo Docent
*Is a Former SFZOO Animal Parent in Adoption Program. Adopting upwards of 6-10 Animals per year.
*Has both arms filled with tattoo's of the Big Cats.
*Made Animal Photo Magnets and donated to Members Morning event for visitor take home mementos.
*Constantly interacted in person with visitors, sharing knowledge of the Zoo Animals, even after being forced to resign from Docent Program, after being abused by a higher level Docent.
*During most of 2010 Made Enrichment Toys for Big Cats and on occasion Bears.
*Organized a Memorial in honor of Tony (Siberian Tiger), for his Keepers and Friends, that consisted of his favorite meal Meatballs, and handout photo mementos.
*Was asked by the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson to speak at a meeting about the Memorial.
*Was asked by the Zoo Director Tanya Peterson to submit her Resume for possible job opportunity within the Fundraising Department.
*In 2010 Renewed Membership at Guardian Level ($1000. per year)

Why would either of us, do what the San Francisco Zoo is claiming we have done?

#12 update REASON Issued But Not To Us

When this blog went live I was contacted by several members of the media, some had other agenda's and I chose to stick with my personal issue rather than get involved in other issues that while may be relevant to San Francisco Zoo related issues, were not part of my personal goal, which is justice for having my Membership revoked without a valid reason.

I chose to go with KGO-TV's 7 On Your Side, a Consumer defense based show in the News Department. While the reporter, Randall Yip was working on gathering information, Lee had contacted her District Supervisor Scott Wiener, who put his Assistant on the case of seeking a reason for us.
The following are the reasons they were given.

Reason given to Adam Taylor, Assistant to Supervisor Scott Wiener


Friday April 22, 2011


"After speaking with Gwendolyn (Tornatore , San Francisco Zoo Public Relations), she stated that is the Zoo's responsibility to provide a safe, harassment-free environment for employees. According to her, the reason your membership was revoked was because you engaged in a pattern of conduct that was disruptive to the employees of the Zoo, culminating with the instance when you called in to report a code red scenario at the bear grotto."


Reason given to Randall Yip, KGO-TV 7 On Your Side


March 29, 2011


"Zoo responded, accusing you of abusive behavior of staff and calling in a prank phone call. Reason (for membership revoking) was given by PR, stating you (Lee and I) acknowledged calling in a false alarm and that you had abused staff. They said there was no third call (caller beside Lee) and no documentation of a third call.

All I can say at this time, is there is much dishonest and cowardice behavior among Zoo Staff involved in both decision making and in defense of holding employment. These accusations are unfounded and slanderous.

Note that to date, Sunday May 8, 2011:

*Neither myself (Kim) or Lee has received in writing an official reason for having our Memberships revoked. The request was made in writing to both Director Tanya Peterson and to the Head of Membership Lora LaMarca.


*I (Kim) have never received a follow-up from Supervisor Sean Elsbernd who's District the Zoo falls into.

*I (Kim) have not received a reply on letters sent to Nick Podell, Chairman of the Board, San Francisco Zoological Society, David Stanton, Board Member, San Francisco Zoological Society, Larry Martin, San Francisco Park and Recreation Commissioner, and San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee.