San Diego Zoo Moving Gorilla Mandazzi

H

heidi richardson

New Member
I am upset and looking for understanding. Of course we have all known that Mandazzi from SD Zoo would be transferred. And it happened 4 days ago. My heart is broken for the community. Mandazzi was born and raised there and has avid followers. The zoo did not do a farewell! Community members went one day and he was gone! Is that normal? When Ft Worth moved Jameela to Cleveland zoo that did an amazing job updating and documenting to keep us informed and at ease! They did a farewell visit! It was amazing! I understand that safety is number one but I wonder if the zoo realizes how invested the community is?!
 
Hi, first of all I'm sorry that the community didn't get to say farewell. It is really bittersweet when animals move to new homes. From someone in the industry, it is pretty typical for animal transfers to be under wraps, and also common for animals to transfer without much fanfare. Although, it's different for each zoo and also depends on the animal. For animals that have lots of fans/followers from locals, zoos are more likely to post updates and news but unfortunately it just doesn't always happen.

There are many zoos who choose not to involve the public in these affairs - each zoo is different and some will update the public on animal transfers and some keep it to internal staff only. It really boils down to the management and preference of each facility.
 
Kitt said:
Hi, first of all I'm sorry that the community didn't get to say farewell. It is really bittersweet when animals move to new homes. From someone in the industry, it is pretty typical for animal transfers to be under wraps, and also common for animals to transfer without much fanfare. Although, it's different for each zoo and also depends on the animal. For animals that have lots of fans/followers from locals, zoos are more likely to post updates and news but unfortunately it just doesn't always happen.

There are many zoos who choose not to involve the public in these affairs - each zoo is different and some will update the public on animal transfers and some keep it to internal staff only. It really boils down to the management and preference of each facility.
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Thank you so much for your response! I do plan on writing a letter to the zoo, not to complain exactly, but to express my disappointment and hope that the zoo would take in to consideration the community and how much they are invested in the animals and how the community needs that closure. I know a lady there in SD that has a huge following on IG that used the zoo (specifically the gorillas and orangutans) as an outlet/coping skill to get clean. Without the community there is no zoo! I want to say, I have no understanding of these situations other than a “visitors” perception. That’s why I posted in here and also messaged a zookeeper I am accounted with to get some understanding. If in fact, it’s just zoo preference, I would hope that in the future they will choose to involve the community that has chosen to make them apart of their lives!
 
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