Glad I posted about the previous Bison incident as the next morning, Monday May 19, 2014, day after the famed San Francisco Bay to Breakers Race, there was an incident at the Bison Paddock. One of the "revelers" breached the barrier and entered the Bison's home.
While some might think this is funny or all in fun, it is neither. These Animals and all the Wildlife that live in Golden Gate Park, are Victims of intruding and harassing behavior by Humans constantly.
I will say two things about this.
First, every Event in the Park disturbs the peaceful Environment it should be. These Races, the Concerts especially, they all draw too many People at one time. They Park is left in shambles every time. Garbage everywhere, that often does not get cleaned up. I went to the Bison (as you will see noted next) and there was broken glass and bottles all around the perimeter. Additionally as mentioned the Wildlife have to contend with drunken and even more stupid and sinister behavior than usual. People pissing and shitting about. Its disgusting. You find Clothes, Condoms, all sorts of shit that just lays around the Park not picked up. People come and abuse the privilege of the Park.
Second, the Bison Paddock still has the same breachable barrier issues I posted about Three years ago. After this current News report, I went out there to check the fencing as I had wanted to do for sometime just to see if there were any changes. I knew there wouldn't be, and the Rec and Park didn't disappoint. Unbelievable the state of the fencing. I walked almost 3/4 of the perimeter and found many of the same points of issue as before. Points where I could stick part of my foot under the fencing. Points where half-assed band-aids have been put to prevent Animals from digging their way in. This said, the Park KNOWS that this is a possibility or they wouldn't put those band-aids there in the first place. They know that Babie Bison was killed as a direct result of an Off-Leash Dog digging under the fence and gaining access to the enclosure. They know that the Coyotes inhabit that immediate area ( note to Park, Coyotes are basically Dogs). They know this poses a Safety issue to these Animals, yet in Three yrs they have done nothing to fix this problem.
That all said, there is no barbed or electric wiring above the perimeter fence. I have personally seen people climbing this fence (yes I called the Ranger) trying to gain access to the Bison. So, these poor Animals are out there 24/7 vulnerable to Intruders both Human and Animal, and the Park doesn't care. The Zoo takes care of these Animals, and they should be calling attention to these issues, but I have little faith that they do. The Park is responsible for the maintenance of the fencing and grounds. The state of this fence is shameful.
This fence is probably less than 10 ft tall and breachable by anyone who wants to climb it, day or night. NOTE to Park: ADD some damn barbed and/or electric wire!
A few of the many (20+) breachable by under digging.
Note to the right the broken pieces of concrete that are placed to prevent digging. These obstacles are all around the perimeter where there is space such as where my foot is, as well as other soft sanded areas.
Soft Sand band-aids are diggable
These fences should be into the ground a few feet to prevent digging, not have band-aids. AND if they must have band-aids, why not do it proper and uniform, using actual bricks to form an actual barrier that starts under the ground and is built up to fence. Plain laziness and not caring.
Proof that no one cares. This graffiti'd sign shows they don't care one about how the place looks, and two about the message of the sign. As well there is an old tattered caution tape dangling, that could easily be torn by Humans or Winds and end up in the Bison Paddock, where it could pose a health threat.
Taken from:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-Bison-Herd-Arrives-at-Golden-Gate-Park-135137248.html
"The seven bison were purchased from a ranch in Redding. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma helped arrange funding and U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein’s husband Dick Blum chipped-in toward the nearly $7,200 price tag. He also donated $50,000 to update the bison’s crumbling paddock.
“In fact, the story goes Mr. Blum purchased a herd of bison in honor of his wife in 1984,” said San Francisco Parks and Recreation director Phil Ginsburg."
Park Director Phil Ginsburg, Fiona Ma, Dick Blum and Senator Feinstein should all take a look at this issue and fix it.
@Anonymous - Thank you for your comment, however ignorant it may be. You don't know what the Hell you are talking about. Ducks have been getting attacked, one was mauled recently and suffered near fatal wounds that thankfully healed. YOU and your entitled attitude are part of the problem. They understand the game? What the F kind of thing to say. How would you feel if some large Animal terrorized your Dogs? Maybe you don't care because they should know the game. What an Ass. That all said, your actions are illegal and one day you will be cited. So, enjoy your walks while you can. Maybe one day because of People like you Dogs will be banned in the Lake areas
Of course, everything is different when I walk my coyote off leash.