Comments on: Employee Information

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:58:01 +0000

Margaret, #29, what a great idea and very generous gesture. Too bad this Margaret lives so far away on the East coast, and can’t pitch in and help in person. I imagine that your frequent visits are needed now more than ever. It helps to lift staff member’s spirits to share their animals and environment with guests, and the income from visitors helps the WAP coffers pay for their losses and needed rebuilding. Plus the animals who thrive on guests must have missed their visitors. I remember reading about this when Katrina and Rita desimated the animal and sea parks in LA, MI, and AL. When you go, please tell all my animal and bird friends, as well as staff, that I am thankful they are OK, and hope that their lives will return to normal soon.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:39:54 +0000

I am looking to help WAP employees that have been effected by the fire and have children around the age of two. We have used toys and books we are willing to donate to help keep the kids busy during this tough time. As small gesture, but all we can do right now. We are VERY frequent visitors, like once a week!

By: Chari Mercier

Chari Mercier — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:39:47 +0000

Hi, you all! Just checking in to read any new updates from you about your situation. Reread your statement and saw that you added a couple of new pics of WAP and the area surrounding it. All I can say is WOW!!! Was that ever a close call that you all had last week! The second pic really showed how close those fires came to the animal areas, and your decision of having a huge buffer zone around those animal areas was the smartest decision you had made. It really made the difference between minimal damage and large scale damage to the park. Plus, that buffer zone was the one area that saved the open area animals from being injured or killed in the fires. I also understand that you have some sort of irrigation process that keeps the animal areas pretty moist and fire resistant, and that was a life saver as well. I hope you will be able to rebuild those buildings that were lost from the fire, and that somebody will do a donation drive to replace the lights so that you can have your Festival of Lights up by Christmas. I wish that I could do something to help, but I’m in Florida and don’t have the finances to give right now. I will pray that those donations and money comes in so that you can do a lot more in your recovery of the park and making sure that it still remains the safest place for your open range animals. Again, I’m very glad that the park has reopened for everyone to come in and see the animals. I will also pray for all of the employees of both WAP and SDZ that lost their homes in the fires, that they will be able to get a good start in recovering from their losses, and start rebuilding their homes. Please give them all big hugs from me, ok?
Gonna go and get back on the pandacam to check in on Bai and baby girl!
Prayers to all of you,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

By: Margot

Margot — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:45:48 +0000

Is there any way we can make a contribution to help the employees who lost their homes?

By: Judy Dailey

Judy Dailey — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:16:42 +0000

I was at the park on Sunday, October 21st with my two sisters to celebrate my sister’s 60th birthday.
We could not believe the news when we got back to our hotel about the fires. We were so worried
about Pattie, Steve, Ivan and all the animals we saw there, and continued to monitor the news all the way to San Francisco. I am so glad things turned out as well as they did for everyone there. Our tour was wonderful. Pattie was such a delight and everyone there is truly concerned about the animals and their environment.

By: Gary Porter

Gary Porter — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:48:38 +0000

I just have to say i think its awesome that the zoo is helping its employees that were affected by this great loss. I live in Vegas and have nothing to do with the zoo but when i read that they plan on helping those 10 employees out, as well as any others that were affected, it truely shows me that there is still good in this world. truely awesome.

By: Nancy MacDonald

Nancy MacDonald — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:23:59 +0000

I have never been to your park but, when I have a moment to think what my ideal vacation would be it is your Zoo. I have been thinking about you all week and I am so happy your ordeal is comming to an end. Thank you for keeping us up to date and the good work you do. Prayers from Bangor Maine

By: Cameron

Cameron — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:37:56 +0000

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You for saving the animals and the park. My dad is writing this for me as I am only 4, but the park is my favorite place to visit. I would be sad if anything had happened to it or the animals. I would like to give everyone a hug for what they have done to save the park.

By: Marjy

Marjy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:52:23 +0000

Although I was hoping you’d be able to come through with no losses, I’m grateful that you did so much and that all of the other animals are fine. You protect the animals so well, and it’s great to know that you have such a solid plan in place. Homes can be rebuilt, but what you have is worth so much more! Thank you for working so hard!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:30:03 +0000

I’m glad everyone’s getting paid. That’s a class organization! I hope the employees are in good health and spirits, their homes are standing and they don’t melt their boots on embers!