Hi Carla,

As you mentioned, we’d considered giving some of the donations outright to them, but they’d first have to agree on paper to purchase the items/make changes in Carol’s report. I have not received that commitment yet and am working on negotiations and planning for remaining funds.

This all takes time simply because working with zoos is always a slow process bogged down by bureaucracy. Especially in this case, Hanako’s zoo is a pubic institution owned by the city. Take the case of Lucy at the Edmonton Zoo for instance, something that has been going on for not months, but years.

Compared to that, we are lucky enough to have even gotten to have meetings and been granted up-close access to Hanako and her keepers. I know it’s frustrating given Hanako’s age, but it’s just the system we have to work within if we want to make any progress at all.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.