Hi there,

You are right. We do still have significant funds remaining, even after trip & professional expert fees. We’d considered giving some of the donations outright to the zoo, but they’d first have to agree on paper to purchase the items/make changes in Carol’s report. I have not received that written commitment yet and am working on negotiations with them regularly and planning for remaining funds.

Meanwhile, please keep in mind it’s only been 3 weeks since our meeting with the zoo. All of this 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.