Safe Journey, My Furry Friend
Posted at 10:38 am January 29, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
I know it’s been a few months since I’ve written about the love of my life, momma Pallas’ cat (see blog, Pallas’ Cat: Crate Training 101). But in fairness, not much has changed. The crate training I was working on was a success, although I had to give the crate back, so it’s been awhile. She is still “enrichment challenged”: stares at me, avoids it while I’m watching. Yet always there are signs of having been explored when I come in the next day. We went through our usual winter weight gain (yes, we). So, that brought out that stubborn streak I love so much. For those of you who have cats, it’s tough to make them do something they don’t want to do, especially when food isn’t a motivation. Nonetheless, she continues to make me smile, and I can’t imagine my day without her being a part of it.
Which, unfortunately, brings me to my sad news. I recently received word that she will be leaving us and moving to Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, New York. This is supposed to happen around the first week of February. Her old mate, Nicholas, (currently housed on Elephant Mesa) will be joining her in this new adventure. Even though I call her “tub o’ lub” and “pumpkin,” I guess her extra fluff will really come in handy now!
Whenever an animal is moved to another location, a pre-shipment exam is done. This means I got the crate back and got to start her training again. To my pleasure, she has proved again that, stubborn streak or not, she really does have a rapport with me and shifted inside the crate on the very first day.
While I take joy in this, it is truly a bittersweet victory, as this training will eventually lead to her departure. I know that this is my job, but I’m here because of the animals. And that means it’s hard not to become attached, especially to one who made me earn her trust and in turn extended hers to me. She will be greatly missed.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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January 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I’m going to miss momma. Whenever I got a peek of her, I got so excited. When I actually managed to get a shot or two of her, I was in heaven. Sometimes, it’s hard to have cats do anything even with food, if they don’t feel like it.
Both Pallas Cats at the SDZ are so pretty and I am going to miss them. I don’t think I’ll be able to make another visit before she leaves, but I hope visitors in Brooklyn will love them as much as we did.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Hi Kelly, I feel so bad for all of you that keep having your charges moved. When I was much younger, I applied to a nearby zoo to do volunteer work. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) I could not get to the place where I would have to go for my training. (way into Boston)
I have been watching the panda cam since Mei Sheng was born and it is so sad to see each animal, over time, being moved away from the keepers that have taken such good care of them. I give you all credit for your strength and ability to accept this an go on. I really took a liking to Momma Pallas’.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Kelly, your sadness in your words expresses your attachment to Momma Pallas. Your cat is probably luckier than you since she cannot anticipate the end result of the renewed training with the crate. I hope she will find a way to trust her new keepers in Brooklyn the way she eventually trusted you. You out-smarted her and out-stubborned her and your patience and affection won her over. Those characteristics and talents you bring to your animals serve them well. I’m sorry that you will lose Momma Pallas, but some lucky animal will soon be getting your attention! Meanwhile, enjoy her stares while you can! Great job, Kelly!
January 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Will you get another Pallas cat?
January 29th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Hi Kelly — This is very sad news.
Why are the Pallas cats being moved to the East Coast? I know we will miss momma Pallas very much. Always shy – however during one visit a while ago, as she paced around her exhibit, I spoke softly to her and was happily surprised when she came close to the fence and stopped for a brief second and looked at me. What a beautiful face! So glad we have many great photos of momma Pallas. We too will always remember her.
Kelly, thank you for doing such a wonderful job training and caring for these gorgeous cats.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I am so sorry for you. It’s like someone taking your personal pet away. I can’t imagine how hard that is. I hope you find an affectionate new charge that will help you get over your loss. Let us know which animals you will be taking care of when she goes. And be happy for her new adventure. We all love those.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
that is why i love cats…they make you earn their love and trust. i love when my siamese boy looks an me and i know he is thinking….” i thought i trained you better than that. i am sure that you will miss your charge greatly and he will grudgingly miss you. is this a breeding opportunity for mom?
January 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Having visited San Diego Zoo a few years ago, I thoroughly enjoy all the keepers’ blogs about the latest happenings at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, and Kelly’s updates on Momma Pallas always give me a smile. Now that Momma and her companion will be coming to the East Coast, my husband and I will be sure to go visit Prospect Park Zoo to check in on them.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Turn on the waterworks again….. =’( Sorry to hear you are losing her after all your hardwork, and after so much time invested in finally gaining her trust. SDZ, and their keepers do a wonderful job with their animals, as is very clear to us the public when we go see these animals or when we visit your site and read your blogs. It always makes me shed a tear when one of those animals has to move on to another location / zoo.
I do have a question tho’, were the Pallas cats on loan to the SDZ, or are they going to be on loan to the booklyn zoo? Is it for breeding purposes that they are being moved ?
January 30th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’ve never had a chance to see momma Pellas’ cat in person but I can imagine your attachment. Just know that she is moving on to a new adventure with Nicholas for a companion (so she won’t be alone) and new keepers that will also love her. And you’ll be on to new adventures too with new conquests, Kelly. Keep up the good work that you do!!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Kelly, you have my sympathy as momma Pallas cat moves on to a new adventure (where her ” winter fun fat” will surely serve her well). I hope she and Nicholas enjoy their new home in Brooklyn (might they have some babies?).
It’s so hard when the bonds we form with any animal are broken, whatever the reason, and I feel for you. But, I think momma Pallas cat has been very lucky to have such a devoted and caring friend in San Diego.
And maybe you can spend a little extra time with Scout and Montana to add cheer to your day! I sure would love to see more videos of those boys (hint, hint, Meerkats!!)
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:13 am
I live in New York but have visited Momma and Nicholas many times. So you can imagine I have mixed feelings on this move- sad for San Diego’s loss but happy that they wil be much closer to me (eventough Brooklyn is not easy for me to get to- why couldnt they go to the Bronx Zoo!!!) I do hope that San Diego will still have some Pallas cats on exhibit- not to have any at all would be a terrible loss! Welcome to New York Momma and Nicholas!!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Wow, it’s always sad to hear about animal having to move elsewhere. Why are Momma and Nicolas moving to Brooklyn? Doesn’t SDZ want them anymore? How sad indeed!
September 29th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
To all of you wondering how Nicholas and Alexandra are doing in Brooklyn – they’re just great! Their keepers have been excited to work with them and Brooklynites are ” wild” for them. Their exhibit looks remarkably like their habitat in Mongolia – lots of rocks to climb and crevices to hide. We have an adorable video posted on YouTube (Wildlife Conservation Society or Prospect Park Zoo) and on our website. People have come to the zoo to see these two fascinating animals after watching the video. Thank you Kelly for a terrific training job. We, too, have a great group of animal professionals and a strong training component as part of our animal management. We’re taking great care of our purrrrrrrrrrfect Pallas cats!
-Denise McClean, Director, Prospect Park Zoo