I went to the zoo today, and came home sorta sad... (46)
WindRiderPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania USA11 Threads 602 PostsYour doing a good job of it this thread has more substance then most I've seen today...
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thanks- thats very kind, and a great relief!
You know, I've always loved going to the zoo, seeing these incredible creatures upclose is an experience that can't be described. I think the educational value of a zoo (a "good" zoo) is very important, there is alot of appreciation to be gained from seeing these phenomenal animals up close. I do think too that it's easier to take away the habitat of a faceless creature, than one that you've stared into the eyes of.
Today was the first time, thanks to that lil porcupine, that I ever thought OMG he doesn't LIKE this...WHAT am I doing here?
You know, I've always loved going to the zoo, seeing these incredible creatures upclose is an experience that can't be described. I think the educational value of a zoo (a "good" zoo) is very important, there is alot of appreciation to be gained from seeing these phenomenal animals up close. I do think too that it's easier to take away the habitat of a faceless creature, than one that you've stared into the eyes of.
Today was the first time, thanks to that lil porcupine, that I ever thought OMG he doesn't LIKE this...WHAT am I doing here?
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what about the animals that the zoos are saving from extinction?
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Again, there's the other side to the story. you're exactly right. There are alot of species that had a handful of them left, and now there are hundreds (most in the wild) because of zoos.
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But saving them for what, Perpetual captivity?
Most species become extinct through loss of habitat. Not much chance of natural habitats returning is there?
Most species become extinct through loss of habitat. Not much chance of natural habitats returning is there?
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or over hunting! Look at the Buffalo...
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yes I agree animals that are going extinct because of us then yes that great but what about living things who nature has decided their time is up? Like many animals in the past before we were here.. Do we have the right out of compassion to keep them alive?
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not sure about the RIGHT...but what about OBLIGATION?
many of said animals are going extinct because of US, and maybe it's about restoring a bit of balance.
many of said animals are going extinct because of US, and maybe it's about restoring a bit of balance.
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I found this interesting, found it on a website (pbs). They were talking about designing habitats that not only allowed the visitors to see the animals, but that didn't bore the animals & also allowed them to feel almost as though they were at home:
Polar bears are, after all, powerful, 10-foot-tall wild animals capable of causing serious harm to people. The zoo walled the bears behind solid concrete and constructed a thick glass barrier, so visitors could watch the bears underwater and feel that they were getting as close to them as possible. Interestingly, they found out that the bears seem to be as fascinated by the public as the public is by them.
Polar bears are, after all, powerful, 10-foot-tall wild animals capable of causing serious harm to people. The zoo walled the bears behind solid concrete and constructed a thick glass barrier, so visitors could watch the bears underwater and feel that they were getting as close to them as possible. Interestingly, they found out that the bears seem to be as fascinated by the public as the public is by them.
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There are some " zoo's " that are so large the animals are not confined in a small box and on parade for humans.
The natural wildlife preserves are wonderful. They are saving endangered species and maintaining a quality life for animals that would otherwise not have a long life span.
On the other hand, I have been to " zoo's " that house the poor animal in a box no bigger than my laundry room and that is very inhumane to me.
So I ask the question : When at the zoo, who is looking at whom?
The natural wildlife preserves are wonderful. They are saving endangered species and maintaining a quality life for animals that would otherwise not have a long life span.
On the other hand, I have been to " zoo's " that house the poor animal in a box no bigger than my laundry room and that is very inhumane to me.
So I ask the question : When at the zoo, who is looking at whom?
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Wow!You people really feel strongly about this, but how many of you as children went to the zoo? I can still remeber going with my class or with my parents and wanting to see all the animals, animals I would have never even know existed let alone seen. And zoos do a lot of good. A good majority of them only have animals that have been rescued from the wild because they were hurt or being kept as a pet inbad circumstances. I for one adore zoos. They let you experisnce new things and learn about different animals. They aren't cruel, they're actually pretty humane, they feel the animals what they would be getting in the wild, they keep them in natural surroundings, For the most part they have more than one animal in each cage so they have companionship and can interact with other animals, I've even seen zoos that have more than one animal in some cages. Without zoos, a lot of these animals would've been dead years and years ago.
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Some people say i should be put in a zoo
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I'm not condemning all zoos and many of them are doing a great job in making the animals feel as close to home as possible but if you've traveled around the world like I have and seen some of the nasty conditions the animals have to live in you would say let them go.. and there aren't very many country's that control their zoos just the U.S. and western Europe have any laws on how to treat the animals
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forgot to add Canada and Australia they also have animal cruelty laws
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Myself personally like the zoos...and most zoos now are trying harder to provide the most natural habitat for its animals..and as someone said, it does provide some education for us...as well, without zoos i think there are many animals out there right now who would either be extinct or close to it...so it is preserving them in a sense...
Now having said that CIRCUS'S....
I hate them, have never been to one, will never go to one, will not allow my children to attend one!
Now having said that CIRCUS'S....
I hate them, have never been to one, will never go to one, will not allow my children to attend one!------ This thread is Archived ------
No need to wikked, just let them on the forums.
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Oh Cat.... must you even in your humour be so SUBLIME!!! 
must you even in your humour be so SUBLIME!!! ------ This thread is Archived ------
Now THAT cat, was priceless! You're right, we give the circus brothers a real run for their money, don't we!
I never meant to say that I hate zoos, I do enjoy them- provided its well done, I was "sad" (I don't even know if that's really the right word) cause of that poor lil fella who just looked (and sounded) like he wanted to get outta there...it left me feeling a little bit strange that's all.
I took the time to visit the site for the san diego zoo- that's one amazing place, and I'm soooo going to put it on my "must see" list!
now, as for you cran- you should be in a zoo, you're right, but you need "special rehabilitation" before I could even consider releasing you into the wild!
I never meant to say that I hate zoos, I do enjoy them- provided its well done, I was "sad" (I don't even know if that's really the right word) cause of that poor lil fella who just looked (and sounded) like he wanted to get outta there...it left me feeling a little bit strange that's all.
I took the time to visit the site for the san diego zoo- that's one amazing place, and I'm soooo going to put it on my "must see" list!
now, as for you cran- you should be in a zoo, you're right, but you need "special rehabilitation" before I could even consider releasing you into the wild!
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You are right about the San Diego Zoo.
Trying to keep the environment as close to the wild as possible for the animals.
lol
Cran, she is going to get you.
Trying to keep the environment as close to the wild as possible for the animals.
lol
Cran, she is going to get you.
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Ohhhh I have goosebumps from reading what you had to say. SO SAD! I've seen that too, with the elephants at the San Diego zoo where they are supposed to be so "happy" and for the most part, the smaller animals are. The elephants had chains around their ankles!
WORSE YET are the circuses where they are forced to submit to horrible tricks, standing on one leg for instance. I feel so very sad for animals that are locked behind bars. They really do need room.
Yet the controlled environments try their best to make things comfortable for the animals, it will never be like it should be.
Wild Animal Park did have miles and miles of open space for them to roam, the lucky ones that got put there.
I boycott the circus and would be first in line to picket them, but have never come across the opportunity.
Don't even get me started on bunnies locked in small wooden hutches their whole lives, or how they raise farm animals for butcher.
Thank you for starting this thread and causing people to think.
WORSE YET are the circuses where they are forced to submit to horrible tricks, standing on one leg for instance. I feel so very sad for animals that are locked behind bars. They really do need room.
Yet the controlled environments try their best to make things comfortable for the animals, it will never be like it should be.
Wild Animal Park did have miles and miles of open space for them to roam, the lucky ones that got put there.
I boycott the circus and would be first in line to picket them, but have never come across the opportunity.
Don't even get me started on bunnies locked in small wooden hutches their whole lives, or how they raise farm animals for butcher.
Thank you for starting this thread and causing people to think.
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