Feeling sad and the zoo

[DZ]

I am having a very hard time at the moment. I pay via my credit card usage into the Aspinal Foundation & sponsor several at risk animals.

I spend a lot of time in Afrika photographing conservation of anything from white lions to the San bushmen.

Now, some of my best photos are from zoos. I love the work they do to try and breed and save endangered species.

But my heart also sinks when I walk into one. I want to cry at the cheetah pacing up and down. The lynx that hides away or the poor wild dogs being teased by kids.

It’s like having a girlfriend that you love but she treats you like c**p.

My question:

Is there still a place for the zoo? At least ones open to the public. We are now in an age of web cams, BBC Hi Def and worldwide safari holidays.

Can I go to a zoo and feel good about it or will it always be a compromise?

[Hedge Witch]

I don't agree with Zoos, although I guess they are necessary for the endangered species.

Safari parks always seem to me to be a better option

[KeenTeen17]

I don't really think theres anything wrong with zoos. When you get a rescued animal who becomes too dependent on humans to cope, then its the only way it can survive. Animals have also been proven to live longer in zoos. Some species like a certain species of lion are extinct in the wild but are only alive in captivity. At least some of the species can survive and you can easily see them without fear of being eaten They are also havens of (I'll pose it off as a real species) photos

[zan]

I think there's definately a place for them as educational and conservation tools to preserve genetic diversity amongst rare animals, but I understand how they make you sad. I don't know what the answer is - funding and space will always be limiting, and teh public will always want to see the charismatic species, so they have to be provided to make money for the zoo and so on. I think things are definitely improving as far as enrichment programs go, which is great for some animals, but there are certainly some species that I think are very hard to justify keeping in captivity at the present moment (e.g. polar bears & whales to name a couple).

[ellen h]

Originally Posted by zan

I think there's definately a place for them as educational and conservation tools to preserve genetic diversity amongst rare animals, but I understand how they make you sad. I don't know what the answer is - funding and space will always be limiting, and teh public will always want to see the charismatic species, so they have to be provided to make money for the zoo and so on. I think things are definitely improving as far as enrichment programs go, which is great for some animals, but there are certainly some species that I think are very hard to justify keeping in captivity at the present moment (e.g. polar bears & whales to name a couple).

I agree Ron,
The aim of modern zoos are to re-introduce the animals bred back to the wild-if their habitats are safe.Where zoos were once a place to gawp at exotic animals they are becoming major breeding centres to enable species to carry on......what is the alternative,to just let the amur tiger,gorillas and the like become extinct,through our interference in the first place??

[BloomingMarvellous]

I visited a Zoo in Spain a few years ago and It wasn't the animals that upset me It was other visitors. Everywhere you looked there we're friendly messages reminding people not to feed the animals, we came across people throwing the Chimps Chips.


Now I've got my 30% discount rail card I'm thinking of returning to London Zoo after 35 years, I went with the school as an 11 year old and I had such a wonderful time. I know I'm not going to see Monkey's tea party's or get a ride on the Camels back, but whatever I see whether it be pleasing or upsetting I know the fee that I pay will go towards the well being of the animals.

[DZ]

I think zoos should concentrate on breeding and reintroducing endangered animals. They should be 'teaching' centres and aim to educate not just allow people to roam around eating chips etc.

You should go to a zoo to learn, not just from a printed board outside a cage but from an expert.

We need to think about what the animals need, not us. They may need saving so we should save them. They may need a breeding program so let’s breed and reintroduce them .... but

let’s not throw chips at them or have kids running and screaming around.

I am not a mister unhappy or spoiling it for the kids. However, we MUST find a way that is less disturbing, depressing and distasteful.

I have 2 children and have taken them to the zoo. I also took them to the Namib Desert, Cape Town etc.

They much preferred the animals in their natural environment where we were the guests and the animals looked at us :-)

I am aware of the eco-tourism aspect of 'going and seeing' for real ... but ... there must be a better way.

Sky & BBC HD TV maybe?

I dont have answers only lots of questions ...... this is an issue we all have to solve, not just zoos but also illegal trading and bushmeat trade.

How on earth did we get people on the moon.

[agrumpycow]

I visite Monkey World in Dorset yesterday. Now I'm not a big fan of zoos but this one is mainly a rescue centre for primates which have been through terrible experiences. Each primates history is displayed and is heartbreaking. The second chance at life they have is great and the centre do so much work bringing them back to health & ensuring they are happy.
It is what I think a zoo should be; a centre for rehabilitating or conservation rather than a series of animals on 'display' for us to gawp at!

[DZ]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I don't really think theres anything wrong with zoos. When you get a rescued animal who becomes too dependent on humans to cope, then its the only way it can survive. Animals have also been proven to live longer in zoos. Some species like a certain species of lion are extinct in the wild but are only alive in captivity. At least some of the species can survive and you can easily see them without fear of being eaten They are also havens of (I'll pose it off as a real species) photos

I understand this aspect of zoos and that’s the upside ... but ... I think I would feel better if it was more like Hedge Witch said, they should be like safari parks then prisons.

Who would want to live longer locked up? Maybe zoos should be for the 'smaller' animals .... petting type stuff. The larger ones should be in safari parks, released back or ..... and I hate saying this .... put down.

I would be fine with this if zoos didn’t feel so ....... repressive

[Beekeeper]

I really think that zoo's are past their sell by date now, apart from conservation of endangered species their usefulness is limited as you can see almost any animal you wish via the television nature films which always seem to be in abundance these days.

BK