Shamu drags trainer underwater....

[_Bella_]

Well if it were not, they would leave. Are your really going to compare two cats and a dog to Gorillas boxed in with 2 way glass during the day and caged at night? Or KW's and dolphins penned into cement pools not much bigger than themselves. Lets talk about Great Whites. Seems everyone they have scooped up from the ocean and put in a tank out her in Ca has died. Go figure.

Now I am not saying we should take all these animals and just set them free in the wild. I just think they should stop catching them for display and shows.

Just as you've brought a broad comparison to your argument realise that there are also a wide range of zoos from boxes to acres of land. At the same time there are also whole parks dedicated to rescue of animals which have been injured. My point is, not all zoos or parks are necessarily jail like for the animals, and just as you assume your pets are content, in the right environment with the proper treatment larger animals can also be content in the habitats created for them.

 

[erparamedic]

I would think we have learned more from animals by observing them in the wild than we could ever have learned from them in captivity. I know I have. I don't mean just by diving but from educational shows.

I agree with that to an extent... and where that stops, is where the zoos etc pick up. Not everyone can afford to take a safari thru Africa or spend a week+ in the Australian outback. That's where the zoos and such can research and educate the general public. People that work in zoos aren't just "stuck" in the zoo. They actually do travel to the far off destinations to learn about the animals in their natural habitat. Many zoos/marine parks DO TRY to emulate, to the best of their ability, the habitat in which the animals live. I have soooo many examples, but listing them would take lots of time.

By the way... I do respect your point of view.... I just don't necessarily agree with all parts of it.

 

[erparamedic]

Just as you've brought a broad comparison to your argument realise that there are also a wide range of zoos from boxes to acres of land. At the same time there are also whole parks dedicated to rescue of animals which have been injured. My point is, not all zoos or parks are necessarily jail like for the animals, and just as you assume your pets are content, in the right environment with the proper treatment larger animals can also be content in the habitats created for them.

Well said!

 

[CBulla]

A shame I can't recreate a beach like 'habitat' around my desk so I feel like I'm more at home.

 

[sharkattack]

Just as you've brought a broad comparison to your argument realise that there are also a wide range of zoos from boxes to acres of land. At the same time there are also whole parks dedicated to rescue of animals which have been injured. My point is, not all zoos or parks are necessarily jail like for the animals, and just as you assume your pets are content, in the right environment with the proper treatment larger animals can also be content in the habitats created for them.

We are not talking about perserves in Africa. I am taling about your run of the mill City Zoo. The San Francisco Zoo, The Zoo in Philly Pa, even the San Diego Zoo. I have issue with those places. Oh and Marine World in Vallejo Ca. I am also not refering to Rescue places.

Still not sure how cats and dogs come into this

 

[erparamedic]

A shame I can't recreate a beach like 'habitat' around my desk so I feel like I'm more at home.

Ah, but you can! Let your creativity flow forth and create that haven!

 

[erparamedic]

I should also mention that zoos and marine mammal parks are creating ways to artificially inseminate animals to help with the dwindling populations. Our zoo in Indy has had 4 successful elephant births due to artificial insemination. Programs like these could have a huge impact on endangered animals and such. All this is funded by the $$ that these places bring in.

 

[sharkattack]

I should also mention that zoos and marine mammal parks are creating ways to artificially inseminate animals to help with the dwindling populations. Our zoo in Indy has had 4 successful elephant births due to artificial insemination. Programs like these could have a huge impact on endangered animals and such. All this is funded by the $$ that these places bring in.

Save the Elephants

 

[erparamedic]

Save the Elephants

I was hoping that people would understand that these programs that currently help the elephants, can, and hopefully will, be expanded to help with other animals and marine life. If I'm not mistaken... I believe it's also being used for the endangered Panda populations. Soon, if not already, these programs will be in place for dwindling numbers of marine mammals.

Marine parks and zoos definitely have their place.

 

[_Bella_]

We are not talking about perserves in Africa. I am taling about your run of the mill City Zoo. The San Francisco Zoo, The Zoo in Philly Pa, even the San Diego Zoo. I have issue with those places. Oh and Marine World in Vallejo Ca. I am also not refering to Rescue places.

Still not sure how cats and dogs come into this

Cats and dogs are ultimately animals. We don't know any more about how they feel about their life than we know about how gorillas feel about life in a zoo habitat. We assume that because they wag their tails or purr they must be content. There are plenty of animals in zoos that exhibit no stress behaviours in their enclosures. Perhaps because they have adapted to their environment and are content?
I do agree with you that not all animals can survive (or belong) in an enclosure.
Still, I'd rather take a kid through a nice animal park (yeah they exist outside of africa) than sit them in front of the television.