Topic: Zoo Photos

[Yvonne]

Had a day at the Zoo on Friday,

disappointed I couldn't get closer to the wildlife for the photos,  ...............

see them here ......



http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/ymfoster/Melbourne%20Zoo%202010/

[Babs]

Some nice pics, Yvonne. I really like that butterfly... unusual.   

[Langston]

Thanks,  Yvonne. I enjoyed that tour.

[Yvonne]

Some nice pics, Yvonne. I really like that butterfly... unusual.    

Thanks Babs,  

More zoo butterflies here ......

http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&safe=off&biw=1020&bih=563&q=melbourne+zoo+%2B+butterfly+house&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=74DrTKvKD47fcduTwKYP&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CD4QsAQwAg

Thanks,  Yvonne. I enjoyed that tour.

Glad you enjoyed them John, 

[Babs]

Thanks Babs,  

More zoo butterflies here ......

http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&safe=off&biw=1020&bih=563&q=melbourne+zoo+%2B+butterfly+house&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=74DrTKvKD47fcduTwKYP&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CD4QsAQwAg

Wow... A lot more variety than they have here. Thanks for that.   

[Yvonne]

They're beatiful creatures for sure 

[Ray]

Thanks for those phots, and I know zoos have changed beyond recognition over the years, and I know they do a lot to help preserve some species, and even help introduce some endangered species back into the wild, but, I have some concerns over some zoos.

At an extreme level ( and am not comparing this to most zoos ) I get a bit distressed seeing a bird in a little cage, but then again I am a bit of a woos.  

 

ps. I am not for a minute including Melbourne Zoo in this. 

[richard]

Thanks for those phots, and I know zoos have changed beyond recognition over the years, and I know they do a lot to help preserve some species, and even help introduce some endangered species back into the wild, but, I have some concerns over some zoos.

I think you'll find several people here in agreement Ray... it distresses me to see animals that are clearly stir-crazy from their confinement, and even some of the better zoos like Bristol have occasional problems that way - the desert cats in particular are a pitiful sight... although, as they're rather old now I suspect the damage was done many years ago in less enlightened times and now they'd be terrified by the large open spaces most of the animals have available.

I'd much rather see the natural environments preserved - but again in many cases the damage is already done and there's no suitable habitat left that isn't fubar. 

[Yvonne]

I understand your feelings Ray, I feel sorry for anything in small cages that can't run or fly free, even aviaries are quite limiting.

Our Zoo is always making larger enclosures with more natural habitats every year, the Baboons will have their own island & moat soon with trapeezes etc. like the bigger primates.

They also have programmes to donate to saving animals' habitats under threat.

Zoo's aren't ideal, but they do get people interested in fighting for those animals still in the wild, & also educating the children about them. 

[richard]

Zoo's aren't ideal, but they do get people interested in fighting for those animals still in the wild, & also educating the children about them. 

Which is precisely why I'm not one of the ones shouting loudly to close them all down... as you say, they're not ideal - or anything like it - but they do fuel interest in people who are still young enough to go do something constructive about the plight of endangered species... and that's enough (for me, at least) to counterbalance the problems.

[Ray]

I understand your feelings Ray, I feel sorry for anything in small cages that can't run or fly free, even aviaries are quite limiting.

Our Zoo is always making larger enclosures with more natural habitats every year, the Baboons will have their own island & moat soon with trapeezes etc. like the bigger primates.

They also have programmes to donate to saving animals' habitats under threat.

Zoo's aren't ideal, but they do get people interested in fighting for those animals still in the wild, & also educating the children about them. 

I couldn't agree more with you Yvonne . 

[Langston]

I'm mostly with you on this one, Ray.

However, there are no zoo cages I know of as cruel as most bird cages that I've seen in people's front rooms. You know, the one with the budgie(s) in.... They are horrid cages. Seriously horrid cages.

[richard]

However, there are no zoo cages I know of as cruel as most bird cages that I've seen in people's front rooms. You know, the one with the budgie(s) in.... They are horrid cages. Seriously horrid cages.

Very much agreed...

[Langston]

Sympathy

  I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
    When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
  When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
  And the river flows like a stream of glass;
    When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
  And the faint perfume from its chalice steals--
  I know what the caged bird feels!

  I know why the caged bird beats his wing
    Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
  For he must fly back to his perch and cling
  When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
    And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
  And they pulse again with a keener sting--
  I know why he beats his wing!

  I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
    When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,--
  When he beats his bars and he would be free;
  It is not a carol of joy or glee,
    But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,
  But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings--
  I know why the caged bird sings!


Paul Laurence Dunbar.

[Ray]

I'm mostly with you on this one, Ray.

However, there are no zoo cages I know of as cruel as most bird cages that I've seen in people's front rooms. You know, the one with the budgie(s) in.... They are horrid cages. Seriously horrid cages.

True

They were the ones I was particularly thinking of mate,

  

[Yvonne]

Very sad poem John, 


I was saddened at the Zoo when I saw the Tawny Frogmouth (owl) in a very large enclosure on his own, & perched on top of it on the outside was another one snoozing, 

I asked one of the keepers if they knew it was there, & he said it visits every day, ..... I wish they'd let them be together one way or the other. 


One good thing that has evolved from the species in captivity is that they have some breeding stock for all those that are interbreeding from smaller habitat can have some fresh genes introduced.