Aherm. You'll have to excuse me, but as someone who has a degree in Zoo Animal Tech and was a zookeeper for nearly 10 years, I can't not comment on this post.
The benefit of zoos and aquariums (where most of the animals are captive bred, BTW, and would probably kick the bucket within a WEEK if they got dumped out in the wild somewhere) is A) preserving and maintaining rare and endangered species to, you know, keep them from vanishing off the face of the planet and B) educating people about them, where they live, what issues they face, and how we can help preserve their wild relatives for future generations. They raise public concern and awareness, sponsor and fund wildlife rehab and conservation and eco-preservation , and provide a place for families to be together and learn things.
Some of the species that exist in zoos would not exist anymore at all if, somewhere along the line, someone hadn't thought to remove them from their central group.
Hey there You make a good point, and I agree with you that most zoos nowadays do admirable and very necessary conservation and education work and it's a good job we have them.
The point I was trying to make (clearly not very well) by saying I wouldn't keep them in captivity unless there was a benefit is not that I would release them, but that because the majority of endangered species are in trouble due to the human races' stupid carelessness, in an ideal world we would treat them with due respect and there wouldn't be a need for zoos and animals could all live in their wild habitat as nature intended without the need for being rescued!
Comments 2
The benefit of zoos and aquariums (where most of the animals are captive bred, BTW, and would probably kick the bucket within a WEEK if they got dumped out in the wild somewhere) is A) preserving and maintaining rare and endangered species to, you know, keep them from vanishing off the face of the planet and B) educating people about them, where they live, what issues they face, and how we can help preserve their wild relatives for future generations. They raise public concern and awareness, sponsor and fund wildlife rehab and conservation and eco-preservation , and provide a place for families to be together and learn things.
Some of the species that exist in zoos would not exist anymore at all if, somewhere along the line, someone hadn't thought to remove them from their central group.
Food for thought. :)
Reply
You make a good point, and I agree with you that most zoos nowadays do admirable and very necessary conservation and education work and it's a good job we have them.
The point I was trying to make (clearly not very well) by saying I wouldn't keep them in captivity unless there was a benefit is not that I would release them, but that because the majority of endangered species are in trouble due to the human races' stupid carelessness, in an ideal world we would treat them with due respect and there wouldn't be a need for zoos and animals could all live in their wild habitat as nature intended without the need for being rescued!
Keep up the good work :)
x
Reply
Leave a comment