ChaoticMusings

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Is it time we did away with zoos?

Magica · Still Here!

Syl wrote:
To have whales, dolphins, seals and so on, trapped in pools, performing, is tragic.

I have swam and scuba dived with dolphins in the red sea in Israel. They are protected not captive and choose whether to swim with you or not, they certainly don't perform tricks.

I have always wanted.to do that Syl, lucky you.

Yes they belong in oceans, not swimming pools. They swim for.miles in the sea. In swimming pools they swim round and round like goldfish in a bowl. Disgusting!

Maddog · Still Here!

Digger wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Well, given that research is showing that up to 80% of animals in zoos show signs of psychosis, I would say if they had the choice, they would choose....FREEDOM.
I would question that research. It might be true, but it could also be propaganda by people with an agenda.

Also, I think most animals will choose freedom. How many horses would stick around without fences? What animals choose isn't always what's best for their health. That's one of the first things you have to do when you get a dog. Teach them to look to you for decisions. You don't let them decide who to bite or if they can run loose in the street.

On related note, Mamdani just banned horse drawn carriages in NYC. They call it progress..🤷
it's a fact that killer whales go mental in captivity and they have shorter lives.

Yes, killer whales seem to be an outlier in terms of captivity. I'm sure there are other animals too. I would imagine the size of the environment and the size of the animal matters. Birds seem to do OK with being captive in small spaces.

Maddog · Still Here!

Digger wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Digger wrote:
Maddog wrote:
I'm going to the zoo in an hour with 4 grandkids. I'm not really into zoos, but they are. The animals are well taken care of. I'll admit their life is unlike that of a wild animal. Better in some ways, worse in others.

Let's take horses in America. Wild horses out west live 10 years less than a horse living on 2 acres in Texas. And it's death is far more gruesome. The "natural" world sounds great in a movie. It's brutal, violent and a daily fight for survival.

Also, I don't think many zoo animals ever lived in the wild..They are offspring of other zoo animals. They don't know how to live in the wild and wouldn't last longer than a beagle dropped off in a national forest in Colorado..
Would you rather live a short fulfilled free life or ten years longer in a cage?
That's a good question. I think most people voluntarily give up a lot of freedoms for security and comfort. Especially as they get older.
No. What happens is you have no choice but to attend to your limitations. That's not a voluntary thing. Unless of course you're an utter moron or have mental health issues.

Sure it's voluntary. It also adds years to your life in exchange for letting nature take its course..

Maddog · Still Here!

Syl wrote:
To have whales, dolphins, seals and so on, trapped in pools, performing, is tragic.

I have swam and scuba dived with dolphins in the red sea in Israel. They are protected not captive and choose whether to swim with you or not, they certainly don't perform tricks.

I have fished near dolphins. Damn things murder the fish I'm trying to murder. And far more effectively I might add.

It's actually impressive watching them..