I used to go sit at the zoo, some weeks every single day just to watch them. And visit the otters, of course!
There are two, they are brothers. Really laid back fellows who would probably eat you if given the chance and the hunger. I just once wanted to see them catch a fish in their enclosure. I saw them et their lunch, go for a swim, play a bit in the water. Occasionally eye a seagull who was there to steal their snacks. Over the weeks the fish number would start to dwindle and then there would be just a bunch off tiny fish that either were not enough of a snack to appeal to them so they let them be for far too long. I quit going to the zoo as often when the weather turned too cold. And then I moved away. I miss my bears….and otters.
Today, I see this!!
[media=https://tiktok.com/7363243756964908331]
Granted my enthusiasm would have been met with the sad eyes of children and maybe even the angry eyes of their parents. I bet they would never invite me to another birthday party again. Still, worth it. Poor kids.
There's a zoo near me that recuses local animals, and releases them if they're strong enough, and houses others that wouldn't be able to survive in the wild. That's a zoo I can get behind. But most big zoos are driven by money. The line is "education" but come on. People don't go to zoos to be educated. It's entertainment. I had a buddy who worked at the LA Zoo so I had a chance to go behind the scenes. I'll never go to a zoo like that again and I wouldn't be upset if they were banned. But I do think some visit because they have a real respect and love for animals. But they still need to get past their living conditions.
@nonsensiclesnail Yeah. The animals that need miles and miles of habitat to roam just can't be in cages. The zoo I mentioned near me has a couple of mountain lions and snow leopards. They all have health conditions. A few are blind. And all they do is pace back and forth. It's really hard to watch but the option would be euthanasia. Some animals can adapt decently but others can't. Cats can't.
@DeWayfarer Oh absolutely!! I loved going to the zoo, but Im not a fan of zoos in general. I do hear the problem in that. When the internet is rehabilitation and release, thats wonderful. But otherwise its. a bit cruel to take these animals out of their natural habitats and make them show ponies. still, they had elephants for a time and in talking to their keepers about them, many of them were rescues out of tough situations. The Thai elephant never stopped dancing. Even in her sleep, she danced, but they did not know her back story as to why. She later died in an Ohio zoo after the woodland zoo got rid of their elephants, and I'm not so sure it was from old age, and I don't mean to imply mistreatment. She had a shortened life span because of captivity really. She was a sweet thing.
@UnderLockDown Oh, I agree. But why did the momma Duck choose the bears when the otters are right there, in the next enclosure over? Or any other water exhibit in the entire place!! so maybe it was her gift to a hungry bear that just wanted to feel wild for a moment.
