I really hope these people are sterile.
Herpderpedia, A Collection of Tweets by People Freaking Out About Wikipedia’s SOPA & PIPA Blackout
The Zoo
I saw an article that stated the Denver Zoo is raising ticket prices. It occurred to me how much I dislike zoos. I don’t like seeing animals in cages. Especially the larger pack animals like elephants, hippos, and lions. These animals will invariably not have adequate space to live. The circus is even worse plus the whole having to do tricks thing.
I went to the renaissance fair once and there was a small circle maybe 500sq ft where there were 3 elephants giving rides to children in a circle for however long the fair was open. I doubt the elephants were giving adequate quarters after the fair closed. So, I won’t be going to any renaissance fairs again.
Something about the whole thing seems amoral and unethical. At the very least, it makes me uncomfortable to see animals sitting around looking miserable. Now I’m sure most adapt because they get feed and laid on a regular basis, and I’m willing to bet if people were put in the same position they would adapt and be okay, maybe a little nutty but okay.
Zoos claim to be doing research in animal behavior and physiology. This may be true but they are put on display and gawked at all day. This will change the animals’ behavior so any data that is collected is irrelevant. Being cooped up in a confined space all day will change the physiology so that data is irrelevant.
Some zoos have breeding programs for critically endangered and possibly extinct animals. If a few animals have to suffer for the betterment and survival of the species, I can accept that. But it still doesn’t feel right. If people stopped messing with the native habitats, the animals wouldn’t be endangered in the first place and would probably recover.
Now I know I’m a hypocrite because I eat meat, a lot of meat, mostly meat actually. Whenever I can I buy free range, but that is not always possible. I also doubt the slaughters are any better than those given to the non-free range. I can live with my hypocrisy because chickens and cows and pigs all have the genetic code of assholishness. If you don’t believe me go find a feral pig or cow or chicken and let me know how fast you got killed or had your eyes gouged out.
