Slog Comments
Overrated, Underrated, or Rated: Zoos
1
I voted "rated". Being at a zoo is exciting, kind of like being at a theme park. But I don't get sad all the time at a theme park.
2
Underrated, and here's why: for the rarer species--Gorillas and Pandas, as examples--they allow a subsidized and decentralized way to hopefully raise the population and numbers and scientifically (hopefully) diversify the gene pool of those species. Hopefully.
At the same time, you expose people to what's out there. A lot of people will never go more than another time zone from their home, IF that. Seeing what's out there and teaching them in a quality zoo that isn't just "gawking at the ape", if it even motivates 1% of 1% of visitors to give to either a rescue org or the zoo, or 1% of 1% of 1% to actually do something big...
...its worth it, I'd say.
At the same time, you expose people to what's out there. A lot of people will never go more than another time zone from their home, IF that. Seeing what's out there and teaching them in a quality zoo that isn't just "gawking at the ape", if it even motivates 1% of 1% of visitors to give to either a rescue org or the zoo, or 1% of 1% of 1% to actually do something big...
...its worth it, I'd say.
4
As an adult, they make me sad. They are like prisons for animals that should live free in the wild. Overrated.
As a kid, I thought they were the coolest place in the city. My nephews have the same reaction. Underrated.
As a kid, I thought they were the coolest place in the city. My nephews have the same reaction. Underrated.
5
Woodland Park Zoo is a really nice zoo. The exhibits are very well designed to work with the natural landscape.
6
Zoos are the insurance policy for large endangered animals if humans continue our scorched earth policy toward the Earth.
7
Seriously, fuck zoos. Animals are only good for one thing: Shoot 'em and eat 'em. (It's OK to mount their head and put it on the wall, though.)
9
They make us think we can actually save a species of animal while we destroy their habitats all over the planet. You can't return these creatures to their homes. It doesn't work that way. They will spend their lives being milked for seed and applause. Then they will be euthanized.
11
My husband is from Omaha and whenever we make the trip out to visit his family we go to the zoo. The thing is huge and amazing. Thee meerkat exhibit kind of sucks, but all the rest are great. Yes, zoos are prisons in a sense, but plenty of species would be extinct if not for captive breeding programs so I'm on the fence about that. But to have 2 days worth or entertainment for your kids in one place is very cool. I highly recommend that anyone who finds themselves in fly-over country stop at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. They even have naked mole rats, and how often do you get to see naked mole rats?
12
We should all live free in the wild, but some people are so lazy they like others to feed and shelter them. Animals are not like that, but since some humans (NOT "we") destroy habitat (NOT "natural resources") it therefore falls on the shoulders of the righteous to do what can be done to save the animals for the time when their habitat (NOT our "natural resources") will be restored. A Zoo is a bank, an ark of refuge, a safe haven from poachers, a place of sanctuary.
13
Zoos make me sad but now that I have kids I've compromised and will take them to certified zoos. No the the Abbotsford Animal Gulag but yes to the Vancouver Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo.
16
The most important point to be made about zoos is that the world itself is inside-out: through habitat destruction and fragmentation, "free-living" animals are actually in shrinking cages that are losing diversity and support capacity every day, and they are subject to diseases, predation (including poaching), and starvation such as they have likely never known in their whole evolutionary history.
Meanwhile, in the last century, zoos have by-and-large evolved from disreputable places of disease and misery staffed by uncaring morons, into havens doing major conservation, education, and re-introduction into protected habitats, staffed by passionate people with specialized degrees who had to fight their way in against the competition.
Even small zoos have areas of expertise and specialization, and most zoos belong to multiple national and international organizations and consortia that help maintain genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species, support both field and laboratory research, and lobby for protection of the remaining natural environment.
Sadness when visiting a zoo, while understandable and a credit to your human capacity for empathy, is a useless indulgence. When you feel your heartstrings being tugged, make a silent promise to learn more about the animals and places that appeal to you, support the work of a conservation organization (it doesn't have to be a zoo), and live more simply.
Meanwhile, in the last century, zoos have by-and-large evolved from disreputable places of disease and misery staffed by uncaring morons, into havens doing major conservation, education, and re-introduction into protected habitats, staffed by passionate people with specialized degrees who had to fight their way in against the competition.
Even small zoos have areas of expertise and specialization, and most zoos belong to multiple national and international organizations and consortia that help maintain genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species, support both field and laboratory research, and lobby for protection of the remaining natural environment.
Sadness when visiting a zoo, while understandable and a credit to your human capacity for empathy, is a useless indulgence. When you feel your heartstrings being tugged, make a silent promise to learn more about the animals and places that appeal to you, support the work of a conservation organization (it doesn't have to be a zoo), and live more simply.
17
Going on safari in a place where the lion can walk through your campsite and have you for breakfast is a much better experience than going to a zoo which is just a place to put animals in cages and pretend that we (humans) can outdo nature.
18
living genetic museums in a lot of cases, pretty important. the most underrated though? the night exhibit at woodland park - it's gone! fruit bats and tawny frogmouths and slow lorises. i know they moved many of the animals to other exhibits but i loved that place : (
20
Underrated! Y'all who see zoos as prisons fro animals who should be free in the wild suffer from a tragically naïve tendency towards anthropomorphism.
True, zoos don't represent the ideal. Most zoo animals spend too much of their time in too little space, stressed out by being too close to humans. Everything has a price.
And it still doesn't change the fact that any animal in captivity lives a longer, healthier, less painful, and for the most part happier life than one who's left to the tender mercies of dear sweet mother nature.
How else can we average jerks unable to afford a safari commune with our animal friends? If not for zoos, I'd never get to draw tigers from life.
True, zoos don't represent the ideal. Most zoo animals spend too much of their time in too little space, stressed out by being too close to humans. Everything has a price.
And it still doesn't change the fact that any animal in captivity lives a longer, healthier, less painful, and for the most part happier life than one who's left to the tender mercies of dear sweet mother nature.
How else can we average jerks unable to afford a safari commune with our animal friends? If not for zoos, I'd never get to draw tigers from life.
21
Overrated. I can't remember one trip to a zoo where a good portion of the animals I want to see are being lazy ass dicks and hiding in their caves.
Exception how ever are Aquariums. Fucking love those places, I want to live in one.
Exception how ever are Aquariums. Fucking love those places, I want to live in one.
22
It really depends on the zoo. The Woodland Park Zoo is pretty great. Possibly the best zoo I've been to in the country. I've been to some pretty sad and EXTREMELY depressing zoos. I'm with #2 though, on the whole.
23
Disney's Animal Kingdom is an awesome zoo. I love feeding and watching people.
I also like the Woodland Park Zoo. Nice place for people to see live animals that they would never get to see in the wild.
I also like the Woodland Park Zoo. Nice place for people to see live animals that they would never get to see in the wild.
24
@20 - please check your research a bit. While some animals (like apes) do generally live longer in the protected environment of a zoo, others (like elephants) pine for their family groups and ability to engage in natural habits like roaming over large stretches. Elephants in particular have their life spans cut by more than half in captivity.
I agree with many of the posters above: I am thankful that good zoos exist to allow protection for many species and allow my kids and I to see these wonderful animals in person, at the same time I am always saddened to see any animal forever caged. One of the first things my children learned is "nobody likes to be in a cage". The newer zoo "environments" address this somewhat, but I have yet to see a zoo environment that really lets the animals have enough room to run. If they did, the animals would likely always be hiding from the zoo patrons!
If you find the animals are frequently hiding or just lazing about, see if your local zoo has a twilight session, or go when it is overcast (even a little rainy). I've found the animals much more active at these times.
I agree with many of the posters above: I am thankful that good zoos exist to allow protection for many species and allow my kids and I to see these wonderful animals in person, at the same time I am always saddened to see any animal forever caged. One of the first things my children learned is "nobody likes to be in a cage". The newer zoo "environments" address this somewhat, but I have yet to see a zoo environment that really lets the animals have enough room to run. If they did, the animals would likely always be hiding from the zoo patrons!
If you find the animals are frequently hiding or just lazing about, see if your local zoo has a twilight session, or go when it is overcast (even a little rainy). I've found the animals much more active at these times.
25
I live in San Francisco where we don't bother to cage the tigers. We just let them roam free and periodically eat zoo visitors.
26
I thought zoos were overrated until I went to the San Diego zoo. I totally love that place and respect their ideology. So, I just put "rated" because some zoos are so awful but others are truly fabulous.
27
Woodland Park Zoo has been on a serious downward slide ever since they decided to start emphasizing capital expenditure over the animals themselves. The jaguar exhibit, for instance, is all about the artistry of concrete painters, not the animals, whom you rarely see (and who don't care about the fake vines and stuff).
More recently the opening of another several acres of concrete plaza, dubbed the "Bank of America Commons", at the same time as they closed their famous and unique day and night exhibit, shows where their priorities lie. Corporate sponsorship means money -- but money for what? A bigger and better gift shop.
More recently the opening of another several acres of concrete plaza, dubbed the "Bank of America Commons", at the same time as they closed their famous and unique day and night exhibit, shows where their priorities lie. Corporate sponsorship means money -- but money for what? A bigger and better gift shop.
29
"Going on safari in a place where the lion can walk through your campsite and have you for breakfast is a much better experience than going to a zoo which is just a place to put animals in cages and pretend that we (humans) can outdo nature."'
Well i suggest you go tell that to all those ghetto kids they bus up to Woodland Park Zoo every week so they can run around screaming and generally behaving worse than the masturbating apes.
" A bigger and better gift shop."
Which means more money for the zoo. What would you prefer Fnarf, people enter the zoo and wade through a muddy, croc-filled watering hole? the new entrance is great and the zoo has close ONE exhibit. That's right ONE.
BTW, you seem like a smart guy, you know when corporations offer free money they get to say where it goes, right?
Well i suggest you go tell that to all those ghetto kids they bus up to Woodland Park Zoo every week so they can run around screaming and generally behaving worse than the masturbating apes.
" A bigger and better gift shop."
Which means more money for the zoo. What would you prefer Fnarf, people enter the zoo and wade through a muddy, croc-filled watering hole? the new entrance is great and the zoo has close ONE exhibit. That's right ONE.
BTW, you seem like a smart guy, you know when corporations offer free money they get to say where it goes, right?
30
I went to the zoo with my cousin when I was like 15 and she was 13. We were walking around, and suddenly we came upon the rhino exhibit. The albino rhino, appeared to have a 5th leg. Once my cousin realized what it was, I tortured her with the thought of it for the next 7 years. BIG FLOPPY RHINO DICK!
That said, seeing animals locked up makes me sad. so I voted rated. I'm quite surprised to see how even the poll is right now. Who'd thunk it?
That said, seeing animals locked up makes me sad. so I voted rated. I'm quite surprised to see how even the poll is right now. Who'd thunk it?
31
The animals are usually listless and depressed. Jail for animals. Yuck. Waaay overrated. Though I understand wanting to show animals to children/adults that otherwise would never get to see them. But now we have youtube!!!
32
I voted "over-rated," as in, people over-rate the need to have zoos at all. Zoos are cruel. They are cruel prisons which deprive animals of normal natural healthy lives in their natural habitat. People use excuses like, it's to prevent extinction, but if an animal needs to be incarcerated and force bred in order to keep its brethren from dying out, then I suggest it's already too late. What gives us humans the right to keep animals alive in these sick conditions. Zoos are wrong. they will one day be criminalised the way that animal circus performances are now banned in some countries.
33
@28 - Agree that this is a fabulous Slog poll, with balanced voting and thoughtful comments. Way to go Slog-ites.
I think zoos are "rated" - a crucible of science and sociology, a guilty pleasure and an horrific reminder of the unatural dominance of one species over all others. And the babies are very cute.
I think zoos are "rated" - a crucible of science and sociology, a guilty pleasure and an horrific reminder of the unatural dominance of one species over all others. And the babies are very cute.
37
I spent half the weekends of my tender youth in the National Zoo in DC. Huge, educational and free, like many other of the DC Smithsonian institutions. Doubtless I learned far more from the magnificent animals in there than the average DC public school student.
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