Time to stop using animals as entertainment

It's kind of a double-edged sword. A lot of these places (especially zoos) have in place breeding programs to try to help endangered wildlife populations. A number of endangered species' continued existence relies on such programs. Like Gem pointed out, there are also a lot of rescue and conservation efforts made by such places. A lot of the animals in these places will live longer and healthier lives (threats removed) than their wild counterparts... heck, they receive better medical care than most humans. In order to do many of the positive things that these places do, they need to make money... somehow.

How many children do you think these places have inspired to grow up to be veterinarians, biologists (marine and other), animals rescue workers, conservationists, and so on? A lot, probably. I know that after a visit to one of these places as a young child, I went on (later in life) to volunteer at a chimp sanctuary. I worked with chimps that were involved in HIV research. I later moved to a local cat shelter and again worked with cats who were involved in HIV research. This place was a huge sanctuary for cats infected with FIV. Most places immediately destroy cats infected with FIV because no one will adopt them. I even adopted a kitten who was born at the shelter... and yes, he was born with FIV. He's 3 now and doing amazing.

So, you see, there are a lot of good things that come out of places like these. Of course, there are places that don't treat the animals well... they neglect and/or abuse... these places should be shut down... I don't think anyone would argue with that. But there are good ones out there, a lot of them, that are filled with people who love animals and treat the animals very well.

Originally Posted by Quintessence

And there speaks someone who is so arrogantly self-righteous that he feels the need to be condescending towards anyone else with a different opinion. *rolls eyes*

Sorry, I'm not usually so blunt, but that was kind of rude. I'm not asking for agreement. I like to present different perspectives to get people to consider and understand vantage points other than their own. There's another side of the story here that begged to be told, so I told it.

And you told from a view of not a great deal of understanding. Sorry if it came over as arrogant. Self righteous, yep because I know what I'm on about.

G

Originally Posted by Chrysaetos

If the animals is treated and fed well I don't see an issue.

When I was a little kid it was partly the zoos that increased my interest in the natural world. Some species are also kept alive because of zoos.
So yeah, good or bad? It depends on how they are treated. Circuses are usually bad.

I agree. We used to frequent the zoos when I was a little child. Then I took Environmental Biology in Uni. Can't blame them for asking for money, where else would they get the funds to keep them alive? Not all are good, and not all are bad.

[Chrysaetos]

And those same people who got an interest in the natural world thanks to zoos can very well grow up to be environmentalists, biologists, zoo workers etc. and they are the ones that can change the zoos from within.

Not every zoo these days is about small cages. There are 'luxurious' zoos these days where the animals have proper space and no lack of food. One of the most popular zoos in my country has all kinds of eco domes and a large 'safari' style park. This was unthinkable 100 years ago. I'd say look at the bad aspects of zoos and animal entertainment and try to change that but also acknowledge the good examples.

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Native spirit

Im afraid that the animals well being arent been met by sea world,why capture animals to perform just to make money thats why.thats what it comes down to,i agree its wrong and inhumane,

Namaste

And the people who pay money to go and watch are just as guilty!

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Quintessence

Exploitation?

Are we forgetting about the thousands upon thousands of children who develop a love of the natural world by viewing these kinds of things? The positive inspiration it brings? The ones among them who grow up to become defenders of Gaea?

Weigh the good with the bad, folks. Provided the creatures are treated well, the bad paid is minuscule compared to the respect for the wonders of Gaea it instills in the hearts of humans. Especially in this day and age when people are pathologically detached from the nonhuman world. The awareness is worth the price tag. Having an experience at a zoo or botanical garden can make or break someone caring or not caring about the rest of the world.

With that warped logic maybe we should revive the Victorian freak shows and put mentally disabled people and people with deformities on public display in the hope that it might inspire a few people to become specialist nurses!

David Attenborough has 'positively inspired' tens of millions of people without killing, harming or imprisoning a single living creature.

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Gem

I think you'll find that joints like sea world do a lot of animal rescue... and conservation.

http://www.seaworld.com.au/research-and-rescue/marine-rescue-team.aspx

Oh, so that's okay then!

Seaworld's own website, bigging up Seaworld and saying what great work Seaworld do...No chance of any bias!
Do they show up as 'eco heroes' on any independent conservation charities websites?

Whales and dolphins belong in the wild, free as God intended, not trapped in an aquariam, which to an ocean going creature must be the equivalent of spending the rest of your life locked in a broom cupboard.

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Chrysaetos

If the animals is treated and fed well I don't see an issue.

When I was a little kid it was partly the zoos that increased my interest in the natural world. Some species are also kept alive because of zoos.
So yeah, good or bad? It depends on how they are treated. Circuses are usually bad.

Would you rather be free as a bird, or locked in a prison cell for the rest of your life but provided with good food?

[Gem]

Originally Posted by glenos

And you told from a view of not a great deal of understanding. Sorry if it came over as arrogant. Self righteous, yep because I know what I'm on about.

G

There's more to the picture than meets the eye. People who work in places like sea world are animal lovers, many work as volunteers because they're dedicated to animal welfare. The wild animals benefit because sea world does so much to raise awareness about ocean conservation, and people go there to see the animals, learn about them, fall in love with them, and become passionate about nature.

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Sybilline

I agree. We used to frequent the zoos when I was a little child. Then I took Environmental Biology in Uni. Can't blame them for asking for money, where else would they get the funds to keep them alive? Not all are good, and not all are bad.

I also visited a zoo when I was a little child. I only remember the lion pacing back and forth, back and forth in its cage (- even at that tender age I could see it had lost its mind) and the chimp who threw excrement at people who stopped to gawp at him, becuase he hated people for taking away his freedom and the humiliation of his existance.

Most zoos and animal parks in Western Europe at least, are more enlightened on animal husbandry and welfare these days thankfully.

As for conservation work. A positive thing if it prevents species from becoming extinct, though as it is usually down to man's wanton killing and destruction of natural habitats that caused the situation in the first place...

Every creature deserves to be free, living in its natural environment, befriended by man, not enslaved by man.