The saddest photo I ever took
Sep 1, 2017 06:53:48 #
This is from a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo from several years ago. Whereas the gorillas and chimpanzees had the relative freedom of a large, grassy, outdoor enclosure, this poor orangutan was cooped up in an exhibit area resembling a museum display. There was nothing natural - a "forest" was painted on the rear wall, the "trees" were fake, and there was absolutely nothing in this space to stimulate the poor creature. We visited the zoo again this spring and things were about the same except there were now two orangutans, the back wall was peeling and there were now several outsized Duplo blocks lying around for "stimulation". Meanwhile, the gorillas and chimps were still enjoying the sunshine in their enclosure. So very sad!
Sep 1, 2017 06:54:59 #
Sep 1, 2017 07:11:02 #
jerryc41 wrote:
They might as well put him in a prison cell.
Exactly!
Sep 1, 2017 07:19:23 #
Sep 1, 2017 07:28:58 #
Sep 1, 2017 07:37:28 #
Would it be possible to make representations to the zoo? perhaps explaining that photographers nationally and globally were intending to boycott the zoo, and explain to the press exactly why? I would be glad to organise a UK petition.
Sep 1, 2017 07:40:42 #
jerryc41 wrote:
They might as well put him in a prison cell.
He is in a prison cell, from his viewpoint.
Sep 1, 2017 07:42:21 #
mikeroetex wrote:
He is in a prison cell, from his viewpoint.
The wall painting is for the benefit of zoo patrons, not the animal.
Sep 1, 2017 07:58:41 #
jerryc41 wrote:
The wall painting is for the benefit of zoo patrons, not the animal.
So that the public can see the surroundings in which he should be kept - rather than the extremely cruel life sentence he has been dealt - in order to make a few extra $ towards the CEO's bonus?
Sep 1, 2017 08:05:23 #
What a great photo. Feel bad for the animal but the pathos of the scene makes for a captivating pic. Well done.
Sep 1, 2017 09:56:57 #
insman1132 wrote:
What a great photo. Feel bad for the animal but the pathos of the scene makes for a captivating pic. Well done.
Thanks - I've done many shots that I particularly like but this one stands out in my mind even though it was taken several years ago.
Sep 1, 2017 10:27:33 #
SueScott wrote:
Thanks - I've done many shots that I particularly like but this one stands out in my mind even though it was taken several years ago.
Oh dear! Does anyone know whether or not the Orang Utan's lot has been improved during those "several" years? My bet would be that "yes it has" which means that I do not need to wring my hands any further.
Sep 2, 2017 06:13:31 #
Delderby wrote:
Oh dear! Does anyone know whether or not the Orang Utan's lot has been improved during those "several" years? My bet would be that "yes it has" which means that I do not need to wring my hands any further.
When we visited in May the orangutan exhibit had a couple of ropes for swinging on and some oversized Duplo blocks for mental stimulation so I guess there has been some improvement.
The Pittsburgh Zoo has been in the process of modernization for the past 30 years and has made impressive progress. The primate house is fairly new and I can't understand why the orangutan exhibit is the way it is.
Sep 2, 2017 08:09:22 #
Is the object the head of a doll? Is he thinking about that as being a dead being? Indeed a tearful shot... well done. The attached photo is of the object in the hand of the sad one.... is it a Dolls head as tho a dead Orangutan?
IS THIS A DOLL HEAD?
Sep 2, 2017 10:46:03 #
Sad indeed...
That's why I don't visit zoos anymore. Up North where I live there's Polar Bear "habitat", not to be confused with a "zoo". Is there a difference?
It's in Cochrane, Ontario, and they've got Earthcams all over the place. Sometimes I see a lone bear just pacing back and forth looking totally bored.
To me it's the same as caging a bird, or forcing aquatic creatures to swim in a pool and perform for the visitors.
"Everybody loves Marine Land", right?
That's why I don't visit zoos anymore. Up North where I live there's Polar Bear "habitat", not to be confused with a "zoo". Is there a difference?
It's in Cochrane, Ontario, and they've got Earthcams all over the place. Sometimes I see a lone bear just pacing back and forth looking totally bored.
To me it's the same as caging a bird, or forcing aquatic creatures to swim in a pool and perform for the visitors.
"Everybody loves Marine Land", right?
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