The dilema of zoos: Apart from their conservation work and breeding programs, I've never really been a fan of zoos. Despite living only a few kilometres from Toronga Park Zoo a couple...

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

Apart from their conservation work and breeding programs, I've never really been a fan of zoos. Despite living only a few kilometres from Toronga Park Zoo a couple of decades back when I lived/worked in Sydney, I never actually went there. Now, on a recent trip with my wife from our home on the other side of the country, I oddly find myself as a first time visitor. Of course, captured animals always pose a challenge photographically in trying to make them look anything but (eliminating cages, fences, reflective glass, visitors . . . ) which seems a little hypocritical. Anyway, we didn't lingers long. Too many large animals that would in the course of a year roam many hundreds of kilometres now stuck in sterile and bland enclosures for my liking.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice shots.

Yea, but sometimes an animal is better off in the zoo because it may not survive in the wild, ibid injured.

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

Longshadow wrote:

Nice shots.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Like you, I have mixed feelings about zoos, as well. The local zoo for me is the Phoenix Zoo. Over the last number of years, they have built new compound walls with Plexiglas windows. They pretty much defeat taking any reasonably good photographs. Originally, the openings had bars. It will be a long time, and need an exceptional reason, to want to visit the zoo again.
--Bob

PaulG wrote:

Apart from their conservation work and breeding pr... (show quote)

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

rmalarz wrote:

Like you, I have mixed feelings about zoos, as well. The local zoo for me is the Phoenix Zoo. Over the last number of years, they have built new compound walls with Plexiglas windows. They pretty much defeat taking any reasonably good photographs. Originally, the openings had bars. It will be a long time, and need an exceptional reason, to want to visit the zoo again.
--Bob

Yeah . . . I think my zoo days are done too, Bob.

Boris77

PaulG wrote:

Apart from their conservation work and breeding pr... (show quote)

At the rate wild animals are being killed, the only ones surviving will be in a zoo.
The 8 billion people on the Earth are using up ALL the resources.
Boris

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

Boris77 wrote:

At the rate wild animals are being killed, the only ones surviving will be in a zoo.
The 8 billion people on the Earth are using up ALL the resources.
Boris

I agree mate. Googling some of the statistics is rather frightening.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

PaulG wrote:

Apart from their conservation work and breeding pr... (show quote)

The Phoenix, AZ zoo has done wonders restoring endangered species from around the world.
They try to replicate as natural of environment as possible. Including large tracts of land and mountains.
Also mixing animals in the same area.
Yes, it is not perfect, but for the most part the animals are apparently happy etc.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Architect1776 wrote:

The Phoenix, AZ zoo has done wonders restoring endangered species from around the world.
They try to replicate as natural of environment as possible. Including large tracts of land and mountains.
Also mixing animals in the same area.
Yes, it is not perfect, but for the most part the animals are apparently happy etc.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I don't like zoos either. I do like their conservation work but that's it. I suppose they have to exhibit the animals to raise funds for the conservation effort but it sure is a double-edged sword.