Theodore Schroeder was somewhat of a "colorful character" in early zoo history authoring a number of books. His "uncanny rapport", I see today in a lot of "educational nature" cage acts. I would think we would have become a little more "uncanny" after 80 years. As easy as it is to admit that the public doesn't want the "chimp show" format, it is difficult for some to accept that maybe this isn't what they are looking for either.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Vintage Detroit Zoo--Detroit, Michigan--50th Anniversary Guide Book 1978
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Wade G. Burck
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Although the educational 'rapport' acts come over as phoney baloney, but I think a good portion of the public likes to see interaction with wild animals and would like to do the same themselves. The temple tigers pictures on the other blog (where my comment was axed)show that. Watching someone else interact in a more natural manner with carnivores might offer a vicarious thrill. It might well be the next transition - from Beatty, to Gunther, to this.
Anonymous,
Do not misunderstand. The public wants to see interaction, just like they like to see and ride a horse, they just don't want it done in an inhumane way.
The common misconception of the uninformed, is that if somebody does something better with an animal it is because they are meaner/harder/tougher. They just cant conceive that maybe the great one's are smarter and more aware of animal behavior. You hear it at horse shows all the time for the person who has one or two horses, and has never won anything. "So and So Big Trainer, does this, and does that thats why he wins all the time." They just don't get that he may have spent longer learning, and grasped it quicker then they will ever hope to. Hence the "I don't know how to train it without force, so I'll just feed it, so I am not accused of abuse. The tiger jumping was not what was objectionable. The tiger being "forced" and obviously under "duress" is what what objectionable. And any time constraint or the grandiose doing it quick is the most stressful, hard form of "animal training".
I assume given Josip Marcan's skills as a trainer and understander of animal behavior, the pictures were posted with "tongue in cheek". I did not post to that thread, as there were enough clues to what it was and how it was "manipulated", that I didn't want to waste my time. I was sent by email, by 5 different people, the same pictures, and didn't even feel the "sham" needed to be posted here. I wouldn't even consider doing anything like what the uneducated did with those tigers.
Wade
Wade, I can relate to the horse analogy. I am casually famliar with the Saddlebred/Morgan business. That's another business that has a tarnished reputation. And, like the circus, everyone knows who the offender are, but somehow those offenders take home the blue. Despite my dislike of gaited horse shows, I went a couple of weeks ago just because a friend had his horse entered. The pre-show prep made the circus look pretty tame - not everyone I saw, but there were several (including, unfortunately the friend I went to support) I kept my mouth shut, just like the old days, but it left a bad taste in my mouth, and I won't be back, that's for sure.
Ian
Ian,
I don't think you did understand. Some really skilled talented trainers can get something out of an animal that others can not because of that skill, and the "assumption" is that they must be harder then me because I can't get my horse to do it.
I don't like Saddlebreds, Morgans, or Tennessee Walkers because of the thing's that used to be done in the name of "horse showing", just not my cup of tea. In fairness they have outlawed a number of inhumane practices. But not enough for my satisfaction. I suggest Ian you are a bit of a counterfeit if you would go with a friend, and not register your satisfaction to that friend. Sounds to me like you are kinda "with it and for it." Or at least ask for an explanation. Often times the more educated on the subject you become, the more you understand, and the less objectionable it actually is.
Wade
To anonymous i feel that some people like to see the interaction with animals well pal speak for yourself cause to each its own taste . to me its who is presenting the act and the style . there has being sevral cat acts where there is no contact but very classy and there is some where the cats only do very few tricks but the trainer or presenter spends most time playing with the animals . so see its a matter of taste . cleanraul
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