Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
8 comments:
I've been to Stanley Park, which is an incredibly beautiful place, and I saw the ruins of the old zoo, the two bear grottos. That's all that's left. I've mentioned going to the Bristol Zoo. They had okapis, which I had never seen before. The Bristol Zoo is only 10 acres. The Metro-Toronto Zoo is 750 acres.
Paul,
As stated before, I think it is wonderful, when zoos can incorporate new in with the old architecture. Gives you a glimpse into the past, and the efforts to go forward. Audubon he in the states is a grand example of that. Some I realize were so barbaric that it is better to obliterate the old, and start fresh. The old "bear pits" are good examples.
Wade
When they were renovating the San Diego Zoo someone suggested that they preserve some of the old animal grottos for their historic value, but the zoo needed all the space. I thought they squeazed too much into the space they have at the San Diego Zoo. I had heard all my life that it was the best zoo in the world and frankly I was'nt impressed. A young co-worker from the Phillipines also visited the San Diego Zoo. This was when I was still living in Orange County. He was'nt impressed either. I asked him if he knew that the San Diego Zoo was supposed to be the best in the world (according to its own hyp?). He seemed shocked to hear that. The first time I visited the San Diego Zoo someone was murdered in the parking lot a few hours before we got there.
Paul,
The first time I saw the San Diego Zoo in 1984, I was dumbfounded, and very disappointed also, after years of the press. Yes, they did try to stuff to much, in too small of an area. The WAP was a bit more suitable, but the zoo was a real disappointment.
Wade
I payed a rush visit to the Brookfield Zoo when I had time between flights. I payed a hundred dollars for a taxi to take me from the airport and back just so I could see the okapis. That's all I had time for, but I did see zebras of various species outside while it was snowing, and giant African rats on display in the same building as the okapis. Brookfield looked like an amazing zoo. I worked with a lady in Orange County who decided to move back to Chicago and she said that the Brookfield Zoo is better than the San Diego Zoo. I noticed on the new Battlestar Galactica TV series that they filmed some scenes in Stanley Park right outside the entrance to the Vancouver Aquarium.
Paul,
Brookfield is a a fine zoo, although I think their "Tropic world" is suspect, when compared to other zoo's attempts along those lines. The Veterinarian from Ringling Bros. who was involved in the "misappropriation" of Hawthorn tiger cubs, in 1984, was originally the Vet at Brookfield before employment by Ringling Bros.
Regards,
Wade
Josip Marcan worked as a veterinarian at Frankfurt Zoo. I seem to recall on some TV show somebody who wanted to get Toby Styles' goat told him that the vet who takes care of Toronto Zoo's elephants also takes care of the Ringling Bros. Circus elephants. I think that was a call in show.
Paul,
What year was that? They may have been referencing Dr. Houck, who was Hawthorns Vet, before being employed by Ringling, after the Dr. Dan Laughlin incident in 1984.
Wade
Post a Comment