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Saturday, February 25, 2012
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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.
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6 comments:
I didn't stay for the shows. I saw part of the dolphin 'show'. It was more of a feeding frenzy and the high pitched voice of the presenter shrieking though the old sound system was too much to handle. Looking at the WTF expressions on the faces of the rest of the watchers, I was not alone. A tour group from Switzerland was just ahead of me making a bee-line for the exit.
Some of the things that caught my eye, elsewhere was the very small pool holding the harbour seals. I wonder how high the water temerature gets in the Florida heat, considering they are cold water animals. The Boston Aquarium throws blocks of ice in their pools to keep the temps down.
The stingray contact area had the animals in endless high speed laps around the shallow oval pool. I don't know much about stingray brains, but I've read enough and seen enough wildlife footage to know that stingrays are pretty sedintary, slow swimming, animals. Something weird is going on upstairs with those fish.
The much heralded shark exhibit was 3 nurse sharks that you really had to search for in the murky water.
The best looking 'habitat' (in fact the ONLY natural looking exhibit) was the alligators, but the fumes from the chlorine was uncomfortable for my eyes. I don't know how they felt about it.
Of course, everywhere was the 'educational' and 'conservationist' message complete with high school girls and clip boards doing scientific observation. Given the surroundings, the 'we're saving them from extinction' message was a little much. My only thought was if I was one of the manatees in their kiddie pool, I'd be begging for a speedboat propeller right about now.
Overall, the feeling was like those old roadside attractions or even a pit show, where the brochures and banners lured you in and you leave wondering "what the hell?"
In an area like Miami, where every attraction is tryng to outdo one other in glitz and architecture an attraction like the Seaqaurium really seems out of place.
I did want to check out the new Cavalia show, 'Odesseyo'. I could see their massive tent from across the bay and the arrival of the horses was on the news, but they don't open til Wednesday, so...
Ian
Ian,
Thank you for the candor. "I'd be begging for a speedboat propeller right about now??????" What the hell is that? LOL, LOL Florida( and elsewhere) roadside attraction's were such an important part of "Americana." Much like the circus going public of that era, people went because it was there, and it was something to do, with very little to do. Time's changed, suddenly there was a lot to do, and folks weren't going just because. Most of the attractions didn't "keep up" with the times, and faded into obscurity, exception being Jungle Larry's African Safari, which became the Naples Zoo, and a couple of others. Going for nostalgia's sake because you went as a child, and want your children to experience the "magic" doesn't fly for many generations. Most of the old time small attractions are now manned by "volunteer help" as you noted. Bright eyed and bubbly, there options for a summer job are McDonalds, Burger King, or Publix. No brainer that telling tourist's about the live habit's of "Flipper" would be more appealing. Great way to keep the business afloat, if the staff doesn't insist on a paycheck, but like any other product in the world, you do get what you pay for.
Wade
Wade, as I get older, I can see how the older folks of our generation felt about becoming redundant. However much we long for the old days, it's not our world anymore - you either cater to today's public or die. That was my thinking as a was sneaking off like a criminal to smoke a butt, feeling like a criminal.
Despite the scoffs over Cavalia and Cirque, they seem to be covering the obvious huge expense of staging those shows, so that must tell you something about what people want regardless of what we think they should want.
Ian
Ian,
Folks that applauded the smoking bans, shouldn't be surprised at the issue's now facing the circus and other things. They should have seen it coming. They would be advised to hide their dog's, because the feel good's in Private Idaho are coming after them next.
I really don't understand how Cavalia is able to operate with their nut. Rumor has it each move cost's over a million dollars with truck rentals and all. I don't know how you can recoup that, even staying in each city as long as they do. Cirque for all it's greatness is Government funded. Like Big Apple, a cake walk with funding behind you. Not the same thing as "on your own." Would folks be as approving if the handout disappeared, along with the mystic/grandness such as has occurred with BAC?
Wade
Cirque may have relied a lot on their government funding at one point, but the sold-out shows at $100+ a seat and the $5.00 bottled water must be bringing in huge bucks too. Just the fact that people will pay the same to see a circus type show as they do for the top musical performer or sporting event puts it on the same level as the biggest entertainment events in the world - something the circus hasn't been able to say for quite some time.
I've seen 3 differnt Soleil shows and thought the acts were incredible.
Whether it's circus or not, it sure raises the bar pretty high for all similar entertainment shows.
Ian
Ian,
Cirque has nothing more to do with the circus, then the stripper swinging on a trapeze during her show at Golden Girls. Their format is closer to Broadway or Vegas and such like venue. The confusion arose when it dawned on the American public that "Cirque" was French for "Circus." They played off that, got a fair bit of press in the early days, but that is as close as similarities come. Doesn't matter what you make once you are on the road. It is a comfort to know the "angel" is close by to stave off disaster, and for the future knowing the "angel" is there through thick or thin permits you to hang it out/take a chance on what you are doing. A number of Cirque show's have tanked and tanked badly. No big deal, the "angel" is there to sweep up the pieces. That's a no brainier for the most ignorant business man/producer. A chimp who has advanced past the stage of riding a bike without training wheel's could produce a monumental show with an "angel" holding his hand.
Wade
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