Responding to Zoo Protestors

Batto said:
@zoomaniac They would probably use E) to their advantage, i.e. as martyrs for the animals.

Given their previous actions and the current "critique", I somehow doubt that...
But see for yourself:
Verein RespekTiere | Unsere Stärke ist unsere Schwäche für Tiere!
Click to expand...

I love this description, lol :

"But already the second leaves the first insight something completely revised. Because the poor fish actually swims there its same round, over and over again."

It seems that they haven't figured out that the shark is in fact swimming round and round to obtain oxygen to breathe, you know... as it would in the wild, lol.

"It is also unbelievable that an alligator actually ekes out its miserable existence; at the bottom of the simulated watercourse he waits for hours without any movement; but on what? To a better life, no, to just one life at all! His was stolen from him by those who think they have to furnish exactly such places with an 'eye-catcher'. Despising life. Real eye-catchers, real attractions that do not come at the expense of fellow creatures, can be found with little effort and a little creativity thousands upon thousands of others ...
An example: people linger a few minutes in front of the panes of the 'enclosure', many of which simply use the time to force the reptile, who appears completely apathetic, to move; In the 'Science Center', where you can experience science on your own body using practical examples, the masses cavort and stay there disproportionately longer."

Yes, because alligators / crocodilians are famous for being frenetic animals in constant motion and movement in the wild aren't they ? :rolleyes:

I love some of the evocative language used here too ( I don't know if it is just the translator though) "despising life" and "masses cavort", all very Nietzschean lol.

From what I've read in that blog post I think the following :

1. This group really should focus more energy on saving kittens and puppies in Eastern Europe.

2. If you were to invite them to WdG and try to engage in well intentioned debate and conversation I dont think that they would be receptive to this and it could backfire, sadly they seem to have already made their minds up about zoos.
 
Last edited:
Batto said:
The other week, a local animal right activist group published a critique on the reptile and fish department of the Haus der Natur, my local "brother-in-arms". I'm not going to share it here, since it's trivial, nonsensical and the usual "Emotions >> facts". And written in German. ;) The reptile curator now has to reply to it, and he is "thrilled" to say the least...
However, since the headquarter of the group is closely located to my venue, it might only be a matter of time that WdG is targeted next. So how do you think I should react?
A) Keep calm and carry on, not paying them any attention.
B) Invite them in.
C) Not let them in when they try to book a tour.
D) Let them in when they try to book a tour.

I'm heavily leaning towards A)... ^^
Click to expand...

If you do not let them in, they may think WdG is doing something unethical which you do not want them to see. If you think they would behave politely, I would let them in, and show that you have nothing to hide.
 
ZooElephantsMan said:
If you do not let them in, they may think WdG is doing something unethical which you do not want them to see. If you think they would behave politely, I would let them in, and show that you have nothing to hide.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean but several zoos have done that in the past and it has led to these sorts of activists taking footage and misconstruing it anyway so there is an element of risk involved.
 
ZooElephantsMan said:
If you do not let them in, they may think WdG is doing something unethical which you do not want them to see. If you think they would behave politely, I would let them in, and show that you have nothing to hide.
Click to expand...
As the owner of a business in a free country, I can decide whom I let in and whom not. If someone gives me reason to believe that they are detrimental to my business, I have the right to defend my business and not let them in.
The only people I have to let in at given terms are the official representatives of the relevant local federal authorities. By giving in to the animal rights activists and letting them in out of fear of bad press, I give them authority over me; authority they do not have and that they do not deserve. Just think of the "High Sparrow" and his minions in GOT. If you allow fanatics inside, you don't give them any kind of authorization, unless you want them to use that authority against you.

If they want to spread rumors about the quality or ethnic standards of my business, I can direct any questions to the results of the regular controls by said real federal authorities, which had no objections so far. The people who want to believe such accusations are people I don't need as customers.
 
Batto said:
By giving in to the animal rights activists and letting them in out of fear of bad press, I give them authority over me; authority they do not have and that they do not deserve. Just think of the "High Sparrow" and his minions in GOT. If you allow fanatics inside, you don't give them any kind of authorization, unless you want them to use that authority against you.
Click to expand...

Shame ! Shame ! Shame ! :p :D
 
I think that some people in marketing have too much power in zoos. Some information in exhibits, guide books etc is inaccurate and should have been checked before being produced. Anti-zoo people can easily pick up on false information, which may make them wonder if other information is accurate.
 
Dassie rat said:
I think that some people in marketing have too much power in zoos. Some information in exhibits, guide books etc is inaccurate and should have been checked before being produced. Anti-zoo people can easily pick up on false information, which may make them wonder if other information is accurate.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree and then any errors will be picked up and they will typically begin questioning the zoos educational value.
 
Dassie rat said:
I think that some people in marketing have too much power in zoos. Some information in exhibits, guide books etc is inaccurate and should have been checked before being produced. Anti-zoo people can easily pick up on false information, which may make them wonder if other information is accurate.
Click to expand...
We don't have a guide book and the information on the exhibits is accurate. So much about that...
 
That's good, Batto. Unfortunately, some zoos have inaccurate information, including not listing animals in an enclosure or listing the wrong species.
 
Dassie rat said:
That's good, Batto. Unfortunately, some zoos have inaccurate information, including not listing animals in an enclosure or listing the wrong species.
Click to expand...
Given the species in question, such mistakes would be fatal at WdG...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top