the report states the collections were drawn at random from the total, which sounds fair on the surface but in reality would result in a very skewed selection because the different types of collections (eg aquarium, bird garden, major zoo, wild boar park...) aren't equal in number -- I'd imagine the small "home-run" collections are in the majority in England? Much more usable and meaningful would have been if they had divided the collections into categories and then chosen a random selection from each category.
But of course meaningful, fair, intelligent aren't words one would generally use in connection with Animal Rights groups
I'd imagine the small "home-run" collections are in the majority in England? Much more usable and meaningful would have been if they had divided the collections into categories and then chosen a random selection from each category.
They probably are. Possibly they hoped to find more 'evidence' in these places than in the larger zoos, apart from the exceptions such as Paignton(elephant) and Dudley(orangutans)where there were obvious targets. In my experience the standards in many(but not all) of the smaller organisations are as high as in bigger collections, though they all vary obviously.
For my money for maximum impact I'd have asked Jordan for his photo(below) of the Tiger at South Lakes and used it on the front cover of their report. To me that one photo speaks volumes and sums up a lot about what's still wrong in some of our Zoos.
For my money for maximum impact I'd have asked Jordan for his photo(below) of the Tiger at South Lakes and used it on the front cover of their report. To me that one photo speaks volumes and sums up a lot about what's still wrong in some of our Zoos.
Yes, I forgot, it seems to be assumed that we are all 'supporters' of zoos here, whether good, bad or indifferent. Which isn't exactly the case.
Actually the BFF are pretty incompetent in their investigative methods, in the past I have seen gaps in their 'research' information which even a ten year old could have provided, so I don't think even crappy zoos have too much to fear from their reports, which is a pity.
They probably are. Possibly they hoped to find more 'evidence' in these places than in the larger zoos, apart from the exceptions such as Paignton(elephant) and Dudley(orangutans)where there were obvious targets.
I dont see why the Paignton elephant enclosure would be an obvious target, its perfectly adequate for 1 or 2 elderly females & considerably better than some used in the not too distant past! There are probably much worse enclosures still in use for elephants & other species elsewhere.
I dont see why the Paignton elephant enclosure would be an obvious target, its perfectly adequate for 1 or 2 elderly females & considerably better than some used in the not too distant past! There are probably much worse enclosures still in use for elephants & other species elsewhere.
But it's not the enclosure that's the issue, it's the lone female elephant who is used to company. Other than Anne at Longleat (a circus rescue), all other elephants in the UK have a companion.
But it's not the enclosure that's the issue, it's the lone female elephant who is used to company. Other than Anne at Longleat (a circus rescue), all other elephants in the UK have a companion.
Ok ,thought it was the enclosure that was a problem.i appreciate that it has caused a problem when an elderly animal loses its lifelong companion,but thats not the zoo's fault! They could/should have taken Anne,but that would only have created another problem when 1 of thosr died, although anne is still alone now & has been for years.
Ok ,thought it was the enclosure that was a problem.i appreciate that it has caused a problem when an elderly animal loses its lifelong companion,but thats not the zoo's fault!
It might not be the zoos fault but the BFF will say they should've moved her/brought in more animals/had a plan for when the inevitable happened. Paignton is one of my personal favourites but they should know they'd come in for criticism housing one elephant.
They could/should have taken Anne,but that would only have created another problem when 1 of thosr died, although anne is still alone now & has been for years.
That was my point, she's been on her own for so long so she's used to human company, (not a good reason but better than Paigntons), and being from a circus is very humanised. She may not be able to hold her own with the larger African.
But it's not the enclosure that's the issue, it's the lone female elephant who is used to company. Other than Anne at Longleat (a circus rescue), all other elephants in the UK have a companion.
Is the Asian elephant which is kept at a Temple in Wales exempt from being on her own on religous grounds or is it that Zoo Check will not get involved on this elephant. Do know in the past concern has been made about the conditions this elephant lives in.
