You've never seen this species in your life almost certainly, know nothing about these specimens, have never seen their behavior, and yet you're still making comments like this?
Seriously, is there ANYTHING that you don't have a snide comment about? I think it's quite telling that the last I looked, you had the last comment on EVERY RSCC gallery shot.
Okay, you're right, *smooth-coated* otters are very well-suited to hotwired enclosures. I have worked with larger otter species and we always placed hotwire high above where they could accidentally come into contact with it through play, fighting or other activity. Obviously this species must be very slow-moving and unlikely to engage in any of the above behaviours, right?
Binturong :
I am criticizing something, I am not attacking you. Please do not cross that boundary, this is a forum for people to express their opinion. You need to appreciate that other opinions may not match yours, and be respectful to those you disagree with.
Johnstoni, your statement would seem less abrasive if you didn't use such hyperbolic language and seemingly relentlessly stalk a zoo by your own admission you've never been to. I've seen the specimens in question playing for long periods on a number of occasions, and have never seen them get zapped in any way. You've never seen the enclosure, you've never seen the zoo, you've never seen the specimens.
I also have seen the keepers touch training them as they were made to beg for food at their previous facility (they're rescue animals). Perhaps using electric fencing along where the populace can see them is part of the continuation of that training (this I don't know at all, I'm simply speculating; I do know the touch training has been very effective).
I've also seen that they've been burrowing and nesting, which probably indicates that the enclosure isn't rubbish for them.
I get the sense from you that you will look at any picture of any enclosure at RSCC and find an irrational reason to criticize it in the most extreme terms. Given that I quite like RSCC, and have actually been there, I just find it irritating that this seems to be your only modus operandi here.
Well then you need to read through the posts on the other photos, and you will notice that I am positive about some of the enclosures. I know you quite like the RSCC, and have spent a lot of time there, but you need to respect opinions of people you don't know. Commenting on a set of photographs is not 'stalking' a zoo, and you should stop accusing other posters of behaving inappropriately. On a forum, that is the job of the moderators, not yours, and any post which is offensive will be deleted by them. Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.
Like many people on here, I genuinely want the RSCC to develop into the pioneering collection it has the potential to. I will be visiting soon and no doubt any criticisms I make will be defended by those who feel they need to defend such a rare gem of a collection as uninformed or that of a 'layperson' or 'outsider'. Photos do provide genuine opportunities for discussing enclosures in zoos that people have not seen.
