Can we do something against Zoo Animal Rights Activists?

German Zoo World

German Zoo World

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Sadly i noticed that some People are influenced by You Toubers such as Robert Marc Lehman to be against any sort of captive Wildlife. Even some normal Zoo Youtube Videos get some comments like "these beautifull Animals shouldnt live in prision". Somethimes i have Fears that these People can ruin the Image of Zoos and close them forever. Now is the Question can we Zoo Enthusiasts do something against Animal Rights Activists and Anti Zoo Influencers?
 
German Zoo World said:
Sadly i noticed that some People are influenced by You Toubers such as Robert Marc Lehman to be against any sort of captive Wildlife. Even some normal Zoo Youtube Videos get some comments like "these beautifull Animals shouldnt live in prision". Somethimes i have Fears that these People can ruin the Image of Zoos and close them forever. Now is the Question can we Zoo Enthusiasts do something against Animal Rights Activists and Anti Zoo Influencers?
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Regrettably the most effective solution of dealing with them is the least exciting. Do nothing.

Attempts to engage with them are pointless and only serve to give them a voice and a platform. They’re entitled to their opinion, but it doesn’t mean we have to listen to it.

Don’t fan the flames. Don’t feed the trolls etc, etc etc.
 
Zooplantman said:
The internet is an ocean of misinformation. If the case for zoos is not made strongly and pervasively then the public will only hear the criticisms and will accept them as truth.
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That's very true. I still agree with @Zoofan15 though, if people argue back it only puts more flame in the fire. Not really worth it anyways, the activists will always pull up some utterly stupid response.
 
You already addressed this issue in a very similar thread:
What Would you do when you do See Animal Right Activists ?

@Zooplantman : The best way zoos can speak for themselves is by striving to impress with positive actions in real life, not by virtual arguments with ideologists. May it be animal welfare, public education, conservation, research, "edutainment" etc.

In the end, it's the animals in your charge, your staff and your paying customers that matter, not a few bored virtual trolls who will never be satisfied, no matter what you do.
 
The sentiment against zoos has been growing for years and its growth is most pronounced among younger generations. Support for zoos in the future is uncertain. The old idea of "by your works you shall be known" is inadequate to meet the current challenge.
There are anti-zoo activists who have an almost religious zeal. They cannot easily be reasoned with. But they are the minority. It is the other 20%+ of the population that has been influenced by them that can be reasoned with. Some writers have made the distinction between "animal rights" activists and "animal welfare" advocates. That is an important distinction and identifying the position of one's "opponent" is a vital first step. One must start by showing them the respect of taking their complaints seriously. Zoo supporters often make the mistake of getting overly defensive, ignoring where zoos are getting it wrong and dismissing any criticism. That will not win anyone's heart
 
Zooplantman said:
The sentiment against zoos has been growing for years and its growth is most pronounced among younger generations. Support for zoos in the future is uncertain. The old idea of "by your works you shall be known" is inadequate to meet the current challenge.
There are anti-zoo activists who have an almost religious zeal. They cannot easily be reasoned with. But they are the minority. It is the other 20%+ of the population that has been influenced by them that can be reasoned with. Some writers have made the distinction between "animal rights" activists and "animal welfare" advocates. That is an important distinction and identifying the position of one's "opponent" is a vital first step. One must start by showing them the respect of taking their complaints seriously. Zoo supporters often make the mistake of getting overly defensive, ignoring where zoos are getting it wrong and dismissing any criticism. That will not win anyone's heart
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You said it way better than I ever could. In order for both sides to come to an agreement, we need to acknowledge the ups and downs from both animal rights activists and zoos and aquariums. It is possible to flip their view around, but always in a respectful and mature matter.

And if that doesn’t end up working? As stated previously, don’t do anything else. It’s not worth spending your time on people if they won’t change their view.
 
Zooplantman said:
New The sentiment against zoos has been growing for years and its growth is most pronounced among younger generations. Support for zoos in the future is uncertain.
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I disagree. What we see online is not supported by actual zoo attendance. Younger urban generations might appear zoo-critical on the surface now. They are also critical of many other things they deem "old-fashioned"...just like the generations before them.
Once these youngsters are no longer young and have kids on their own, that attitude changes drastically, especially among young mothers.
I've already stated my stand on constructive & competent zoo critique in the linked thread. And I maintain that we shouldn't give animal right activists more credit than we deserve. As for animal welfare activists, it's important to differ between the merely emotional (that end up with the AR folks) and the ones that bring some actual factual knowledge and experience to the table.

Zooplantman said:
The old idea of "by your works you shall be known" is inadequate to meet the current challenge.
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I wholeheartedly disagree; real actual actions and results will always prevail over mere virtual spiel on the long run. Especially in regard to the 20%+ of the population.
 
Batto said:
I disagree. What we see online is not supported by actual zoo attendance. Younger urban generations might appear zoo-critical on the surface now. They are also critical of many other things they deem "old-fashioned"...just like the generations before them.
Once these youngsters are no longer young and have kids on their own, that attitude changes drastically, especially among young mothers.
I've already stated my stand on constructive & competent zoo critique in the linked thread. And I maintain that we shouldn't give animal right activists more credit than we deserve. As for animal welfare activists, it's important to differ between the merely emotional (that end up with the AR folks) and the ones that bring some actual factual knowledge and experience to the table.

I wholeheartedly disagree; real actual actions and results will always prevail over mere virtual spiel on the long run. Especially in regard to the 20%+ of the population.
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If the populations you see are as you describe then that's great.
What I see is different
And we can disagree
 
Zooplantman said:
If the populations you see are as you describe then that's great.
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Both of us have been on ZooChat and interested in the topic long enough to have seen our fair share of arguments, studies etc. We might interpret them differently due to individual socialisation, education, experience etc; still, that shouldn't lead to condescension.
 
Batto said:
Both of us have been on ZooChat and interested in the topic long enough to have seen our fair share of arguments, studies etc. We might interpret them differently due to individual socialisation, education, experience etc; still, that shouldn't lead to condescension.
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I don't know why you always take my replies to be condescending. That is not my intent at all
We live in different countries, different regions, deal with different populations. Isn't it reasonable that we have different experiences? Should I not say as much and show my respect for these foundational differences?
 
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I call animal rights activists in two ways:

Real animal rights activists: entrepreneurial animal rights activists, animal rescue and protection, for charity

Fake animal rights activists:
for Illegal profit, for money and followers only, savage, destabilization, fake ads

I know there is a bunch of animal rights organizations do not hate zoos, but they instead care about zoo animal welfare. For example of good environment in enclosures, entertainment-only shows and activities are absent. I would love see zoo animal welfare improved and zoos dedicating more to conservation. As I care about animal welfare, i hope more low-welfare activities and shows being replaced or shut down.
 
Zooplantman said:
I don't know why you always take my replies to be condescending.
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Regarding the "always": please don't exaggerate; the great majority of our direct past correspondence has been positive. But the "that’s great" was rather condescending; I was almost expecting a "Now here's a cookie, little sapling" to follow right afterwards.;)
The doom of zoos by anti-zoo lobbyists has been heralded so many times...and yet the majority of zoos is popular and doing well. So don't mind me not being all too scared for zoos and of ARAs
 
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"That's great" is not a condescending phrase to Americans. Online one reads things from their own perspective.
 
Zooplantman said:
Online one reads things from their own perspective.
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Ah, that's why you wanted to depict me as "always" the negative one? ;)
Have you never heard a sarcastic "that's great" in the US of A? 'Cause I have..
Anyway, no hard feelings.
 
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