Melbourne Zoo Help for identifying black cat
- Thread starter richardjc
- Start date
Your comment gives the impression that you think Maya died from being 'poor', 'sad' and 'miserable'. This is rather insulting to the keepers who work so hard to ensure that the animals in their keep have a healthy life in captivity, full of enrichment. Maya died at the ripe old age of 21 due to age related problems.
richardjc
New Member
Zoogal, I didn't at all mean to imply the cat's death or 'misery' was due to any lack of care or devotion on the part of the keepers, whom I imagine are extremely, lovingly committed.
However, and I saw the cat upwards of ten times in only a few years, the cat displayed behaviours which I read (and I aint no zoologist) as signifying boredom and unhappiness (if I can project such on an animal) - the pacing for example. I understand there are limitations of resources. I understand this is the predicament of zoos - (lack of resources but one factor. Overall, the unstimulating tedium of captivity.). Im not blaming anyone - what the hell do I i know anyway. Obviously some animals experience captivity difficultly. A zoo is a zoo and can only do so much - regardless of love and dedication - to ensure the 'mental' 'emotional' well-being of a captive animal. Nor am I critiquing zoos; Im just recognising that there also be bad in the good.
Cheers,
Richard.
However, and I saw the cat upwards of ten times in only a few years, the cat displayed behaviours which I read (and I aint no zoologist) as signifying boredom and unhappiness (if I can project such on an animal) - the pacing for example. I understand there are limitations of resources. I understand this is the predicament of zoos - (lack of resources but one factor. Overall, the unstimulating tedium of captivity.). Im not blaming anyone - what the hell do I i know anyway. Obviously some animals experience captivity difficultly. A zoo is a zoo and can only do so much - regardless of love and dedication - to ensure the 'mental' 'emotional' well-being of a captive animal. Nor am I critiquing zoos; Im just recognising that there also be bad in the good.
Cheers,
Richard.
Part of the reason cats (particularly big cats) do it a bit tough in captivity is because the enclosures are, of necessity, a bit smaller in area than is ideal.
I'm no expert either, Richard, but when I look at my old domestic cat at home I'm aware that she lives contentedly in a self-imposed area of about 800 square metres (being my backyard and the backyard next door.)
I know that if she was confined to a cage about the size of a bedroom (lets say approx. 12 to 15 square metres) she would not be content. So I feel that if cats big and small were given larger enclosures in zoos they would be more content.
I realise, of course, that it's not as simple as that. The "furnishings" in the enclosure are important, too - substrate, rocks, logs, vegetation etc. Also, the relationship with the keeper(s) has been shown to be important to the mental welfare of the cats (and indeed all animals.) At one time it was believed that the best way to breed cat species which were regarded as "difficult" was to keep contact with them to a minimum; then it was realised that the most success came when the cats had a good relationship with their keepers.
I'm no expert either, Richard, but when I look at my old domestic cat at home I'm aware that she lives contentedly in a self-imposed area of about 800 square metres (being my backyard and the backyard next door.)
I know that if she was confined to a cage about the size of a bedroom (lets say approx. 12 to 15 square metres) she would not be content. So I feel that if cats big and small were given larger enclosures in zoos they would be more content.
I realise, of course, that it's not as simple as that. The "furnishings" in the enclosure are important, too - substrate, rocks, logs, vegetation etc. Also, the relationship with the keeper(s) has been shown to be important to the mental welfare of the cats (and indeed all animals.) At one time it was believed that the best way to breed cat species which were regarded as "difficult" was to keep contact with them to a minimum; then it was realised that the most success came when the cats had a good relationship with their keepers.
Melbourne Zoo's Small Cat exhibits in particular, are frightfully small in my opinion. They are easily the smallest enclosures in the zoo compared to the size of the animal inside (the Syrian brown bear enclosure comes close, though). I think these exhibits should all be demolished, but because most of these cat species are being phased out, i doubt this will ever happen.
Lou, the bear's enclosure is currently receiving a much-needed renovation. They have built platforms with different levels, and are modifying the moat. By the look of the plan which is on display, it will be a huge improvement. I heard that there are also going to be improvements made to the small cat enclosures, so we'll have to wait to see what eventuates.
