I think zoos are taking over my life

[patrick]

i must look like a weirdo at the zoo, pacing briskly past a window full of gorillas and then standing for 20 minutes taking in the new plantings and refurbishments being made in an otherwise empty exhibit.

much of the time...... okay, most of time, i'm far more interested in the whole exhibit than i am the animals themselves. i'm recognising the plants used, dissecting the faux rockwork - either appreciatively or as if often is with a healthy dose of egotistical critique.

its this merge of my interests, landscaping, architecture, gardening, artistry, and animals, that makes me love zoos. its by far not just going to look at wild creatures.

what are we talking about? i dunno i'm off dreaming...

 

[Ara]

It's a bit like fish tanks - for some people the fish are just an excuse to try to design the perfect underwater landscape; for others the technology (the filtration system, the lighting etc.) is the main interest; others of us just like the fish.

 

[PAT]

Jeremy i thought i was the only one who plays zoo tycoon so i didn't want to say anything. I always try and build real life exhibits.

 

[CZJimmy]

Jeremy i thought i was the only one who plays zoo tycoon so i didn't want to say anything. I always try and build real life exhibits.

Hehe me too!

 

[Lukeness]

I have the opposite problem. I hate it when other people want to come along and intrude on MY zoo time!
lol

 

[NZ Jeremy]

its this merge of my interests, landscaping, architecture, gardening, artistry, and animals, that makes me love zoos. its by far not just going to look at wild creatures.

Amen to that..!

Jeremy i thought i was the only one who plays zoo tycoon so i didn't want to say anything. I always try and build real life exhibits.

Its excellent fun, I’ve frittered away many an hour trying to design the most realistic exhibits I can... Also you can learn a great deal about the animals as the game has the Encarta page of each animal... It this respect it is a bit like real zoos as it is aimed for children and hopefully fosters an appreciation for animals and a desire to learn more about them... Anyone on this site will love Zoo Tycoon 2 I guarantee it..! What are you still doing here, go buy it..!

 

[Bradipo]

I think Patricks brilliant guidelines to supressing a zoo obsession could be beneficial to maintaining a healthy relationship - my mrs printed it out at stuck it on our bedroom wall. I suspect it was her 'subtle' way of telling me the zoo enthusiasm has gone too far.... I went to the zoo to mull it over.

 

[Ara]

You people in the UK are so lucky; the place seems to be filled with zoos!
The (major) zoos in Australia are about 1,000 kilometres apart (or more.)

 

[Jo]

I figure that 98% of the contributors to this forum are people who harbour a secret dream that they'll suddenly become very rich and will be able to found a brilliantly successful private zoo/ wildlife breeding centre. (Am I right?)

The remaining 2% are the few weary realists like ZooPro who regularly takes on the rather thankless task of gently bringing the rest of us back to reality.

No harm in dreaming, people, but it ain't going to happen! Far better to get behind your local zoo and help out any way you can.

You dudes are always welcome to come help out at Bredls, I always needs some muscle and inspiration.

 

[ZYBen]

I always needs some muscle and inspiration.

And i am hardly the former

 

[Jo]

You provide the inspiration, and some of the muscle!

 

[zoogiraffe]

Visit the first 2 of what will be over 20 collections visited this month alone!!!!!!!!!

 

[yangz]

When I travel to anywhere, I always make sure there is a zoo or a natural spot to visit.

My wife hated when we going on these trip. This means I will be taking pictures of animals while she has nothing to do. So I bought her a high end camera. Now we are both happy.

 

[Marc]

It's just since a few years that I became so interessted in zoo's, animals and conservation. Today it's one of the most important things in my life. I still have a lot to learn and I still have to visit a lot of zoo's. Now that I'm 22 I have a better view on the important but difficult role that zoo's have these days. They have my full support!
Let they take over your life, it's a good and useful thing .

 

[zoogiraffe]

Well at this moment in time i have visited 71 different collections in the U.K this year,i have visited Chester Zoo 18 times,Twycross Zoo 8 times and have been to Paignton Zoo twice have also visited a private collection of somebody i know 3 times,trying to see if i can get to the 100 different collections in the U.K but think i`m going to fall short but by how many not sure.

 

[karenZOO]

I love zoos and am proud of it although most people think I am mad when I tell them! Its a way of having a lot of 'pets' without the hassle, you learn a lot and its brilliant exercise!

My first proper date with my fella was at Colchester zoo for my birthday on a very snowy and cold day in January! Its always been my judge 0f the right fella for me, someone that doesnot think im mad for wanting to constantly go to the zoo and will go whatever the weather and where ever in the country!

Since then we have visited a lot of zoos usually planning our yearly holiday to involve some sort of zoo tour but still go to colchester alot especially in the winter and it brings back such lovely memories

My fella had a nasty accident in February which meant for 6 months he was unable to walk properly, months in plaster then rehab so as soon as he could drive again of course we went to some drive thro zoos just to keep the addiction going he is slowly getting up to managing a whole zoo

 

[zooman]

I love zoos and am proud of it although most people think I am mad when I tell them!D

I hear you Karen. My first visit to Arpenhaul many years ago. I called home to my boyfriend. I was crying.... Just how perfect it all seemed there.

I think it is a shame in a way, that we are all so far apart. As a Zoochat conferance would be great. Followed by a group zoo tour.

 

[djaeon]

I don't think it's a bad thing. I'm envious of all those who have visited so many zoos.

 

[Gigit]

I was musing a while ago over planning a tour of the northern European zoos that hold orangutans and thought what would be good would be an organised, by somebody else, trip with zoo visits, transport and hotels included. I'm sure there'd be more than me interested.
KarenZOO - we need a corner of ZooChat where we can indulge each other with stories of the latest antics of our favourite species! For instance, Paignton's 10 year old male orang, Demo, recently took apart a fallen platform outside and triumphantly carried the all bolts and fixtures indoors! They are wondering if his name is actually short for 'Demolition'!

 

[zooman]

I was musing a while ago over planning a tour of the northern European zoos that hold orangutans and thought what would be good would be an organised, by somebody else, trip with zoo visits, transport and hotels included. I'm sure there'd be more than me interested.
QUOTE]

If there was real interest in the idea of a zoo tour. I am actually in the position to organise such a thing. My boyfriend and i have a great deal of experiance in the travel industry. We have been involved in the wholesale packaging of tours for 10 years. We sold our business last year, and are in the process of starting again!