And ive just remembered another great Sea World memory....the first time i went there,around,twenty years ago,i visited with the legendary Marvin Jones (one-time Registrar of San Diego Zoo).Now, im not really one for animal shows(though ive seen some amazing bird shows in France in particular,actually recommended by Sooty) but ive got to say that when "Shamu" entered the arena and the roar of three thousand spectators rang around the stadium, i got a lump in my throat.It was the first time i had ever heard a crowd enthuse over animals in the same way i do. The trick Sea World and its for-profit ownership have missed,or want to miss,is harnessing that enthusiasm for the good of zoology rather than the balance sheet.
(I Wish I Was In) California
- Thread starter sooty mangabey
- Start date
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I guess I'd disagree. The have done extensive research on orcas that is world famous (and it's a super shame that research is about to end due to their politically-correct decision to stop breeding orcas.) They have hired Jack Hanna as a spokesman and he is an amazing advocate for animals and the public display of animals. People gain appreciation for and knowledge of animal species simply by attending any modern zoo, including Sea World. Education is often low-key, and often this is the most effective way of educating the public.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I sorta agree and sorta disagree. Having just spent (a week ago) a week in London, watching 3 different plays on the West End, I definitely saw some jokes that were a lot funnier to Americans than they were to the Brits in the audience -- and vice versa. But yes, I'm sure some of the difference is just taste, and your example (Family Guy) illustrates this, as I've never found anything about that show funny -- all I've ever seen on it is bathroom humor. But every time I've gone to Sea World (admittedly, a number of years ago now), they had the entire audience (including my kids and me) in stitches throughout the Seymour the Sea Lion Show. Let me ask, did they have a mime come out to warm up the audience before the show? Did you find him funny? One final question about Sea World: Do they still have those cute and fast Commerson's dolphins? Besides the killer whales, they were my favorite animal at Sea World. They were kind of hard to find, tucked in underneath a big roller coaster.
Sooty, I've really been enjoying this thread. I agree with many of your thoughts, and also love the San Diego parks (and wish I could go back to each!). I like SeaWorld more than most, though in more recent years my love has been waning, for many of the reasons you cite. Hope you enjoy the rest of the trip!
No, the last individuals moved to Aquatica Orlando at the end of 2015 (or perhaps the beginning of 2016). One sadly died in transit.
All of which is true and with which i agree.... BUT Sea Worlds exist for one prime reason - to turn in a corporate profit.My point is that the majority of the money made will always fuel that particular fire.But then the places wouldnt exist otherwise, so Im fairly pragmatic about it,unlike Sooty who gives the notion that he would only return if,say, Dolly Parton was in concert, and who regards the withdrawal of Joan Jett as a real loss to the parks!
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
So, it's my last night in California, sadly. Equally sadly, I've swapped my nice Thelma & Louise motel in San Diego for a dump in Long Beach, the sort that features on a million US shows about the police busting some drug dealer, holed up in just such a dive. I didn't fancy heading out to sample the fine dining options nearby so, instead, my last American dinner was a bag of crisps from the vending machine. Nice!
Now typing on my phone, and struggle to see the screen, so please forgive typo-related idiocy.
Now, like Tim, I have 2 other obsessions that nudge that which I have for zoos - and one is indeed music. A Dolly Parton show probably *would* lure me back to SW - and given that the SW CEO used to have something to do with Dollywood, maybe it could happen...
Joan Jett - a fairly dire one-hit wonder did indeed "ban" SW from using the execrable "I love rock n roll"; coincidentally,The Band Who Played The Cure at SD Zoo played that very song today. It was awful.
Now typing on my phone, and struggle to see the screen, so please forgive typo-related idiocy.
Now, like Tim, I have 2 other obsessions that nudge that which I have for zoos - and one is indeed music. A Dolly Parton show probably *would* lure me back to SW - and given that the SW CEO used to have something to do with Dollywood, maybe it could happen...
Joan Jett - a fairly dire one-hit wonder did indeed "ban" SW from using the execrable "I love rock n roll"; coincidentally,The Band Who Played The Cure at SD Zoo played that very song today. It was awful.
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
Day 6 - Saturday - San Diego Zoo, again (again)
So, back for a third day at SD Zoo. Had vaguely contemplated heading to The Living Desert, but it has ridiculous opening times, and I think I could just keep on going to the SD Zoo and not get bored. And subsequent visits are nearly always better, at a great zoo, than the first visit. Today I could spend 45 minutes in the wonderful hummingbird aviary, and longer in the stunning Scripps Aviary - my favourite, just. Over the three visits, I'd seen every species present, bar one: the African thrush. But only one animal present, and even the keeper told me she'll sometimes not see it for a week. Then, just as I was leaving for the last time, down she fluttered, for a second before disappearing off - as did I.
So, back for a third day at SD Zoo. Had vaguely contemplated heading to The Living Desert, but it has ridiculous opening times, and I think I could just keep on going to the SD Zoo and not get bored. And subsequent visits are nearly always better, at a great zoo, than the first visit. Today I could spend 45 minutes in the wonderful hummingbird aviary, and longer in the stunning Scripps Aviary - my favourite, just. Over the three visits, I'd seen every species present, bar one: the African thrush. But only one animal present, and even the keeper told me she'll sometimes not see it for a week. Then, just as I was leaving for the last time, down she fluttered, for a second before disappearing off - as did I.
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
Thank you to all who have contributed to the SW debate. I guess it's just one where opinions *will* differ (a Good Thing!).
Opinions will also differ on the mime show, Allen! This was the thing that really set me off. The bloke mining / dancing to hits from the movies. I thought it was badly conceived, poorly choreographed, and appallingly performed. i felt genuinely embarrassed watching it, such was its awfulness. I'm guessing you felt differently!
Enough on SW from me. This particular donkey has been well and truly flogged. Tomorrow, an aquarium which had better be good for luring me into this dump of a town (or, at least, this dump of an area in what may well be a delightful town) then, if there's time one or two smaller places too, before the nice man from Norway flies me home once more....
Opinions will also differ on the mime show, Allen! This was the thing that really set me off. The bloke mining / dancing to hits from the movies. I thought it was badly conceived, poorly choreographed, and appallingly performed. i felt genuinely embarrassed watching it, such was its awfulness. I'm guessing you felt differently!
Enough on SW from me. This particular donkey has been well and truly flogged. Tomorrow, an aquarium which had better be good for luring me into this dump of a town (or, at least, this dump of an area in what may well be a delightful town) then, if there's time one or two smaller places too, before the nice man from Norway flies me home once more....
Now then....I go and recommend one of the most memorable hotels you might ever stay in i.e. the Queen Mary at Long Beach,which is just along the harbour from the Aquarium of the Pacific and what do you do? Book into the local YMCA or something like that.I might as well have told next door`s cat. Quite a feat to see every taxon in S.D....only a few years ago they used to have huge amounts of things off-show - im not sure the same applies now.And remember my little dinner "game"? Best and worst of each place youve visited on this trip please...you cant use "meeting up with my mates"this time!
But it's fun to stay at the YMCA...
FunkyGibbon
Well-Known Member
I've heard there's a hotel in the area where you can check out any time you like but you can never leave...
Such a lovely place.
Such a lovely place.
Ooh....just realised - its my 10th anniversary of joining Zoochat..yes - today! I remember it well,I was such a callow youth back then...inexperienced, naive(I doubt I had done more than 400 zoos) .As my number of posts will tell you im hardly a "regular" but those who know me know that the internet is hardly my natural habitat. Im more of an introduced species... but im glad to celebrate such an occasion on Sooty`s thread.And on his final day too.Hell of a brief trip for such a long distance but he will be wanting to get back for Pompey versus Gosport pre-season friendly or see Johnny Cash-in(tribute act) Ive no doubt.And re. the above hotel ..he should see some birds of prey there Im pretty sure.
But what is the name of this hotel in California?
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
You can find it here
The Eagles (1977)
The_UltimateBea
Well-Known Member
Sadly, the zoo's pangolin Baba (which was displayed daily in the children's zoo) died recently.