Opinions on a youtuber

[IcthyoRider]

So I know were all biased to zoological facilities this being a zoo forum and all, but I came across this youtuber by the name Cid Dwyer a while back(also I'm still new so please stop me if there is a better sub forum to post this to). He mainly makes content around the keeping of various species of animals in zoo/aquaria and the issues or particular incidents with keeping them. It's pretty much along the lines of anti captivity stances and really doesn't try to look at the other side of zoos in the slightest, mostly pointing to the opinion that they're unnecessary. I remember in one video regard tigers he made he outright stated that breeding big cats, even if they're pure subspecies in zoo's, doesn't help the species at all. I will say he is well researched and eloquent with his words, but as zoo enthusiast somethings he say's don't sit well with me. I would just like to know what arguments you guys would have against his points. If you want to take a look at his content I will post a link here: https://www.youtube.com/@CidDwyer

 

[TinoPup]

Sensationalism gets clicks. He's only been doing animal related videos for a couple of months, so I'm not sure what you mean by "a while back"; he used to just do entertainment/youtuber drama. I'm not going to watch his videos.

 

[15399]

So I know were all biased to zoological facilities this being a zoo forum and all, but I came across this youtuber by the name Cid Dwyer a while back(also I'm still new so please stop me if there is a better sub forum to post this to). He mainly makes content around the keeping of various species of animals in zoo/aquaria and the issues or particular incidents with keeping them. It's pretty much along the lines of anti captivity stances and really doesn't try to look at the other side of zoos in the slightest, mostly pointing to the opinion that they're unnecessary. I remember in one video regard tigers he made he outright stated that breeding big cats, even if they're pure subspecies in zoo's, doesn't help the species at all. I will say he is well researched and eloquent with his words, but as zoo enthusiast somethings he say's don't sit well with me. I would just like to know what arguments you guys would have against his points. If you want to take a look at his content I will post a link here: https://www.youtube.com/@CidDwyer

I have nothing against well thought-out, evidence-based anti-captivity arguments being portrayed. Truthfully, I think it's great to hear from people with different points of view to better understand all sides of a situation. However, Cid Dwyer's arguments are not well thought-out. I watched one of his videos on primates in zoos, and much of it focused on things done in the past that, while were horrible at the time, are not relevant to zoos today. Frankly, I'm just not going to give him any attention ever again.

 

[La Cucaracha]

So I know were all biased to zoological facilities this being a zoo forum and all, but I came across this youtuber by the name Cid Dwyer a while back(also I'm still new so please stop me if there is a better sub forum to post this to). He mainly makes content around the keeping of various species of animals in zoo/aquaria and the issues or particular incidents with keeping them. It's pretty much along the lines of anti captivity stances and really doesn't try to look at the other side of zoos in the slightest, mostly pointing to the opinion that they're unnecessary. I remember in one video regard tigers he made he outright stated that breeding big cats, even if they're pure subspecies in zoo's, doesn't help the species at all. I will say he is well researched and eloquent with his words, but as zoo enthusiast somethings he say's don't sit well with me. I would just like to know what arguments you guys would have against his points. If you want to take a look at his content I will post a link here: https://www.youtube.com/@CidDwyer

Don't ever give these type of people views.

I have tried, and failed many times, to convince people who are against "keeping animals in cages" on principle that zoos are actually good for wildlife conservation based on previous success.
It's never "enough".

 

[IcthyoRider]

Sensationalism gets clicks. He's only been doing animal related videos for a couple of months, so I'm not sure what you mean by "a while back"; he used to just do entertainment/youtuber drama. I'm not going to watch his videos.

I saw his videos of Gorillas back in June when it was first published. He only relatively started posting more animal based content, mostly focusing on the anti zoo propaganda side of things. I was just interested in seeing everyone's thoughts because he seems to garner a bit of traction and most videos and some of his sources seemed interesting. I was also curious on peoples thoughts on the things he references. I don't think he has ever once thought about asking anyone from the zoological community about the pros and cons of zoos. I think in part because negativity or shock videos tend to garner more views as you say.

 

[IcthyoRider]

I have nothing against well thought-out, evidence-based anti-captivity arguments being portrayed. Truthfully, I think it's great to hear from people with different points of view to better understand all sides of a situation. However, Cid Dwyer's arguments are not well thought-out. I watched one of his videos on primates in zoos, and much of it focused on things done in the past that, while were horrible at the time, are not relevant to zoos today. Frankly, I'm just not going to give him any attention ever again.

I know in that Gorilla video he references the captive population eating their own feces. Is that something you or anyone knows about being isolated to Gorillas in captivity?

 

[IcthyoRider]

Don't ever give these type of people views.

I have tried, and failed many times, to convince people who are against "keeping animals in cages" on principle that zoos are actually good for wildlife conservation based on previous success.
It's never "enough".

I know, but I can't help but get the itch to say something or find the reason behind the logic of these kinds of videos. He also seems to be very hypocritical since he owns several guinea pigs himself.

 

[15399]

I know in that Gorilla video he references the captive population eating their own feces. Is that something you or anyone knows about being isolated to Gorillas in captivity?

Coprophagy does happen in captive gorillas. That is undeniable. However, at least in the gorillas I study at Buffalo Zoo it is an *extremely* rare behavior (out of hours spent at that exhibit, I think I've seen it about three times). However, if you look up "gorilla coprophagy" or "ape coprophagy" in Google Scholar, you'd find plenty of articles researching the behavior in both captive and wild populations as there is legitimate scholarly debate over what possible digestive functions it does or does not serve.

What happens more frequently, at least in my gorilla group, is regurgitation and reingestion, which while more common than coprophagy is still not a very frequent behavior and is hypothesized due to the reduced amount of time spent foraging in captivity. Interestingly, at Buffalo Zoo regurgitation and reingestion is observed most often when the gorillas are served foods that they prefer. Regurgitation and reingestion has never been seen in wild gorillas, so that might be the behavior you are referring to.

 

[La Cucaracha]

I know, but I can't help but get the itch to say something or find the reason behind the logic of these kinds of videos. He also seems to be very hypocritical since he owns several guinea pigs himself.

More views is what pushes them to the top. I wish I could view this character and judge him for myself, but that's what they want.

It's not just vegans or anti-performing animal people. It's hunters. It's scuba divers (I've met one who genuinely thought public and private aquaria are fish jails - cry me a river, Ariel!). And they all have double standards, ie enjoying invasive animals. What these people need is less dignifying.

 

[IcthyoRider]

Coprophagy does happen in captive gorillas. That is undeniable. However, at least in the gorillas I study at Buffalo Zoo it is an *extremely* rare behavior (out of hours spent at that exhibit, I think I've seen it about three times). However, if you look up "gorilla coprophagy" or "ape coprophagy" in Google Scholar, you'd find plenty of articles researching the behavior in both captive and wild populations as there is legitimate scholarly debate over what possible digestive functions it does or does not serve.

What happens more frequently, at least in my gorilla group, is regurgitation and reingestion, which while more common than coprophagy is still not a very frequent behavior and is hypothesized due to the reduced amount of time spent foraging in captivity. Interestingly, at Buffalo Zoo regurgitation and reingestion is observed most often when the gorillas are served foods that they prefer. Regurgitation and reingestion has never been seen in wild gorillas, so that might be the behavior you are referring to.

After going to the part in his video he references both happening in captivity. I'm guessing the source he references is an old study. Do you have any studies you could point me to? I'd like to educate myself on the subject?

 

[15399]

After going to the part in his video he references both happening in captivity. I'm guessing the source he references is an old study. Do you have any studies you could point me to? I'd like to educate myself on the subject?

Both do happen in captivity, that's what I said. If you go to Google Scholar, there are a lot of studies available for you to look at (just pay attention to the date). While they may not happen frequently, they most certainly happen and I've seen both.

 

[IcthyoRider]

Both do happen in captivity, that's what I said. If you go to Google Scholar, there are a lot of studies available for you to look at (just pay attention to the date). While they may not happen frequently, they most certainly happen and I've seen both.

Oh sorry I forgot to elaborate that he states that no one knows to why they display this behavior other than that it happens, but your statement of it being based on favorite foods was why I stated the older study he referenced. Also thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time out for the forum, I'm still a new member and if I have any questions during my research I hope I can reach out to you.