Walrus in UK collections

[amaroc]

*Sounds rather like an anti-zoo sentiment there.....
*Possibility this animal is disoriented or starving, and may perish if left
*What’s wrong with a comfortable life in a zoo?

None of the above applies in this case at the moment so why does it have to be put into captivity ?
As above, it's already being monitored by experts who
I am sure will take the appropriate action if required

 

[Fallax]

Another factor could be public endangerment if people continue to act stupid around the walrus.

 

[Zia]

None of the above applies in this case at the moment so why does it have to be put into captivity ?
As above, it's already being monitored by experts who
I am sure will take the appropriate action if required

It doesn't - this is just a discussion about where could house it if the need did in fact arise.

 

[pipaluk]

Whipsnade will sooe have the perfect enclosure

 

[amaroc]

It doesn't - this is just a discussion about where could house it if the need did in fact arise.

I think if you read the first post it doesn't give that impression

However, if possible capture were an option, is there anywhere in the UK that has the potential facilities or history to house a walrus?

I'm sure it will be happier roaming in the wild to a comfortable life in a zoo as suggested previously

 

[FBBird]

I think if you read the first post it doesn't give that impression



I'm sure it will be happier roaming in the wild to a comfortable life in a zoo as suggested previously

I don’t think we can second guess whether an animal is happier in captivity or in the wild. Different lifestyles have different challenges.
What makes me a bit twitchy is the assumption that an animal is better off in the wild, I get very suspicious of animal rights people trolling on here.
Saying that, of course this animal shouldn’t be picked up and looked after unless there’s a definite welfare issue. Best leave it to sort itself out.

 

[amaroc]

What makes me a bit twitchy is the assumption that an animal is better off in the wild, I get very suspicious of animal rights people trolling on here.
Saying that, of course this animal shouldn’t be picked up and looked after unless there’s a definite welfare issue. Best leave it to sort itself out.

An animal born ing the wild must be happier when it can free roam, captive bred I have no problem with, they don't know any difference, for the record I am not involved in animal rights
The part in bold are my feelings, but too many do gooders seem to think animals are better off in captivity
I'd much rather see it left where it is and perhaps kept a watch to make sure people stay clear as they do with the seals at breeding time

 

[Pertinax]

I'd much rather see it left where it is and perhaps kept a watch to make sure people stay clear as they do with the seals at breeding time

Equally importantly it needs to be monitored to see if it is getting enough to eat. Walrus feed extensively on clams. Are there any clam beds or other suitable foods around Tenby where it currently is...Walrus are such huge bulky creatures covered in blubber that it may not be readily apparent whether it is maintaining condition or not until it is already in a dangerously weakened state. That is just one possibility- the other being that it remains healthy, in which case a hands-off approach is obviously preferable. Nobody has seriously suggested it should be taken into captivity- unless it was necessary for its wellbeing. I think Panthera's initial comment at the start of the thread about 'if capture was a possible option' was made in the vein only of if necessary, not out of choice. A walrus in British waters is so rare that we can't foresee the longterm outcome.

 

[Andrew Swales]

An animal born ing the wild must be happier when it can free roam, captive bred I have no problem with, they don't know any difference, for the record I am not involved in animal rights
The part in bold are my feelings, but too many do gooders seem to think animals are better off in captivity
I'd much rather see it left where it is and perhaps kept a watch to make sure people stay clear as they do with the seals at breeding time

There is no must about it.
Black and white sound-bite statements like this are the territory of the antis, not just the ant-zoos but the anti anythings...

 

[Panthera1981]

Nobody has seriously suggested it should be taken into captivity- unless it was necessary for its wellbeing. I think Panthera's initial comment at the start of the thread about 'if capture was a possible option' was made in the vein only of if necessary, not out of choice.

Correct! Thank you Pertinax. Although I think we can all collectively question our faith in the general public concerning pinnipeds after the recent Thames seal incident!

 

[taun]

An animal born ing the wild must be happier when it can free roam, captive bred I have no problem with, they don't know any difference, for the record I am not involved in animal rights
The part in bold are my feelings, but too many do gooders seem to think animals are better off in captivity
I'd much rather see it left where it is and perhaps kept a watch to make sure people stay clear as they do with the seals at breeding time

And too many gooders think no animal should be in captivity and often blinkered to the truth.

And it was quite clearly a hypothetical question on where to house a Walrus.