Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2018
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What will happen after the bears are exhibited?
taun
Well-Known Member
I assume they will drain all publicity they can out of rescuing them.
Great news. Ywp puts welfare of animals as one of its top priorities as well as conservation. I regrettably watched a YouTube video of these poor bears kept in their old, small, rusty cages in Japan. Thank god ywp are giving them something that can only be described as a miracle. Thank you ywp!!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Yes thank god they are lets hope they don't have to wait over 2 years like the Polar Bears have for them to finish their enclosure!!!
True, moral superiority always sells when it comes to animals. I'm not going to deny that those bears were kept (I'm not that indecent of a human being), but this just feels like this action is impulse assuming that the enclosures aren't even built yet.
The holding enclosure was being built for the female polar bear anyway so it’s well on its way they’re asking for donations and help from local businesses and they are going to hold a volunteer day for people to help furnish and prepare the enclosure.
I’m guessing the proper enclosure is the one in the woods for the “arboreal” species. They submitted the application months ago but it seems that local residents and the wildlife trust and council environmental department are blocking it.
These bears came to attention 2 years ago and several agencies have been working towards this till then! YWP do a fantastic job taking on animals that no-one else wants or (in the case of the polar bears) would be kept in off show areas which are far from ideal! Such cynicism is unworthy of any animal lover!!
Well if only I researched more on this and knew.
The level of cynicism on here astounds me sometimes. Bravo Yorkshire Wildlife Park for giving these bears what will no doubt be a wonderful new home. Frankly the park deserves all the credit and publicity it gets for helping out animals in need, not just focusing on the breeding of endangered species. I think the mix of conservation projects and the sanctuary role for the bears and lions is absolutely wonderful!
FunkyGibbon
Well-Known Member
The level of cynicism stems directly from YWP's past actions. In a lot of these 'rescue' cases it seems that YWP was far more interested in enhancing their own reputation than they were in being a responsible partner with a zoo in a developing country. These zoos are not necessarily profit-making torture chambers; they probably have staff who love the animals they care for and a local community who is very proud of the institution. You can still find animals in identical conditions in Western zoos today, and it was really not long ago that such enclosures were the norm.
In cases I can bring to mind (the giraffe in Copenhagen, the polar bear in Mexico) as I understand it there was never any agreement or attempt at agreement, Yorkshire simply hoped that public pressure would force the issue. This is irresponsible. Species are under threat of extinction and often 'bad' zoos in local countries can/could play a vital role in the conservation of them. These institutions need be nurtured and supported, not patronised or demonised. Zoos themselves are also under a certain amount of existential threat from parts of society that think they are unethical; it's fairly clear that YWP exploits this (much as any zoo does when they go down the "We're not like the others" route), but they are doing it more, and more effectively, than anyone else.
It's obviously great for the four bears in question, and also for people who want to see bears in zoos in the UK. And clearly, YWP will benefit. But there is a cost to this kind of thing if not done properly in the long run. It's not at all clear that Yorkshire is doing it properly, and it's not at all clear if they will be the ones to pay for it.
@FunkyGibbon, thanks for the eloquent and extensive response to some of the more emotional outbursts over the new polar bear ex overseas. I would have done it myself and not just for being the devil's advocate at times like these ..., but simply for the very fact there seems to be no quid pro quo at all and the zoo "allowing for transfer of individual animals is put under severe PR / public pressure to part with individual animals they have cared for (even though one can debate re. the level of care. No indications whatsoever to assist the transfering institution in development of their facilities, improving animal husbandry and care operations .... whatever.
The only sustainable method and work process to go about these animal rescue operations is if and when the receiving zoo is actually promoting cooperation with the relevant zoos overseas with sub standard accomodation and improve their facilities and animal care operations. A program of this nature is actually operating within the EAZA zoo community itself with a particular focus on sub standard zoos in some European countries to improve standards and animal care staff capacities.
it would be nice if this polar bear project - and as we digress further this is / was also true of their previous lion and bear rescue operations - had an in-country component overseas. One could even think of having reciprocal zoo contacts and development programs. A win - win benefit for all, now it more or less comes over as somewhat patronising and drawing attention to the "look how good we are ... and go the extra mile" benefiting their institution over the other which is "mad, bad and generally dangerous to know" like.
The only sustainable method and work process to go about these animal rescue operations is if and when the receiving zoo is actually promoting cooperation with the relevant zoos overseas with sub standard accomodation and improve their facilities and animal care operations. A program of this nature is actually operating within the EAZA zoo community itself with a particular focus on sub standard zoos in some European countries to improve standards and animal care staff capacities.
it would be nice if this polar bear project - and as we digress further this is / was also true of their previous lion and bear rescue operations - had an in-country component overseas. One could even think of having reciprocal zoo contacts and development programs. A win - win benefit for all, now it more or less comes over as somewhat patronising and drawing attention to the "look how good we are ... and go the extra mile" benefiting their institution over the other which is "mad, bad and generally dangerous to know" like.
Right, but a) YWP's occasionally iffy approach to other zoos wasn't what the "cynical" posts were complaining about, and b) the senders are (apparently) fully onboard in this case. You (i.e. ZooChatters) want zoos to survive and thrive? This is exactly what they should be doing, and should be seen to be doing.
Also, Japan isn't Mexico or China. There's no excuse for a facility in one of the world's richest, best-educated countries (with some stellar zoos) to keep bears in subpar conditions indefinitely. Bravo to both parties.
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I personally fail to see what conservation objectives are served nor the educational purpose of relocating these animals from another country to YWP without putting something back into the originating country.
What matters methinks most is a connected network of zoos globally working both ex and in situ for conservation and education and opening up for engagement and zoo to zoo exchanges (in the broadest sense of the word), in country support and improving zoo standards and capacity. This is what makes for a strong zoo conservation community.
The road taken here is unhelpful at best, in my personal view non-sustainable and in no way will it ever change the long term outlook nor quality of life of captive (or wild) bears in Japan.
Finally, as this is a forum for inter- and intra-cultural exchange on views and experiences that may differ by country and by continent and make rather summary quips setting a given UK/European zoo traditions and experience over and above those from the rest of the world - immaterial if they be Japan, Mexico, P.R. China or any other nation of grouping of countries for that matter - is not very conducive to a free and open discussion of the pros and cons of the animal transfers under consideration here.
What matters methinks most is a connected network of zoos globally working both ex and in situ for conservation and education and opening up for engagement and zoo to zoo exchanges (in the broadest sense of the word), in country support and improving zoo standards and capacity. This is what makes for a strong zoo conservation community.
The road taken here is unhelpful at best, in my personal view non-sustainable and in no way will it ever change the long term outlook nor quality of life of captive (or wild) bears in Japan.
Finally, as this is a forum for inter- and intra-cultural exchange on views and experiences that may differ by country and by continent and make rather summary quips setting a given UK/European zoo traditions and experience over and above those from the rest of the world - immaterial if they be Japan, Mexico, P.R. China or any other nation of grouping of countries for that matter - is not very conducive to a free and open discussion of the pros and cons of the animal transfers under consideration here.
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Its not about conservation or education though, its simply about giving these four bears a better life with more suitable living conditions. Yes the park will also benefit from some good PR and probably a boost in visitor numbers - win win!
Is there an issue with the quality of life for captive bears in Japan generally, or just at this museum, which is clearly an unsuitable home?
I personally applaud YWP for sometimes being compassionate about animals and viewing them as individuals and not just species.
This implication of cultural insensitivity is far less "conducive to a free and open discussion" than my "summary quip". Obviously perceptions differ, but ignoring the fact that some countries are worse for welfare than others (e.g. the PRC's lack of legislation) or suggesting that welfare itself is a relativist concept not measurable or comparable (undermining three decades of science) is unfounded and unhelpful. Moreover, unless we honestly recognise differences in experience and standards, how can we hope to facilitate knowledge transfer? In this case, it's a zoo with the necessary resources taking on animals from somewhere that doesn't, with their consent. Make a groundless ideological/geopolitical point out of that all you like; it doesn't change the fact this is a win-win situation.
That is all well and good - but these bears are being held in a cultural museum. The facilities are simply not acceptable and the holders themselves agree that they do not have the experience or resources to care for the bears or make the necessary (and significant) improvements required. This is not an opportunity for objectives to be served other than to address the welfare of these individual bears.
I really can't understand the criticism of YWP , mainly on the basis that they might get some publicity from this 'rescue'. Why should that matter, it's not a case of point scoring against other UK zoos , I think it actually could reflect on all zoos in the UK and show them in a better light to those who might be influenced .
The offer to take the giraffe from Copenhagen, was IMO more than a publicity stunt and they would have taken him! They have plenty of room .
Are those who are against the import of these bears suggesting they deserve to rot in Japan, or worse get a bullet in the head like the aforementioned giraffe?
This is a win for the bears and if it is also a win for YWP, why is that such a problem?
The offer to take the giraffe from Copenhagen, was IMO more than a publicity stunt and they would have taken him! They have plenty of room .
Are those who are against the import of these bears suggesting they deserve to rot in Japan, or worse get a bullet in the head like the aforementioned giraffe?
This is a win for the bears and if it is also a win for YWP, why is that such a problem?
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