Zoo/Aquarium Hot Takes
- Thread starter pachyderm pro
- Start date
I think this reason is why I'm not sure if it is a good idea, a damage in reputation could cause more harm than good in some circumstances. Though, further education in and outside the zoo could potentially alter public perception.
Yeah that will go over well.
I got another hot take coming up exhibit-designwise, I think temple-themed exhibits aren't a bad idea - if you're only focusing on a certain region and the temple architecture is culturally sound. The best examples of this would be Jacksonville's Range of the Jaguar, which utilizes temple-theming tastefully (along with Audubon's Jaguar Jungle as an honorable mention), as well as Fresno Chaffee Zoo's upcoming Kingdoms of Asia, which involves a heavy collaboration with Fresno's Khmer community (giving a significant boost authenticity-wise and PR-wise to boot). Malayan tigers make sense in an Angkor-Wat themed area, as there were populations of Malayan/Indochinese tigers living in Cambodia around that same time. So do animals like sun bears, clouded leopards, banteng, dhole, Siamese crocodile, Asian elephant, etc. That said, the temple facade shouldn't take up 100% of the habitat, and there should still be a predominant focus on nature. Again, going back to Jacksonville, the temple theming doesn't take up 100% of the complex, with the Emerald Forest aviary highlighting, well, a forest. Fresno also seems to be maintaining the "forest" environment for their orangutans, babirusa (and presumably Malayan tapir/muntjac), komodo dragons and rhinoceros hornbill, with the only predominant temple theming being present in the tiger and sloth bear habitats.
To sum up, temple theming good, only if authenticity/predominant focus on nature is present.
To sum up, temple theming good, only if authenticity/predominant focus on nature is present.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
The most recent issue of AZA's magazine has an article calling in part for more cultural awareness in planning themed exhibits and incorporating native voices. An example of what not to do that they mentioned involved putting up totem poles in Arctic/polar bear exhibits, even though indigenous peoples from those regions don't use totem poles.
I'm very glad to hear this!
I literally cannot stand cougars. They're literally the worst big cat. Cheetahs are ten times better than any other big cat anyways.
Simply calling them this is a hot take...
Didn't a zoo cause some controversy a while back by having a boma setup? I don't know the whole story but seem to remember reading that somewhere. Cultural awareness is good but needs to be handled carefully.
Sometimes an older woman can be nice. Oh wait, you weren't talking about that kind of cougar were you?
Sorry, I couldn't resist/
Cougars are awesome, they may be common but they are an iconic part of the North American fauna.
Or South American in the case of some European zoos.
*1 European zoo - Vincennes…
Since I've never seen them in the wild I don't mind seeing them in captivity.
I've never seen them in the wild either, and I think if I did I still wouldn't have a problem with captive ones.
This sounds really interesting and right at the intersection of two things I care about. I gotta find this article. It's a topic that I know exists but I rarely see discussed, even on this site. "Culturally sensitive zoo design" is such a specific subject for most forums of discussion, lol.
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Seen their tracks several locations Yosemite National Park. Keeping pulse actively to see one in the wild. Felix Concolor- cat of one color. Ranging from north America. down central n south america!
Shadow cat, they see you long before one even knows they are there. Must seem youtube video out of utah. Female cougar bluffing trail runner on trail. Incredible footage.
I actually think Tropics World at Brookfield Zoo is a somewhat decent exhibit. Yes, it's all indoors, but it's kinda understandable, due to Illinois's cold weather. The animals can almost live their whole lives in the trees in this exhibit.
But yes, it is nice that the gorillas and orangs are getting outdoor exhibits.
And also, it's completely okay if you disagree, everyone has different opinions.
But yes, it is nice that the gorillas and orangs are getting outdoor exhibits.
And also, it's completely okay if you disagree, everyone has different opinions.
Birdsage
Well-Known Member
FYI, the Cougar’s scientific name is no longer Felis concolor, but Puma concolor (monotypic genus). “Felix” is a misspelling of the genus Felis, which now contains only the wildcats (specifically the Asian, African, and European) and the domestic housecat.
Birdsage
Well-Known Member
I forgot that this genus also contains the Black-footed, Chinese Mountain, and Sand Cats.
The superficial similarity between the Latin word (or its derivatives: the English word “feline”, the generic name, and the family name of “Felidae”) and the male given name of “Felix” probably explains why more than just that one fictitious felid have the name of “Felix”. I would make an educated guess that there are at least 10 that do, including the Iberian Lynx* from The Missing Lynx, the aforementioned Felix the Cat, and probably many others I don’t know about.
The four species of lynx (Bobcat included) are not in the Felis genus either, but the fact that they are felines and felids is a good enough explanation.
The superficial similarity between the Latin word (or its derivatives: the English word “feline”, the generic name, and the family name of “Felidae”) and the male given name of “Felix” probably explains why more than just that one fictitious felid have the name of “Felix”. I would make an educated guess that there are at least 10 that do, including the Iberian Lynx* from The Missing Lynx, the aforementioned Felix the Cat, and probably many others I don’t know about.
The four species of lynx (Bobcat included) are not in the Felis genus either, but the fact that they are felines and felids is a good enough explanation.