Topic 8 of 58: Captivity
Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (18:54) |
Wolf (wolf)
discuss your thoughts on captive animals outside the home.
56 responses total.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 1 of 56: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (20:54) * 6 lines
They're about to pass legislation banning elephants from cicuses.
Circuses won't be teh same, but I can see why such large animals would be
hard to care for on the road. I wonder woat the rationale is and who is
behind this?
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 2 of 56: Isabel (Isabel) * Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:53) * 1 lines
I don't go to circuses, I can't see how the animals are treated there. A baby-giraffe in a disco-spotlight? Can't have it!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 3 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:58) * 3 lines
elephants are social animals. the isolation is enough to make any critter lose it. plus, trainers are not trained to treat such a large animal (or small)with respect. think it boils down to education and compassion.
i've not been to a circus in ages. not even the ones that pass through here. really don't care for them.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 4 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (22:49) * 1 lines
Absolutely hate circuses. Don't like clowns and the animals are so sad, and the freak show is revolting. Other than that...they're ok...! I think circuses are a guy thing.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 5 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (08:43) * 1 lines
I love love love the circus. The animals are rather sad, so I think it's good if they have legislation against that. The horses seem to enjoy themselves a good deal though. And I love those juggling acts and the contortionists and trapeze acts. Clowns are naff things though - they should dress them up as animals and make them take the elephants' place; that would be far more entertaining than blowing whistles and hooting hooters and pretending to fall over their own feet.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 6 of 56: Isabel (Isabel) * Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (09:16) * 3 lines
We've got one big Circus in Europe called Roncalli (Isn't that even a Swiss one, Riette?), which doesn't have exotic animals, just horses, dogs, cats and even ferrets! That's a nice one!
Many of the little circuses think they must have exotic animals to be interesting, but they don't have the money to feed them and they are not even able to handle them right. At one of the circuses visiting our little village (and if they come here, they have to be REALLY little)I saw them beating up the camels and then wondering why the poor animals got so embarrassed!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 7 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (04:33) * 3 lines
Roncalli? I've not heard of that one actually, Isabel. The only famous Swiss circus I know of is Knie. Apart from them we get the Connelli and another one, but I never go to those; nothing happens. Knie is excellent though.
The best circus I've ever seen was the Boswell Wilky, an African circus with a VERY african feel. Lots of music and dancing and stuff.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 8 of 56: John Burnett (mrchips) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (10:15) * 3 lines
Circus owners and bookers are generally fly-by-night shady operators with no compassion for either the people or animals in their employ. Six or seven years ago in Honolulu, a circus came to town with an African elephant named Tyke. Tyke had rampaged and in three or four cities before, including Syracuse and Dayton (the circus had covered that fact up, but one of the Honolulu dailies uncovered it), and had to be tranquilized, but the circus did not take her out of service. Tyke snapped again, trampled
er trainer to death and went on a rampage through town, breaking the leg of one of the publicists who tried to shut a chain link fence on her (DUH) and making a beeline for the state's largest shopping center, Ala Moana. Honolulu police didn't have tranquilizer guns (and for some reason, neither did the circus). HPD also didn't have a large enough caliber weapon to kill Tyke, so they pumped round after round into her with riot guns and .45 service revolvers, taking 20 minutes to bring her down and anoth
r 20-30 minutes to kill her while hundreds, including dozens of traumatized children, watched. If that isn't reason enough to outlaw circus animals, I don't know what is. Also, dolphins in captive "swim with humans" programs have also been known to act agressively and unpredictably. Humans love being the lords and masters of all we survey, but I don't believe that God put these magnificent creatures on Earth for our amusement.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 9 of 56: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (13:05) * 1 lines
A-men
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 10 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (14:18) * 1 lines
I also don't think wild animals should be in circusses - it is cruel. Circusses would be just as much fun without them; humans at least enjoy putting on spectacular performances.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 11 of 56: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (15:40) * 11 lines
They had a big story on this on Dateline NBC last night. They have these
big metal hooks they poke the elephants with and some trainers just beat
the elephants up because they're having a rough day and the elephants
dont' talk back. Well they do, actually. After years of abuse some
elephants go berserk and are often shot to death to stop them. But they
are responding to all the abuse. There were a lot of graphic scenes of
trainers whipping and beating the elephants with big sticks. The biggest
problem is that they have to confined in boxcars and cages so much of
their lives, and are only let out when they have to perform stupid tricks
they're not in to doing. They did do justices to the ohter side and
showed some examples of good treatment.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 12 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (05:08) * 1 lines
$hit, I wouldn't beat up an elephant, even if a bus ran over my big toe.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 13 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (18:02) * 1 lines
John, I well remember the Tyke incident. Terrible. Again, I say I can't stand circuses. Cirque de Soliel (spelled wrong, I know...) is only the two-legged variety of performer, if I recall correctly. Has anyone seen it?
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 14 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (18:55) * 1 lines
nope but heard of it...
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 15 of 56: John Burnett (mrchips) * Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (22:17) * 1 lines
Cirque du Soleil is a wonderful performing troupe...I don't even really think of it as a circus. I antagonized my boss at the radio station a few years back when I refused to ride on the back of an elephant in a parade through town. Captain Craig Kamahele did it instead (he admitted afterwards how scared he was). Tyke rampaged a year later. I went to that boss (now deceased) and told him he owed me an apology. He died without giving it to me.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 16 of 56: Gi (patas) * Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (04:45) * 2 lines
How about bullfights? Every summer now (since 2 or 3 years ago) there is much discussion in Portugal because a small border village has its traditional festivities which include bullfights in the spanish style, with the bull being killed in the arena, although this is forbidden by portuguese law.
They discuss whether to stop this forcefully or pass a special law for this village alone, and in the end do nothing. The hypocrisy of it all angers me. I hate all bullfights and all animal suffering, be it for "entertainment" or "scientific" purposes. I usually and consciously play the ostrich about it, though, bury my head in the sand to not see, because I get too sick when I must face it.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 17 of 56: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (10:39) * 13 lines
Regarding the Cirque...
I've seen 'Quidam' and 'O' live
I've seen 'Mystere' and part of another (the name I cannot remember) on television.
Gosh... incredible and enthralling are probably the most appropriate adjectives to describe the Cirque.
Mystifying and engaging...
Amazing...
and yes, animal circuses tend to make me ill...
as did the last trip to the zoo.
The tigers had to share a habitat pen so they had these teeny 'cages' and then for a couple of hours everyday, they were put out in the 'habitat' (also very tiny). With all the animals sharing, most tigers spent the whole time just pissing to mark it as their territory again.
Except for one tiger...
he just kept licking the plexiglass...
neurotic behavior, brought on by captivity...
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 18 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (15:22) * 1 lines
How incredibly sad...!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 19 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (04:40) * 3 lines
I've seen the Soleil - they're FABULOUS!!
Zoos here are absolutely appalling - even though THEY think they're doing a great job. I don't understand how they can take lions out of africa and stick them in a zoo; in Namibia, as in most african countries, there are SEVERAL rehabilitation programmes for orphaned wilde animals - there is no excuse for sending them to zoos. Cats are hunters - you take the hunting away from him, you might as well kill him. It's like taking away a person's Think.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 20 of 56: John Burnett (mrchips) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (06:42) * 1 lines
Zoos may be a necessary evil if we want to preserve animal species, but keep encroaching on their habitat. But circus, making animals "entertain" humans and locking them up in small cages instead of large outdoor habitats is absolutely cruel. And as much as I love Hemingway, I hate bullfights and cheer for the bulls when the testosterone-overloaded morons run with them in the streets of Pamplona.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 21 of 56: Riette Walton (riette) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (11:48) * 1 lines
Zoos should hold those animals which are growing extinct, not lions and zebras and giraffes. Those animals HAVE a home - zoos make them into a circus act of another kind.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 22 of 56: John Burnett (mrchips) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (12:34) * 1 lines
Good point.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 23 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (17:55) * 5 lines
this is true, but many people never get to see these animals in reality to understand what they're about. this is why i like busch gardens and their open habitats. the zoo in san antonio made me sick. i paid 8 bucks to keep these animals in concrete.
it's education. that's what it boils down to. and to understand and have compassion.
this is also why i'd like to work in a zoo. but zoos these days are all politics. i met an animal behaviorist (just what i want to do) who worked in the san diego zoo and he said he had to quit because he couldn't deal with the b-s anymore.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 24 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (18:35) * 2 lines
My ex began as an animal behaviorist but could not stomach the stuff they wanted him to do to the test animals just to find out things we do not need to know.
Somewhere, somehow, rational people who cannot stand animal abuse must confront these things where they happen and promote legislation to outlaw them. It is just so hard to get anything going...and not be tossed off as an environmental whacko!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 25 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Oct 1, 1999 (20:26) * 2 lines
well, just like some folks like math and others english, there are people people and animal people. i am of the latter, for sure. there are some things i condone that some of these radical protestors would be infuriated over. you know, stuff like eating meat! wearing fur coats if you can't get a synthetic coat (i.e., native peoples), hunting but only if you eat what you hunt, etc. everything in moderation, you know? people just want to belong to something and then lose their mind in the middle of a "herd"
movement. for this reason, i am against greenpeace, who promote violence in their efforts to help animals, and abortion clinic protestors who kill the doctors.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 26 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Oct 2, 1999 (00:50) * 14 lines
Amen!!! I could not have said it any better. I agree totally with what you say and your reasons for it. Moderation - whatever happened to it?!
Sorry to post this herem but we need to get the word out as widely as possible - and your conferences seem to be busy (hey, I am a host here, too!!! Yippee!)
If you value Spring and the discussions herein (not to mention the
venting going on), do you realize this is Terry's web site for which he pays all the bills? Please, it is time to help with any
donation you can afford. He has some pretty big bills to pay and he needs your (and my) help to sustain all of the stuff we
are posting. Think if he had to cut back and eliminate some of - or all of - the conferences?! Please!
Send contributions to:
Paul Terry Walhus
The Spring
9011 Quail Creek Dr
Austin, TX 78758
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 27 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 9, 2000 (17:38) * 28 lines
Lawmakers Try to Ban Elephants at Circuses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - The death of a Florida elephant trainer and
the subsequent killing of the elephant responsible prompted two state
lawmakers to file bills on Tuesday to ban the animals from most traveling
circuses.
Citing repeated incidents of abuse and the deaths of six people from elephant
stompings since 1989, Rep. Curt Levine, a Democrat from Boca Raton, called
on fellow lawmakers to ban elephant rides at circuses or traveling shows and
prohibit the confinement of elephants for more than 36 hours at a time.
The latest death occurred Jan. 26 when an 18-year-old, 4,500-pound (2,025
kg) female African elephant named Kenya killed Teresa Ramos-Caballero, 52,
at the Ramos family's compound in a rural area near Tampa.
On Saturday Kenya was found dead of undetermined causes. A criminal
investigation was launched.
``These animals are perceived to be money makers for circuses,'' Levine said.
``But these attractions have enough else going on ... I think the shows would
be better (without them).''
The measure also would prohibit the participation of elephants younger than 7
in circus performances and would ban the importation of elephants into
Florida unless they spend 300 days a year within the state.
Sen. Daryl Jones, a Miami Democrat, filed a companion bill in the state
Senate.
Animal rights activists have blamed occasional outbursts of violence from
elephants on abusive training techniques that leave the massive animals wary
and dangerous.
``The incidents we see are the direct result of abusive training,'' Pat Derby,
director of the California-based Performing Arts Welfare Society, said.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 28 of 56: Maggie (sociolingo) * Fri, Mar 3, 2000 (15:11) * 1 lines
Just seen a news thingy that three camels have been remanded in custody in Russia en route to some Zoo or other. Apparently their papers are not in order. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture has demanded they put down. I find this incredible.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 29 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Mar 3, 2000 (15:39) * 5 lines
were the camels on their way to a zoo in russia? i hope not, how would they stand the cold? granted it gets cold in the desert but not THAT cold.....
i'm not surprised that they were held because of not having the proper papers. animals as well as plants can be smuggled with the false pretense of going to zoo or someone's garden.
the plants i ordered from gurney's came in with a statement right on the package about them being legally obtained and stuff.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 30 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Mar 3, 2000 (15:39) * 1 lines
thanks maggie, that's the first i've heard of it (haven't been watching the news like i should)
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 31 of 56: Maggie (sociolingo) * Fri, Mar 3, 2000 (16:08) * 1 lines
I think they were en route to somewhere else. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 32 of 56: Maggie (sociolingo) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (17:39) * 17 lines
I found the newsitem. No further news.
Three camels from Kazakhstan have been ordered to be destroyed after spending weeks in Belarus, held up by bureaucratic wrangling.
The camels were bought last year by a zoo in the Czech Republic and were being delivered overland through Russia.
But when they reached Belarus, the authorities said their papers were not in order.
Eventually, the only zoo in the country agreed to give them a home.
But then the Belarus Agriculture Ministry stepped in, and said the animals must be killed, because of the danger of disease.
Belarus State Television was outraged, calling the decision barbaric and pointing out no ministry vet had even examined the camels.
Customs officers refused to carry out the death sentence, and officials say a final decision will now be made on Friday.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 33 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (18:42) * 1 lines
Please keep us notified as to the result of the final decision. Terrible stuff!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 34 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (22:45) * 1 lines
no, all they have to do is quarantine them and get them examined by a vet. why do people think it's easier to destroy them than to deal with them. see, if i had room and lots of money, all the wayward beasts would be safe in my menagerie.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 35 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (22:58) * 1 lines
There is a lady in Virginia who was on Discovery Channel who does that with old circus animals and all of those sorts of lovely creatures. I can just see all 4 feet of you tall trying to lady-handle elephants and camels!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 36 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (23:04) * 1 lines
all it takes is a kind word and gentleness (i firmly believe that)
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 37 of 56: Maggie (sociolingo) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (15:15) * 1 lines
I don't think I'll try! *lol*
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 38 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (16:47) * 1 lines
Wolfie, you are such a tender morsel you'd better have me hanging onto your feet just in case they are putting you on!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 39 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (17:22) * 1 lines
haha!!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 40 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (17:23) * 1 lines
i also believe they sense the inner you and know the kind of soul you are, so if you have a gentle soul, the better time you'll have with the wild things! (and a dose of healthy respect doesn't hurt either)...i wouldn't throw myself in with lions thinking saying "here kitty kitty" would prevent them from eating me! *lol*
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 41 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (18:25) * 1 lines
Good! I shall rest easier knowing you are not gonna play Daniel in the Lion's Den. My house male loved ALL dogs until we were canvassing door to door to get people to register for the upcoming election last year. We were met by a land-shark (Doberman) who sword-swallowed his little umbrella and came for the arm attached. Fortuately we made it to the far end of the chain before the dog did and we never looked back. I no longer do door to door stuff for anyone!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 42 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (20:06) * 1 lines
*lol* he was doing his job, marcia! *haha* i don't blame you, if you see such a dog chained up in the front, don't chance going to the door!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 43 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (20:28) * 1 lines
Yup! I think he had just eaten the Welcome Wagon Lady and was looking for dessert. I do not get anywhere near strange dogs anymore. Out here Pit Bull mixes are big favs amongst the Pakalolo growers!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 44 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Mar 6, 2000 (14:06) * 1 lines
they make good guard dogs but because of their breeding (dobermans included) they are more aggressive even with gentle handling....
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 45 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Mar 6, 2000 (14:31) * 1 lines
...and I understand from their owners that they are one-person dogs. So much for a family dog!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 46 of 56: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Mar 6, 2000 (14:36) * 1 lines
with brains as small as theirs, i can see why....
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 47 of 56: LadyArk (MarciaH) * Wed, May 10, 2000 (17:54) * 53 lines
Drunken Raccoon Czechs In - Stowaway Lived on Beer and Dog Chow
V I E N N A, May 9 — The stowaway arrived
in the Czech Republic with a nasty
hangover.
The illegal was apprehended by the authorities
— but not without a fight. But instead of being sent
back on the first ship out, he’s become a star.
Meet Vaclav, the raccoon who survived for
weeks on beer and dog food.
Did it Come With Cable?
“He was one lucky raccoon,” says Vladimir
Thichor, head of the animal clinic in Pardubice. “If
that consignment of beer had not been on board,
he would not have lasted three days.”
Vaclav — named by Czechs with a wink at their
ex-dissident President Vaclav Havel, another great
survivor — traveled in a container all the way from
Canada to the East Bohemian town of Pardubice,
deep in the provinces.
He probably crept in for a free meal when the
container was being loaded in Toronto. But when
the door closed, he was trapped for more than
three weeks.
Vaclav tore into the packs of dry dog-food, then
looked for something to quench his thirst.
Something told him to sink his sharp teeth into a
six pack, and from that moment on, Vaclav was
one happy puppy. So to speak.
Didn’t Want to Leave
As a result, when the container was opened,
Vaclav did not want to come out: he had found
beastie bliss. Two policemen specially trained in
the capture of vicious animals were called in. Clad
in protective suits and armed with gladiator nets,
the team spent two hours trapping the rancorous
raccoon, who fought them tooth and claw all the
way to his allotted cage.
There, he sulked in a corner and slept it off,
suffering the raccoon equivalent of cold turkey. Nor
was he charmed when he was given a bath to
wash the beer residue out of his matted coat.
Vaclav is now the darling of the Czech media.
The Pardubice animal clinic’s phone has been
jammed with calls offering him a home.
Director Thichor, however, was not moved by
the outpouring of sentiment.
“A raccoon is not a family pet,” he said. “Vaclav
will go to a zoo where everyone can come and see
him — and where we will try to find him a mate.”
Now if he could just get a television and a six
pack ...
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 48 of 56: Cheryl (CherylB) * Thu, May 11, 2000 (18:14) * 1 lines
Don't forget the remote to go with the television. He's just a regular guy, albeit a bit furry.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 49 of 56: LadyArk (MarciaH) * Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:27) * 1 lines
Yup! Gotta keep 'um occupied.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 50 of 56: Alpha Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Aug 4, 2000 (23:26) * 5 lines
folks may wonder why marine mammals' (namely, orcas) dorsal fins fall over in captivity. well, the answers aren't very many but there are theories. one, in particular, makes sense to me so i'll share it:
the dorsal fin is used for balance and is made out of a hair-like substance and cartiledge. out in the ocean, whales are moving all over the place and have much more space to do it in. in captivity, one source says, the mammals move in one direction for the most part. the lack of constant movement causes the fin to lay down. (i'll have to find the websites i got that info from so you can see for yourself).
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 51 of 56: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Aug 4, 2000 (23:42) * 1 lines
Fascinating and makes sense, Wolfie. Interesting!
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 52 of 56: Alpha Wolf (wolf) * Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (14:54) * 8 lines
this was posted in geo by cheryl (thanks!)
Chuckles, the Amazon River dolphin who had lived at the Pittsburgh Zoo
since the early 1970's died last week at the age of 34. It was expected
for him to die at about age 19. Chuckles was the longest lived river
dolphin in any zoo or aquarium.
one excellent argument for captivity is to prevent extinction. it is also a wonderful for education. the thing that gets me with zoos is the treatment/housing of these creatures.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 53 of 56: GeoCritter (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (18:57) * 1 lines
Hmmmm I was going to post it under marine mammals. Wonder how we decide. My post involved wild whales. I guess that is the difference.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 54 of 56: Cheryl (CherylB) * Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (19:01) * 6 lines
Chuckles was a character. I should post some of his newspaper making exploits over at SpringArk, as well. He lived in a natural habitat exhibit, designed to resemble a patch of riverbank on the upper Amazon. Chuckles used to sleep by resting his tail out of the water on the rocks that bounded the water. He'd rest his head and rostrum (snout) on the floor of the pool. Periodically as he slept his head would raise up to break the surface of the water so he could take a breath.
Now as to what Chuckles in the newspaper. There was a "sex scandal" back in the eighties, I think. The Zoo had volunteers who'd swim with Chuckles on a regular basis. This was so he won't get bored and lonely, remember he was intelligent and social. Allegedly, one of the younger female volunteers was seen, ahem, "sexually manipulating" Chuckles. The more recent incident was about 2 or 3
years ago, Chuckles had just moved in to his newer, larger habitat. One of the visitors to the Zoo wasn't happy just watching the dolphin. No, he had to try to reach into the exhibit to touch him. Chuckles took umbrage at this, probably feeling that his space had been invaded, and bit the trespasser. Nobody really blamed Chuckles for his actions too much.
It's sad that he's no longer there. Still, he did live to a ripe old age as Wolfie noted.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 55 of 56: Alpha Wolf (wolf) * Tue, Oct 7, 2003 (19:05) * 33 lines
news article begs some very obvious questions:
Tiger's Owner Says He Was Creating 'Garden of Eden'
Monday, October 06, 2003
NEW YORK — A pet tiger rescued from a Manhattan apartment after biting its owner will have a new home at an Ohio sanctuary with plenty of grass, trees and birds.
An alligator also recovered from the apartment was to be sent to an Indiana preserve, while their owner recovered from wounds from the 400-pound cat.
Antoine Yates, 31, was released from a hospital Monday night in Philadelphia (search), where he had fled. Police took him back to New York City to face reckless endangerment charges.
Yates told reporters after his arrival that he had the animals in his apartment because he wanted "to show the whole world that we all can get along."
"It wasn't about he was a side show or a pet or nothing," Yates said of the tiger.
He said the tiger, which was "like my brother," had grabbed him and ripped the flesh on his leg down to the bone.
"My leg is not the problem," he said. "It's my heart."
A veterinarian examined the tiger Monday at Noah's Lost Ark (search) preserve in Berlin Center, Ohio, 15 miles west of Youngstown. The licensed facility takes abused and neglected exotic animals and warns that wild animals can't be tamed.
"We should just stop letting people buy them," preserve director Ellen Whitehouse said. "We shouldn't be breeding them in the United States."
A team of animal control officers, police and Bronx Zoo (search) workers used a camera to track the animals in Yates' fifth-floor apartment in a Harlem housing project before tranquilizing and removing them Saturday.
Wes Artope, director of the city's animal shelters, said the tiger, an orange and white Siberian-Bengal mix, had been kept in the apartment since he was a 6-week-old cub. The 20-month-old tiger now weighs at least 425 pounds, Artope said.
The tiger and 5-foot alligator, both in good condition, were taken first to a local shelter, then to a Long Island animal sanctuary before authorities sought homes.
"Clearly this tiger should not have been in any place in New York City outside of a zoo," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday.
Topic 8 of 58 [SpringArk]: Captivity
Response 56 of 56: GeoCritter (MarciaH) * Mon, Oct 17, 2005 (00:56) * 1 lines
I have tons of pent up anger about the white tigers but that is old news and I can live with it. I still think where God put them is where they belong!
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