Weak-Calendar5497 t1_j1fleaj wrote
My friend refers to this place as The Wild Animal Jail and they're not wrong.
spillsomepaint t1_j1fweo3 wrote
Not true. The zoo owner is well regarded by the animal cruelty task force lawyer who prosecuted cases across the state. She knows the zoo director bc she has placed rescued exotics in the past there. She has given the zoo high commendation for the care they provide. The lead vet there is also a pretty big deal in breeding some kind of wild cat, maybe leopards iirc, and releasing them into the wild.
Zoo's usually bum me out too, which is how I struck up the conversation for her when we served on the animal welfare grants committee at CF of Richmond.
turkeyyyyyy t1_j1g6xr2 wrote
They’re big into cheetah breeding. There are a few adolescent cubs there now.
geekitude t1_j1hipvp wrote
Better to think of zoos as genetic arks, saving species by studying them. Zoos all over the world share data without regard for boundaries, more concerned that their animals can be healthy, and if possible, support their wild cousins by educating people about what they need to survive.
gravy_boot t1_j1ja80o wrote
Saving species that we endangered, solely for our own benefit.
readthistoyourmomma t1_j1jfpvq wrote
Ok? So we shouldn't try to fix the issue we caused?
Disregard, just saw your other angry asshat comment, happy holidays everybody!
gravy_boot t1_j1jhye3 wrote
That person deserved the asshole comment for being an asshole.
Anyway no we shouldn’t because it can’t be fixed, and because the attempt causes a ton of harm.
Happy holidays to the new Pygmy Hippo, it’s all downhill from here!
Captain_Tiberius t1_j1gnj1e wrote
Do you have more info on the zoo breeding a kind of wild cat and releasing them into the wild? I know the zoo has a pretty successful cheetah breeding program, but I figured all of those cubs would stay in captivity. From what I understand, it’s very rare for animals born and raised in captivity to be released into the wild.
VAtenkara t1_j1g0irw wrote
I would love to know why you’re friend calls it that instead of just throwing shit to the wind and hoping it sticks
Ruminator33 t1_j1gmtfl wrote
Zoo’s serve an important role in preservation of endangered species through breeding. Some species are near extinction, only present in Zoo’s and wildlife sanctuaries. The goal is to eventually reintroduce species back into the wild.
ThaLZA OP t1_j1fokug wrote
Ooof. I’ve never been, just liked the idea of a baby hippo. Didn’t realize how complicated this issue is.
jeb_hoge t1_j1fqg2v wrote
The zoo is just fine...I've been more than probably anyone on this sub (annual memberships + little kids = lots of visits). It's not on a par with a true municipal zoo, sure, but it's fine.
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