PixelateddPixie t1_iym170r wrote on December 2, 2022 at 11:53 AM

Reply to comment by hankepanke in Toledo Zoo welcomes twin polar bear cubs by citytiger

With the way that climate change is impacting the artic, I think zoo captive Polar Bears are a necessary evil. I highly doubt that good-working zoos in this age will be inbreeding their polar bears. But the alternative is that polar bears become a creature of the past.

derbryler t1_iymas76 wrote on December 2, 2022 at 1:32 PM

They will still be extinct even if they are in a zoo. They are not expressing natural behaviour in 40m².

What difference does it make if they are not in their habitat acting out the role they have in it?

PixelateddPixie t1_iymcujo wrote on December 2, 2022 at 1:50 PM

There is a difference between extinct in the wild and extinct in the world. I fully suppert animal rights and it's a career I want to work with in the future, however, I think it's beneficial to the growing human population to see these animals and realize the impact our choices have on these wonderful creatures.

derbryler t1_iymga15 wrote on December 2, 2022 at 2:17 PM

But look at where we have this discussion. People will see the animals in the Zoo and think oh nice at least they are still here.

We have pictures and videos we can remember them by should they die out. But our goal now should be to prevent that from even happening.

But think of it this way. The enclosuere in toledo cost $11.500.000 Source. Then you have to add the additional upkeep.

All of that money could have been spend on conservation in its natural habitat.I really belive that everyone working in Zoos is not doing it to hurt animals and because they truely love them.But please if you want want to work for the benefit of animals help, where they need it now to prevent them from going extinct even if that means you will not have direct contact with the animals.

[deleted] t1_iymkkwo wrote on December 2, 2022 at 2:51 PM

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sskk2tog t1_iyn0moh wrote on December 2, 2022 at 4:41 PM

How would you use that money to enact change? Because it's not just the USA causing climate change.

Is 11.5 mil going to aller the course of our plutocracy? Are we going to be able to change china's inputs to global warming with that 11.5 mill?

Yes, some people just go to see the fluffy "cute" animals. However, a large part of the newer exhibits are education. And education that is built in a way that's fun to engage in.

On top of that, odnr just (October, 2022) awarded the zoo with a quarter of a million dollar grant specifically for wildlife conservation. Part of their funding already DOES go to that.

Idealistically, I am not a fan of zoos as far as animal welfare goes. Reality is much different than an idealistic world, though. Idealistically, we would have an income cap so no one person could horde wealth, and I would love to see that happen.

PixelateddPixie t1_iyoi20c wrote on December 2, 2022 at 10:43 PM

Exactly. These well-managed zoos are some of the best sources of money specifically for helping conserve the wildlife population. These zookeepers and other employees work there because they love the animals and want to contribute towards more research and conservation efforts to protect the animals we keep in the zoos. I love zoos and I enjoy taking my friends because I have a lot of animal knowledge and I can teach them a lot beyond what the plaques show. However, I only go to zoos that have made an obvious effort to provide the animals the best habitats within their means and are confirmed to assist conservation efforts.