I have a profound love for zoos, but it hasn't always been that way. Many zoos are enormous all-day affairs that are overcrowded, exhausting, and dehydrating. Plus, they make you feel as though you've seen more of humanity on display than the zoological world—humanity at its rudest and most ignorant.I recently spent a lovely afternoon at the Stone Zoo, a small local zoo just outside of Boston. It is, in fact, a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. But it doesn't make you feel overwhelmed like so many larger zoos.* * *
"Sometimes you have to go a long distance out of your way to come back a short distance, correctly." - Edward Albee, The Zoo Story
People who would enjoy zoos the most are animal-lovers. But this is exactly the demographic of people that feel sad seeing so many animals "behind bars." If this is you, remember that most zoos have a heavy focus on conservation, taking in endangered species and, in some cases, fostering injured animals that aren't able to be re-acclimated to the wild. Plus, these animals are not living cramped, unhappy lives. They're very well taken care of. Many zoo inhabitants are, essentially, partially domesticated versions of what you'll find out in the wild. Humans have been domesticating hundreds of species of animals for thousands of years.
This might look like your neighbor's dog, but it's a Mexican Gray Wolf. Virtually extinct in the wild,
efforts are being made to reintroduce them into their native environment.
That doesn't mean you should be a moron when you go to the zoo. I am constantly surprised by the number of adults that go to the zoo and bang on the glass or clap their hands, trying to get animals to react to them. Sure, kids do it, but they learn these tactics from adults and the parents either make no move to stop them or clap and tap for them. At a good zoo, the employees will stop visitors from annoying the animals. People are mean.
Who in their right mind would bang on the glass of this jaguar's enclosure?The next time you're thinking about going to a zoo, look around your area for small local zoos. They're usually more affordable and allow you to really take your time going from exhibit to exhibit. Just try to stick to accredited zoos, so your conscience can be assured that the inhabitants are properly cared for. And don't just look at an animal for a minute. Watch it. Look at its ears or paws or wings and think about how extraordinary it is.
Flamingos are actually pretty extraordinary creatures.I have more photos from my day at the Stone Zoo
over on Flickr. Enjoy!
Games
Everybody wants a piece of the Flip cake. Kodak and RCA were first out of the gate, but it wasn't long before Sony entered the game, with JVC and Samsung on its heels. We've not had the pleasure of reviewing a Samsung ultracompact, but maybe this is finally the year to give one a try.
