Friday again and in need of new post titles.
This week has passed very quickly yet again. Yesterday Grace and I joined some friends for a visit to Willowbank, a local wildlife park. We’ve not been there before and I figured Grace would enjoy the animals as she is mad about them. Loves watching “The Zoo” etc. She was into it but not as much as I had thought, here are some photos I snapped from our visit. I felt sad for the animals today and I remember feeling sad when we visited when I was a little kid. It just doesn’t seem right to have them in cages etc and just there for our viewing pleasure. The zoo’s we see on TV, like Auckland zoo etc look as though they care more about the animals mental welfare then what I saw today. What do you think?
Anyway this will have to be a quick post, we are being invaded by a Stag do very soon so Grace and I are outta here for the night! I will post again over the weekend as I will have photo’s to share from the hen and stag’s do. It’s been a busy little time but heaps of fun.
It’s hard, I am always in two minds over zoos and wildlife parks. It’s great being able to enjoy the animals, see them and learn more about them, and it does seem that they love people and having visitors. But like you, I am always a little sad about the “unnatural” enclosures. I do like how Auckland Zoo has tried to make more “open” areas with natural wood/rock/moat type fences rather than cages, but it’s pretty hard to make it seem like their natural home. Am also a bit undecided on the whole thing, really!
Enjoy your night - what will you be doing while the boys party?
I actually really like Willowbank - because you can get up close to the animals, even though I know that the likes of Orana Park is more concerned about their natural habitat etc When we visited Australia Zoo, the animals there are all very ‘hands-on’ - with Steve Irwins philosophy proudly displayed - he calls these animals ‘animal ambassadors’ - yes, they are not living a natural life, yes they are displayed for us - but that is their job, to raise awareness and appreciation for animals, that people might otherwise not have. These organisations all do a lot for animal conservation and breeding - Willowbank breeds and introduces new kiwi to our dwindling wildlife population regularly. So that made so much sense, that I now see things differently.
Heidi and Hannah have made good points. I used to feel liked you did when I visited the Welly Zoo, but in the last few years my thoughts have changed. Welly Zoo have and are going the same way as Auckland Zoo. They have some distance to go but its way better that what it used to be.
How was your girly night with Grace?