After our year of isolation, perhaps we can better empathize with animals in captivity.
By Chris Conway Senior Staff Editor, Opinion |
I've been to more than a few zoos in my day, and of all of those visits, one stands out. I was in grade school, on a class trip to the Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago. We were huddled in front of what looked like a glass wall separating us from a couple of gorillas. Suddenly, an enormous ape in the back of the enclosure rushed the wall and slammed into it full-force, bouncing off and sending everyone — me included — scattering, screaming. |
My mind often wandered back to that episode as I explored other zoos with my kids. On lazy Saturdays, we especially loved going to the Central Park Zoo, where we were members. We'd watch the sea lions cavort, visit the penguins and, of course, stop to see Gus, the polar bear, as he swam his endless figure eights in his small pool. That's all we ever saw him do. My son once asked me what was up with that. "I guess he likes to swim," I said. |
It was more complicated. The zoo eventually called in an animal behaviorist, who concluded that Gus was, well, bored. And why wouldn't he be? He had been born in captivity and lived his whole life within the confines of zoos. That's close quarters for an animal that may travel thousands of miles a year, walking and swimming, in its quest for food. |
That's complicated, too, as you'll see in her exploration of the history of zoos and their efforts in animal conservation, saving endangered species and educating us about our fellow inhabitants on this tiny vessel called Earth. Have a read and see if you agree with her conclusion. |
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