Comments on: Life in Prison Without Parole

By: garth delapenha

garth delapenha — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:11:29 +0000

My own childhood recollections of what should have been a magical place echo yours. Still loved going there though as it made for dreaming of better possibilities. The batonical gardens there and the collection of animals, pathetic as they were have served in the development of my personal sensibilities, a passion for tropical gardening and a love of the ambiance that nature provides. Pained as I was at the condition of the captive exhibits, they still served as inspirations for how it could be done better. I agree with your reservations re closing the complex and think your idea to engender public support is great. That concept accutally goes a long way toward supporting the exhibits at the Miami Metro Zoo but even they and all such enteties in the US face real financial struggles. They are terrifically expensive enterprises, but their value in the contribution they make to humanity is immeasurable

By: BettyB

BettyB — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:45:57 +0000

Here’s the problem; closing a zoo is easier said than done for the animals must go somewhere. Even the indigenous ones such as the crocs would need to be acclimatised to their natural habitat. What would become of my poor lion? If the Zoo were closed and the animals kept on site I imagine they would suffer even more neglect. It’s an awful situation either way. I have not been to Hope Zoo for near to 30 years and probably will never go again. And as to circuses, the neglect at zoos pale by comparison. We so abuse all the wonderful things of this Earth that have been entrusted to our care…..

By: Marguerite Orane

Marguerite Orane — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:42:53 +0000

Betty,

Thanks for these thoughts and the cry for help for these beautiful animals. Perhaps we should just close the Hope Zoo now until we are willing to commit to something more humane. I stopped going there years ago, from when my children were small. The first thing that greeted me were the crocodiles in the concrete mud pool. Such a contrast to these magnificent creatures in the Black River – free and laughing! So I stopped going. I also refuse to attend the circus. And, since visiting South Africa’s Kruger National Park last year and being in an environment where the animals are free and we have to stay behind bars – well – I don’t go to zoos anymore either. We are all interdepended – humans and animals, and we need to start to recognise this and take care of them – or leave them alone!

BTW – if we MUST keep the Hope Zoo, then your idea is a wonderful one!