Damien W.

Supremacist? Could you provide an example of that for me please?

I’m not talking to multiple people right this very moment. I thought I made that apparent?

China’s ‘extinct’ Pere David’s deer makes historic comeback. Once wiped out in wild, China’s milu (Pere David’s deer) staged great wildlife recovery. From 39 animals reintroduced from British zoos 1986, herd at Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve grew to >8500, part of a nationwide population >14000

Thank you for differentiating between roadside zoos and accredited zoos.

I would respect you more if you continued to do so.

Hi Alex, this is likely their indoor barn area and is not a fair representation of their living arrangements.

I never claimed to support it. I honestly do not know a lot about the agriculture industry. I don’t speak on subjects I don’t fully understand. Which is why I stick to zoos and such; aka my area of expertise.

So to be clear, you don’t want me to use past experience(s) to dictate concerns in the present?

Surely I’m misunderstanding that, right?

Also it has to be constantly overstated because misinformation spreads fast than the truth.

Anthropomorphism has a strong influence on media coverage. “Cute” animals get better recognition.

Actually I’ve had multiple people use the argument that small animals are less important. Not to mention the species that are ranked better by IUCN being treat like they’re less important.

I’m speaking from personal experiences.

I have seen many people saying that. Not in this particular conversation, but plenty in other discussions I’ve had (mainly on twitter).

I’m sorry you believe I am making things up but O assure you what I am speaking about is very real.

I didn’t make up anything. I’m sorry you feel that way.

I have nothing to hide when it comes to this type of stuff. My only “goalpost” is trying to get people to understand the importance of zoos and their conservation initiatives.

A majority may be misguided on the idea that all zoos are bad and that everyone who works in them are evil people, but they surely mean well.

No not quite. I see it as “a group want me to conform to a lifestyle but has 0 intrest in hearing any concerns.”

I don’t dislike vegans, I’ve been harassed and threatened by some sure but I refuse to let the bad apples ruin the bunch. They get a bad rap, but many mean well.

Everything is small in relation to an elephant, yes.

Everything is small in relation to a blue whale as well.

Their relatively to a larger entity does not make them any less important. I’ve worked with animals big and small, they’re all important to me.

If you consider the scimitar oryx and California condor to be “small,” then I don’t think you have a true understanding of size. Both in terms of conservation efforts and physical mass.

I honestly don’t use that many animal products as is. I would say 80ish% is already “vegan”
(Vegan in quotes because I would have to read some labels to be sure, I don’t want to mislead on exacts)

I would consider going vegan if you were less hostile towards those different from you and more understanding when it comes to accredited zoos.

If I were to go vegan, would you or would you not hate zoos?

Why conform to a lifestyle that aims to destroy decades of conservation efforts in the name of misguided activism?

I don’t think I’m entrenched. I just am capable of differentiating between good and bad without assuming the worst/best.

Bringing a child to a zoo has more of an impact of their connection to nature.

I appreciated documentaries as a kid but my passion was sparked by seeing animals in person in a zoo. ESPECIALLY in a zoo where I knew the animals were treated right.

I would argue she lived a better life than her wild counterparts who are losing their natural habitat in droves due to unsustainable palm oil farming.

Hi Kishan, this image is a misleading representation of an entire profession.

There are good and bad zoos.

I cannot stress enough that you should talk to a keeper/caretaker. Your viewing this from a biased viewpoint.

I go out of my way to hear anti-zoo sentiment, I would recommend the inverse.

If I were to go vegan, wouldn’t you still carry the same disdain you have for zoos?

This vegan debacle really feels like a red herring to me.

Especially it boils down to
“All zoos are bad”
“No not quite”
“Are you vegan?”

Hi Deb, the fact you call them “animal prisons” as a cheap misrepresentation just unintentionally proves my point.

Sorry, but I have no interest in conforming to a lifestyle that would demonize and destroy decades of conservation efforts.

If a decent % of vegans were less anti-zoo I would be much more willing to conform. I’m not even saying pro-zoo. I cannot see myself aligning with people that hate ALL zoos.

I suppose I do? I’m honestly not sure. I’m also unsure how this ties into zoos/zoological conservation.

Animal agriculture IS human encroachment and carbon emissions so I suppose the answer is yes? Still unsure.

This article seems to use one sided pieces of stories and photos of roadside zoos to generalize the entire profession.

Hi MD. Firstly, I am personally against keeping cetaceans in captivity.

Secondly, not all zoos are bad. I understand that many are horrible. But this clear hostility towards all zoos and those of us who understand the complexities of them will not save animals that are suffering as we speak.

Hi there. While your viewpoint is understandable, accredited zoos are actually incredibly important for wildlife conservation and education.

There is a big difference between an accredited zoo and a petting “zoo.”

I misspoke, I meant to say “Your disdain for zoos is absolutely understandable but not entirely based in fact.