Had some fun on Saturday

[goooner]

The Zoo thing is a difficult topic. You might see him as being captured, he might see at as living in a luxury hotel being fed 3 times a day, and have his woman brought to him when needed. Projecting human feelings onto animals is treading a thin line, and no-one really can answer that question. Getting a bit off topic here.

Having grown up in Africa and having had the privileged of seeing wild animals roam the savannah might give me a different perspective on things though.

 

[Gary A.]

I like the lighting and your exposure.

The truth is that we don't know in general how different species feel about captivity. Unfortunately, Robbins is right that most of the animals born in captivity will be doomed in the wild. Which is a dilemma of our own creation. While anthropomorphic in tosses a huge curve ball into the discussion, one cannot dismiss that animals do have complex feelings and awareness. Out here there is a big effort to make zoo's more spacious and designed to better reflect a creatures native environment ... But captivity is still captivity ... And we don't know if the animals appreciate the catering or hate the walls.

 

[robbins.photo]

I like the lighting and your exposure.

The truth is that we don't know in general how different species feel about captivity. Unfortunately, Robbins is right that most of the animals born in captivity will be doomed in the wild. Which is a dilemma of our own creation. While anthropomorphic in tosses a huge curve ball into the discussion, one cannot dismiss that animals do have complex feelings and awareness. Out here there is a big effort to make zoo's more spacious and designed to better reflect a creatures native environment ... But captivity is still captivity ... And we don't know if the animals appreciate the catering or hate the walls.

Well from chatting with their keepers on occasion they tell me that the Gorillas at the HDZ seem to really enjoy themselves most of the time. From my own observations I don't see signs of any undo aggression which is what one would expect if the Gorillas were upset about something. They will occasionally show normal, healthy signs of aggression in displaying there dominance but that's to be expected of a healthy silverback. But nothing suggests that they are overly stressed, depressed or pining away for an existence that frankly they have no knowledge of whatsoever.

They interact with each other and with visitors regularly and nothing in their behavior seems to indicate that they really give a fig one way or the other that they are in Omaha rather than in Africa.

I get that people feel sorry for them but honestly I don't see anything to warrant that response, at least not at the Henry Doorly. They are extremely well cared for, they have a very significant enclosure that mimics their natural habitat very well - the folks at the HDZ really do put a lot of thought, care and effort into caring for these animals.

 

[FITBMX]

Wonderful shot. I would say that the whole trip was worth it, just for that shot!

 

[annamaria]

Wonderful shot of a beautiful animal.


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[baturn]

excellent! As I have said before I am quite jealous of your proximity to a zoo.

 

[robbins.photo]

Wonderful shot. I would say that the whole trip was worth it, just for that shot!

Wonderful shot of a beautiful animal.


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Thanks folks

excellent! As I have said before I am quite jealous of your proximity to a zoo.

Well if you ever get out this way let me know, I'll give you the nickel tour...

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

I have to say that a zoo is one of my favorite places to go. I have been to a few across the US and I get as excited about going as I did when I was young. The primates are my favorite to see and I always spend more time there than any other part. Your pic is great and very thought provoking as the posts have proved. Congrats!

 

[LarryLomona]

Well done, cool photo

 

[gckless]

Great photo. The way he seems to be so concentrated makes me wonder and want to see what's in his hands, though. Or maybe he's just nonchalantly sitting there, and it's just his face that looks like that. I dunno. Something something art interpretation.