Austin's Zoo (Cleveland: credit, plantation, mold)

[twange]

In light of the horrific events that happened at San Francisco Zoo on Christmas, I can't help but to think about Austin's own zoo, an animal sanctuary for displaced and often abused animals. This is a beautiful concept and badly needed in Texas which as of a few years back had more tigers and other big cats kept in private hands than all accredited zoos in the country. Sick

I haven't been there yet, but can anyone who has, speak to it's conditions?

Does this event possibly illuminate a larger issue - that keeping wild animals in captivity is neither good for people or animals? That to really learn anything meaningful about them, it is necessary to experience them in their natural habitat?

It always made me sad as a kid to see those beautiful creatures sitting around looking bored and depressed. Does anyone's kids say anything like that?

[texastea]

I haven't been since the male lion hungrily eyed my 2 year old (5 years ago) I don't trust that thin wire!

[love roses]

I like the Austin Zoo o.k, but it's definitely not anything like the big zoos. And yes, that thin wire is a little spooky. My daughter was a little freaked out by the black bear. There aren't quite the safety precautions there like there would be at a larger zoo, except the cat cages seemed a little bit better in that department. It's a pretty small place, not any pavement to speak of. There is a train and a snack area with loose Peacocks, but again, just basic. Kinda like Kiddy Acres with animals. I did find it interesting that they have some dogs there that are adoptable. They also have wolf hybrid dogs, but of course, those cannot be adopted.

[gigi927]

It appeared to me this summer when we went to Austin Zoo that it was very underfunded. We weren't expecting a fancy zoo when we went (it actually was just the right size zoo for kids under 5) but I imagine that their rescue efforts are really impaired by lack of $.

[twange]

I remember seeing a grizzly bear at the Cleveland Zoo(very reputable) that had mold on it's fur because of lack of movement. A cheetah that simply paced back and forth, wearing a rut into the ground, never getting to stretch and use the speed nature endowed it with. And worst of all, a beautiful mountain gorilla who, sitting bored in his plexi-glass cube looked right into my eyes and sighed. That was the last time I ever went to a zoo.

But Austin's has me intrigued just because of the mission statement of the place. But it does sound as if it's in poor condition.

If I only had a billion dollars...

[Alatex]

Does this event possibly illuminate a larger issue - that keeping wild animals in captivity is neither good for people or animals? That to really learn anything meaningful about them, it is necessary to experience them in their natural habitat?

I've heard people make that argument, but I think zoos can (don't always do, but can) achieve positive things, especially with breeding programs for endangered animals that would otherwise go extinct because their natural habitat no longer exists or is severely impaired.

[romesq]

Originally Posted by Alatex

I've heard people make that argument, but I think zoos can (don't always do, but can) achieve positive things, especially with breeding programs for endangered animals that would otherwise go extinct because their natural habitat no longer exists or is severely impaired.

I second that. We have a world class zoo and attendant research facility here in New Orleans. The Audubon Zoo was a horrible place when I first came to NOLA in the late 1960s. Civic determination supported bond issues and line item allocations to build a first class zoo. Now it is gorgeous and nationally ranked as one of the best examples of natural habitat enclosures.

The research facility is one of the few institutes in the world that is developing procedures to save endangered species through the use of the "frozen zoo" concept of embryo transplantation via use of surrogate mothers -- e.g., "Jazz" is a highly endangered African wildcat who was born via AI, using a domestic cat as the mother. Other endangered species, such as the bongo (African antelope) have also been preserved using related species to carry embryos to term.

Perhaps Austin can work toward cooperation with institutes like Audubon. Believe me, NOTHING was worse than Audubon in the late 1960s. The turn-around here has been nothing short of spectacular and considering the goals expressed by Austin's zoo, perhaps it can partner with other institutes to effect some changes.