How much longer is Woodland Park Zoo going to be around? (Seattle: 2014, transfer)

[87112]

Seeing that Seattle is a progressive city except for sports arena I hope we can end the prison known as Woodland Park Zoo within 10-20 years. How sad is it to see a Gorilla or Giraffe in Jail. Shame on me for having spent money when I was younger going to the zoo and Seaworld. I feel ashamed to have supported those 2 prisons.

[Hemlock140]

With record attendance of 1.2 million in 2014, and now having concerts, weddings and other events there, I suspect that your opinion is in the minority, and the zoo will thrive for many years.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by 87112

Seeing that Seattle is a progressive city except for sports arena I hope we can end the prison known as Woodland Park Zoo within 10-20 years. How sad is it to see a Gorilla or Giraffe in Jail. Shame on me for having spent money when I was younger going to the zoo and Seaworld. I feel ashamed to have supported those 2 prisons.

I've been wondering this, myself--about the future of zoos in general.

[daberkow]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I've been wondering this, myself--about the future of zoos in general.

The idea of "animal jails" is not a novel idea. We did get rid of our elephants a few years back I recall, I'm sure not to the wild of course. Zoos are a major funding source for wildlife conservation efforts and increase both scientific and general public knowledge. With the number of dogs in this city owned by people who don't take responsibility for them, I'd rather see the pets set free first.

[87112]

I am amazed at how a Killer Whale has any place in a giant tank void of anything that looks like the sea. And this is for the entire life of a Killer Whale. I hope SeaWorld shuts down very soon,

[CrazyDonkey]

So, we should turn the animals back into vanishing wildernesses so they can more easily be poached?

Better that we should make concrete progress toward habitat protection and limiting/reversing the impacts of climate change. Otherwise, zoos might be the only places where many iconic animals will survive.

I would also suggest that it was your exposure to wild animals in zoos that helped form a sympathy for animals. When it comes to more progressive zoos, focused on designing more natural environments, Woodland Park is a good example that more zoos should follow.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

So, we should turn the animals back into vanishing wildernesses so they can more easily be poached?

Better that we should make concrete progress toward habitat protection and limiting/reversing the impacts of climate change. Otherwise, zoos might be the only places where many iconic animals will survive.

I would also suggest that it was your exposure to wild animals in zoos that helped form a sympathy for animals. When it comes to more progressive zoos, focused on designing more natural environments, Woodland Park is a good example that more zoos should follow.

Well...I don't think the elephants would agree with that. They made the right decision to close the elephant exhibit, but it was often for far too long, and it took major negative exposure for them to close it. Then they did the wrong thing by transferring the elephants to another zoo.

But, I don't unequivocally think that zoos are evil, or that zoos shouldn't exist. Just that elephants don't belong in zoos or circuses, and dolphins don't belong in aquariums.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Well...I don't think the elephants would agree with that. They made the right decision to close the elephant exhibit, but it was often for far too long, and it took major negative exposure for them to close it. Then they did the wrong thing by transferring the elephants to another zoo.

But, I don't unequivocally think that zoos are evil, or that zoos shouldn't exist. Just that elephants don't belong in zoos or circuses, and dolphins don't belong in aquariums.

They're doing a pretty good job with their other animals and environments. At the same time, I think children being able to experience elephants, tigers, giraffes, bears, etc., is important. I just wish they would reopen the Nocturnal House. Woodland Park just isn't big enough to give elephants the room they need, unless they put a lid over Aurora and expanded the zoo to the east. Point Defiance Zoo still has elephants.

[Seattle4321]

Zoos are great! The only thing I would like to see is better habitats, so they can move and run. And hopefully that they are treated nicely and are feed well. The government should mandate that!

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 87112

Seeing that Seattle is a progressive city except for sports arena .

Can you elaborate on the 'sports arena' mention, 87112 ?