Would You Pay $5 to Hold Hands With a Wild Animal? (leopard, dog)

[JD59]

Is it ethical to make an otter squeeze your finger in exchange for some fish? While it might not be among the most burning questions of our day, there is something about the image that just doesn’t sit right for many people.

People love to touch animals, and petting zoos have been around for centuries.

Would You Pay $5 to Hold Hands With a Wild Animal?

[SandyLuvsToTravel]

Probably not... i'm not one much for animals doing tricks for people like in circuses etc.

But i would love to hug and pet my favorite animal, the Black Panther(Leopard)... one of the most beautiful and majestic of the big cats

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by SandyLuvsToTravel

Probably not... i'm not one much for animals doing tricks for people like in circuses etc.

But i would love to hug and pet my favorite animal, the Black Panther(Leopard)... one of the most beautiful and majestic of the big cats

I did, years ago, at a magical place in Phoenix, AZ, called Out of Africa. They had a black panther cub, and I got to hold her in my arms. It was the strangest experience. No instant Bagheera communication at all! I love and grew up with cats, and with The Jungle Book, but that cat was as alien as anything I've ever encountered. As big as a medium-size dog, she was all muscle, nothing cuddly, and she had the coldest eyes you can imagine. I looked into them to connect with the wild animal soul, and all I saw was "If I were big enough I'd eat you!" I can't say it was a disappointing moment, because I learned so much, and did indeed touch a wild soul, I think, but it was vastly different from what I thought it would be.

I've also petted a cougar and a tiger at various animal sanctuaries, and hugged a lion cub (who was much sweeter and cuddlier than the panther) and even hugged a wolf, somebody's pet who patiently put up with me. I guess at some point I'd have paid to touch a wild animal. Today I wouldn't--I've reached out and touched the wild cousins and was fortunate enough not to get injured , but the real kinship to nature I dreamed of when I was a kid I found in my cats and dogs...

The story in the article is disturbing, though. Just another story of exploitation. But I think it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. At certain animal sanctuaries, under carefully supervised conditions and with a reasonable amount of caution (also consideration toward the animal, such as sanitizing your hands), some wild animal encounters could be conducted that are low-risk and still show respect for the animal. But if I had a kid today I probably wouldn't let her do what I did years ago...

[Katie1]

Why not the money pays for new habitats for the animals.

[Nanny Goat]

No, I'd pay the money, and do, to help animals live better lives far from a zoo. Zoos create psychological/behavioral problems for many, I've seen it myself and have read about it.

[bjh]

Or you could just go on a blind date.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by bjh

Or you could just go on a blind date.

Hahaha--that was my first thought when reading the thread title!