If you are a
Chennaite and over 50 years of age, you may recall that there once existed a
Zoo nearer Moore market complex (Central Railway station) and alter shifted to
Vandalur. Earlier, it was mostly animals
in cage, whereas at Vandalur most animals are in their natural environ, and
look far more healthy !!
But what is a
Zoological park ? - the model of the modern,
public zoo became popular in 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment. The
Age of Enlightenment was a period in European history when science, reason, and
logic were promoted as ideals of society and government. The scientific focus
of the Age of Enlightenment extended to zoology. Zoos
first began centuries ago as centres of entertainment to satisfy people’s
curiosity about animals. Zoos have evolved to become centres for
conservation, education, research and recreation. It is claimed that animals
are not mere exhibits, Zoos are often the sites of sophisticated breeding
centers, where endangered species may be protected and studied. Yet, sadly,
over the years so many animals have been killed in Zoo too !
Sure you know the ‘moral story’- of two friends venturing
into a forest – being chased by a bear.
One of them climbs the tree fast leaving the other in lurch. The 2nd falls flat holding his breath; bear comes nearer,
smells, presuming him to be dead, goes away ! The man who eloped comes down and
asks - what did the bear whisper ? – the
man on ground replied ‘to stay away from friends who run away at the time of
danger’! .. .. .- just take it on ‘moral story value’. Bears may still harm the dead and they can
climb the trees as well !!
Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles was born on 5 July 1781 on board the ship Ann, off the coast of Port Morant, Jamaica, to Captain Benjamin Raffles and Anne Raffles. When Benjamin retired from the slave trade in 1800, it caused his family considerable hardship ! Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, FRS (1781 – 1826) was a British statesman, Lieutenant-Governor of the Dutch East Indies (1811–1816), and Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (1818–1824); best known for his founding of modern Singapore and the Straits Settlements. Raffles was heavily involved in the capture of the Indonesian island of Java from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars, and the running of day-to-day operations on Singapore. He also wrote The History of Java (1817).
Miles away, Oregon
wildlife officials shot and killed a young black bear that was frequently
sighted near a popular boat launch on one of the state’s northwestern lakes
after humans kept leaving food for him. The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife announced last week that the bear ― likely 2 or 3 years old, according
to The Statesman Journal ― was “lethally removed” from the area after state
officials determined the wild animal had become habituated to Scoggins Valley
Park near Henry Hagg Lake. The decision to euthanize the bear came after
Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Fish received
reports of bear sightings in that area near the launch. Law enforcement
officials also found photos on social media of people posing for “selfie”
photographs with the bear. They set out to trap and transport the animal, but
realized it was “way too habituated” to relocate because the bear did not
retreat as they approached, wildlife biologist Kurt Licence told the Statesman
Journal.
Under Oregon law, it’s
illegal to “scatter food, garbage or any other attractant so as to knowingly
constitute a lure, enticement or attractant for potentially habituated wildlife,”
the state’s wildlife department noted in its statement. Not only can feeding
bears make them sick, it reduces the chances of wildlife officials being able
to relocate them because they are more likely to have dangerous encounters with
humans in the future, according to officials. So for
the mistake the humans did, the officials punished the bear ! – most humanly inhumane.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, is a zoo and safari park located at
Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of two zoos (the
other being ZSL London Zoo in Regent's Park, London) that are owned by the
Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide
conservation of animals and their habitats. The Zoological Society of London
was founded in 1826 by Sir Stamford Raffles with
the aim of promoting the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.
To this end ZSL London Zoo in Regents Park, London was established. The first
animals arrived at the park in 1928, including two Lady Amherst's pheasants, a
golden pheasant, and five red junglefowl. Others soon followed including
muntjac, llama, wombats and skunks.
Now the zoo is in news as
two brown bears have been shot dead ! ..
the Chief of Whipsnade Zoo has said an 'immediate threat to human life' forced
keepers to shoot dead two escaped brown bears amid backlash from animal lovers
for not using tranquiliser darts instead. The female
bears, named Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, were euthanised by zookeepers
after using a fallen tree to clamber into another enclosure, where they
attacked a male boar.
Bedfordshire zoo's chief
curator, told staff in a statement that it had been 'an incredibly upsetting
and difficult day' but the decision was driven by 'safety' and a need to
'protect our people, guests and our other animals.' He added that the pair were
not tranquilised because this can take 'at least 20 minutes to work'. It follows social media users criticising
the zoo for its actions, with some calling for its closure and others questioning
its preventative measures. The Curator
added that there were people inside the park and 'When there's an immediate threat to human
life, the decision is made for you.' As well as attacking other animals, there
was an imminent danger of the two bears escaping over the low fence of the boar
enclosure they had reached, the zoo said.
Perhaps the construction
was not good, allowing the bears to escape, they had entered only an adjacent
enclosure, the Zoo was not prepared for tranquilisers, instead resorted to
killing calling it ‘euthanising’ ! The
boar suffered injuries, but ultimately survived and was attended to by vets
after the situation was declared safe. Strong winds yesterday morning had
originally felled the tree, forming a 'bridge' between the two enclosures, it
was later stated.
Further news states that
it is rare for brown bears to attack
humans on sight, with the species tending to avoid human contact. There are less than 40 attacks worldwide
annually, with the majority in Europe occurring in Romania.
Now read the
second para again, Zoos have a
scientific focus and .. .. have evolved
to become centres for conservation, education, research and recreation!
23.5.2021
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