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    Your Zoos and Aquariums

    What zoos do you guys have/like where you live? I've been talking to people in chat about the zoos they like. I feel like it's going to be interesting because a lot of people live in different states and countries. Do the zoos have any particular geographic or ecosystem focus? What animals do they have there?

    #2
    Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

    I have a love/hate relationship with zoos and aquariums. I recognize what they do in terms of educational outreach and what the good ones do in terms of conservation. I hate that we have them (really at this point, need them) and keep wild animals in environments that are decidedly unnatural.

    With that being said...

    I think one of the best zoos in the world is the St. Louis Zoo--Firstly, the zoo is free...the entire zoo is paid for by grants, private donations, endowments, and the city. Yes, there are some exhibits you have to pay for and parking and snack are atrociously pricey (which I don't mind, because of #4), but the zoo itself is free, so everyone, regardless of income can enjoy it. Secondly, they do a good job in minimizing cages and maximizing space. Third, they do a phenomenal job with educational programming, both at the zoo and in the community. Fourth, their behind-the-scenes conservation work (within the US, and around the world) is some of the best---what you see when you go to the zoo is maybe 20% of their actual operation. Yes, there are better zoos in terms of numbers of animals you can see or types of animals and in terms of exhibit types (bigger enclosures, etc), but (outside of the Smithsonian National Zoo) its my favorite. Also, the Smithsonian National Zoo is damn good (and also free), as is the San Diego Zoo (not free).

    As far as aquariums go... The National Aquarium in Baltimore and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago are the best aquariums I've been to. I'm super excited to be moving to Georgia though, because the Atlanta aquarium is supposed to be one of the best aquariums in the world. I was rather underwhelmed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium (except for the kelp forest tank), but its been about 10 years since I've been there, and they do great conservation work, so from my standpoint, its worth supporting them. I've also been rather underwhelmed by the aquarium here in VA Beach and the one in Charleston.
    Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of HistoryPagan Devotionals, because the wind and the rain is our Bible
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      #3
      Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

      I love zoos & aquariums they are the only places I get to see most critters and things up close and alive.

      I hate the trend toward turning zoos into amusement parks, though (they are installing rides at the Detroit zoo. Boo zoo, boo!). Put the zoos over here, and the rides way, way over there, that way nobody gets confused about why they are there.

      Unfortunately, I don't travel well (I'm a fine wine. I don't travel well, and I get better with age) so I can't really compare them. But my no.1 daughter took me to one in Grand Rapids that, though small, had the coolest aquarium, with a shore tank where the "waves" go in and out. It was beautiful!
      Every moment of a life is a horrible tragedy, a slapstick comedy, dark nihilism, golden illumination, or nothing at all; depending on how we write the story we tell ourselves.

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        #4
        Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

        I really liked the San Diego zoo,though it was a long time back when I saw it,back in 1966 while I was in the navy...San Francisco Zoo is nice,but that was after a major restoration as it had kind of gone to crap from neglect. The money for the restoration was mainly donations and corporate sponsors. My absolute favorite place there was the primate section with the Great apes,Gorilla's are very interesting to just watch,like a young gorilla kid playing with a gopher using a twig,and the old one throwing crap at the people watching.

        - - - Updated - - -

        I also should add the silver back going up to the 8 foot,very thick "Window" where people go,and rushing it and pounding on the very thick glass,and scaring people a LOT...I believe he did it just to freak people out for fun,not to hurt...
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          #5
          Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

          When I was little, we went to the Bronx Zoo (NY) a lot, and I used to cry in the big cat exhibits. They were in cages, pacing endlessly and looked so out of their minds. I went back about 15 years ago and it's all better! Beautiful, open habitat areas - snow leopards were playing leapfrog and everyone seemed reasonably content.
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            #6
            Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

            Originally posted by Hawkfeathers View Post
            When I was little, we went to the Bronx Zoo (NY) a lot, and I used to cry in the big cat exhibits. They were in cages, pacing endlessly and looked so out of their minds. I went back about 15 years ago and it's all better! Beautiful, open habitat areas - snow leopards were playing leapfrog and everyone seemed reasonably content.
            The same with the Detroit Zoo. The whole concept of zoos has since changed since we were young, much for the better.
            Every moment of a life is a horrible tragedy, a slapstick comedy, dark nihilism, golden illumination, or nothing at all; depending on how we write the story we tell ourselves.

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              #7
              Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

              Having grown up near St Louis, I don't think (in 30 years) I've ever seen an animal in a cage like that. The nearest I've seen were some of the exhibits in the primate house, but even those are fairly sizable now (I doubt they were when it was built though) and with lots of enrichment activities.
              Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of HistoryPagan Devotionals, because the wind and the rain is our Bible
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                #8
                Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

                I really liked the San Diego zoo,because it had you in the cage kinda with the animals running in large inclosures. I think(but not sure) they might have been the first zoo's to do that.
                MAGIC is MAGIC,black OR white or even blood RED

                all i ever wanted was a normal life and love.
                NO TERF EVER WE belong Too.
                don't stop the tears.let them flood your soul.




                sigpic

                my new page here,let me know what you think.


                nothing but the shadow of what was

                witchvox
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                  #9
                  Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

                  The weekend after we got married, my wife and I went to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. It is one of the only (or maybe the only) seal rehabilitation centers on the East Coast. My brother volunteers there as well, and so we were able to get a little peek into the rehab area. Around the aquarium itself is Mystic Village, a shopping area consisting of some small independent shops and some excellent resturants. One of them specializes in grilled cheese, and has an AMAZING lobster and three cheese one.

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                    #10
                    Re: Your Zoos and Aquariums

                    Zoos... I have a love-hate-love relationship with zoos and aquariums, but a love-hate-hate relationship with wildlife parks. One of the things I do in every city I visit is go to the zoo... because I like to see the animals and I like to support conservation efforts. I'm very picky about wildlife parkz and rescue centers though... I've seen very few that I'm comfortable with.

                    I was REALLY impressed with St Louis Zoo. I was less impressed with their primate set up, but in general I loved it and I can't believe they can do so much with no entry fees!

                    I am completely biased towards Zoos SA though... Adelaide Zoo and it's sister Monarto are just awesome, have great enclosures, excellent education programs and an amazing conservation program. I've been behind the scenes at both places, as well as doing some work in the vet centre and I think they are some of the better zoos I been to.

                    Australia Zoo would be better if it was less commercialised... the enclosures are great and Steve Irwin had some good conservation programs, but I think since his death it's lost some of those wide ranging goals and feels a bit... touristy now. Perth Zoo is underrated and is trying really hard, but it's a few years behind Adelaide Zoo. On the other hand I thought Sydney Zoo was a bit overrated and doesn't really deserve it's reputation as one of Australia's leading Zoos. I've not been to Melbourne Zoo for a really long time so I can't say how well it's evolved.

                    I really want to go to San Diego Zoo and it's sister safari park. I also really want to see Aukland Zoo as it has some grwat breeding programs and education programs.

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