An excuse for a human

We have the technology. We have cameras. We have recording. We have the internet. We have television. We have professional and amateur programme makers. What excuse do we have for zoos? If we want to look at amazing creatures we can do. Anytime.

There's been a concerted effort to use and excuse zoos as sanctuaries for endangered species. If the endangered animals are our native species, OK, in fact, it must be our duty to look after them. Just as this young man wants

Boy wins competition with seagull impression - BBC News

But what about the pandas? And the koalas? And the rest of them? We should not be keeping the poor beasts here (UK), so far from home.

If we can, safely, humanely 'repatriate' the animals, let's do so. Animals are not criminals to be kept locked up. We are not sadists, nor sadistic voyeurs. What are we? Dissociatives? Let's wake up not that. I am not (so) dissociative any more.

How dare we keep these creatures captive. How dare we assume they are alright. How can it be said that breeding is a good indicator that the animals are healthy and happy. Of course they will love and care for each other as best they can. How would you like it?!

Some of us have suggested alternative uses for those cages and enclosures. Trophy hunter beware.

18.01.2024 Report from London Zoo via BBC. And Mjukuu the gorilla cuddles her newborn in London Zoo. Feet up on the painted concrete wall, sadly looking at the camera, lying on a sack. I dont know what alternatives they have. But I keep thinking of British prisoners in gaol, sewing mailbags.

From Wikipedia. the gorilla

lives in montane, primary and secondary forest and lowland swampland in central Africa in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

I'm finding it hard to believe that homes for western lowland gorillas could not be found in any of that list of suitable places in their near- and equatorial home continent. Instead they were brought to a zoo the size of a postage stamp, by comparison, in the middle of a capital city in a temperate zone. Is this to be called trafficking for the drama of it all? Like pandas in Scotland? Just because they have fur doesn't mean they are warm enough. The answer isn't central heating but don't bring them here.

I am a chimpanzee

Who cannot climb a tree

This place is wrong for me

Even if you set me free

How safe would I be

Until strong enough to climb a tree?

I look at you as you look at me

I am beautiful to you

Did you know

You are beautiful to me

But I can see

You are not as you should be

Seems to me

You could not climb a tree

There is a difference between animal-keeping and looking after rare flora. I am pleased that the Royal Horticultural Society is building a seed bank. It has already helped to re-establish environments following disaster. Same with animals? As if! I shudder to think of the damage of collecting animal sperm and eggs.

View the late great George Carlin on this subject

George Carlin - Saving the Planet (youtube.com)

Really nasty

A while back I witnessed someone's pet dogs sexually mutilated, in public. The women assaulters shouted 'here you are, you'll enjoy this'. More recently I was invited, publicly, to choose which of two pet pug dogs to use as a sex aid. There's a sick joke, a version of one from Mae West,

"Elephant to zookeeper: Is that a bun or a gun in your pocket? Or are you just pleased to see me?"

And not at other beasts either

My Humps (No Drama) by The Black Eyed Peas

I include this to make a point, out of hatred, not humour. I ended up unable to report the incidents above. I hope this never happens again but if anything like it does I hope you can take remedial action, better than me.

As I update 08.08.2024 I see news item British croc expert jailed for sexual abuse of dogs

And a few days later Woman admits being part of monkey torture network

I worked in universities for a total of 18 years without realising that some UK universities do still do animal experiments. Here's the law: Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. And here's the list of universities asked whether they do animal experiments.

Should I eat meat?

Alternatives

• I was vegan+butter for a few years. I was fine with that. I'd found a book 'The Fit for Life Diet' I couldn't do the fruit breakfasts but I got a few ideas, like sweetcorn chowder.
• I recently went vegetarian, very briefly, after perusing Waitrose supermarket's website. They had images of happy lambs and pigs. The thought of eating them put me off but not for long. I got tempted by the corned beef in the fridge.
• Saw a Linkedin post about research on making insects palatable. I thought that way of cutting out the usual processor (the poultry or the trout) was just not on!
• I'm trying peanuts at the moment. Trying to wean myself off meat. Pity some people are allergic.
• Olive or good blends of oil can replace butter.
• Making your own milk from ground almonds plus water (put through a blender) is good, too. I don't like soy products much.
• Where's all the wild food? And where are all the giant beanstalks? And nut trees? Can we not have orchards and herbs and wild garlic growing on common land? Or will some come along and keep stealing all the fruit? Shame. Even so, its worth a try. Should we do it ourselves? Should that be a local decision?
• Wondering about eating grass. Can we scatter some succulent grass seeds? Must grab some cuttings next time someone mows their lawn!

Overall I don't think I need to get uncompromisingly veggie. I think we could still eat meat, a traditional roast on occasion. Maybe have animal products no more than once a week.