Conclusion

To conclude our blog, we decided to each reflect on what we learned in the zoo community and how it impacts us now in our daily lives. For me (Katie) personally, I learned more about animal conservation and preserves and how sometimes the zoo environment is not conducive for animal sustainability. I never thought about the preservation of animals and how sometimes zoos are cruel to their animals. It never occurred to me that sometimes animals are not able to procreate in the zoo environment. But I also learned that sometimes animals do better in the zoo environment because it allows for the animals to rehabilitate and prevent them from becoming endangered or extinct. This sums up more about what I learned but more importantly I have formed a more informed opinion about zoos. Everything that I learned goes along with what I believe now, I think that zoos are a great learning experience but they aren’t always good if they aren’t ethical for animals.

You hit it right on the nose Katie. I (Ben) believe the zoo has its pros and cons, but what doesn’t. There’s always strings attached. However, I do believe zoos do more good in our world than bad. Yes a few out there may ruin it for the rest of them with poor ethics and inhumane treatment, that will never end, whether the animal is in its natural environment or not. But it has been proven for thousands of years that zoos are a very important learning tool, especially for the young. They are also strong entertainment avenues, and more often than not the money you pay to explore the zoo goes to wildlife reserves and various charities to help endangered species. Which brings me to my next point. Zoos have proven to be a reliable wildlife conservation tool. Many endangered species are held in captivity within zoos and are part of a breeding program to increase their numbers. Without zoos many of those species would already be extinct. I believe zoos reflect the responsibility we as the human race possess in order to conserve mother nature.

These are all great points. I (Molly) learned a lot about the relationships and ties people within the zoo have and also the impact it can have on people outside of the zoo. When looking deeper into what zoos have to offer, you can see how that small community can help build a society outside of just the zoo. Looking from all different viewpoints of workers, children, and experts, my opinion of zoos has not really changed, but just has become more knowledgeable about what I used to think. Learning about the public and private aspects of the zoo really helped me grasp a better understanding of the pros and cons of what zoos have to offer.

Zoo School

While I visited the zoo and observed the surroundings and animals I noticed two kids watching the goats and talking animatedly about the zoo. At first I was a little skeptical about approaching them because I was afraid they might not open up to a stranger. But I got over my fear and walked over to them and decided to ask them some questions. Here is a little Q & A with the students I talked to.

Q: I heard you guys talking about this “zoo school” can you tell me a little more about this?

A: Well it’s a volunteer program for kids ages 12 and up who want to work with animals some day or who enjoy working with animals.

Q: That is really cool! What kind of jobs is this preparing you for?

A: Well there are a lot of options but some of the ones we have learned about so far are working in a zoo, owning your own organic farm, becoming a zoologist, or having a nursery for newborn animals.

Q: So how did you learn about this?

A: Well it is one of the biggest volunteer programs in Nebraska and we heard about it from our school.

Q: So what kind of things do you learn in the program?

A: Some of the things we learn about include: learning about animals and how to care for them, working hands on in the zoo, and we have also learned more about nature and wildlife preserves.

After the kids started looking a little bored I decided to let them continue with their goat watching and I decided to do a little more research on my own. According to the Lincoln zoo’s website, 400 students can enroll in the program. There are also 5 levels of the school. Levels 1-3 work for half of the summer and then levels 4 and 5 work the entire summer. Some of their responsibilities include: leading and caring for the ponies, sharing facts about the animals with the public, caring for the animals in The Hive and Critter Encounter, and leading goats on leashes.

The kids work an 8 – 5 shift in the summer and the hours they work can be used for volunteering hours. The two options of work they choose to specialize in can either be education or husbandry. The education students interact with the public, present animals, and share information about the zoo. The husbandry students specialize in animal care, perform wellness checks, and daily cleanings.

I thought it was kind of ironic to find out about this zoo school because we were pondering why it was so important for zoos to teach kids something. And this is definitely carrying out what we said about the learning portion of it. Whether it is to learn something new about their environment and about the animals that inhabit the area to learning how to specifically care for animals and prepare them for a possible future working with animals.

"Zoo Crew." Lincoln Children's Zoo. Lincoln Children's Zoo, 2012. Web. 25 Apr 2012. <http://www.lincolnzoo.org/education/zoo_crew.html>.

Wildlife Reserves

                In response to Molly’s post about saving wild animals from outside factors I decided to do a little research on wildlife preserves because I was interested in learning a little more about them. It turns out there are a lot of wildlife preserves around the world so I decided to narrow my searching to the United States. I came across the National Wildlife Refuge System and spent a lot of time on their website www.fws.gov. In addition to conserving the wildlife, they also manage six wildlife-dependent recreational uses: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation. One really interesting thing that I found on their website was how proactive they are with protecting animals and providing areas for the species to be rehabilitated. The website says,

                “National wildlife refuges are home to more than 280 of the nation’s 1, 311 endangered or threatened species. So far, 11 of those species have been removed from the list due to their recovery, and 17 others have improved in status from endangered to threatened. More than 500 listed species are now stable or improving. Fifty-nine national wildlife refuges have been created specifically to help imperiled species” (National Wildlife Refuge System).

                Another thing that I found impressive was that there are even preserves in Nebraska. They are used for fishing, hunting, and even protecting animals that reside here. They are used mostly for restoring species here. I didn’t realize how expansive this movement was. I think it relates to the zoo because we all have previously talked about creating a life that is suitable and humane for the animals that belong in the zoos. If the zoo can’t handle doing something as simple as creating a healthy and natural environment for the animals they should be moved to a preserve where they will be more comfortable and happy. Confining animals to small cages and spaces is not okay and doesn’t sit well with me. The preserves provide a home for the animals outside of the zoos that aren't suitable for them and creates an environment that is as close to their natural one as possible.
-Katie

"Endangered Species." National Wildlife Refuge System. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 17 Feb 2012. Web. 24 Apr 2012. <http://www.fws.gov/refuges/whm/endangered.html>.

Thinking Deeper

Think back to the last time you were at a zoo. What do you remember thinking? Do you remember what was going through your thought’s. If you can think of anything at all you are probably one of the few. And if you do remember what you were consciously aware during your visit it may have been about what your favorite animal was, or maybe which was the most frightening. My point is that the memory most likely had something to do with the entertainment aspect of the zoo. But they run much deeper than that.

                Next time you go to a zoo take time to look around at the people around you who are taking in the same sights. Chances are you will see more kids than adults. Now ask yourself, “Why kids?” ”Why does the zoo appeal to the younger population?” The answer is closer than you think.

                Dive into your own childhood and try to remember what made your very first trips to the zoo so important to you. I think we can all relate in the same way when I say the zoo peaked our curiosity. We all felt the need to see and learn about all the new things at the zoo. The zoo could be seen as one of the pivotal places of learning, especially to a child. It is one of the first experiences we all have with the “rest of the world.” It is an awe inspiring feeling to think that these animals came from every corner of the planet. As a child the zoo puts into perspective how big the world really is.

                As you grow older the learning experience starts to dissipate and the zoo starts to become more of an avenue of entertainment. Most adults who attend the zoo are there with their kids, and it’s kind of funny to see the big difference in levels of enthusiasm between the two. For the parent it’s sort of like “been there, done that” whereas for the young mind it’s more of a “so much to do, so little time!” type of experience.

                Next time you go to the zoo remember its purpose, remember to respect the learning experience of the young people. Feed their enthusiasm for learning, and let that same enthusiasm spark a fire in you. You were young once, don’t forget that.

Posted by Ben Keller

Saving wild animals from outside factors

Wild animals are exposed to the dangers of the outside environment such as poaching, hunting, deforestization, extreme weather, and more. Zoos believe they are protecting the animals from these extreme conditions, which they may be, but they are wild for a reason. The zoos may be protecting them from poachers, hunters and other conditions, but is it worth it? According to Amy Whiting, animals are very hard to breed when in captivity. For example, no elephants have ever bred successfully in an Australian zoo. Also with inbreeding, the offspring can be genetically weaker. These offspring are less likely to survive in the wild. With this, the offspring will also miss out on important survival tips that its mother would teach them in the wild and dont have the opportunity to do in zoos. (Whiting) Making a protective environment in their natural environment may be much more beneficial.

Whiting, Amy. "What's Wrong with Zoos?" Animal Liberation Victoria: Fighting for Animal Rights.  Media Two. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.alv.org.au/issues/whatswrongwithzoos.php>.

"Making a difference"

This is a picture I took inside one of the buildings at the Lincoln zoo. On the sign it says "You can make a difference" and then asks you to put money in the jar of the particular animal you would like to support. As you can see, there is just change in the jars that don't add up to much. These animals require so much money to feed, have the right equipment for each individual animal, to simply just have in the facility, and so much more that this small amount of change probably does not even make a dent in the amount they are spending. Therefore, I believe that this is just a simple way to make the zoo appear better and to help prove that they are trying to help the animals, and also give the visitors an outlet to feel like they are helping too so that they don't feel so guilty when they see the animals in these small cages.

White Tigers

This video I found partly in response to Molly's video with Jane Goodall, just to be sure to capture the other side of the zoo/no zoo debate. It is more of a focused video of one animal in particular that is a very popular exhibit at many zoos.

Posted by Ben Keller