Humans? Zoos?

What would you think if I told you there were actually zoos based around human exhibits? Well, there were.  The earliest recorded instance of a human display at a menagerie was in Moctezuma, Mexico where, along with animals, were bizarre humans such as dwarves pygmies and albinos. The first, and last human display in America was in New York at the Bronx zoo. Ota Benga was a Congolese Pygmy that was in America after being displayed at the World’s Fair in America by the Museum of Natural History in 1906. After the World’s Fair he was moved to the Bronx Zoo, whether by force or on his own free will, nobody knows. Ota was displayed in the Monkey House as the “Missing Link” between humans and apes. Needless to say this put the city in an uproar and the display was ended in a few short weeks. Ota, after working at the zoo, committed suicide.

                For those people who think zoos are a good thing (myself included) does this topic help you understand why those who oppose zoos would like to get rid of them? Put yourself in the animals place. Would you like it? Would you know any different?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_zoo
.http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/the-bronx-zoos-short-lived-human-exhibit/
Posted by Ben Keller