RE: NANFA-- Probability of Dead Stuff

Jay DeLong (thirdwind_at_att.net)
Fri, 8 Sep 2000 10:41:01 -0700

Ray, we're thinking along the same lines. Yes, zoos are getting better at
duplicating natural habitat, but why? For the comfort of the animals there,
not to benefit the animals in their wild natural habitats. AND for the
"comfort" of the people who visit the zoos, so they can feel better for the
animal having to be in confinement and all. I was just thinking how sad it
would be to see zoos perceived by the public as substitute habitats. And
since some zoos are breeding endanged species, that it could be accepted
that passing rare animals from zoo to zoo is the only way to save the
species.

The notion of frozen gametes, though silly, isn't so far-fetched as one
might think. Just as people are being frozen cryogenically until a cure can
be found for their disease, a last-ditch solution to habitat destruction,
poaching, disease, etc, might be to preserve a species or race that way
until conditions improve. It's a scary thought that such actions might be
the only way to save a species from extinction. I hope that's never
considered a viable option, but it would have saved the Carolina parakeet
and passenger pigeon and dozens of other animals.

The Cincinnati Zoo has a monument to the passenger pigeon-- a little brass
bird on a pedestal-- the last one died in captivity there in 1919 or so.
Brass birds don't need to be fed, either.

--
Jay DeLong
Olympia, WA

> -----Original Message----- > From: owner-nanfa_at_aquaria.net On Behalf > Of R. W. Wolff > Sent: Friday, September 08, 2000 11:50 AM > To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net > Subject: Re: NANFA-- Probability of Dead Stuff > > > Jay, > I just meant that zoos are the only place these people can see these > animals , they are not subsitutes for the real thing. Zoos are getting > better at setting up habitats , rather than a concrete box and > cave for the > critters. That is all, nothing more or less. Frozen gametes would be a > silly next step since no one could see them. Zoos can help with > protection > of rare wild animals when there entire habitat has been wiped out, but we > should also make sure these animals have a home in the wild as well. > I dont get animal planet anymore, and thought it a pretty good network, > but some or their shows were a bit preachy, maybe they need to be. I like > Crocidile hunter since he makes the "undesirable" animals look good to the > general public and why they are important. > Ray >

/----------------------------------------------------------------------------- /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes / Association" / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association / nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word / subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to / nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead. / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org