Interesting article. I didn’t know that pandas were only leased to foreign zoos by China. Half way through the article I wondered why countries accept this leasing arrangement where China can symbolically recall its largesse, then I read, “For the host zoos, the arrival of a giant panda is a massive publicity coup that promises a huge financial boost.” Ah, money. Sometimes I think the world is really quite a simple place.
And for what it’s worth, I believe most zoos should be scrapped. I’ve visited a few and seen too many animals obviously bored, pacing their enclosures and quietly going mad.
Absolutely zoos should be scrapped.
The “conservationist” argument doesn’t wash either, since it’d be possible to conserve endangered species in such a way that didn’t require the conditions you and I have observed along with others, but unfortunately too many just keep turning up with their kids and cash.
Wildlife parks are a different matter, if not perfect, but then there’s no guarantee of sightings, or not close enough.
Absolutely zoos should be scrapped.
The “conservationist” argument doesn’t wash either, since it’d be possible to conserve endangered species in such a way that didn’t require the conditions you and I have observed along with others, but unfortunately too many just keep turning up with their kids and cash.
Wildlife parks are a different matter, if not perfect, but then there’s no guarantee of sightings, or not close enough.
J Bryant
1 year ago
Interesting article. I didn’t know that pandas were only leased to foreign zoos by China. Half way through the article I wondered why countries accept this leasing arrangement where China can symbolically recall its largesse, then I read, “For the host zoos, the arrival of a giant panda is a massive publicity coup that promises a huge financial boost.” Ah, money. Sometimes I think the world is really quite a simple place.
And for what it’s worth, I believe most zoos should be scrapped. I’ve visited a few and seen too many animals obviously bored, pacing their enclosures and quietly going mad.
B Emery
1 year ago
I feel this is very good demonstration of the levels of crazy we are now reaching. Where the state of geopolitics is defined by how many pandas are in the zoo.
Do you think if we put all the animals that represent our various nations in a room they could be worse at diplomacy than people are at the moment.
um- we might see rather a lot of dogs eating dogs and/or sheep – so pretty much the same level of ‘civilisation’ – where is the lion King when we need him/her.
um- we might see rather a lot of dogs eating dogs and/or sheep – so pretty much the same level of ‘civilisation’ – where is the lion King when we need him/her.
B Emery
1 year ago
I feel this is very good demonstration of the levels of crazy we are now reaching. Where the state of geopolitics is defined by how many pandas are in the zoo.
Do you think if we put all the animals that represent our various nations in a room they could be worse at diplomacy than people are at the moment.
Interesting article. I didn’t know that pandas were only leased to foreign zoos by China. Half way through the article I wondered why countries accept this leasing arrangement where China can symbolically recall its largesse, then I read, “For the host zoos, the arrival of a giant panda is a massive publicity coup that promises a huge financial boost.” Ah, money. Sometimes I think the world is really quite a simple place.
And for what it’s worth, I believe most zoos should be scrapped. I’ve visited a few and seen too many animals obviously bored, pacing their enclosures and quietly going mad.
Absolutely zoos should be scrapped.
The “conservationist” argument doesn’t wash either, since it’d be possible to conserve endangered species in such a way that didn’t require the conditions you and I have observed along with others, but unfortunately too many just keep turning up with their kids and cash.
Wildlife parks are a different matter, if not perfect, but then there’s no guarantee of sightings, or not close enough.
Absolutely zoos should be scrapped.
The “conservationist” argument doesn’t wash either, since it’d be possible to conserve endangered species in such a way that didn’t require the conditions you and I have observed along with others, but unfortunately too many just keep turning up with their kids and cash.
Wildlife parks are a different matter, if not perfect, but then there’s no guarantee of sightings, or not close enough.
Interesting article. I didn’t know that pandas were only leased to foreign zoos by China. Half way through the article I wondered why countries accept this leasing arrangement where China can symbolically recall its largesse, then I read, “For the host zoos, the arrival of a giant panda is a massive publicity coup that promises a huge financial boost.” Ah, money. Sometimes I think the world is really quite a simple place.
And for what it’s worth, I believe most zoos should be scrapped. I’ve visited a few and seen too many animals obviously bored, pacing their enclosures and quietly going mad.
I feel this is very good demonstration of the levels of crazy we are now reaching. Where the state of geopolitics is defined by how many pandas are in the zoo.
Do you think if we put all the animals that represent our various nations in a room they could be worse at diplomacy than people are at the moment.
um- we might see rather a lot of dogs eating dogs and/or sheep – so pretty much the same level of ‘civilisation’ – where is the lion King when we need him/her.
um- we might see rather a lot of dogs eating dogs and/or sheep – so pretty much the same level of ‘civilisation’ – where is the lion King when we need him/her.
I feel this is very good demonstration of the levels of crazy we are now reaching. Where the state of geopolitics is defined by how many pandas are in the zoo.
Do you think if we put all the animals that represent our various nations in a room they could be worse at diplomacy than people are at the moment.