Officially tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1 is American Zoo Day.
We chose to honor it today as another posting is planned for tomorrow. Although
controversy surrounds zoos today, more often they are rebuilding their habitats to create an
increasingly natural and more expansive environment for the animals who live within. Many have
ties to colleges and universities with extraordinary programs for research and study, for breeding, and
for preservation of the species in the wild. And while we may not want to see these "friends"
housed in cages and such, for so many whose numbers are small,
their chances of survival in the wild are near zero. And they would never be seen, known, or appreciated in
their chances of survival in the wild are near zero. And they would never be seen, known, or appreciated in
any other way. Thus, controversy. I've enjoyed and appreciated zoos since my mid-20s
when I was a volunteer FONZ (Friend of the National Zoo) for many years. Serving by
doing behavior watches, "preg" watches and more. It was a fascinating
and learning experience that only helped me to value our animal world all the more.
and learning experience that only helped me to value our animal world all the more.
Now, living back in this community I can once again enjoy time at the
Smithsonian National Zoological Park ~ the above are photos taken on random visits there
over the last year or more. From top left, clockwise: the prairie dogs, always active and
fun to watch -- a photo taken in the children's farm animal mini-zoo -- a beautiful
bird, a predator bird maybe, who species I have forgotten -- and of course, the panda bear!
Am always happy when I can visit the zoo!
Let's all join the
HAPPY TUESDAY BLOG HOP
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Aww, what a wonderful collection of zoo inhabitant critters! Thank you for sharing these.
ReplyDeletewe love the bird!!! he would make a great addition to our zoo too LOL
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with a bird.
DeleteGood zoos are great, but they are also having hard times with the pandemic stuff going on. We hope things will get better for zoos soon.
ReplyDeleteWe love the zoo animals! Our zoo just recently reopened but only for members.
ReplyDeleteMom hasn't been to a zoo in years but they were always such fun to visit.
ReplyDeleteThe last zoo I was at was when my children were 10 and 12 and they're now they're in their fifties and that was in Jacksonville and I nearly cried because all the animals were in cages so I never went to another zoo and I do know that the zoos have changed and that they don't keep them in the tiny cages anymore. And I live really close maybe an hour from to zoos that I've never been to and that's because I hate to drive in other states and because Bob won't go with me and I don't want to go by myself
ReplyDeleteWe like zoos too. Our Dad enjoyed the National Zoo and the Mom and Dad really enjoyed the San Diego Zoo when they visited there.
ReplyDeleteI think zoos are wonderful ways to teach our little ones about all the animals in the world and to respect them. If not for the zoos some of our little ones would never see these beautiful souls.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Big hug to you and lots of scritches to Dougie Dog. ♥
Pawretty photos of da cute animals at da zoo. Our zoo used to not be da bestest when Mama was little but now all of their enclosures are big and spacious so her enjoys it lots more and they do lots of stuffs fur da manatees which are Mama's favorite.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Matt & Matilda
Beautiful share and your words ring true, so many, in small numbers would be no longer here. I appreciate the photos, such beautiful creatures. Have a blessed day and thank you.
ReplyDeleteZoos have changed so much since I was a kid (in the 50's) Not only are the animal habitats much more comfortable, but they have become mini-arks, saving and breeding endangered species or those that are literally extinct in the wild.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteMom's favorites are always those pandas. Our KC Zoo has done a lot to improve things for the animals there. One of the very popular exhibits today is the Penguin Plaza.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Nice photos. XO
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know that there was a zoo day. Like everything else, there are good zoos and bad zoos. When people paint everything with the same brush after hearing about one of the negative situations, they overlook the work that many of these organizations are doing.
ReplyDeleteWe love going to zoos that have good habitats for the animals that live there. Our favorites have been the Bronx Zoo and the San Diego Zoo.
ReplyDeleteWe love the zoo. The animals may be in prison but they are well cared for and don't have to worry about being prey.
ReplyDeleteOur local zoo has done a lot of improvements in recent years with their habitats too. Your bird looks more like a vulture than a predator. They like to clean up after the predator has done the hard work.
ReplyDeleteZoos are doing so much now, i hope they succeed in their mission to keep species alive.
ReplyDelete