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about zoos in general, and good zoos in particular.
I love zoos!
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What is a zoo?
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Zoos are endangered!
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Keep the elephants!
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Zoos are for adults, too!
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Comparing Elephant Webcams and Elephants
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I love the Elmwood Park Zoo!
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How do you pronounce oh-KAH-pee?
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I love the National Zoo! (for 11 great reasons!)
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There is a Moral to This (True) Story!
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A Trend Turnaround
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I love the Elmwood Park Zoo and the National Zoo's websites!
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Winds of Change are in the Air!
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Research Results
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Don't Do It!
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My Favorite Zoo ...
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My Favorite Zoo UPDATE
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Monday, July 09, 2007
An article published July 1, 2007, in the sports section of the NY Times has caused quite a stir on sports talk shows, and sports-related blogs and forums.
The article, Point Is Made on Grass Court, No Amplification Needed by Harvey Araton, describes the wonderful feeling the author had when he covered a well-known sports event that was unpolluted by the cacophony of "entertainment" that pervades sports events in the U.S. (see http://njoverground.blogspot.com/ for the full text of this article.)
Araton said, "Wimbledon may reek of royalty and rigidity, but it is the preferable extreme compared with the ever-worsening assault on our senses that games have become, for the most part, back home."
It was a pleasant surprise to me that so many people agreed with the spirit of this article and spoke out vehemently about it on call-in shows, in forums, and in blogs.
It appears that it is almost fifty-fifty, with 50% of the people wanting (needing?) their senses bombarded, and 50% wanting to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the events without distractions.
I have been complaining about the noise and distractions in many zoos for a few years (see my past post. Zoos are Endangered) So I am glad the winds of change are in the air.
I hope these winds turn into gusts and head toward all those zoos that are evolving into amusement parks before they become any more "entertaining" and then suddenly, at some point in the future, find themselves with no audience!
posted by Zoo Visitor
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My websites:
I love the Philadelphia Zoo! (updated February 9, 2008)
I love zoos!
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A Zoo Visitor's Views
A Zoo Visitor's Opinions (Viewable by invitation only)
Zoo Visitor's Quizzes
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Zoos should make you feel like you are in the animals' territory.
Text, photos, and blog template source code © Merry L. Morris
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Amen!
I agree, this is especially evident in sports, but it can also be seen in other spaces, including zoos. The emphasis on "entertainment" and "family fun" is overshadowing the zoo experience. Zoos are not amusement parks, but a place for learning and for experiencing the bond between us and the animals. And that can be fun too! No need for balloon rides or excessive video and computer interactive exhibits, which only seems to distance the visitors from the animals.
I agree that entertainment side shows are a distraction and completely unnecessary at educational institutions such as zoos.
However, sports are a different story. Sports are a form of entertainment, not an educational institution. In the case of sporting events, some people like myself are going solely because their spouse is interested in the game. I myself am simply going to preserve the family, not for any interest in the game. So therefore what is the harm of having mascots, or other entertainment for the sake of people like myself?