[Darth Vader.]

Shall we discuss the merits of zoos?

The chimp is seen in the video motioning to a watching visitor to unlock the bolt on what appears to be a glass door and lift the window, so he can be free.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...king-film.html

[de_monies]

It makes you feel really sorry for the monkey but at the same time, I have that thing in my head that says they're probably there for their own good, and might be released eventually. Sad nonetheless

[Marshyy]

And if they did let him out, he'd probably rip their faces off. Cute.

[Strawberrycayk]

(Original post by de_monies)
It makes you feel really sorry for the monkey but at the same time, I have that thing in my head that says they're probably there for their own good, and might be released eventually. Sad nonetheless

Yeah this, it's like not letting your child cross the road until they've learnt how to.

[Ham22]

ZOOS

[+ polarity -]

Someone else posted a thread about this video and it was suggested that they were pointing at whatever was on the floor... there's nothing heartbreaking about this.

[Norton1]

(Original post by + polarity -)
Someone else posted a thread about this video and it was suggested that they were pointing at whatever was on the floor... there's nothing heartbreaking about this.

The chimp wants the biscuit and can't get it. Heart officially broken.

[Darth Vader.]

(Original post by + polarity -)
Someone else posted a thread about this video and it was suggested that they were pointing at whatever was on the floor... there's nothing heartbreaking about this.

Perhaps. But why would he do the same motion at the other window?

[joey11223]

you also have to consider whether the chimp is asking to be "freed" or is replicating to those humans what he sees other humans doing to that window. You could conversely say the chimp is showing them how to get in to his enclosure, considering keepers would possibly bend down and open the window, some humans are bending down but not opening it, thus the chimp is demonstrating how he believes the keepers do it.

Zoos are not ideal for highly intelligent animals just as chimps but a lot of work these days goes into enrichment, how to prevent stereotypical behaviours etc. Although zoos put some animals on show to attract visitors, the money you pay is used to fund research, breeding programs, habitat restoration etc. Zoos aren't perfect, but their role in trying to help save species from extinction and return them to their natural habitat (if possible), is important.

[Joeman560]

Without Zoos hundreds of species would be extinct. Including Chimps.

[A7d8i6l]

Aah the chimp is so cute!! Just look at him,all locked up !!


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[Door]

(Original post by Darth Vader.)
Shall we discuss the merits of zoos?

I have my child like this...you think he is cute but if you let him out he scratch your face

[Umer786]

I literally have tears in my eyes.

Reminds me of all the times I spent at home grounded for leaving the house.

[Mockery]

(Original post by joey11223)
you also have to consider whether the chimp is asking to be "freed" or is replicating to those humans what he sees other humans doing to that window. You could conversely say the chimp is showing them how to get in to his enclosure, considering keepers would possibly bend down and open the window, some humans are bending down but not opening it, thus the chimp is demonstrating how he believes the keepers do it.

Zoos are not ideal for highly intelligent animals just as chimps but a lot of work these days goes into enrichment, how to prevent stereotypical behaviours etc. Although zoos put some animals on show to attract visitors, the money you pay is used to fund research, breeding programs, habitat restoration etc. Zoos aren't perfect, but their role in trying to help save species from extinction and return them to their natural habitat (if possible), is important.

Exactly this, + rep.

Another thing to mention before people jump on the 'lets hate zoos' bandwagon, the chimp was probably born in capitivity, rescued at a young age as an orphan due to poachers, or rescued from captivity elsewhere. You can not simply release a captive animal.

I praise a lot of the work zoos do in research and conservation.

[worker13]

(Original post by Umer786)
I literally have tears in my eyes.

Reminds me of all the times I spent at home grounded for leaving the house.

You got grounded for leaving the house? Allow your life.

[Martyn*]

Looks like he was pointing to the biscuit on the inside.

[Studentus-anonymous]

(Original post by Darth Vader.)
Shall we discuss the merits of zoos?

I think we should discuss the way people assume about this video being a bigger judgement on their intelligence than the intelligence of a chimpanzee. Wanting a biscuit is hardly a sign of high intellect.

But in regard to zoos we don't really need them, as long as you're not going to miss their conservation work.

I mean there is so much emphasis by parts of our society to protect and conserve every endangered species (especially the cute cuddly ones) regardless of their viability, that I imagine a lot of people would become quite vocal and distraught at the closure of zoos instantly condemning a plethora of species to extinction or close enough.

But hey your idea seems rationally based, lets give it a go.

[blueray]

This is why animals should be out in the wild and hunters and poachers should be in prison.

[PoGo HoPz]

Looks like being locked up in an enclosure drove that monkey bananas.

[lightburns]

People who are anti-zoo (and anti-pet) tend to have a rosy romantised view of nature. Like the packaging of products that go on about how mother nature wants to heal you.

Nature is a brutal field of war, where you are fighting every moment to prevent starvation, illness, and being torn limb from limb by a creature larger than yourself.
Freedom comes at a cost - an agonising death.

I suggest that anyone who is anti-zoo (or anti-pet) should have to survive for a year living in the Amazon, or the Australian outback, or such. The survivors may well think that the chimps have a decent life after all.

We have lived so long in an environment of wealth and technology that some fail to see the plight of others. It is unfortunate that these people frame their misunderstanding in sympathetic terms of seeking freedom for the animals.
It reminds me of the situation with my Aunt. She was observing marmosets for her MSc. Not doing anything to them, just observing them. They had a very good life. Oh, except for when animal activists kept breaking in and opening the cage; Manchester will have slaughtered them quickly.