it was a horrifif sight in the 90 degree heat, with all of them laying in the sun, no grass or water even in the bowls i could see. their entire bodies were panting with the strain.

also, the lion and lioness in the glass-walled cemet-floored small space was horrid, as was the smaller cage for the monkeys, all staring out with lost- eyes.

the orangutangs were scaveging around the small grassed-in area which is way too small, apearing bored and daunted, picking-over the same grass every day of their lives.

mostly, the lone gorilla stared at all the humans, stolid like a statue of budda. this is what was devastating. — my thought was that an animal so human-like, so intelligent, should not be unfree, as was the case for all the animals. the gorilla had more dignity than the humans talking inanely about him, making silly remarks to entertain their children.

why are zoos even in existence? why are they not free in their own habitat?

my thought was that it is cruel beyond belief to house reindeer and polar bears who were not made to live in a hot climate as is the case in the midwest. they can not adapt.

my thought would be: put all the humans in cages and let the animals all watch.

we should, as a society on the brink of self-destruction from greed, ban zoos entirely and allow “nature as will” predominate, not the corporate structure which makes money on slavery of animals. of couarse, notwithstanding, that we as the human race have destroyed their homes in the wild around the globe– with the case of the gorillas, only to blow-up mines near which they live to make our cell phone batteries.

This has to be the most unconscionable sight of misery next to the wars and murders we do to ourselves in our corrupt nature.

i was told they are bred in captivity and “know no different.”

does this seem righteous towards another life form?

Not to mention everything else there is to do at the park. The botanical gardens, theme park, fishing, mini-golf, you name it.

Allen Nyhuis
Coauthor, Americas Best Zoos