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EU Zoo Inquiry: Born Free Foundation

Discussion in 'Europe - General' started by Peter Dickinson, 13 Feb 2011.

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  1. Peter Dickinson

    Peter Dickinson Well-Known Member

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    I am never exactly sure where the Born Free Foundation stands on zoos. Back in the beginning they were all for closing all zoos. It was one of the very few points that myself and other zoo professionals did not agree with. We were all for improving conditions and recognised that there were good zoos and bad zoos and there still are! Close the bad or force them to improve and meet standards...it needs to be done. But today the Born Free Foundation seem to have conflicting aims: "aims to phase out traditional zoos" and "Yes! Born Free believes it is cruel and unnecessary to keep a wild animal in confinement for human entertainment. Born Free works to end captive animal suffering and phase out all zoos and animal circuses."
    Zoo News Digest: EU Zoo Inquiry: Born Free Foundation
     
    Peter Dickinson, 13 Feb 2011
    #1
  2. zooman

    zooman Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    A quote from the report.
    "Estimates place the total number of licensed zoos in the EU to be at least 3,500. "

    Personally before reading this l would have guessed at maybe 500 but 3,500 WOW!!
     
    zooman, 13 Feb 2011
    #2
  3. docend24

    docend24 Well-Known Member

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    Kill it with fire! :D:rolleyes:
     
    docend24, 13 Feb 2011
    #3
  4. zoogiraffe

    zoogiraffe Well-Known Member

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    I`m not surprised as I would say the UK alone is probably close to having around 300-400 collections on its own!
     
    zoogiraffe, 13 Feb 2011
    #4
  5. KEEPER

    KEEPER Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Well, sure it's very pretentious to call zoos all the 3500 places where animals they are displayed throughout Europe, authentic zoos aren't even half or so.
     
    KEEPER, 13 Feb 2011
    #5
  6. zooman

    zooman Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    It is very rare that l personally visit a collection that does not house Gorillas.
    Yet l had no idea that there are so many collections.

    The idea that the UK almost fits into my home state of Victoria! You guys are spoilt for choice!!!

    UK 244,110 sq km (94,251 sq mi)
    Victoria Australia 227,600 sq km (87,900 sq mi)
     
    zooman, 13 Feb 2011
    #6
  7. Pertinax

    Pertinax Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Pertinax, 15 Feb 2011
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  8. lee456

    lee456 Well-Known Member

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    Indeed, Bron Free's conflicting aims are confusing. What you must remeber though is that Zoo's are like anything, resteraunts, schools, theaters, etc. You will always have good and bad ones, that is the nature of the beast. The difference is zoos are (or should be working) for an overall goal. The aim of a resteraunt isn't to feed everbody, its to make money. Whereas zoos work together for conservation. Despite what you think of the Bron Free foundation I think some of there goals are noble i.e circus's.
     
    lee456, 15 Feb 2011
    #8