Those We Have Known....

What made your interest in zoos decline, out of curiosity?

 

I became interested in zoos (in college) for photography. For two decades all of my trips were centered around taking pictures at zoos. When I bought my first home in 2010 and prepared for the move I culled through all my slides (I was still shooting film). I threw away a majority of them and realized most of my zoo photos were boring (an antelope with a wall behind, etc). While I still love wild cats, photographing other animals in a zoo setting holds virtually no interest for me. My new photographic interests are landscape, animals in the wild, and European architecture.

I also volunteered as a zoo docent (hence my user name) for over a dozen years and it ended badly. During this time I became somewhat disillusioned with the way zoos are run. Overall (not just because of this) my travels made me realize that zoos have (for the most part) stopped improving. There was a time in the 1990's (when my interest began) that exhibits were getting bigger and more natural. Then when the new century hit it is like someone turned on a switch and zoos decided we are not going to do that any more.

 

AH, you've outed him

 

That's too bad your experience ended the way it did. If zoos aren't improving to bigger and more natural enclosures what is it you think they're doing now? Not trying to argue, genuinely curious.

 

All zoos are different and this is a generalization. But it seems to me most are just building utilitarian exhibits with little regard for space or naturalism. The main exceptions are some of the new savannas that have opened (Fresno, Cincinnati), but overall it seems they either don't have the resources or don't care. I also find the AZA average of less than 3% of operating budget going to conservation appalling.

 

That is all too bad. Maybe things will change someday.

 

Other more prominent members we seem to have lost include Deer forest, jusko88, & Yi Qi, who’s profile page is no longer available.

 

I don't want to be nosy, but whatever happened to @Yi Qi?

 

When you go to look at their profile, an error message loads. That would suggest that they have had their account deactivated; this could be through their choice, or by breaking the rules.

 

Okay, thats what I thought.

 

jusko88 is alive and well and enthusiastically birding across the countryside.

 

Glad to hear he is okay.

 

Not to be nosy at all, I assure you, but I am curious. What happened to @Animaldude?

 

Haven't been doing much wildlife photography as of late but will make sure to upload again soon!

 

What happened to Thylo?
I mean its only been a month since his list appearance, but still......

 

He's probably just hibernating. I'm sure we'll see him again in the spring.

 

Thylo is fine, and we may yet see him on here again eventually.

 

I'm glad, thank you!

 

Also, were has @zooboy28 been? He hasn’t been seen in almost 3 months.

 

Hibernation?