Philadelphia Zoo - Elephants (Bring back his favorite animal)

Will the child whose voice you hear in this video love the new Children's Zoo/Education Center as much? Will all the other children who loved the elephants benefit from going in the Children's Zoo as much as they benefited from standing a few feet away from a real live elephant? Will all the adults who visited the Zoo to see and observe the variety of wildlife on earth benefit as much from whatever information is presented in the Children's Zoo/Education Center? Will the Zoo attract as many tourists to the city of Philadelphia as it could if it still had elephants like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Buffalo, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Houston, and even cities like Toledo, Ohio, Portland, Oregon, Oklahoma City, and El Paso do???

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Philadelphia Zoo
• zoo
• elephants

[allshouldbefree]

The Zoo couldn't teach people about elephants. The environment wasn't natural; it would only let people think that these animals can live in small, barren spaces. And there was little space to do anything. The only thing people would learn is that the animals are on display for entertainment. At PAWS, there is an educational elephant experience where people do learn about elephants in a natural, more spacious, habitat with more to do.

[ZooVisitorMM]

@allshouldbefree There is a lot more to learn about wild animals than how they behave in the wild. And there is a lot more to teach animals than what they would learn in the wild. I am sure PAWS provides a nice environment for the elephants, and a high quality educational experience for the visitors it has. But the elephants there are still in captivity and not living as they would in the wild, either.

[allshouldbefree]

@ZooVisitorMM But if the zoo is trying to teach the public about wild elephants and saving wild elephants, this is not the way to go. And most people don't really care about learning when they go to the zoo. What they want is to see the animals up-close and have a good time, and this doesn't inspire people to save animals. They just realize that animals are wonderful, but not about conservation.

[ZooVisitorMM]

@allshouldbefree I think the first step in developing an interest in wildlife conservation is realizing that animals are wonderful. And, although I believe zoos should include teaching about wild elephant conservation, I do not believe that should be their main focus. Zoos should focus on teaching fascinating zoological facts that will inspire the kind of awe that will cause people to go to other institutions to learn about and to contribute to conservation efforts.

[animalsdeserveaplace]

I think the Zoo felt the costs were too great to build the exhibit. And there wasn't enough fundraising money for construction.

I am not a huge fan of the ICC. The Zoo really was better in every way except for space. They don't eve have toys to play with now. And Kallie looks much thinner now in a recent video I saw.

[ZooVisitorMM]

@animalsdeserveaplace The Zoo could have expanded the current exhibit area simply by knocking down the wall and extending it toward Big Cat Falls. The Zoo could have also added a couple of trees and some grass. None of that would have cost more than the amount they gave to the ICC to take Bette and Kallie ($500,000). I think the more significant reason is that the Zoo wants to convert the Pachyderm House into a Children's Zoo, and that meant the elephants had to be relocated.

[sohcsarewicked]

@ZooVisitorMM Well TES is not really open to the public and no zoo could ever provide 2700 acres of land like the TES. There are no chains, ropes or bullhooks If you want to teach about wildlife the 1st thing to teach them is that these animals don't belong in zoos. Teach you shouldn't be able to go see a dolphin in a swimming pool and a elephant doing tricks or behind bars for the public. Teach them that it is a privilege to see these animals in their natural habitat not their right at zoos

[ZooVisitorMM]

@IrishMusicIsAwesome That is true. And I want the Zoo to be responsible owners, improve their exhibit in the Zoo, and bring them back where they belong like almost all other zoos have done!

[IrishMusicIsAwesome]

Actually, while the ICC had taken charge of caring for the elephants, the Philadelphia Zoo still owns Kallie and Bette.

[ZooVisitorMM]

@animalsrule1231 Please let the Zoo know how you feel. It seems that everyone who thinks the way you (and I) do thinks no one at the Zoo will listen. But if enough people let the Zoo know they REALLY want elephants in the Zoo again, maybe the Zoo will do the right thing and bring Bette and Kallie back.