Guest guest Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?rc20041226a5.htm Sunday, December 26, 2004 READERS IN COUNCIL Zoo animals look stressed out During a recent visit to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, I was appalled by the living conditions and poor appearance of the animals. While the zoo's cash cow, or rather cash panda, seemed well-fed and taken care of, several other animals looked shockingly neglected. For example, the tigers and lions looked malnourished -- barely skin and bones. The tigers appeared to be suffering from repetitive stress disorder (RSD), which has been commonly documented in Western zoos. It is the result of a lack of enrichment programs, or quality play time, for the animals. A sure sign of this disorder is pacing back and forth or walking in circles all day without stopping. The most disturbing sight at the zoo was the polar bears. The bears, who were trapped in a small, poorly lit dungeon, were barely able to move. They were simply rocking from side to side, snapping their teeth and growling over and over, clearly another case of RSD in each. Japan should be ashamed of this zoo and its residents should work to make it a better place for the animals. Zoo education is more than just teaching about the animals of the world; it also means acting as good caretakers for the world's animals. JOSH KINMAN Matsudo, Chiba The Japan Times: Dec. 26, 2004 (The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Wow, this describes the Okinawa Zoo, too. ( I now have new photos and video clips of a recent visit... plus.. photos of ZAP's demonstration in front of the zoo (which was a great success!!! The zoo was furious, but passerbys gave very positive attention and reflection on ZAP's message). ~Kim P. - Okinawa http://www.freewebs.com/voices4animals http://www.okinawazap.com > > http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?rc20041226a5.htm > > Sunday, December 26, 2004 > READERS IN COUNCIL > > Zoo animals look stressed out > > During a recent visit to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, I was > appalled by the living conditions and poor appearance > of the animals. While the zoo's cash cow, or rather > cash panda, seemed well-fed and taken care of, several > other animals looked shockingly neglected. For > example, the tigers and lions looked malnourished -- > barely skin and bones. The tigers appeared to be > suffering from repetitive stress disorder (RSD), which > has been commonly documented in Western zoos. It is > the result of a lack of enrichment programs, or > quality play time, for the animals. A sure sign of > this disorder is pacing back and forth or walking in > circles all day without stopping. > > The most disturbing sight at the zoo was the polar > bears. The bears, who were trapped in a small, poorly > lit dungeon, were barely able to move. They were > simply rocking from side to side, snapping their teeth > and growling over and over, clearly another case of > RSD in each. > > Japan should be ashamed of this zoo and its residents > should work to make it a better place for the animals. > Zoo education is more than just teaching about the > animals of the world; it also means acting as good > caretakers for the world's animals. > > JOSH KINMAN > Matsudo, Chiba > > The Japan Times: Dec. 26, 2004 > (The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor > are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect > the policies of The Japan Times.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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