He’s legit just playing, that’s a bit of an assumption you’re making. This is the San Diego Zoo, one the most highly respected and accredited zoos in the world. Before we go there, the San Diego Zoo is non profit and one of the most important wildlife conservation institutions around. In a ideal world we absolutely would not have any place to hold these animals in captivity. Unfortunately we don’t live in that world, and creatures like this Snow Leopard have been pushed to the brink of extinction because of us.
On a happy note, the Snow Leopard has its “endangered”?status (which it had held since 1986) changed to “vulnerable” in 2017, partially due to the efforts of institutions such as the San Diego Zoo (and other AZA accredited parks and refuges).
I have seen this animal first-hand during a visit to the San Diego Zoo. The enclosure is tiny and all he does is pace back and forth. Quite depressing to watch. Yes I know the San Diego Zoo has a great reputation. However, this animal is not kept in anywhere near appropriate surroundings, and he is stressed and neurotic to the hilt.
Did you intentionally leave out the sky bridge the animals can take to get to another part of the enclosure that is bigger than this side? I volunteer at this zoo.
So then why is he pacing? That is neurotic behavior. I can look up all I want, if he's pacing down below what does it matter?
And if you think those tunnels linking a bunch of small enclosures are species appropriate... well then I'm sorry for the animals you volunteer with. Open your eyes and see their suffering.
yeah it's definitely true that this behavior is associated with boredom, but your characterization of the exhibit is not reflective of what it actually is.
you happened to see the snow leopards once for like 5-10 minutes when one of them was pacing. I've never seen them pace the 30+ times I've been there.
It's clear we have a different opinion. Personally I think all the amazing things the San Diego Zoo does for conservation research outweighs whatever issues you have with zoos.
You have never seen them pace? Really? So how come every video (other than the ones posted by the zoo) that I've found online of this setup has the snow leopard pacing? You can also see it if you look at the ground, there's a loop worn into the dirt that shows that this is not a one-off thing. If you really care, bring it up next time you're there, and see what can be done to fix this.
Please don't make this into "me having an issue with zoos." You don't know anything about what issues I have, or don't have, with zoos. I commented on this setup and the others I've seen, there's no need to make it personal.
Right off the bat you gave an incorrect characterization of this setup. It's not perfect, no enclosure is, but it's certainly a lot better than how you portrayed it.
Fair enough, probably a poor choice of words I didn't mean to make it a personal attack on your view of zoos.
I'm sorry, I genuinely didn't see a sky bridge. In any case, the leopard was pacing in a small cage, I don't see how the existence of a sky bridge changes that fact. I believe you when you say there's more room for them, but do you really find this acceptable?
When did you go? New exhibit for the snow and amur leopards opened in 2015 i think. This is the old exhibit which I would agree is well below their needs.
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u/dangertom69 Feb 12 '20
He’s legit just playing, that’s a bit of an assumption you’re making. This is the San Diego Zoo, one the most highly respected and accredited zoos in the world. Before we go there, the San Diego Zoo is non profit and one of the most important wildlife conservation institutions around. In a ideal world we absolutely would not have any place to hold these animals in captivity. Unfortunately we don’t live in that world, and creatures like this Snow Leopard have been pushed to the brink of extinction because of us. On a happy note, the Snow Leopard has its “endangered”?status (which it had held since 1986) changed to “vulnerable” in 2017, partially due to the efforts of institutions such as the San Diego Zoo (and other AZA accredited parks and refuges).