it's a zoo out there


this column in today's Philippine Daily Inquirer caught my interest.

the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Philippines is pushing for the closing of, not just the Manla Zoo, but all zoos across the country.

as i have mentioned in one of the posts of owen regarding the singapore zoo, i have a hard time coping with my feelings towards going to our zoos here and seeing the caged animals considering our zoo conditions. embarrassing as it may be but i cry, even with just the slightest idea of animal maltreatment.

so i should be happy and one with PETA's call, right?

well, no. i do not agree with the group's push for closing of our zoos. at least, not all of them. if at all, we should lobby for the improvement of our zoo facilities and conditions, and the (more) humane treatment of the animals.

after all, these zoos/animals are more importantly for educational purposes - not only for the kids, but for all of us!

posted by vina @ 6:42 PM           

5 Comments:

At 9:10 PM, June 07, 2006, Blogger yuri said...

kay vina tayo!!! lol what to do vina? if our govt nga cant give a decent housing program for our peeps whatmore to zoo animals.

 
At 10:14 PM, June 07, 2006, Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I support PETA for its continuing fight against animal cruelty. Their call for the abolition of zoos in this country is pure stupidity. It's like burning the house down just to kill a mouse.

It would have been better if they instead, pressure the government to improve the facilities of the existing zoos, especially the Manila Zoo.

I remember choosing the Manila Zoo as the subject of my architectural thesis. In it, I proposed to relocate the zoo somewhere in Rizal where there was still vast open spaces that can be developed into a safari-like environment, without cages (except for the aviary of course), very much like the San Diego zoo. I even designed some natural enclosures using moats to separate the visitors and animals.

But heck, that was a long time ago (22 years to be exact). I remember giving the zoo a copy of my thesis as "payment" for allowing me access for my research. Hmm, I wonder if the copy is still in the zoo's library.

 
At 6:19 PM, June 08, 2006, Blogger tin-tin said...

honestly, i want to go to manila zoo. it's been ages since i last went there (20 years ago?). the zoo management should improve their facilities and PETA has a point, but i don't think closing the zoos is the correct solution for it. maybe they just help the zoo management in maintaining the zoos.

 
At 6:34 PM, June 08, 2006, Blogger vina said...

YUR, now i know who to hire as my campaign manager...

hello SNGLGUY, i would love to go to san diego zoo. it's considered as the best zoo, worldwide, isn't it?

wow, i didn't realize the manila zoo has been there for so long!

 
At 8:11 PM, June 08, 2006, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes it is, but the Singapore zoo is also in the ranking as one of the best. You should visit it while you're there. S'pore is not just shopping you know. LOL! :-D

 

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