Any zoo, even with the best of habitats, is still a cage and this particular gorilla seemed to be contemplating that fact at the moment I made this photo.
While I enjoy the opportunity a zoo provides to photography animals I’d never have an opportunity to photograph in the wild, it also makes me sad wild animals have to live in captivity. However I’m a realist, and I know it’s often a choice of making the best of a less then perfect situation. The fact is many of these animals would not be alive if not cared for in our zoos. Many of them have been injured or have lost the ability to fend for themselves in the wild.
So I try and celebrate their lives and not focus on their captivity.
Earl, I share your mixed feelings about zoological gardens. Whilst at least in the bigger (and richer ones) the captivity situation is less obvious, they are still a sad example of the majorities relationship towards nature: it’s seen more as a commodity, something consumable, and not so many thoughts are given to the simple fact that none of those animals that was captured in the wild would ever want to live in the zoo-typical small habitat. In my eyes your picture does reflect this sad fact.
Of course there is no denying that sometimes the zoo is the last chance for individual animals, and also there is valuable breeding work done there. But overall my feelings tend to the depressive side after each zoo visit.
@Markus: Thanks for mentioning research and breeding work performed at/by zoos–that’s a valuable contribution. Of course with shrinking funding most zoos now have to become commercialized to compete for the tourist dollar. Unless our social priorities change I don’t things getting better anytime soon.
I too, share your feelings on animal captivity. I even have mixed feelings about fenced in dogs or leashed dogs. And, unfortunately man is part of the reason for the decline in the numbers of these animals. I like your statement, “celebrate their lives”. Have a great weekend.
I am another who struggles with mixed feelings when I visit a zoo. Your resolution to “celebrate their lives” is a lovely way to state the best of the situation. Betweeen your observations and the earlier comments, I was reminded of positive effects of zoos and that helps settle the feelings. I also think that zoos increase awareness in some people who can be impressed by the beauty and wonder of so many creatures that they would otherwise only read about.
The photograph is extremely touching. Great job.
@Monte and @Anita, thank you both for your comments and for sharing your feelings on this subject.