Blackfish showing on CNN 10.26.2013 & 10.27.201 - Page 6

I smell PITA.

"...below AZA standards..."

Thank you, and Amen. Yes, I want to know the one's operating, that are ^^^.

Moons, 

I smell PITA.

...are you doing it wrong? Hope you meant ALF... and not moi!

The article ML posted said some 'leading AZA members' are selling animals to road side zoos and hunting ranches....betcha they are selling excess animals.
Thanks, ML.

Good going, Sherlock! That would include: Below AZA standards as a definition. Don't make me say, Duh!

But 'other-duh sherlock'; LEADING AZA MEMBERS are selling to the "below AZA standards" zoos....DUH.

Now this is a hard concept for you Joan because you like to cram square pegs into round holes.

Any board member or employee of an AZA zoo, found to be dealing other than by following AZA standards is someone who should be held accountable as a scumbag. And prosecuted if there are broken laws. They surely exist with even odds— there being a scumbag as a possibility among organic goat farmers in the back woods of no state in particular, of the USA.

Bee, sorry, but I don't have the time or inclination to school you as to the in's and out's of exotic animals in captivity.  I would suggest, however, that you spend a few weeks reading everything that's accessible on the AZA's website--most especially the handbooks for the various animal programs [Species Survival Program, Regional Collection Program, etc.].  You'll find the case to be, as with most things in life, there are loopholes large enough to smuggle a Blue Whale through, and there will always be unscrupulous people who will do so to make a buck, and even some who will use them in what may or may not be a misguided effort to do what's best for the animals. Note also that the AZA is not the only accreditation entity for zoos and captive exotics in the US, nor is it manadatory for such an operation to be accredited by ANY organization if it doesn't wish to be such. 

Point being that it's a very deep pool you enter when you start looking at non-domesticated species being held in captivity for any purpose, educational or otherwise, and the regulations and restrictions [or lack thereof] that govern such captivity.  Add the political maneuvers that inevitably roil under the surface, and you can quickly see why I've no stomach or interest in getting involved in the regulatory end of things as it applies to such operations...nor am I much inclined to discuss the subject at any length, either.  I've said all I'm willing to say on the matter at this point, and with regard to this topic, I bid you good day!

Thank you Hexe for your thoughtful post. I really wasn't asking for schooling so, no worries there. I understand there is a fundamental difference at the core of how we look at these things. I am affective only in my area, that would be most true. I choose to deal with the issues that I can, when I can, in ways that I can. It is not for everybody. 

 

Bee, sometimes that's all we can do--keep our own corner of the litterbox clean, and hope others will do the same with their corners.