Post by Dave on Oct 14, 2016 16:15:32 GMT
Paignton Zoo 14th October 2016
Sadly Lyn had to do an eight till eight shift today that meant birthday boy had to find something to do on his own today. I checked the weather forecast, dry all day with some sunny periods, so perfect to go and do a photo shoot at our local zoo.
Wrong as I was only in the zoo for half an hour before it started to rain and it carried on doing so for well over an hour, it was also very heavy at times. To be honest after last months event were a Lechwe got out of the zoo and was then darted in a nearby garden, only for the zoo to kill it once it got it back inside the zoo, I was not sure if I ever wanted to go to the zoo again.
I felt the reasons the zoo had given for killing a perfectly healthy animal were rather lame when it keeps waving the conservation banner. After today’s rather disappointing visit to the zoo, I do feel it will be a good few years before I ever return there again. I have always been a big fan of our zoo, but it’s not what it once was and is no longer worth the £16.95 charged to get in.
If I was asked to sum up the zoo today I would say it’s a very long walk around with not that much to see. OK the weather did not help today but as I stood looking at what animals were out, I kept hearing people around saying how sad it was for the animals, only they were not talking about the weather.
I looked more closely and saw animals bored out of their minds and I think this has changed my views on zoos. We have to do more to protect the animals in their own environments, that way they will be free to live their lives in perfect freedom, not looking out at people from behind bars and windows.
I never ever thought I would feel this way about Paignton zoo, the zoo that once held so much magic for me and one I have been going too since I was three years old. I did have to ask myself if I felt it was just me becoming a grumpy old man, but I know that is not the case.
On the plus side I was very happy with the photos I took using the different camera from my usual one that I bought recently.
