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10 Sep 2007 • 243 views

caged beauty

finally back in the land of sanity (no offense to those JHB folks). It was a hectic trip so didnt have a free moment to meet with fellow SC fans. I have lots of comments to reply to so will be in touch shortly

I find these birds facinating. So beautiful and mystical.

However, this shot puts me into a livid mood...she was caged at Pretoria zoo! I find it unnaceptable that animals have to be caged like this. At the very least they can be given space and room to move at least a little. I appreciate the education value of zoo's for kids and all that but thats why we have discovery channel and massive game parks. The pretoria zoo is now on my hate list as i found conditions for most animals (including lions, hyenas, leopards, hippos, elephants etc...) disgusting. The cages are sparsly "decorated" and dirty. I felt quite sick after about 5 minutes and all of the shots i have taken baring one or two i have binned out of principal. Its far better to seek them out in the wild in the places they love than to gawk at them like circus acts behind glass and bars.

What amazed me even more is the indifference of the other visitors...banging on the glass windows, rattling the cages, throwing food at the animals... sickening and a sure sign of the arrogance of man towards the environment and the general lack of informed education about what animals are about

apologies for my rant, but i am very pationate about this and we, also being animals, should respect our fellow residents more than we do!

I hope my son will be able to see these animals in the wild one day!

This shot was taken thru armour plate glass!

camera	DMC-FZ50
exposure mode	full manual
shutterspeed	1/125s
aperture	f/4.0
sensitivity	ISO100
focal length	32.8mm
resolution	2500x1824 pixels

caged beauty

comments (4)

Gale McAll

South Africa

10 Sep 2007, 14:52

I agree with you totally. I get so freeked out when I see animals mistreated!!! It is so important to expose things like this and essential to teach our children that its Wrong!!!
Apart from that....Great shot.. excellent lighting ..

liam beattie: Hi Gale

yea its a sad state of affairs...this really had me close to tears. I actually only spent about 45mins in the zoo in the end thats how bad it made me feel...and one could easily spend multiple days there

thanks very much for stopping by...I hope to capture these in wild one day

Louis

South Africa

10 Sep 2007, 15:56

You would like the comments I have made here: http://www.louis.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Her_majesty_the_King/
Near the entrance are small cages, way to the back some big areas. Remains second hand at best.

You have done well with capturing his wildness.

liam beattie: exactly what i mean!! i have been to zoo's which seem far better than pretorias...the animals just seem so much healthier at others...and more respected in a way...I still dont reckon zoo's are right but at least treat the animals nicely

thats a wicked shot of that vulture too Louis! Must say the owl was about the last i shot...just couldnt handle it anymore

think I'm gonna stick to open tracts from now on...!

Neil Tandy

Johannesburg, South Africa

10 Sep 2007, 16:51

Hi Liam. Firstly, I totally agree with you about the conditions you encountered, absolutely appalling, to say the least. To think that Pta. Zoo is supposed to be the top one in SA, ugh. Jhb. on the other hand, is really getting it's act together and the animals are getting a lot more space and freedom. I also agree with you about the savage attitude of a large majority of the visitors, THAT makes me sick. As to this photograph, considering that you shot through the thick glass, you have done very well indeed with this one, it is a photograph that I can appreciate. Many kind regards, Neil

liam beattie: Hi Neil

for the amount of people there i really expected it to be far more "eco". I must go to jhb zoo next time to give my "assessment". As for the people...i expect folks these days to be far more aware and compassionate about their surrounds and environs

i really love this shot too..almost like a wise old soul resting contented (but probably not)

PitwallAntix

JHB, South Africa

4 Oct 2007, 07:58

Dear Liam, GORGEOUS photograph, interesting view point on the zoo. I cannot disagree with you on your sentament, but can point out that most of the owls at specifically JHB Zoo are rescued from surroundings are rehabilitated. I know I had a run in with a chap at the JHB Zoo about the treatment of a certain Marsh Owl and they took the time to explain the treatment and conditions in which they are kept. In all sincerity, I appreciate your view, but know that they are working on limited budgets and trying to do the best they can.

This little addition to your blog is of a truly personal appreciation ... you caught the lazy afternoon appeal perfectly! Well done! Regards, Elize :o)

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