Readers' Comments
127 results
Nicole F.
3 years ago
The World of Darkness is the coolest exhibit at the Bronx Zoo and it will be greatly missed. I hope all of the animals are placed in proper facilities where they can be stimulated by as much enrichment as possible. Zoo collections are a tough debate - the animals should be free to live natural lives as they were meant to, but if born in captivity it can be dangerous (to themselves and to others of their species) to release them carelessly into the wild. I hope a zoo's collection instills a sense of wonder and the importance of conservation. Unfortunately, not all people will be touched, not all people have a heart for the organisms (plants and animals) that have been here on this planet before we showed up and started messing with the order of things.
Lilyrose
3 years ago
I enjoyed going to the zoo as a kid. But the older I get, the more I question why we lock up animals for our entertainment. On the other hand, I do understand the need for saving some from extinction and/or being hunted to near extinction. Wish I had a good solution for all of these animals.
daryl b.
3 years ago
you are right jackie these soos should have enough visitors to pay thier bills. it is one thing to loan an animal to another zoo for breeding purposes but because they can't get enough funding is not right. maybe that town that wants to spen money to get rid of htat rooster who rides the bike should do something useful with that money and help the zoo
Oldmaidcatwoman
4 years ago
Maybe this tough economy will have an upside and zoos won't be making any more 'acquisitions'. Even as a kid I always thought it was sad to see the animals 'locked up'.
Jennifer L.
4 years ago
People tend to forget how the economy effects our animals. I know that local shelters near my house are seeing an increasing number of animals brought in. People just don't want to spend money on their pets if it puts themselves in a bind. I could never do that, but lately I've been thinking about all the animals that are potentially starving because of the economy. It's very sad.
DDRau
4 years ago
The animals are not being kicked to the curb:
"At the Bronx Zoo, we are closing the World of Darkness and relocating animals in our Rare Animal Range and an area in the southeastern corner of the zoo.
As we go through this process, we will relocate some of our animals to other areas within our family of zoos in New York. We will be transferring some animals to facilities that meet or exceed the guidelines used by accredited institutions of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Exchanging animals is a practice that zoos regularly engage in to ensure that our populations are genetically diverse and demographically stable.
The wellbeing of our animals is of utmost importance to us, and we will never do anything to compromise that. That's part of the DNA of the Bronx Zoo. Our cost savings will be achieved in part with operational cuts, not with any compromises as far as the care and safety of our animals."
Shell
4 years ago
This is a tough one for me because I'm not comfortable viewing animals in captivity but zoos are here to stay. I hope the animals being removed are relocated safely to a permanent home where they will find comfort once again in familiar surroundings. The Bronx was my home as a kid and I do have very fond memories of visiting the zoo on many, many occasions. I feel sad that zoos are affected by the economy.
Stevecat511
4 years ago
It is truly sad to see that the economy is having such an impact all around. I hope these animals are sent somewhere they will be safe and taken care of.
Kavykeeper
4 years ago
It's really sad that the zoo was impacted by budget cuts. I just hope they find good places to relocate the animals. I find myself liking zoos less and less. I think a lot of the animals would be better served in their natural habitats or sanctuaries where they would have more room to roam. I do agree that most people would never get a chance to see these animals if it wasn't for zoos, but it really kills me to see animals like polar bears and elephants stuck in confined areas like that.
Stevecat511
4 years ago
Kath, I have to agree with you. I feel that animals need to be in their own natural habitats to thrive.
BuilderBob
4 years ago
Very complicated issue. People give to what they care about. Seeing animals close up makes it real. While not ideal, zoos are not what they were years ago.
Kavykeeper
4 years ago
I agree with you. I guess more people are aware of animal issues since they have had an opportunity to see them up close. It just breaks my heart to see elephants and polar bears.
DEREKDEMANE
4 years ago
Being a former zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. I'm saddened to hear the closing of these exhibits and the displacing of these animals. I worked at all these exhibits. The Bronx Zoo is one of a very few select things in New York City that actually makes money for the city. The zoo brings in millions of dollars for the city. I truly believe that this could all of been handled differently.
Flowerhead910
4 years ago
This is a hard time for so many, it's a shame the animals have suffer.
Veronica (Ronnie) G.
4 years ago
This is happening more and more. Very frightening. And so sad.
Schnoll007
4 years ago
it is a shame about what can really happen when the economy goes bad aniamals suffer just as much as we do
Studmuffin
4 years ago
WCS will make sure the animals are either relocated to their other facilities or placed in like minded places. Sadly, the World of Darkness is outdated as well as the rare animal range. Some of the other exibits don't get a lot of traffic so the zoo will save money by moving them to other places. All will stay safe.
Mary G.
4 years ago
How sad. Billions and billions squandered on inept insurance companies and banks and automakers and not enough money to sustain cultural and educational institutions. Mayor Bloomberg is known for his many and eclectic charitable interests, perhaps he should take a look at his list and allocate a generous wad of his own cash to The Bronx Zoo.
SISSI V.
4 years ago
Well, I know where I'll be going this weekend - enjoying myself at the zoo!!!!! And I will make sure to throw in a few extra bucks into the collection bin - before the gas tax, the groceries, my health insurance, my electric bill and everything else goes up, and before I loose all my benefits at work, as long as I still have work.
Rebecca A.
4 years ago
This is a devasting blow. I'm not a fan of breeding, but the zoos do offer a valuable service to the endangered animals in the wild by reintroducing them to the wild. Unfortunely it is us why they are endangered, at least we're trying to correct part of the problem anyway.
carol m.
4 years ago
Even if we stopped breeding animals for the next 10 yrs. there would still be a problem. When Mother nature had controll things were not so out of controll. Now mankind has interfered and not only do the fittest survive but so do all the weak, and malformed, because we won't leave well enough alone. Maybe if they just downsize the zoo they could manage better. There are not many places better off than this country. Bronx zoo is really a wonderful place it is truly a shame.
Spongebrooke
4 years ago
this is very sad. zoos across the country are having the same problem. even in a good economy zoos and wildlife rescues are already full to capacity making it difficult to take in new animals.
JenniferMaurer
4 years ago
This is very sad . . sounds like someone wasn't managing the zoo very well in the first place if it got this bad. I hope someone steps up to help with funding so they don't have to move these animals out of their homes. Sad.
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