I don't want to enter a title but tumblr makes me.

just a little heads up about Rebels

I don’t normally comment on this blog, but.

"Dive Team" Acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

Because I have orcas on the brain… all the time. There’s a new blog post to match too! There’s also free worldwide shipping in my shop today on all prints (including this one), mugs, phone cases and more.Thanks for taking a look!

I’d love first to direct you to these links first: 

Why I Want to be a Keeper

Why I Believe in Zoos

First link is written by myself, and the second is a fantastic writeup by another tumblr user.  

But for a shorter version here, yes I think it’s unethical to keep any of these animals locked up in cages.  But the thing is, in good zoos, they aren’t in cages.  We call them enclosures for more than sounding nice.  

San Diego Zoo Safari Park(My photos)

Naples Zoo

Zurich Zoo(This is all one elephant enclosure)

Good zoos have evolved beyond keeping animals behind bars or in “cages.”  Good zoos can provide incredibly enriching lives to the animals in their care, animals that for the large part were all born in captivity and have no potential for a valuable life in the wild.  They give the care that allows these animals to thrive(do some animals not thrive in captivity? of course.  Am I against keeping animals that cannot thrive?  Of course).  These animals are completely dependent on their keepers, there isn’t some mythical “wild” they could go to that they would survive in.  Release any of these captive born animals and they will die.

As for conservation, I have a few examples and articles of that here.  Zoos participate in conservation and education programs all around the world, as well as in their local communities.  They have been responsible for bringing multiple species back from extinction, and will be responsible for more in the future.  Zoos are one of the entities on the front lines in the fight against extinction.  These animals aren’t just “locked up” for our own profit and enjoyment.  Of the 229 zoos and aquariums accredited by the AZA, 54% are nonprofit.   The money they make is for the animals, rather than from the animals.  They use the funds to take care of their animals and facility, and they use even more to fund conservation efforts.  

Rohan family <3