The Garden

Absolutely not! And I don’t want anyone to feel like wanting to be close with animals is wrong or abnormal - it’s why I’m such a huge advocate for accredited facilities that allow close encounters while prioritising safety and animal welfare.

I have been lucky enough to work up close with animals and I know first hand how incredibly inspiring the experience is. My concern is how the movement against zoos and to “just go see them in the wild” is encouraging wildlife harassment and is actively detrimental to animal welfare.

Yet people will think they’re on some moral high ground because they didn’t go to an accredited facility to do a dolphin swim. Instead they chased a pod of wild dolphins while they were foraging and potentially ruined their chance of a meal.

Wanting to be close to animals like orcas is normal - but it’s up to us to ensure that we don’t fall for misleading marketing about “ecotourism” and always research and learn about any tour or zoological facility we go to.

Anyway here are some of my favourite “up close and personal” photos I’ve taken over the years while working in zoological facilities

If you are a Christian and Catholic, reblog this one.

SPIDER-MAN

Spin the wheel to find out your weakness!