I’ve always had mixed feelings about zoos; hating seeing animals in captivity on the one hand but knowing that, on the other, it is often their only chance of survival and that many such places have a valid role to play in conservation.
Freya turned two on Wednesday and as a treat we took her and both sets of grandparents to Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, which calls itself a “progressive zoo” and is a “supporter of The World Zoo Conservation Strategy of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature”. It was the first to sign its entire collection of animals over to the to the Joint Management of Species Programme. I will be posting more about our visit later this week.
While the other primates were going wild this monkey was sat taking it all in. At first I thought the expression in his eyes was sad but the more I look at it the more I think it’s intelligence shining brightly. What do you think? Are you a fan of zoos?
To see what other people have been taking photos of for the #MySundayPhoto link up please click the camera below.
After The Rain 
I feel exactly the same about zoos, totally torn! He looks like a handsome chap x
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I think a lot of people feel the same. I always leave feeling a bit sad. Thanks for commenting. I hope you’re having a lovely long weekend.
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We went to Thrigby Hall a few weeks ago too. Had an amazing time but I always feel a certain sort of sadness when I see the animals behind bars. I’d feel happier if I knew what they were thinking. Adam enjoyed the alligators, while James loved the meerkats 😊
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I swear those alligators are fake! Hehe. I’m glad you had a lovely time. Freya also like the meerkats but not the parrots.
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I feel the same but most of the time they are really well looked after and are probably better off there.
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These ones certainly seemed well cared for, thankfully. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
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Excellent photograph it captures the whole zoo dilemma.
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Thanks, Catherine. I was in two minds whether to post it or not as it did make me sad when I first saw it.
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I think they zoo’s are a massively imperfect but necessary response to the harm we’ve done to natural environments. This image created a sort of grief reaction in me (there is some context to that in the way my life is at the moment!). It instantly made me think of the book We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (I think that’s the name). Not an easy read by any means but hugely thought provoking on the subject of our intertwined responsibilities. I’m still not sure what that expression in your photo is, except that it is an animal communicating with another animal. It’s a wonderful, sad, hopeful image.
I hope Freya had a very good birthday,
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Thank you, Caz. Sorry it upset you. I was in two minds about posting it because it initially made me sad but I think what you said at the end about communicating is right. I haven’t heard of that book. I will go and look it up.
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This is a fab shot, really makes you question what Zoo’s are all about. I can really see the intelligence in his eyes. I hopw Freya enjoyed her birthday #MySundayPhoto.
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Thank you. She had a wonderful day being spoiled by her grandparents 🙂
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What a handsome fella. I love zoos and getting up close to animals but only if they look happy and well looked after
Thank you for linking up
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Thanks, Darren. Thankfully they all appeared very well cared for in this case plus the ethos of the zoo is one of the best I’ve read.
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I’m with you completely on the zoo thing Tara – it certainly brings mixed emotions doesn’t it. A lovely shot however. I hope your little Freya had a wonderful birthday and enjoyed seeing animals she wouldn’t normally see.
Sammy xxx
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yes i find zoos very difficult. if it helps a species stay alive that’s great but to keep them in captivity just for human titillation is not right. he does look sad but i hope that there was something else going on in his eyes.
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Me too, Sherry. Thanks for commenting.
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A real dramatic shot. Looks at his eyes. I always love Zoos because this is what it is an animal’s chance to survive against us. Sad but true. #mysundayphoto
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Thanks, Merlinda.
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I’m totally the same, I guess they are a necessary evil. To look at those eyes which you’ve captured so beautifully, it’s hard to not see a creature who should be roaming the wild. However if you consider what we are doing to that natural habitat…who knows what is for the best.
Gorgeous, thought provoking image Tara.
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Thanks, Clare. Completely agree. I was lucky enough to do a safari when I was in Tanzania and it was amazing to see animals I had only previously seen in a zoo in their natural habitat but the guy we picked up, who I assume was a guide of some sort, was talking about habitat loss and poachers. So sad.
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I haven’t been to a zoo since I was younger. I have an image the sticks in my head of the polar bear at flamingo land zoo, it always just looked so sad. I don’t really have a problem with zoo’s though, if the animals are well looked after, and sometimes the animal wouldn’t survive in the wild so it is necessary.
I love this photo, he does look like he is wisely contemplating something.
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Thanks, Lauren. Yes, I think many zoos these days are doing good work. Much better than when I was little anyway.
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