I know in the past I've had one or two rants about life's little annoyances and I know this blog is really all about crafty things but on this occasion I'm making no apologies for the need to let off steam at this outrage...yet another case of man's inhumanity against a poor defenceless animal...I can't begin to describe how incensed and upset I am at the unbelievably sad story of Marius...the young "surplus to requirements" giraffe fed his favourite breakfast by his keeper on Sunday morning and then shot with a bolt gun...not by humane lethal injection because that would have contaminated the carcass...
then his body was "autopsied -skinned and dissected" in the presence of visitors to the zoo including young children...ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE...before the carcass was thrown to the lions. Copenhagen Zoo chose to ignore the 20,000 signature petition...pleas from animal rights groups and offers from zoos across the world to give him a home...apparently he wasn't genetically valuable...well excuse me but am I missing something here...with all their scientific knowledge why then did they allow the conception to go ahead in the first place...perish the thought that it was because while young and cute Marius probably attracted lots of visitors to the zoo. If the Danish Government has any morals or human decency they will close this establishment down...I for one would not be sorry to see the Director and all his staff looking for new jobs...in my book there is NEVER EVER any excuse for putting a young healthy animal down. There are lots of issues here that need addressing and I'm left wondering...
What justification is there for having zoos in the first place...what gives us the right to keep animals in captivity living a totally unnatural life...forget all that tosh about ensuring the survival of endangered species...zoo animals would not survive if released into the wild so their fancy ethical breeding programme means absolutely nothing in the scheme of things and you have to ask...are these animals incarcerated merely for profit or to satisfy the gene pool fantasies of scientists. Resources would be far better utilised helping the dedicated individuals who are devoting their lives in protected areas across Africa to ensure the survival of these beautiful and unique animals.
and even more worrying...why would anyone consider the butchering of an animal acceptable Sunday afternoon entertainment and to let young children witness such a monstrous spectacle beggars belief...(according to Copenhagen Zoo...it was educational...the whole life and death thing) REALLY...what planet are these people on...nightmares and traumatised for life is probably a more realistic scenario
This is not Ethical Breeding in any shape or form...it's Controlled Breeding where only the perfect are allowed to survive...is this the message we want to pass on to future generations...I don't think so...scarily reminiscent of a certain meglomaniac away back in the 1930's who was determined to cleanse the world of imperfection causing the Second World War and the loss of millions of lives...when will we ever learn that when man interferes with nature...bad things happen and we all have to live with the consequences.
I'll leave you with a thought provoking excerpt from Brian May's Soapbox...guitarist with Queen and passionate campaigner for animal rights...
I'll leave you with a thought provoking excerpt from Brian May's Soapbox...guitarist with Queen and passionate campaigner for animal rights...
“If we’re serious about science, we can’t be led by emotion.” - says Bengt Holst … of the Copenhagen Zoo.
This is a common, but, I believe, mistaken view given by scientists. They fail to understand the difference between 'emotion' and morality - or common decency. I am a scientist. I do not subscribe to the view that science absolves us from behaving humanely. How interesting that Copenhagen was the scene of a similar ethical dilemma when Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg realised that their scientific knowledge could give their leaders - in the Atom Bomb - the power to wipe out hundreds of thousands of lives. Being a human being is more important, in my view, than being a scientist.
Amen to that Brian...I've been so upset over this and when something's bugging me I just need to share...so thanks for listening...hopefully I'll be back on track with the crafty stuff for tomorrow.
Hugs Kath xxx
I so agree with you, Kathy. This poor giraffe was at the complete mercy of the people who "cared" for him. And what in the name of everything was the reason for making the butchering a public spectacle? And what parent would let their child be present ... I don't understand why more time wasn't spent trying to relocate him. It is hard to understand the attitude of this zoo's administration ... was there no sorrow??
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely disgusting Kath.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with people.
Totally agree about Marius and how could anyone show him being dissected. However why has so little been mentioned about the lions being destroyed at longleat? They had problems with them but do people mind less because they are less cute? Shame we didn't have room for a spare giraffe in the garden!
ReplyDeleteI to have been horrified to read about this Kath and have been upset by the events at this Zoo. A couple of years ago Knowsley Safari Park had a similar scandal whereby an employee there (photographer) came out to show what was really happening to the animals there. She revealed that several animals were killed and their carcasses left discarded. What really goes on in our zoos and safari parks etc is, it appears concealed from the public on many occasions. I used to take my children and grandchildren to Knowsley Safari Park regularly but since seeing what was happening have vowed never to pay to go again - maybe this is not the answer but I will not visit again. Sue x
ReplyDeleteOh Kath our whole family was so upset by this. My son (now 25) has adored giraffes since he was a baby and even had the privilige of giving an old giraffe at London zoo his meds years ago as the keepers new how much he loved them. They took such care of their animals. What happened in Copenhagen was sickening and the spectacle which young children were watching was horrific, what a terrible message that gives to them x
ReplyDeleteHi Kath this is truly horrendous, and so macabre to let children watch this.It says a lot of today's morality. I don't like zoos never had, even a budgie in a cage upsets me. Animals should be protected in their own environment and be allowed to run free. X
ReplyDeleteI say Amen to Brian May too! DH and I were in tears when we saw this (and he is not easily moved). I don't think I will get over this for a very long time. I will never understand man's inhumanity. If they were looking to 'advertise' their zoo to the world, they did it, but at what cost. Poor Marius.... Anne xx
ReplyDeleteI was horrified when I heard it on the radio, beyond comprehension. Susan x
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% Kath. I was horrified when I heard about that poor young giraffe. Well done you for 'ranting' about it. It's a pity more people don't!
ReplyDeleteI was reduced to tears when I read about this in the paper. I love giraffes, they are beautiful creatures. Doesn't say much for the controlled breeding programme at Copenhagen Zoo! Val
ReplyDeleteSo very well put Kath. How can this have been allowed to happen? So sad. X
ReplyDeleteI'd comment on this, but I don't think I can find the words... I really don't get people...
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with every word you say Kath... something has to be done to stop this type of thing ever happening again.
ReplyDeleteChristine x
Kath, I know this isn't about your post but just noticed that the photo you have used says Getty Images - I am a trustee in a charity and we have just had an invoice from Getty Images for images on our website that I used from a free image website for £1,800 - I thought it was a scam at first but it wasn't so just a heads up to be careful, Judith x
ReplyDeleteI too was angry, upset and horrified about the events that took place at Copenhagen zoo at the weekend. My eyes have well and truly been opened since being on social networking sites regarding the awful things that happen to animals at the hands of humans all over the world. Well done for voicing your opinion on poor baby Marius, may he run free over the Rainbow Bridge where there will be many souls to comfort him xx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Kath, I couldn't believe they killed the young Giraffe even though they'd had lots of offers to rehome him.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely awful Kath - i hadn't heard about this so thanks for drawing it to my attention - shocking .
ReplyDeleteI agree Kath 100% I could not believe my eyes when I saw these pics in the newspaper...Horrendous...May x x x
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree and well put too.
ReplyDeleteLorraine
This story made me so sad. Thanks for sharing your well-put thoughts on the subject.
ReplyDeleteAmen and very well put. Hope someone pays attention to this outrage and is able to do something about it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with every word you and Brian said Kath and well done to you for making a statement on it!
ReplyDeleteHi Kath, I was really upset about this after I saw it on the news, absolutely appalled and disgusted. Here's a link to a petition:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thepetitionsite.com/769/686/980/remove-bengt-holst-from-his-leading-position-at-copenhagen-zoo/?z00m=20736993
I couldn't believe this had happened either. Can't see why he couldn't have gone to one of the many places who offered him a home. I have to admit to a soft spot for giraffes. I've got giraffe ornaments in all sizes and materials. I can't resist them. Some of my favourites are mother and baby duos.
ReplyDeleteKat xx
I was horrified when I saw it on TV. I agree with you totally. Hugs x ChrisB
ReplyDeleteHere here Kath. I only discovered the fate of Marius yesterday and it felt like a personal body blow. To lose such a beautiful and innocent creature to human greed and vanity makes me sick. I don't have the words to express my sadness. Hugs to you. Xx
ReplyDeleteWell put Kath. It's absolutely disgusting. Totally unnecessary and unbelievable what some people will do.
ReplyDeleteLorraine x
Kath, I can't agree with you more. I believe that the Yorkshire Wildlife Park offered to re-home Marius. You're dead on the mark when you said that they shouldn't have bred the two adults knowing that the offspring would be no good for future breeding...or was it just because Marius wasn't a female? It would have been kinder to put him down at birth than to let him live for 18 months. To say they killed him because he was taking up space is detestable. In fact, there is no reason to breed the giraffe in captivity as it's not endangered. I think it's about time that we re-think just what a zoo is meant to do. I've long been a member of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and am proud of all the real conservation they carry out 'in the wild'. Also, Marwell has had success breeding and releasing. Zoos can no longer just be for entertainment, and mankind needs to stop ruining all the natural habitat so that endangered species can be captive bred and re-introduced into the wild. Some say: "They're only animals," but they were put on this planet for a reason, and it will be too late to realise that fact when they are all gone. R.I.P. Marius, you were a beautiful boy, and only allowed to walk on this earth for 18 short months.
ReplyDelete