A trip to the Zoo

In the spirit of adventure and for something new to do, I talked my family into taking a trip to the city zoo.

What was supposed to be a fun family trip to Lincoln Park Zoo, turned into somewhat of a downer.

The enthusiasm for exotic animal watching that I came to the zoo with was not the way I left the zoo at the end of the zoo trip. I left saddened, as if a part of me had died. OK, so I exaggerate just a little.

As I watched the otters and seals swimming so playfully in their cozy tanks, it hit me that these wild animals are held captive in tanks when their real homes do not limit them to such confines. I guess I am no stranger to that caged feeling.

Now, it's not like the concept of a zoo is new to me. No folks, I have lived a little and know about how animals in the zoo works.

One of the first wild creatures to catch my attention was the lion. A royal, tenacious and masculine, King-of-the-Jungle, leader of the pride, with a fierce lion mane lion. As if there are other kinds. The King of the jungle behind bars seemed so against mother nature. A beautiful creature he was and inhabited a cage with what looked like his lioness and a little one that must have been their cub. I was magnetized by his regal beauty.

This zoo trip left me with nothing but greater admiration for the animal kingdom but a bitter distaste for human beings and the world I live in.

We went wandering into the Primate home and spent a good while observing a family of gorillas, behind a tightly secure glass case of course. I have never felt the feelings I felt after watching the apes interact or shall I saw mostly ignore the audience of at least 50 sets of eyes upon them. I was in amazement at how these animals live this way and saddened by the human condition at the same time.

The gorilla home was packed today. Children of all ages watched and some pointed at the naked animals on display as if they were...well, animals. I did not see a single protest against the unfair treatment of animals at this city attraction.

So disheartening. How do I go about this?

I am fully aware that zoo's raise funds and awareness which in turn provide safer habitats for endangered and wild species. However, I am appalled at why we humans cage animals and bird into confinements for our interest and display. My issue is not just with zoo's but with the captivity and displacement of wild animals in general.

If animals spoke English, they would certainly demand fair treatment and justice and to be returned to their natural habitat. Why should animals be forced into a life of imprisonment for crimes they never committed?