In regards to the recent posts and questions...
About the caging of animals for instance, in a zoo or research center I would say, it all depends. My push and the purpose of this blog is to try and increase the regulation on the captivity of all species and especially certain ones with particular needs. For instance, a bird that has the natural desire to fly, born into this world to feel the wind beneath its wings, that is caged in a 2x2 cage with barely enough room to spread its wings, let alone fly, is not being given the chance to live in the fullness of their being. When it comes to zoos, I would like to see the regulation on the space each creature is provided. A bear that lives in a cement cage with no reflection of the natural wild they would be found in and no companionship of other bears, most certainly puts this animal in distress. For those animals like tigers who can live as long a twenty years, being held back from a chance to feel what grass feels like or to sun themselves, is certainly a disgrace. Could you imagine living your entire life without any contact with other humans, good food, or even your computer? There is no doubt we would all become distant and depressed, giving up on the hope of a good life.
There is however, something to be said about zoos. Zoos do allow us to educate ourselves, first hand. There is no better way to learn about something than by sight and tangibility. I believe that it is very important for the protection of these species, that there is ample education about them. Disrespect comes from ignorance, a lack of understanding. If you do not fully understand something, a creature perhaps, how could you posses the knowledge in order to have the respect it takes to protect them, give them the quality of life they deserve. I do believe that if people were to really understand how remarkable each and every creature is, there truly would be a greater movement of respect for them. My concern that comes with the caging of zoo animals is lack of proper care. What does it teach our children to see a great animal confined in a cement cell? NO RESPECT. I do believe in the education that a zoo can provide to those of us who would otherwise never see a lion, tiger, or monkey. I do however, believe that every animal that is held in captivity is cared for as if they were still living in the wild. Many of the animals that live in the zoos are animals that are saved from human predators, who can no longer fend for themselves in the wild. With all they have been through, why not give them the feeling of being back in the wild?
When it comes to research centers, if we do not understand every special creature, how can we educate others about them? It is important to remember the quality of life for these creatures. Animal testing is wrong and I will discuss that on a later note. For some animals, it has become quite apparent that their existence does highly depend on the research we as humans can do. As long as we can provide each animal with their natural needs, I see no harm in educating ourselves. This is where I say we need to just better regulate the conditions that these animals live in. They are providing us with unremarkable knowledge, why not give them the respect in return? It is only what you would ask of your fellow humans- would you not?
Ignorance; it plagues us every day. We are all ignorant about something. It is not a bad thing to be ignorant. Ignorance gives a chance to grow, to learn. Unfortunately, our ignorance can sometimes threaten the welfare of others around us. It is important that we acknowledge our ignorance and try to grow from them. If every person lived by their own lack of understanding, with no desire to change or to grow, we would most certainly lose everything that we have grown to love. Like a ripple in a tide pool, the ripples grow larger, affecting everything they touch. Even though, on the surface the water is still glassy and beautiful, with no real sign of disturbance, underneath the water lies a whole other world, perhaps tormented by the movement. Just because we can be blinded by the ignorance that comes from the lack of sight of immediate consequences, does not mean our ripples aren't affecting those around us. We can go on living without any remorse or concern for the creatures around us, but when they are gone and we have no food to eat, or crops to harvest, because we killed the last bee, maybe we will feel the pain their absence left us.
A brief story of my own ignorance.
I am an avid animal lover and yes I have had my fair share of creatures ( including the various beetles and bugs my sister and I brought home on several occasions-driving my poor mother who thought she had "girls", nuts). I have also made my fair share of mistakes with my animal friends, not understanding the true nature of each creature and their exact requirements for healthy living. I will admit in my own ignorance I have lost many a "pet".
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Humans are an evolving race. We evolve within ourselves, personally and socially. For a species to evolve, they must be first, ignorant on some level of something in particular- this is how we grow. Sometimes even with good intentions we can overlook the fact that we are being selfish on some level. Like with animals, or "pets" as we like to call them, sometimes we disregard what is naturally best for that particular animal, simply because we are ignorant to the way they communicate. Animals obviously cannot speak , but they can show signs of discomfort and unhappiness. Unfortunately, some of us humans simply have not evolved enough to relinquish our ignorance and pay attention to the needs of our pets.
When I was a child I felt very much like every animal I came across was in need of help or rescue. Whether it was the dog in the street that I had to practically chase down (even though it was probably just trying to get home) or the snake in my back yard that just looked hungry, I felt the need to meddle in the natural rhythms that animal was trying to live. For instance, when I was achild I once found a beautiful snake with a yellow belly and a cool grey back in my backyard. In my pure curiosity and much to my own ignorance I was certain that this snake needed my help, so I took him into captivity. My sister and I named him "Greyback" and we loved him. Over the next day we did our best to build him a home and feed him bugs we hunted for in the backyard (which was hard for me, since I still to this day won't even step on an ant). Now, even with good intentions, my sister and I lacked the knowledge to care for such a creature and in our own ignorance, the snake met his demise in our cage we built him, shortly thereafter. My sister and I both learned a valuable lesson that day.
Sometimes even those of us who do not wish to cause harm to our animal friends can be ignorant too. You might fall in love with that beautiful multi-colored bird and want to have it to own it. For those who provide the space and companionship that bird needs, congratulations. But for the others who are just being lost in their selfishness and ignorance, love that bird enough to not lock him away and take away the one thing it loves to do. Think of your children, or a friend you love so dear. Would you ever hold someone you loved back from the things they loved? Would you ever be so selfish as to hold on so tight that you smother their soul? I think if you took a moment you would realize that you wouldn't. Would you want that for yourself?
I do not wish to sit here and say that no one should never not know the love an animal or the experience it will provide you with to give the care to another creature. In the right setting with ample natural care, there is always a way to form a bond or find respect for the creatures around us. It is healthy for us to learn to expand our love outside of ourselves and our own species-it will only connect us closer to the earth. We all just want the chance to thrive, to live freely. Find it in you to lose some ignorance and gain some respect for the things you don't understand. Just take a small step, if you may... read this and ponder what has been written by me and the others who took the time to post their feeling as well. YOU WILL ONLY GROW FROM IT!
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