There but for the grace of a few chromosomes go I.
In many ways, I don’t want to like places like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
That’s because, genetically, not much separates me from being 0n the inside looking out. And sure, some wiseguys might say not much separates me hygienically.
I peer into the ape habitat at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and marvel. And I feel … almost a voyeur. What’s on your mind, my nearly human friend” What’s it like for you to look out and see us watching you every day”
There’s nothing like seeing an ape. And few of us will ever see one in the wild, or so close. That makes a visit to a place like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park a real opportunity to get some understanding of the world. As cool as it is to see an ape or a big cat or a rare species of bird, there’s also something slightly disquieting about a zoo. Especially with an ape – there’s an echo of humanity in every facial expression and gesture.
It’s hard to think of  the San Diego Zoo Safari Park  as a zoo, really. It’s not like the zoos of the old days, all huge metal cages that look like a maximum-security prison. And you could argue that many of the animals have better lives here.
But something about this ape – its slumped posture and blank face – makes me wonder if it would agree.
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This is a great photo! I have been wanting to check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this post makes me want to do it again. I do wish it wasn’t so expensive though, anyways, great photo!
This post reminds me: whenever contemplating zoos and our cognitive dissonance about them, remember that the staff love their keep. They went into zoology (or whatever other form of animal study) because they love them.
And yes, as you say, not many of us will have the opportunity to see our siblings in the wild. When seeing their smaller brethren in their own habitats in Costa Rica and India, it’s hard not to be awed by them– and quickly learn to stay the F away from them. Seeing them as trained jesters in China turns our disgust toward their Ringling Bro.-like owners.
Cheers!
Nichole
http://www.architecturetravelwriter.com