Raising wild animals from birth in captivity is barbaric, at least for more intelligent species. We destroy their habitat then breed and torture the future generations to alleviate our guilt.

Zoos don’t do nearly as much good for the planet as they claim, and id argue in many (but not all) cases they’re a net negative. There are better ways to raise money/awareness in 2023.

/rant

Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to take my kids to see it in the spring

My friend refers to this place as The Wild Animal Jail and they're not wrong.

Cool, while you gawk at the baby in it’s boring, dusty new forever-cage be sure your kids don’t learn anything, and cherish the memory as they throw a fit for froyo that they won’t appreciate. Then take them home to watch another focus-grouped Netflix dud while you get drunk and ignore them. As is tradition.

Shit you read me perfectly.

What's your name so I can make a donation to the zoo in your honor? I'll match it to SeaWorld too.

Ooof. I’ve never been, just liked the idea of a baby hippo. Didn’t realize how complicated this issue is.

Goddamn, can't post anything on this subreddit about the Richmond Zoo without people getting cranky. Can't you just let people who likes zoos alone and keep your negative comments to yourself? No one is forcing you to go to the zoo, but some people get excited about it

Sorry if the opinions you found on this internet forum weren’t agreeable for you. You’re free to go to the zoo, but I’m going to keep being cranky about animal abuse.

The zoo is just fine...I've been more than probably anyone on this sub (annual memberships + little kids = lots of visits). It's not on a par with a true municipal zoo, sure, but it's fine.

I support you in your rant against zoos circa 1963.

It's interesting because the numerous posts about breweries and bars don't cause people to rant and rave about the dangers of alcohol.

If you (or anyone else) has issues with how the zoo operates, then I strongly recommend reaching out to the zoo politely and professionally to voice your concerns. Not just the RVA zoo, any of them.

Zoos do phenomenal conservation and education work around the world, and are filled with hard-working, extremely dedicated individuals. I'm sure any of those people would be thrilled to tell you how they provide the best care possible for the animals that they love.

[deleted]

Richmond Metro Zoo is a for profit business that is "accredited" through the ZAA. Which was started after another zoo lost their accreditation through the existing AZA organization.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoological_Association_of_America

Zoological Association of America

>The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education. The ZAA is headquartered in Punta Gorda, Florida, and accredits zoos and aquariums within the United States.

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It'd be really great if every zoo could be AZA accredited. I've seen a lot of zoos without any accreditation and they are really problematic. The ZAA provides a way for a lot of smaller zoos to improve their standards of care without the expense of the AZA (it costs money to join and stay accredited).

Is there a good source of information about the RMZ that gives any detail about why it's not great other than it being part of ZAA? I've seen people say the Richmond Zoo is bad but never really give any explanation as to how they got there.

My mom has a membership because she lives down the road and loves going on walks since the hills are good exercise. We've gone once and my daughter was overjoyed at seeing all the animals. If I knew there was mistreatment of animals or something else that would give me pause I'd want to know about it so we wouldn't go back and I would tell my mom to give up her membership.

Not true. The zoo owner is well regarded by the animal cruelty task force lawyer who prosecuted cases across the state. She knows the zoo director bc she has placed rescued exotics in the past there. She has given the zoo high commendation for the care they provide. The lead vet there is also a pretty big deal in breeding some kind of wild cat, maybe leopards iirc, and releasing them into the wild.

Zoo's usually bum me out too, which is how I struck up the conversation for her when we served on the animal welfare grants committee at CF of Richmond.

The issues with our zoo are noted elsewhere and I generally agree with them- but it’s all besides the point for me. There are two facts that I can’t get around when trying to justify maintaining captive breeding programs:

1. Humans aren’t entitled to animals.

2. Animals don’t care about extinction.

If we’re not doing it for the benefit of individuals who can appreciate their own sacrifice, and doing it causes them measurable misery, then we shouldn’t do it.

We made our bed, now we have to sleep in it. On a planetary timescale this is a blip, humans will die soon enough and nature will heal itself.

I would love to know why you’re friend calls it that instead of just throwing shit to the wind and hoping it sticks

They’re big into cheetah breeding. There are a few adolescent cubs there now.

Bundle up little hippo

Ugh why is that cat so chubby and moist

https://worstcats-blog.tumblr.com/post/97243616862/this-is-the-worst-cat

Zoo’s serve an important role in preservation of endangered species through breeding. Some species are near extinction, only present in Zoo’s and wildlife sanctuaries. The goal is to eventually reintroduce species back into the wild.

This person reddits^

Do you have more info on the zoo breeding a kind of wild cat and releasing them into the wild? I know the zoo has a pretty successful cheetah breeding program, but I figured all of those cubs would stay in captivity. From what I understand, it’s very rare for animals born and raised in captivity to be released into the wild.

This is a silly take. It’s okay for people to disagree.

It’s a new breed of naked cat.

Better to think of zoos as genetic arks, saving species by studying them. Zoos all over the world share data without regard for boundaries, more concerned that their animals can be healthy, and if possible, support their wild cousins by educating people about what they need to survive.

Which Lowe’s or market will this one be at?

WAP

You’re incorrect on almost all counts, cheers.

You keep telling yourself that.

There’s a richmond zoo?🤯

This was also news to me. It’s out in the suburbs, not downtown or anything

Saving species that we endangered, solely for our own benefit.

Ok? So we shouldn't try to fix the issue we caused?

Disregard, just saw your other angry asshat comment, happy holidays everybody!

That person deserved the asshole comment for being an asshole.

Anyway no we shouldn’t because it can’t be fixed, and because the attempt causes a ton of harm.

Happy holidays to the new Pygmy Hippo, it’s all downhill from here!