Sea world is a member of AZA (www.aza.org). They are held to the highest animal care standards in the U.S., just as every zoo and aquarium in the same org is. Just because they also have rides etc does not mean they do not care for their animals as well. In fact, I am willing to bet they spend a substantial percent…

There is no such thing in the world we live in. That is why zoos and yes, sea world, are important repositories for genetic material of wild animals. Zoos and aquariums also have, in the US and more westernized countries, the highest standards of care for their animals. To say otherwise, as the anti-cap people often…

OR he could’ve died from pollution, starvation, or being hit by a boat at any time during those 36 years in the wild - an 18 year old southern resident just died in exactly this way. He had the worlds best care where he was, and contrary to what everyone will tell you, releasing orcas back into the wild is just not…

Eloisa James isgreat, similar to Lisa Kleypas. My favorite series of hers is Desperate Duchesses. The fairytales series is also spectacular!

I am a zookeeper. I have publicized, scheduled talks about my animals every week or so. You know what visitors want to know? Their names. What do they eat. I shit you not, the most frequently asked question I get at the end of my talks is “can you tell me where the [very visibly advertised exhibit/eatery] is?” My…

I'm from Michigan, where every body of water is basically danger-free, and I know better than to go into any wet stuff in Florida without thinking about what can injure/kill me.

I use a mild soap or just water. A very light moisturizer (I also have oily skin) and then two drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball. It does have a strong smell, but it does wonders for my skin. If you try it make sure you try a small spot first, I've heard some people have reactions to it.

THANK YOU for this. Heaven forbid anyone mention zoos in a positive light around here, but everyone wants wild animals as pets ... With no thought to their natural behaviors, special nutrition and behavioral needs. All things that zoos provide.

If a sanctuary is allowing the public to handle its cats of any age they ARE NOT REPUTABLE.

So, write a (clearly biased) article about zoos and everyone in the comments is HORRIFIED by “animals in little cages” which make them “so sad” without putting any consideration into the actual facts of those animals having 24 hr highly specialized vet care, nutritionists, and keepers giving enrichment and training to…

It’s how animals spend their day. I know this is getting beyond the scope of your question but I’ll take any opportunity to educate that I can: Contrary to what a lot of people believe, most of the carnivores spend the majority of their time in the wild doing “nothing”: sleeping, or hiding in one spot trying to find…

I just want to say that I end up starring you a billion times every time there is an animal article because you say everything I want to but so much better than my rage strokes will allow.

California condors are only in the wild due to releases from zoos. I think San Diego.

The zoo has not released specifics about how it happened but it was almost certainly an accident; most zoos do not allow keepers in with any of the large cats, bears, or primates. We as keepers are VERY aware that some animals can kill us.

This was a talk about Tigers to the general public. It probably (from talks that I have done myself) would include info on the wild species like diet, activity budget, and conservation efforts etc.

Oakland county here too! I have a half bath in my garage. It is so weird. Also not working bcz the previous owners didn’t winterize it properly. I’ve been here three years and we might finally get around to fixing it this year, we realized it might be preferable to have people in there during bonfires than tromping…

They are just like PETA, to be honest. They do not actually support shelters - they do not have one shelter under their operation. Most of their money is spent lobbying for animal rights laws, and from what I’ve heard (from some not unbiased websites) whatever else is left is lining their upper management’s retirement…

The bear would've been out in the same weather while it was on exhibit, so it wasn't even a large change. Unlike penguins who MUST be housed below certain temps bears are very adaptable, on top of which it's still only 60ish down there which is definitely comfortable for them.

No, the bear would not die of heat stroke instantly in Cincinnati in March. Was this a poorly told joke? The arctic circle gets up to 70 degrees here and there throughout the summer months, bears are not just collapsing all over the place when that happens.

That's Homecoming, by Cynthia voigt! She had several books following that family and some spin off characters, I read them all so many times when I was in elementary school. I finally found a used copy with the same cover a couple years ago and snatched it right up.