I met a girl today who's sister got her fingers bit off by an old gorilla

[henslee]

in a major zoo. She was an animal behaviorist in training going in on her free time to work with an emotionally withdrawn gorilla put out of the public eye because he was too old. I never knew the horrible plight of wild animals who no longer have the ability to amuse the public -- they are kept out of sight in not so groovy areas.

[mr_hat]

1. A gorilla threw a turd at my sister and hit her on the heel. >

As a 10-year-old, it made my day, let me tell you.

[henslee]

6. Funny.

[exJW]

2. ....but at least they're well fed!

[jilln]

3. actually

lots are sold to canned hunts.

[Dookus]

4. yeah it is sad...

but I also respect the value of modern zoos and how they help preserve species and educate the public.

I would hope the "retired" animals are kept as well as the "on-stage" ones.

[jukes]

5. it IS sad

& it use to be much, much worse. treated like felons...

[henslee]

7. The older I get the more I feel awful about the quality of life of animals

in captivity. Most animals are way more sensitive than we realize. Dogs left alone all day get very depresed. They are pack animals.