Follow-up about the zoo zebra with the over-grown feet...

itsonlyme

itsonlyme

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Previous thread: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=538711

Well basically i had several complaints about the welfare of the animals at the zoo: the giraffe's, the elephants and the zebra. I wrote a huge long essay-of-an-email, full of all sorts of links (including the link to my original thread) and quotes and things, and this is the response:

Good afternoon

Thank you for your comments following your recent visit to the Zoo.

Whilst we do appreciate feedback and concern from our visitors, please be assured that the animals are cared for by a very experienced team of keepers, veterinary surgeons and farriers and any procedures are carried out under their guidance.

Ongoing investment is a priority here at Blackpool, but, unfortunately, renovations and improvements have to be programmed in to allow as little disruption as possible to the animals and running of the park.

Thank you again for your interest.

Kind regards
Click to expand...

And that's it! Not even bothered to address it to me personally! :mad: I'm actually quite mad tbh. I hate being spoken to in such a patronising manner. I made it clear in the email my line of work and that i'm not an idiot :mad:

So i'm going to report it to the Born Free 'zoo watch' thing and see if anything comes of that. In the meantime, if any of you visit the zoo (or have done recently), can you let me know what you think? I certainly wont be going again! :mad:

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Is this blackpool zoo?! i saw your previous thread and i go to blackpool zoo quite alot! i'll look out for it all next time!
 
while i can understand why it may annoy you it is the kind of response that any place like that will give , they are hardly going to say yes they agree with you and admit they have a 'neglected' animal in their care.
 
Here lots of bad things about 'that' zoo round here, my mum would never let me go when I was younger as she didn't want me to think that was how animals should be kept. Keep up the complaining, it's disgusting that they think that is ok.
 
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Unless your linne of work is related to the care of exotic animals, or you are vet or a farrier, they probably fely that it wasn't relevant. If I were you I would edit the post to remove the name of the zoo.
 
I used to work at the zoo itself, so yes i believe it is relevant. Along with my degree subject and my work since.
Too late to remove the zoo name now but there are plenty of site that come up on Google with things to say about them.
 
I went to Blackpool Zoo about 6 years ago and was so alarmed by the elephants and Gorilla (that was kept alone), that I vowed never to go again.

I also went to a WHW charity day at Penny Farm where the zoo had a stand. I told them that it broke my heart to see the way the elephants were kept and I would never visit again. They said it was because they were circus animals and institutionalised, hence their behaviour.

You only have to look at the elephant enclosure at Chester Zoo though to see how much better it could be.
 
I wondered when I read the first thread if it was Blackpool. I went in Feb with OH and was a bit concerned at the stereotypical behaviour from the elephants. Though I wish I'd looked at the zebras a bit more closely. What a shame :(
 
2 of the elephants were 'rescued' from a circus in the 70's. The other was an orphan from Sri Lanka. Stereotypies such as those displayed should by now have been massively reduced / stopped by way of environmental enrichment, proper diet & environment. Instead, they have taught the third elephant to weave and that is pretty much all they do all day. The enclosure is so small & boring :(

As for the giraffes, imagine a 1 acre starvation paddock for a lami pony...now stick FIVE giraffe in it & watch them all chew the fencing to bits cos there's nothing else to do :/
 
They were only ever going to give you a 'standard' response - which is why I gave you the link to the Born Free Foundation.
 
I went to Blackpool Zoo recently and saw the Zebras. Well, only 2 were out at the time but their hooves looked ok so perhaps they got them sorted?
 
Send your concerns to Blackpool Gazette via email. They are pretty good at kicking up a fuss.
Very embarrassed. Blackpool is my town :(
 
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