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Started 3 years ago by Cyclist
Latest reply from Anne

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Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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So I went to the zoo today and had a good time. The new Zoombezi Bay looks fun and I really want to go.
Some observations I made at the zoo.
There are lots of strollers and people with kids. This was weird to see so many kids and parents. Weird.
Why do they sell meat at the zoo? Like hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. They give mixed signals. Everywhere there is info about saving endangered animals and species and against the wild animal trade and poaching, but at the same they are selling dead animals to eat. Is it because tigers and rhinos are not commodities and breded as livestock? I don't know, but the fact that the zoo sells meat pissed me off.
I ate a bucket of fries and mayo. They were gooooood!
The place looks great and is very well kept and landscaped. The theme areas are great and interesting.
I wish the zoo was not out of town like it is.

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Cyclist wrote I wish the zoo was not out of town like it is.
Wasn't there a discussion earlier about a new use for the City Center property? :wink:

Posted 3 years ago #
drewtoothpaste
upper arlington
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Kids at the zoo? Eating HOT DOGS?! What is this world coming to?!

Posted 3 years ago #
AmyD
Columbus, Ohio
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i would think the thinking on selling animals to eat at the zoo is that they aren't selling endangered animals, so it's ok? i wouldn't eat the ones they sell at the zoo, but to each his own.

Posted 3 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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drewtoothpaste wrote Kids at the zoo? Eating HOT DOGS?! What is this world coming to?!
+1
I guess Zach was expecting nothing but bike couriers drinking PBR at the zoo?

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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When you work or live in a place that doesn't see a lot of kids, I can imagine it would be weird.

Posted 3 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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There's nothing weird about having realistic expectations for when you're going somewhere that exists outside your comfort zone.
1) Kids like the zoo
2) Most people eat meat
Is it really that weird?

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Whatever floats his boat.

Posted 3 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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AmyD wrote i would think the thinking on selling animals to eat at the zoo is that they aren't selling endangered animals, so it's ok?
Most of the animals there are not endangered, just not indigenous to Ohio (or North America.) There is a since of irony in paying to appreciate seeing animals alive while eating them, but it is our cultural norm. I suppose it's hard to get kids to eat falafel and chana masala :lol: Just because something is a cultural norm though, doesn't necessarily mean that when you observe it from a objective stance, it isn't weird. I say most things humans do are pretty freaking weird. We are one funny species. On that note, Cyclist wasn't uncomfortable just noting what he saw. (e.g.)
Cyclist wrote So I went to the zoo today and had a good time.

Posted 3 years ago #
UncommonSense
Hilliard
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Cyclist wrote There are lots of strollers and people with kids. This was weird to see so many kids and parents. Weird.
Huh? What exactly did you expect? Zoos are primarily for children and families IMHO. Their mission is education, conservation and, ultimately an appreciation for nature to be nurtured in future generations. I think it would be weird to go to the zoo and see nothing but single, aging hipsters. :wink:
Suggestion - next time borrow someone else's kids (relatives, friends) who may not otherwise have an opportunity to visit the zoo. You will find a renewed sense of wonderment through their eyes. It is exciting to witness young people discovering the world around them. :D
As for meat at the zoo - I think the lions, tigers and bears (oh my!) would go on strike if they were served soy, tofu and sprouts. It is a natural fact that humans evolved as omnnivores, and although the enlightened few may opt for a vegetarian diet, protein in large quantitities is necessary for the development of our oversized brains. As long as they don't serve endangered animals for lunch, I'm fine with it (even though I always ponder the incongruity when I smell cooking meat while wondering around).

Posted 3 years ago #
TimFitz
Clintonville
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I've said it on the board before, but my wife and I have been Zoo members now for 4 years and have no kids. If you want to see the Zoo without a million kids, here's your most successful times for a visist:
1) When the school year is in session
2) On a weekday
3) After 1 PM
4) The colder the better
*** Disclaimer, this does not include going to Zoolights, which would fit all of the criteria above but is bound to feature families having a night out.
p.s. *** However, the funniest thing about Zoolights is seeing dozens of Dubliners huddling around barrel fires. It's probably the only appropriate time for rich white people to huddle around barrel fires, except they have these little fences around the barrel fires because rich white people don't know that you can't stand too close and not expect your North Face jacket to melt.

Posted 3 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Mercurius wrote There is a since of irony in paying to appreciate seeing animals alive while eating them, but it is our cultural norm.
I found a sense of irony in reading about someone getting pissed off about eating meat at the zoo while eating at Rally's 7 days a week is a perfectly acceptable thing to do.
I like the zoo a lot. I just don't think Cyclist's "review" (if you can even call it that) did it any sort of justice.
Still, I congratulate him on his newfound anger.

Posted 3 years ago #
AmyD
Columbus, Ohio
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having grown up around farms and farmers, i can say that given the chance, a pig would eat you in a second. just saying.

Posted 3 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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TimFitz wrote the funniest thing about Zoolights is seeing dozens of Dubliners huddling around barrel fires. It's probably the only appropriate time for rich white people to huddle around barrel fires, except they have these little fences around the barrel fires because rich white people don't know that you can't stand too close and not expect your North Face jacket to melt.
I agree that it's an amusing sight, but in all fairness I believe the little fences are to prevent little kids from touching the sides of the metal barrels which get dangerously hot.

Posted 3 years ago #
Matthew
Hilltop
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I figured we'd hear a little bit about a lack of bike racks at the zoo too. I'm disappointed. :wink:

Posted 3 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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Eating endangered animals is actually a very effective way to save them from extinction, assuming they can be farmed. It give economic value to keeping them and breeding them and maintains variety in the gene pool if done right.
I remember a few years ago reading about how turkeys have been bred to be bigger and bigger and now the most common breed is actually too heavy for their own legs, PLUS they aren't very flavorful. There's another alternative that's closer to a wild turkey and almost at endangered status, and if you would just preorder this kind of turkey from a farmer, you could help save them from extinction!!!!
So really, the zoo should be selling zebra burgers with a side of cheetah steak if they want to stay true to their mission. That's market economics doing good in the world.

Posted 3 years ago #
CaD
Dublin'ish
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CU Exotic Animal Dinner Meet Up?
huh huh huh
I'll bring some wine?

Posted 3 years ago #
TimFitz
Clintonville
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Walker wrote
TimFitz wrote the funniest thing about Zoolights is seeing dozens of Dubliners huddling around barrel fires. It's probably the only appropriate time for rich white people to huddle around barrel fires, except they have these little fences around the barrel fires because rich white people don't know that you can't stand too close and not expect your North Face jacket to melt.
I agree that it's an amusing sight, but in all fairness I believe the little fences are to prevent little kids from touching the sides of the metal barrels which get dangerously hot.
With regards to the children, don't the metal fences get hot too? I still think they are more for the adults. :wink:

Posted 3 years ago #
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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TimFitz wrote
Walker wrote
TimFitz wrote the funniest thing about Zoolights is seeing dozens of Dubliners huddling around barrel fires. It's probably the only appropriate time for rich white people to huddle around barrel fires, except they have these little fences around the barrel fires because rich white people don't know that you can't stand too close and not expect your North Face jacket to melt.
I agree that it's an amusing sight, but in all fairness I believe the little fences are to prevent little kids from touching the sides of the metal barrels which get dangerously hot.
With regards to the children, don't the metal fences get hot too? I still think they are more for the adults. :wink:
not hot enough for the "north face jackets" to melt, so not hot enough to burn little hands either. They are for the kids I think (hope). Oh and Yes I grew up in Dublin :D

Posted 3 years ago #
BetsyB
Westgate
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Weird Zach makes the comment about so many people with kids, cause I feel the opposite and look at people without kids as oddities going to the zoo.
I hate the crowds of people and strollers, so if I didn't have kid, I wouldn't go.
BTW: I cannot say how much I HATE STROLLERS! Especially the double wide...
I was at the zoo on Saturday as well--I saw no less than 2 kids on leashes...putting a monkey backpack on with a leash attached to it is not cute or a disguise for what it is...something to keep lazy parents from having to keep up with their kids.

Posted 3 years ago #