Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:27 pm
#1822398
The original point of zoos was twofold, get the public in to see exotic species, use the money on scientific study of the beasts. By modern standards neither was ideal to put it mildly.
Having been dragged through panda "reserves" and markets in China, as well as taking trips on the Lee River and the Yangtse, I can't say I am an admirer of Chinese relations with the environment and natural world. The Chinese aren't helping the Africans either.......
Places where wildlife are protected within natural habitat are the best compromise IMHO and controlled access to such places can be managed reasonably well, at least I felt that on our trips around the NgoroNgoro crater and the Serengeti co-existence was OK for both parties.
I spent Saturday planting hedgerow on a large farm not far from here and sitting quietly in the car at lunch break time we were lucky see 4 larks ascending and in full song and by a strange coincidence 4 deer trotted across the field. There's a fair bit of wildlife still coexisting with agriculture and efforts to safeguard it and enhance it are continuing and many landowners and farmers are keen to support the work.
John Milner Fairly tolerant PPL/IR flying a TB 20 from Gloucestershire and Flyer Club member