by Bug Girl
Skepchick
Animal Welfare.
I have mentioned before that in my current position I’m responsible for the welfare of both cows and captive wild animals.
What I haven’t talked about is that there is a HUGE amount of inspection, paperwork, and documentation involved in having those animals. It is, frankly, a gigantic pain in the ass, and the animals are healthier for it.
While there are many, many obvious reasons why the Ark Park is a stupid idea, and it’s even stupider to have state funds sponsor it, what I keep thinking is: “What about the animals?”
That popped into my head when I was reading this NYT story:
“In the interest of verisimilitude, the ark is to be built with wooden pegs and timber framing by Amish builders, Mr. Zovath said. Animals including giraffes — but only small, young giraffes — will be kept in pens on board.
“We think that God would probably have sent healthy juvenile-sized animals that weren’t fully grown yet, so there would be plenty of room,” said Mr. Zovath, a retired Army lieutenant colonel heading the ark project. “We want to show how Noah would have taken care of them, taken care of waste management, taken care of water needs and food needs.”
Oh no they didn’t.
They didn’t really just say that, did they?
“Juvenile-sized” animals will GROW UP. God will not provide for them–humans have to.
Where will the older animals go? Will they be sold to game farms for hunters to shoot? Will they be euthanized and made into Arkburgers?
How will a continuous supply of exotic immature animals be delivered?
If these animals are housed in a giant wooden boat, how is it a good experience for the animals to be jammed in an artificial environment with lots of loud people and a bunch of other animals (some of which will be predators)?
Those are just a few of my questions for the Ark Park.
To Read the Rest of the Commentary
No comments:
Post a Comment