There are times when I visit a zoo, aquarium, wild life park, or some other place where wild animals are caged and occasionally question whether or not the animals are truly happy. If they could converse would they tell me they are content? I can’t think about it too much because it might lead to me doing something rash like trying to unlock gates or smuggle animals out. I don’t know what I would do with a wild boar or black bear, but I would want them free. I know that most places that keep otherwise untamed animals on display are doing it for more than revenue. I realize they are promoting advocacy, encouraging education, even preserving some near extinct species. [Is it possible that the Polar Bear is headed that way? It’s more than possible and impossibly sad to think about.] I learned of more than one animal that no longer existed in the wild, yet was alive and well in captivity. It’s a chance for us ho-hum humans to get up close to spectacular creatures without the Hemingway safari or silly hats.
If anyone were to ask me what my favorite part of the San Diego zoo was I would have to say, without a shadow of a doubt, the polar bear. The zoo boasts of three polar bears but we only saw one. I’m convinced we saw Tatqiq. From the moment we stood in front of her giant tank I knew she was happy. She had plenty of space to swim; plenty of toys to play with (my favorite part was when she put the bucket on her head); plenty of land to roam; even salmon to munch on. I didn’t worry about cramped quarters or abuse. She seemed to even have a smile on her face. We watched her play until she ambled on shore, had a bite to eat and then flopped to the ground for a nap. I could almost hear her snore.
So. Instead of trying to smuggle animals out, in the case of the polar bear, maybe I should be trying to smuggle them in!
~*LunaSea*~ 
Look at that facie!!! L O V E Polar Bears!!! Smoosh and cuddle and want!
Orbit here… a book I am reading now where the main character has been asked to paint a Polar Bear for her friend’s Scuplture exhibit of them. 8) She (the painter) loves to go to the zoo and just find her calm by looking at the Polar Bears…
*ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
Great pictures here!
i had to comment on the 1st pic before i even read the blog.
i love the camera shy polar bear!!
Time~ I could have sat in front of this bear A L L day. Simply gorgeous animal. That book sounds awesome! What’s the title?
Sarah~ I have a couple of funny pics of this bear (including one of her azz – LOL). Maybe I should have posted them, too. The bucket is my favorite!
that looks like a lot of fun. Now I want to be a polar bear and live in a zoo!! 😉
ps–I forgot to tell you. There is a chipotle <10 minutes away from my apartment.
me? bribe? never.
come visit!
Manda~ me, too! Do you think the Bronx zoo is accepting humans into the pool?
PS~ Chipotle! Why didn’t you say that earlier? Of course I’ll visit!
Just kidding. I don’t need no stinkin’ Chipotle to need a reason to come visit you! But you know where we’re going when I do…right? 😀
Don’t know—let’s go jump in and see!
hah..I know you’d visit eventually, but sometimes taste buds are a better incentive to make time. 😉 I know how you can’t resist Chipotle. And yes, I will take you there. 🙂
The book I am reading is a British love-life-humor book. “The Goddess Rules” by Clare Naylor 🙂
Manda~ you are a sweetheart!
Time~ I looked up Clare to see if I’m reading anything of hers…and I am! Next month I’m reading Dog Handling! 😀