An interesting and sad look at artificial zoo habitats, which attempt a realistic environment for visitors, but leave much to be desired for the animal in captivity.
Via FastCo Design:
Zoos are inherently bizarre. The sheer thrill of seeing strange and exotic beasts is often tempered by the reality of the strange and artificial environments they’re kept in, raising the question: Can they really be happy hanging out in those habitats? Photographer Daniel Kukla makes a point of visiting zoos as often as possible on his travels, documenting his findings in Captive Landscapes.
“I believe that zoos have the ability to function as incredible research and educational institutions, but more often than not, the animals are put on as a spectacle and the educational aspect seems to be lacking. I always leave feeling a mix of awe and depression from these places,” he tells Co.Design. His series spans these “theatrical environments” in 12 locales across America and Europe, most of which he shot through a window or door from the same vantage point viewers would get when they visit.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the images are the floor-to-ceiling scenic murals that adorn the walls, depicting everything from rocky coasts to lush tropics in an unexpectedly consistent style. And there’s one thing that’s conspicuously, surprisingly absent from the majority of these pictures: life. “Sometimes I planned my visit when the animals would be out of the enclosure, or as a new exhibit was being installed,” he says. “Generally, the enclosures are kept closed with minimal outside contact to ensure that the animals are not exposed to any form of human disease or foreign microbes.” The collection is a far cry from the crystal-clear perspectives Kukla captured in his Edge Effect series from southern California’s Joshua Tree; side by side, they show the disparity between man-made and Mother-Nature-made refuges in sharp relief.
Via the New York Times, A fascinating look at skulls and skeletons of some unique creatures from around the world.
It’s amazing how some of these skulls are so indicative of the creatures that wear them, while others present a new look at the animal from the inside. Nature is incredibly diverse, that’s for sure.
Dogs are called Man’s Best Friend for a reason, and that loyalty, personality and charm turn them into just as much of a family member as anyone. So it’s with sadness that our family dog, Jack, is to be put to rest today. I helped pick Jack out of a litter of adorable husky/collie pups back in 1997, and though a bit on the timid side, Jack quickly became best friends to our patriarch/alpha dog, Scout. The collie in him was noble and sophisticated. The husky in him made him howl and ‘talk’ on command. And his love of running often got him into trouble. But I’ve never known a more gentle animal, just a pure soul. You could literally hold a piece of bacon in front of his mouth, and with the utmost concern, Jack would gently accept the present. He led a very long life of 15 years, filled with daily walks, runs, reluctant swimming and endless lazing in the shade.
We love you, Jack. Goodbye, my buddy.
Belfast Zoo’s recent baby boom has continued with the birth of Marjorie, the Malayan Tapir. Marjorie was born on March 4 to parents Gladys and Elmer.
Zoo Curator Andrew Hope said, “Malayan tapirs are a beautiful but slightly unusual looking species. They are related to horses and rhinoceroses. The adults have a distinctive coat pattern and are black on the front and white on the back. However, when the calves are born they have beige spotted and striped markings, which make them look incredibly like ‘watermelons on legs’. Marjorie will begin to lose her markings after a few months. When she is six months old, she will look like a miniature adult!”
Malayan tapirs are the only tapir from Asia and are found in Indonesia, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia and Thailand. This incredible species faces a high risk of extinction, with studies estimating that the population could decline by up to 50% over the next 30 years. The main reasons for their decline are the destruction of their forest habitats and they are also hunted for meat and sport.
The NY Times has an ongoing “Great Homes and Destinations” feature, and today’s home was from Berlin. A beautifully modern, restored space that served as a laundry for 100 years. I’ve known that Germans have a great eye for design, but perhaps not as much for whimsy or color.
But this house scores on a number of levels, and wins big with a fabulous ‘Robin Hood Fox’ sculpture by painter Daniel Richter. Just look at it! The fox has a couple of injuries that have been wrapped, and he’s using a stick as a cane.
His green cap is artfully perched on his head, with his face holding an expression of indignity and pride. I love it. He takes his place among beautiful hand-made couches that bring warmth and sensibility into the space. Gorgeous.
A very cool and creative campaign by the Philadelphia Zoo to raise awareness. Nicely done.
via Treehugger:
With the precarious state of ecosystems throughout the world today, it is difficult to know for certain which threatened species will continue to be around for future generations–and which will have gone the way of the Dodo. But as sobering of a legacy that may be, it is increasingly important to raise awareness of these fading animals early and often to the children of today, whose attitudes and actions as adults may determine the fate of the planet’s biodiversity. So, with that in mind, one zoo is educating its young visitors about the importance of preservation in an imaginative way–with an exhibition of endangered animals constructed out of Legos.
Opened yesterday, the Philadelphia Zoo‘s Lego-made exhibit, called ”Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure,” features the work of world-renowned Lego artist Sean Kenney. According to Kenney, the 34 animals he created for the zoo took him over one year to complete–the largest project he’s undertaken. Included in the exhibit are sculptures of endangered birds, frogs, tamarins, and a polar bear made with 95,000 Lego pieces.
“I love being able to explain serious problems in ways that kids can understand them,” says Kenney.
In addition to the Lego sculptures, each exhibit features a description of how the animals’ habitat is under threat, and simple ways that everyone can help aid in its protection. Visitors are encouraged to recycle, avoid environmentally irresponsible products, and bicycle instead of drive when they can.
Zoo officials are hoping that folks who may have been drawn in by the impressive sculptures will walk away with a better understanding of threatened ecosystems and what they can do to lower their impact.