With the Tilly incident causing a sensation I spent time at the National Aquarium (www.aqua.org) in Baltimore.
We started the tour with an “Animal Encounter.” This is where various creatures are paraded in front of eager tourists with cameras. They were given a few treats to keep quiet.
It was quite sad to see beings which have thrived for thousands of years on their own aptitude to have to beg for treats. I had to hold myself back from the impulse to lurch forward and nab the animals, sprint to the nearest exit, knocking out guards on my way, and heading for the nearest cargo ship to restore these poor creatures to their natural habitat. It could have happened, but then I thought better of it.
Realistically, these animals have had their survival impulses conditioned out of them. Finding themselves alone in an exotic rain forest or coral reef they would ask themselves: “Where is the chick with all the fresh produce?”
Even though it is quit sad and unfortunate that Tilly drowned his trainer, one part of my brain goes, “Good for her.”
We started the tour with an “Animal Encounter.” This is where various creatures are paraded in front of eager tourists with cameras. They were given a few treats to keep quiet.
It was quite sad to see beings which have thrived for thousands of years on their own aptitude to have to beg for treats. I had to hold myself back from the impulse to lurch forward and nab the animals, sprint to the nearest exit, knocking out guards on my way, and heading for the nearest cargo ship to restore these poor creatures to their natural habitat. It could have happened, but then I thought better of it.
Realistically, these animals have had their survival impulses conditioned out of them. Finding themselves alone in an exotic rain forest or coral reef they would ask themselves: “Where is the chick with all the fresh produce?”
Even though it is quit sad and unfortunate that Tilly drowned his trainer, one part of my brain goes, “Good for her.”
