To the Editor:

Re: “The Captivity Industry” By Lori Marino, Gay radshaw and Randy Malamud
( March/April 2009)

Animals I see to be the number one controversy around. What is humain and what is the correct
way to do things? Honestly there is really no black and white answer, as long as people continue
to walk the earth it will only be grey. Many animals tend to have different needs and things
which sometimes people misunderstand or overlook. Lori Marino, Grey Bradshaw and Randy
Malamud the article writers of “Captivity Industry.”They State and try to convince the readers on
zoos and marine life that they are keeping their animals captive and mistreating them. using them
for entertainment and only profit.

While in this article I will have to agree to disagree. They use alot of pathos in this argument and
while stating logic I don't see actual deep thought throughout evidence to thoroughly convince
and change my opinion. For example when stating how there is lack of evidence on if DAT is an
effective treatment for any disorders, I want to see in depth evidence of that via quotes from
interviews with other patients and their statements of it. While personally I will have to agree
that it doesn't help because it creates a majority of a dependent relationship to that animal in
relief of stress. While they have to put dolphins in a situation of interacting with a person when
sometimes they may not want to. They tend to paint a very black picture of zoos and marine
parks. I would also like to see personal insight on the authors as well and know what they're
credible in and etc. Knowing quite a bit about the industry they tend to leave a lot of stuff out.
“Convincing some naive audiences who may know little”. They tend to make it seem the only
positive thing that zoos offer is “maybe” the educational and meaningful purpose but shoot it
down with “evidence” recording how long an average person spends at each cage and state how
it is meaningful?

From personal experience zoos can be an amazing place to get to know local species! I
remember going to Monterey Bay Aquarium where they have a breed and release program for
their otters. They are indeed fully transparent and state they have a catch and release program.
They send divers to hand catch species which will be later released such as their salmon which
they release upstream to reproduce. They hand catch to prevent any environmental damage but to
also demonstrate and show others about their local waters. They will only welcome a new
species into their aquarium if they are fully capable of caring for such. As their statement they
were figuring out ways to house squid but knowing they were not capable they didn't push the
idea and let it be. “ But unaccredited aquariums face few restrictions. “A non-accredited
aquarium could very easily go down to Petco and buy their animals in that fashion,” Clarkson
says.The industry, however, is growing more alert to supply chain length issues, he points out.
But the bigger goal is to eliminate the supply chain by breeding more species in captivity. MBA
currently raises different jelly species, sea horses, and some cephalopods, such as cuttlefish.” or
like the local oakland zoo where they rescue and release animals. They are also a non-profit
organization. Both these places were extraordinary visits. Such as the time in the Monterey bay
aquarium with the stingrays, the sting rays were in a monetarily deeper pool which was
extremely clean it seemed as if the water was crystal clear. The only real way you could touch a
stingray was if it came to you. One smaller tan stingray that would circle near the top of the
water near the edge would let visitors touch them. It seemed to rather enjoy it as it would
continue and continue while others would sit in the middle or on a side of the pool where they
could relax but visitors can't touch them. There has been evidence that stingrays do and can
enjoy the presence and being touched. While visiting the Oakland zoo all the animals were
healthy and seemed very content and happy living in very big enclosures. personally i wanted to
spend as much time as possible at each enclosure looking in amazement. I can't even count how
long reading about the fact of how big and strong a lion's bite is to the size of a condor's span.
Reading how we are able to change and stop illegal animal trades such as not buying ivory or
lizard skin. Any time I visit it seems I always learn something new and it inspires me and
thousands of people and especially kids who are the future's biggest needed people. I even
myself have owned a lot of animals and have learned rights and wrongs and casually doing
research on animals I probably may never own.

While captive breeding has many people with mixed emotions in the right sense and being held
within responsible people can be a good thing. “In reality, zoos help with animal conservation
and ultimately prevent them from becoming extinct. Zoos are more safe for animals as they are
not at risk of becoming hunted or illegally poached. Animals are also being bred which helps to
stabilize and boost populations.” Also helps with learning and scientific research and studies. For
example the golden lion tamarin found in Brazil, was almost driven to extinction because of
deforestation and pet trades but because of 150 zoos 3,000 and more were recovered back to the
wild. While captive breeding species who aren't endangered is iffy it does have its multiple sides.
Financially it also does somewhat help the economy but the biggest impact is people's mental
image. While it seems people say why not have it so breeding programs have to release? While
the statement is “it's complicated”.

Some zoos are very abusive, starting with elephants in Alaska. They had improper care for
animals in improper climates. Which is already a bad start. But stating that doesn't make all zoos
bad like the oakland zoo where looking at all the species they have are either native or are pretty
ideal with the zoos' climates. Every state has their own animal abuse laws and it varies a lot. .
But that also doesn't give a right to paint a bad picture on all zoos compared to another zoo in
one specific state. I've already given an example of a zoo here and their abilities it seems and
how well they have cared for them. For the worst zoo in the world we can say less. A zoo in Giza
was deemed the worst of them all “These are the horrifying pictures of mummified corpses of
dozens of animals that starved to death in the world's worst zoo. The photographs were taken at
Khan Younis zoo in the impoverished Gaza Strip. The animals were left without food due to the
Palestinian and Israeli conflict, as staff were unable to feed or care for them properly.” many
reports also on zoos beating their animals. Sanctuaries are good in their own way as well but they
aren't always a pretty picture for example a sanctuary called lions gate euthanized 11 animals due
to not getting authorization to move animals due to flooding and thought that was their only way
to “save” the animals. But later was publicly stated and found out they were offered help and
services from other animal sanctuaries if they were unable to care for their animals.

For personal alternatives if zoos are able to they should rescue more animals and try not to
captive breed if possible. Keep animals in habitable conditions. Forced regulation on zoos who
aren't able to keep species well kept. Try to support non-profit zoos and aquariums like the one
mentioned here. Never go to circuses. Don't visit entertainment shows like orca or dolphin
shows. Don't buy clothing or items. Never buy or house species which should never have been
owned and aren't domesticated. We have a long road ahead as our own species and need to do
more to protect and preserve our wildlife indeed. It's also alway important to do research on zoos
or facilities before supporting. It's all left to people to decide what we wish to do next.

Sincerely,

Rylynn Croft-Lofgreen
Brentwood, CA

The writer has cared for numerous animals. She helps provide for her family's 7 animals of all
different species, Currently caring for: 2 old pomeranians, 1 lab mix, 1 tuxedo cat, 1 ferret, and 2
leopard geckos. We currently own and maintain our own small garden and aquaponics system
growing numerous foods and caring for 5 catfish. She finds and does numerous research on other
animal species, even ones either previously owned or not at all, all for fun.