Can I start a thread?
Edit: yes I can!
Terry in Cumbria
I agree completely... and now a shout for zoos, Edinburgh has two sun bears, rescued from captivity, now living a happy (if somewhat cramped) life, without chains..
Diane, it's not just your country that allows this sort of thing to go on, the sooner the world wakes up and puts a stop to it the better.
All for one and one for all.
Sandra: Oh, I wasn't offended by your post -- just sickened that these practices are still allowed to continue. One would think that people of good will and conscience would be able to stop it here, but wildlife/habitat conservation just seems to get more difficult every year. :-(((
Black Jaguar: Sun bears are such beautiful creatures. Just wonderful! I also love the spectacled (Andean) bears of South America. I used to post updates about two spectacled bear cubs. They were just breathtaking. So much character.
The things you do as a kid!! (don't tell my mum)... there used to be a Bear Park on the shores of Loch Lomond.. A sort of safari park, but just bears... I remember cycling up the road outside the fence and feeding a Himalayan Black Bear, crisps through the fence..
Oh I was a wee monster!!
The sun bears in Edinburgh are still in captivity, something I disagree with... but they are in a better place than they were, being forced to dance in chains...
Here's one of the "now Scottish" sun bears
Black Jaguar: That Himalayan Black Bear probably loved you, but don't tell your Mum even now. LOL! I was the same type of kid -- always looking for an opportunity to slip away alone to explore the world. One time, as a prank, my uncles (who weren't much older than I was) took me out into the woods and shut me up in a dilapidated, abandoned school bus. The bus was full of snakes!!! My uncles didn't really mean any harm; they were just wild country kids. They thought I would scream, and they would let me out. Instead, I was captivated. I just sat watching all of the snakes with fascination and awe. I didn't want to leave when they tried to get me out. I still adore snakes. I never told my Mom about that little event. LOL!
It's wonderful that the sun bears are no longer in chains. Poor beasties.
EDIT: Oh, that Sun Bear is gorgeous. Such character. Really lovely photo. By the way, I loved that photo of the Black Jaguar that you posted. Such an honorable fella.
Thank you..
The sun bears are such a wonderful couple of characters... so lovely..
My big Black Jag.. is amazing, I just love him to bits... did you see the Utube clip of the one that was filmed near me?
Unknown said: Black Jaguar: I was the same type of kid -- always looking for an opportunity to slip away alone to explore the world. One time, as a prank, my uncles (who weren't much older than I was) took me out into the woods and shut me up in a dilapidated, abandoned school bus. The bus was full of snakes!!! My uncles didn't really mean any harm; they were just wild country kids. They thought I would scream, and they would let me out. Instead, I was captivated. I just sat watching all of the snakes with fascination and awe. I didn't want to leave when they tried to get me out. I still adore snakes. I never told my Mom about that little event. LOL!
Black Jaguar: I was the same type of kid -- always looking for an opportunity to slip away alone to explore the world. One time, as a prank, my uncles (who weren't much older than I was) took me out into the woods and shut me up in a dilapidated, abandoned school bus. The bus was full of snakes!!! My uncles didn't really mean any harm; they were just wild country kids. They thought I would scream, and they would let me out. Instead, I was captivated. I just sat watching all of the snakes with fascination and awe. I didn't want to leave when they tried to get me out. I still adore snakes. I never told my Mom about that little event. LOL!
Never really encountered snakes... it's all pretty benign here in Scotland. However I think I'd probably have reacted as you did... looking on in amazement at the wonderful creatures..
Jaguar: I did see your YouTube clip. Beautiful! Some time ago, I watched a documentary about the British black big cats. The evidence seemed clear, to me, that they do exist -- whatever their origins. It would be very special to actually see one. Have you seen or heard one yourself in the wild?
After years of sightings and rumors, our wildlife officials have now confirmed that we have cougars (mountain lions, tan-colored) moving back into Indiana from the west. I worry about people shooting them, but they're very elusive. I live between 2 state parks (big state-owned forests), and my land is mostly old-growth forest. I've personally seen a bobcat here, and years ago a cougar used to wander onto this land. I never saw her myself, but I did hear her several times. Once I listened to her catch a raccoon. It was unmistakably cougar vocalizations. My Mom saw her a couple of times. Awe-inspiring!!! I never told anyone while she was here, because I didn't want to endanger her.
Starting new thread for the week!