in general are my favorite. But I do have my favorites’ favorites, like ….dogs, horses, elephants and snakes (yes, I know snakes are reptiles~I’m going with creatures here). I know I always loved to go to the zoo as a child, the fascination I have today with animals was probably induced at a zoo. This said, there are also so many other ways, harmless ways, to see and appreciate animals that are not within your region or hemisphere. Top three on my bucket list is going on an African Safari….I’ve wanted to do this since I was able to remember and what better way to see an animal, than in its OWN habitat; free of boundaries and human contamination?!! I know that not everyone can take a safari but today with the web full of videos and information and incredible television shows like Animal Planet, reruns of the Crocodile Hunter, or the beautiful Planet Earth dvd series, there is simply no reason that we should support the many zoos that are harming and killing the many animals they are ‘housing’. I urge you to do your research this summer if you plan to visit a zoo, be certain that the animals there are being treated like our human counterparts –who hasn’t had a bff named Lady with golden hair whom also happened to have four paws and a wet nose?

Deadly Destinations

“Habitats” made by humans may appeal to visitors who only look at them for a few minutes, but they’re still cages for the animals who are forced to spend their whole lives in them. We buy our cotton candy and move on with our lives; the animals are there to stay. They are housed in cages that don’t come close to the jungles, deserts, savannahs, and forests that are their natural homes. They have no choice in their diets, mates, or living companions. Every aspect of their lives is controlled and manipulated.

A few fleeting moments of distraction for humans mean a lifetime of misery for animals. This summer, if you care about animals, avoid animal exhibits like you would avoid poison ivy. Here are a few of the saddest summertime spots for animals:

Coney Island

Brooklyn, New York
From amusement to abusement, Coney Island is playing host to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its cruel antics during the summer of 2009.

In contrast to enjoying miles and miles of open terrain in their natural habitat, elephants will be chained for the majority of the time and forced to perform confusing and physically demanding tricks for a cheap laugh. At least 26 elephants have died at the hands of Ringling since 1992, several from captivity-induced foot diseases from spending the majority of their lives chained and forced to stand for extended periods on hard surfaces. Video footage shows that Ringling trainers use a sharp metal-tipped bullhook to puncture elephants’ skin in the most sensitive parts of their bodies.

This former New York summer destination used to attract tourists from all over the world, but its desperate attempt to survive by welcoming Ringling and its lengthy history of animal abuse and neglect will ensure that this floundering community remains a ghost town.

Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom

Orlando, Florida
Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom is more like a funeral parlor than a theme park. Before the park even opened, 31 animals died because of neglect and carelessness, including two West African crowned cranes who were run over by safari trucks, four cheetah cubs who swallowed a toxin found in antifreeze, and two Oriental small-clawed otters who ate poisonous seeds from loquat trees planted in their exhibit.

At Orlando Weekly’s invitation, PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk visited Animal Kingdom on opening day to survey the park. A nocturnal kinkajou was trying to sleep in a glass case with glaring lights and thousands of gawking people outside, a dove was trying to incubate her eggs while on display, and a number of baby animals were separated from their caged mothers. Parrots are forced to perform on cue, and lizards are carted around in containers at the pseudo-African theme park.

Sea World

San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida
At Sea World, orca whales perform tricks for food; swim endless circles in small, barren concrete tanks; and live far short of the 60-year lifespan that orcas enjoy in the wild. In the wild, these whales live in tight family units, with bonds that may last a lifetime.

In their ocean homes, dolphins swim together in family pods up to 100 miles a day. At Sea World, their home is reduced to a virtual bathtub.

Sea World, which owns most of the captive orcas and dolphins in the United States, has one of the worst histories of animal care. At least 39 orcas and 54 dolphins have died at U.S. Sea World facilities. The aquarium industry worldwide has claimed the lives of at least 150 orcas and 963 dolphins. And until it was exposed to the public, Sea World routinely shot and killed hybrid ducks who flew in and joined Sea World’s resident bird population.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Vallejo, California
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom can’t even keep its own employees happy, much less its animals! In March 2001, two former Discovery Kingdom employees filed a report with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleging animal beatings, neglect, suffering, and terror caused by inadequate veterinary care, improper housing, mishandling by untrained and unqualified personnel, and exposure to noise from thrill rides and growing crowds at the park.

Since 1995, eight elephants have died at Discovery Kingdom. Elephants are forced to perform tricks and give rides to park visitors. Elephant handlers and visitors to the park have been injured by elephants on four separate occasions. Despite these serious incidents, Discovery Kingdom continues to use cruel, outdated circus-style training methods, in which elephants are beaten with bullhooks (rods with sharp metal hooks on the ends) if they don’t perform on cue.

Six Flags Wild Safari

Jackson, New Jersey
There are 31 Six Flags parks in North America; Wild Safari is one of two that exhibits elephants (see Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, above). The elephants are kept in a drive-through exhibit, which means that they are subjected to a constant stream of vehicles, exhaust, and unsupervised visitors.

In one three-month period, 26 animals died at Six Flags Wild Safari. The causes of death ranged from neck and skull fractures to hypothermia, tetanus, pneumonia, and drowning. While drive-through wildlife parks give the impression that they’re “sanctuaries,” Six Flags Wild Safari has sold “surplus” baboons to biomedical researchers and exotic hoofed animals to hunting ranches.

and since we’re on the subject of les animaux, last weekend David and I popped into a Thailand store down the street from our poste that is going out of business (indefinitely, sad face) to see if we could snag any good pieces (indefinitely, happy face). And of course, David picked out my favorite elephant and I picked out a Thai buddha. J’aime asian influence….

and I just can’t resist a few memories of Manson pants….

bon apres-midi!