The San Francisco Zoo has done it again, renaming an Animal who already has a given name. In this case four year old Black Rhino Belozi who has had his name since birth.
I have blogged many times about this name changing so I will try not to repeat myself, other than to say this is again very disappointing. In this instance it doesn't even appear that there was any donation made to "buy the naming rights", so from where I sit this is yet another disrespectful move on the Zoo's part. It would also seem that in once again naming an Animal after a local Athlete (especially while that team is in the news) is just a way to get Media attention. If the Zoo focused on the Animals as Individuals as much as they did trying to pimp them out when it suits them, the Animals would have more Enrichment, more Secure barriers and better Education in regards to teaching Visitors how to Respect the Animals. BUT since the San Francisco Zoo doesn't even respect the Animals given name, how can we expect them to teach others how to respect them?
More on my thoughts regarding name changing:
Article text below appears at this link:
Rhinos are hard-charging and consume roughly 50 pounds of food in a typical meal. But the similarities between that species and offensive linemen don’t end there.
One four-year old black rhino at the San Francisco Zoo will forever be linked to 49ers guard Alex Boone. The rhino is now named “Boone” and Boone has likewise taken on the nickname of “The Rhino.”
Boone met his new rhino last week while playing zookeeper for a day at the San Francisco Zoo. Tasks included cleaning up after the animals, feeding a giraffe, throwing fish to a polar bear, petting a porcupine and walking among the penguins. Then, Boone was able to hand-feed the rhino and arrange his dinner.
Click here to view a photo gallery of Boone’s visit to the zoo or watch the video below.
Boone has also started an Instagram account (@TheRhino75).
Visitors will be able to see “Boone” by visiting the San Francisco Zoo and can also donate to the Alex Boone Animal Education Project, an initiative that brings local youth to the San Francisco Zoo to learn leadership and respect through the theme of animal wellness.
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I had already seen one of these pictures. I pretty much agree with what you said, but have an additional objection: the photo of Boone and others right up close and personal with no barrier between them and the rhino and sticking hands over to pet the rhino. I'm sure they were totally supervised but a photo like this makes the public think reaching over fences to touch animals is OK.
ReplyDeleteI think having a high profile celebrity associated with the zoo is a good, not a negative thing, but it needs to be presented carefully in the press and other media.
@Anonymous- That you for you comment and observations. I hadn't thought of how that photo could be precieved, but you are right, there are some people who wouldn't get that it is a supervised experience, so definietly worth mentioning. Anything to deter misbehavior, which is still rampant. ... I have no problem with a celebrity (athlete included), my issue is the renaming of the Animals and the trend of using celeb names, esp those of these athletes. These Animals should be allowed to keep their names. Zoo Management and PR need think more sympathetically and YES carefully about many choices they make.
ReplyDelete