Zoo's Social Media Fail - Mentioning the Kentucky Derby

So yeah, this happened today.  Not that I needed or wanted another thing to write about, but in addition to responding on Twitter, I felt I should post about it.  There are a couple reasons, one I'll keep to myself for now, the other I'll make note of later in the post.

I saw this Zoo Tweet today (Sunday).  

In the last couple decades I have grown increasingly bothered by Horse Racing in general.  With the internet, that feeling has been compounded with the awful stories about the welfare of these Horses.  In the past few weeks there have been articles written about the awful practices and deaths of Race Horses. 

Just a couple of the horrors you can find by googling "race horse deaths"

http://time.com/5582343/horse-deaths-kentucky-derby/

https://www.horsedeathwatch.com

So, when I saw this, I was really upset that the Zoo would not only promote a Horse Racing Event by mentioning it, but use one of our Zoo's Animals in relation to such a thing.  Of course I tweeted back and said exactly that.  With the Animal Cruelty and Abuse that stigmatizes Horse Racing, I think its a huge Fail on the Zoo for even mentioning it, the Kentucky Derby.  It's not worth any trend media attention they might get out of it.

Also came to mind, wondering if they know that Siesta is not even a Horse but a Pony?  I am irked by this whole thing, so I know I'm nit picking.  

Anyway, this is not the first time something like this has happened.  It  was sometime ago, but reminds me of when someone posted in comment to one of their posts, a photo of them holding a Lion Cub at one of those Cub Petting places.  The Zoo gave it a like!  I could not believe it!  In my opinion by doing so, that shows that they think those places and that practice is ok.  Its not!  That would have been a good opportunity for some awareness but nothing further was noted.  Too many people think those places where you can hold and pet exotic Cat Cubs is ok.  I have heard them at the Zoo by Cats talking about their experiences, more than once.

So, I just wish the Zoo would be more conscious of the plight of Animals in all situations that are considered Animal Abuse or Animal Cruelty, and not promote them or even suggest that these things are ok, when they clearly are not.