Livid about this - Boycott Reston Zoo!!

[Anonymous]

well, the story is actually bogus. I know the owner and they try their best to take care of the animals and have done a very good job. I cannot get into details, but there have been issues with some neighbors (move to the nuisance sort of thing).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have proof that 1 person did something bad to 2 animals, right?

The Nat's Zoo had 1 person do something bad to LOTS of animals, right?

Yeah, I won't be boycotting.

The Natl Zoo person was not harming the animals in the zoo. It was random feral cats who frequented the neighborhood. Now, I am a catlover (I have 3 and also volunteer for a rescue group) and agree this is sad and awful. BUT, itit was one misguided, errant, rogue birdkeeper who mistakenly thought she was assisting her charges -- the birds in the zoo --by eliminating a threat to them: the roaming feral cats in the neighborhood. It was not a system of improper care of the zoo animals.

Tell that to the red pandas who died a few years ago from ingesting rat poison. About 3 years ago they lost 8 or 9 animals in less than a year. They had to appoint a special curator to oversee animal care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I *think* the same people also own Leesburg Animal Park, which, though a bit better than RZ, also looked worrisome to me upon a visit last year. Maybe someone else can confirm that it is indeed the same people.

I have also heard that the Cacoctin Zoo is terrible.

I just hate "small" zoos because there is little to no oversight and there usually are not enough resources to go around, and corners start getting cut, and it is the animals who suffer. Leave the zookeeping to the real zoos and get out of this business of keeping exotic animals in small litlte cages.

Go to Frying Pan Park if you want your kids to see animals. Those are domesticated farm animals and they are treated decently. It's not like exotic animals crammed in in appropriate environments just for the sake of us humans ogling them. So sad.

Oooooh, I would LOVE to see some of your research on this statement. I have heard the opposite, that the small zoos are continually hounded by vets and inspections, as they generate lots of tax revenue for their districts.

Here is just one: http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/zoos-pseudo-sanctuaries.aspx

PETA.org .... now there's a credible source! Next you'll throw some Fox News story at me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I *think* the same people also own Leesburg Animal Park, which, though a bit better than RZ, also looked worrisome to me upon a visit last year. Maybe someone else can confirm that it is indeed the same people.

I have also heard that the Cacoctin Zoo is terrible.

I just hate "small" zoos because there is little to no oversight and there usually are not enough resources to go around, and corners start getting cut, and it is the animals who suffer. Leave the zookeeping to the real zoos and get out of this business of keeping exotic animals in small litlte cages.

Go to Frying Pan Park if you want your kids to see animals. Those are domesticated farm animals and they are treated decently. It's not like exotic animals crammed in in appropriate environments just for the sake of us humans ogling them. So sad.

Oooooh, I would LOVE to see some of your research on this statement. I have heard the opposite, that the small zoos are continually hounded by vets and inspections, as they generate lots of tax revenue for their districts.

Here is just one: http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/zoos-pseudo-sanctuaries.aspx

PETA.org .... now there's a credible source! Next you'll throw some Fox News story at me.

Please cite your source for believing that " small zoos are continually hounded by vets and inspections, as they generate lots of tax revenue for their districts."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:well, the story is actually bogus. I know the owner and they try their best to take care of the animals and have done a very good job. I cannot get into details, but there have been issues with some neighbors (move to the nuisance sort of thing).

So you are saying the police investigation is bogus? and her arrest?

[Anonymous]

The problems with the national zoo were very different from this. The cat poisioning happened off grounds by a research associate who hated feral cats in her neighborhood. The Red pandas accidentally ingested rat poision when a maintence worker made a mistake. Trust me if National Zoo drowned an injured animal they would be in some hotter water than Reston Zoo.

I used to work for a private zoo, and believe they do cut corners. They are not funded by the city and are completely for profit. They have animals they will spend money on bc it has value and they have animals they wont. Sadly, it is looked upon as a business decision.

These zoos are not "hounded by vets and inspections" from my experience you deal with a USDA inspector about twice a year and that is it, unless there is a complaint.

For those of you who will continue to go to RZ regardless of this incident bc you want your kid to feed a goat perhaps you should consider the example you are setting for your little goat feeder. It is not like this was some rogue employee, this was the Director who is the daughter of the owner....how can things get better considering that?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this info, 16:54.

[Anonymous]

I understand that she didn't have the appropriate licenses and training, but the underlying activity...putting down a sick animal, doesn't seem out of the ordinary or particularly inhumane.

[Anonymous]

We were there a couple of weeks ago. I was upset because a camel has a raw wound on its leg. I asked and was told that it was bitten by flies, scratched itself, etc, and the cycle was hard to break but it was being treated. I was alarmed that it was being treated but still left open and uncovered (and being rebitten), but figured I am not a vet -- now even more concerned.

[Anonymous]

Just found that there is a Unite against reston zoo page on facebook!! Join, and invite friends!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand that she didn't have the appropriate licenses and training, but the underlying activity...putting down a sick animal, doesn't seem out of the ordinary or particularly inhumane.

By drowning?!?

[Anonymous]

I'm not a vet, but have performed euthanasia (legally), so under certain circumstances it is possible for a non-vet to do so. The laws are nuanced, but as a director she should have known the laws. Possession also does not mean she did it or was guilty of anything. Especially if the drugs were not stored in a secure way.

[Anonymous]

We were there a couple of weeks ago. I was upset because a camel has a raw wound on its leg. I asked and was told that it was bitten by flies, scratched itself, etc, and the cycle was hard to break but it was being treated. I was alarmed that it was being treated but still left open and uncovered (and being rebitten), but figured I am not a vet -- now even more concerned.

OMG, I noticed the same thing and raised it to their attention. They claimed it was a small wound that looked bigger because they had painted it with red medication to keep flies away. I thought it looked like it was bleeding, but figured what did I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were there a couple of weeks ago. I was upset because a camel has a raw wound on its leg. I asked and was told that it was bitten by flies, scratched itself, etc, and the cycle was hard to break but it was being treated. I was alarmed that it was being treated but still left open and uncovered (and being rebitten), but figured I am not a vet -- now even more concerned.

We saw the same thing back in May. This makes you wonder about the veracity of that situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just found that there is a Unite against reston zoo page on facebook!! Join, and invite friends!!!!!

Awesome. I am going to join. Thanks for sharing this info, PP.