(10-26-2016 10:58 AM)shadeseeker Wrote: [ -> ]That was a frightening clip to be sure, and it is fortunate that the woman was merely scratched and nipped rather than having her face chewed half off. You can bet the kids will be affected for a long time. This episode brings to mind the chimpanzee attack on the keeper's friend (face gone), the sea world tragedy with the whale, Roy and Siegfreid, the lady eaten by her pet big cat in a N.C. private preserve, elephant stampedes at circuses, etc. You can find episodes all over the place of wild animals doing what wild animals do. You are right Joe. Leave the wild things in the wild, and observe them there. Don't put them in a cage and deprive them of what is the essence of life to them, drive them to near madness, and then expect them to thank us for it. How will that trainer ever approach the tiger again on any level of "personal" interaction after the beating he gave it. I would bet that even though it is seen as a "dumb" animal, the cat will remember that incident. If we have to keep animals for entertainment, then lets put them in big expansive outdoor areas where they feel some sense of normality, and not in small steel prisons.
That's all. Sometimes I tend to rant on a subject important to me. One last thought. Ghandi said a nation's greatness can be judged by how it treats its animals.
While we live in a free country, and I wouldn't deprive anyone for their love of owning exotic animals, if they so wish, I don't think it's the wisest thing in the world, and wholeheartedly agree you, Shade.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a trip to the zoo as much as the next guy, but as you said, there's a major difference between a giant zoo, which is run professionally, and humanely, versus some backyard circus exhibit. Even with the zoo's, I feel we're walking a fine line by caging most of these wild creatures, but if done the right way, with the utmost care for both the animals & handlers, I generally don't have an issue with it.
More than likely, and sadly, that animal has had obedience beaten into it, over the course of many months/years. However, it is still, by heart, a WILD creature, and more than likely, the behavior we saw displayed by it in the video was nothing more than rambunctious playing. However, because it is caged, and forced to "perform" with humans, it is automatically the ANIMAL that is attacked, for doing something that is natural to him/her.
I remember vividly the story of the Chimp that brutalized that woman. First thing I remember thinking was; "Who keeps a fully grown Chimpanzee in a house...in Connecticut?!?! Again, it is their right to do so, but should we be surprised when these creatures snap and hurt humans?
I'm sure the handler of that tiger is experienced, but I echo your thoughts about the animal remembering that whipping, and wouldn't be surprised at all if the tiger lashed out again in the future.
Amazing that this stuff can go on, and there's even all types of laws on the side of the owners/handlers of these wild animals. Yet, if I dig a 6" hole in the ground looking for a coin, I'm an evildoer!
Joe
