ancient power, ancient love
Day Thirty Continued...
In Balloch, by the shores of Loch Lomond, there is a 'Bird of Prey Centre' that I had discovered online and thought I might go visit.
*Might* being the key word, because I wasn't sure what the purpose of the centre was...
I wholeheartedly do NOT support the caging and 'owning' of wild animals (including humans), ever. I don't support zoos and envision a future where such places no longer exist, and rather wild ecosystem are generated, nurtured and protected. Where to site a wild animal is considered a deep honour and privilege, and not a right, as many people seem to consider it today.
On the centre's website, it stated their mission as being "To promote conservation by educating, paticipating and inspiring." So, in alignment with this intention, but still feeling unsure, I went ahead and tentatively entered the centre just earlier this morning.
*
What I was met with did not feel right to me at all: Great, wild birds, feet bound together like criminals and tethered to perches from which they could not fly away if startled or frightened - as one young bird was, of me. It was heartbreaking to witness.
I read through the plaques set before each captive bird, desperate for some kind of information that might validate the necessity for this majestic bird to be held captive in this disturbing way.
Surely there would be a story describing where the bird was rescued from, or why it was being bred in captivity here. Sadly no such stories are offered for each individual.
Also, many of the birds were in no way local to the region, (eg from Asia, the Americas, or distant parts of Europe), so I really can't see any ethical reason why they were there at all, as they were not appropriate species for release into the local ecosystem.
I began to feel distress rising up through my being, and the need to leave.
Shame for having come there at all.
Relief that I hadn't ended up spending more money than the 8 pound entry fee for an 'Experience'.
Day Thirty Continued...
In Balloch, by the shores of Loch Lomond, there is a 'Bird of Prey Centre' that I had discovered online and thought I might go visit.
*Might* being the key word, because I wasn't sure what the purpose of the centre was...
I wholeheartedly do NOT support the caging and 'owning' of wild animals (including humans), ever. I don't support zoos and envision a future where such places no longer exist, and rather wild ecosystem are generated, nurtured and protected. Where to site a wild animal is considered a deep honour and privilege, and not a right, as many people seem to consider it today.
On the centre's website, it stated their mission as being "To promote conservation by educating, paticipating and inspiring." So, in alignment with this intention, but still feeling unsure, I went ahead and tentatively entered the centre just earlier this morning.
*
What I was met with did not feel right to me at all: Great, wild birds, feet bound together like criminals and tethered to perches from which they could not fly away if startled or frightened - as one young bird was, of me. It was heartbreaking to witness.
I read through the plaques set before each captive bird, desperate for some kind of information that might validate the necessity for this majestic bird to be held captive in this disturbing way.
Surely there would be a story describing where the bird was rescued from, or why it was being bred in captivity here. Sadly no such stories are offered for each individual.
Also, many of the birds were in no way local to the region, (eg from Asia, the Americas, or distant parts of Europe), so I really can't see any ethical reason why they were there at all, as they were not appropriate species for release into the local ecosystem.
I began to feel distress rising up through my being, and the need to leave.
Shame for having come there at all.
Relief that I hadn't ended up spending more money than the 8 pound entry fee for an 'Experience'.