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AIBU?

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Original poster

DS will be going on a school trip to Twycross Zoo

31 replies

BananaFruitBat · 24/04/2009 21:51

I really really hate zoos. I won't go to zoos, I wouldn't take DS to a zoo. I'm not comfortable with him going.

I can't let him miss the trip though.

Or can I?

Am I being unreasonable to hate zoos so much?

Should I let him go? I really don't know.

OP posts:
Sycamoretree · 24/04/2009 21:57

What do you hate about zoos? I'm just asking because things have changed so much since we were kids (I grew up near Twycross and those dreaded chimps tea parties so I know where you're coming from).

At London Zoo they are doing incredible work for animals. It's a great place to visit. Maybe you should take him yourself and see if things have moved on?

piscesmoon · 24/04/2009 21:58

I don't know anything about Twycross, have you tried googling it? They aren't all bad. Jersey zoo does a lot of good and releases back into the wild-it was lovely. I like Marwell. Wildlife films are very good now, but nothing is quite like seeing the animal in the flesh. It depends on how they are kept.

Original poster
BananaFruitBat · 24/04/2009 22:01

It's the tiny enclosures. I looked at the map on their website, and they're still tiny. It also mentions the breeding program, but nothing about releasing any of the animals back to the wild. It sounded like they're just breeding them so we can look at them in small cages. We accidently stumbled in to the zoo at Drayton Manor last summer. DS asked why they were trapped. (again!)

OP posts:
RumourOfAHurricane · 24/04/2009 22:04

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pointydog · 24/04/2009 22:05

Is there a focus to teh trip? The dds ahve been on zoo trips where the focus is on the rainforest or on reproduction and the education side of the day has been excellent. There is an education room with presentation, clips etc. Walking round the zoo makes uo a small part of the day.

nametaken · 24/04/2009 22:07

does he have to go, can he not just go into school

pointydog · 24/04/2009 22:13

how old is he? does he want to go?

trip[s are normally great fun

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 24/04/2009 22:15

I too hate zoo's. All the animals look so bloody miserable, cooped up all day with people staring at them. Poor things, it's hardly a natural environment. I'd take him so a safari park so he can see the difference.
The poor monkeys in Twycross still haunt my dreams!

junglist1 · 24/04/2009 22:16

I do understand where you're coming from.It's a hard one. Maybe take him yourself and sponser an animal while you're there?

Original poster
BananaFruitBat · 24/04/2009 22:21

I guess he'll want to go, as he won't really understand about a zoo (he's 5 - today!). Shineon (remember when you were young?) I think you're right about not making him different. Pointydog - good point, I'll probably benefit from asking his teacher about it. Nametaken - I think they get a bit funny about it.

Thanks for all this though everyone.

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 24/04/2009 22:22

The don't look miserable at Jersey Zoo-that is my bench mark for other zoos.
conservation work

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 24/04/2009 22:24

admittidly, I've not been for years. I took ds for his birthday about 5 years ago. They had a 'nursery' tucked away from the main trail with baby monkeys in it, just a cage and a window. They looked so miserable. The cages for the other animals seemed small.

Original poster
BananaFruitBat · 24/04/2009 22:30

FluffyBunny, we live in the Midlands so trips to the Safari Park are quite easy. Too easy, we went twice last year and it ain't cheap! I don't think he'll be over impressed with animals in small cages.

I've been to Marwell and was quite impressed with their work, but I think it's quite a long way from us.

OP posts:
Portofino · 24/04/2009 22:31

He's 5. Let him go with his friends. You can explain afterwards about why you don't like zoos.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 24/04/2009 22:33

I'd let him go. It's not nice to be the odd one out. Then talk to him about the differences between the safari and the zoo.

FuriousGeorge · 24/04/2009 22:52

We live not far from Twycross.From what I understand,they are well known for their conservation efforts,particularly with bonobos.DD1 went with the school and we have been as a family.But if you don't like zoos,you don't like zoos.Does your ds want to go?

FairLadyOfMuslinCloth · 24/04/2009 23:07

hm....I do think you have to let your kids make their own minds up....and whilst it is fine to say why etc.....possibly for your child it will make all far more sense after he has seen it....so...donb't let him miss it...
never been to that zoo....so...not sure how animal friendly it is....

piscesmoon · 25/04/2009 07:44

I think that you should let him make his own mind up. You don't like zoos, and it sounds from his comment last time as if he agrees.He won't know what he thinks unless he experiences it for himself. I have no idea whether Twycross is bad or good, but if he doesn't think it good you could try and redress the balance by visiting a good one in the holidays. I would recommend Marwell, if ever you are in Hampshire.

violethill · 25/04/2009 10:29

I agree with pisces.
You don't like zoos, but it's not you who's going! Let your ds decide for himself.

Fairynufff · 25/04/2009 12:01

I went to Twycross recently and they do do a lot of conservation work but essentially the zoo itself is still a load of animals caged up. I spent the whole time pointing out to my kids how unnatural these animals' surroundings were and witnessed one of the Gerillas becoming very aggressive and agigtated. Even the zoo keepers were looking nervous. Left feeling uneasy about the whole thing (and I'm not really an animal lover).

Having said that - the only thing my kids took an avid interest in were the tacky fairground rides on the way out so I'm not sure the trip would damage your child and school trips are, in themselves, one of the few things children remember about school long term (the coach trip, the sandwiches, the kid who cried and had to hold the teacher's hand..) they are grand occasions that over time gain a mythical quality about them. You should let him go and then you can educate him later about the rights and wrongs. At least he'll know what you're referring to.

gardeningmum05 · 25/04/2009 12:13

fgs, hes only 5..let him go and make his own mind up.
why dont you volunteer to go and help on the visit, and explain to him why you dont approve?
you cant force your views on your children, its like vegis forcing their kids vegi too.

Fairynufff · 25/04/2009 12:20

"let him go and make his own mind up" He's going to have to be a bloody bright kid to ponder the ethics of zoos at the grand old age of 5!

herbietea · 25/04/2009 12:25

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BONKERZ · 25/04/2009 12:27

whilst i do understand your views on animals being caged up etc your son could learn alot more about the animals and conservation and how the zoo does actually help animals in the wild as well as breeding animals for other breeding programmes etc. Twycross has alot of information available and also does alot to help wild animals. They are currently doing a display about the rainforests and also about saving the areas the gorillas live etc.

Northernlurker · 25/04/2009 12:48

Your poor ds. Why don't you try removing your prejudices from everything he does and let him make his own mind up as he grows abot what he does and doesn't like? If he doesn't go he will remember that you wouldn't let him go - your reasons won't remembered, just that he missed out. If he goes and doesn't like it you can talk it through with him - from a position of knowledge not ignorance on his part!

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