I've just returned from a holiday where my brother and I were volunteering at a rescue and rehabilitation animal centre in a foreign country.
I admire and respect the work they do to rehabilitate endangered animals and it was a priviledge to care for these, knowing that in 3-4 years time, they would be free.
What tainted the experience however, was the following. They breed rabbits as live food for the jaguars, ocelots and other big cats . The rational is that it's no use just throwing chicken legs etc. into the pen, they have to use live animals so that the jaguars etc. learn to hunt. Such an unfair contest . I have told the organisation in no uncertain terms that the conditions the rabbits were kept in was totally unsuitable. Wire mesh flooring did not allow the bunnies to exhibit natural behaviour by hopping etc.
I told them that they had a duty to properly care for all animals and not have a two tier system i.e. excellent conditions for ones due for rehabilitation and **** conditions for ones bred for food.
I doubt it will make a difference and am saddened that a wonderful experience has been been tainted. I will certainly due extremely thorough research before carrying out such a venture again.
I really want to remember the monkeys clinging and jumping all over me, the parrots pecking my head and neck, the totally weird and wonderful creatures I saw.... but in the background I see the bunnies
I admire and respect the work they do to rehabilitate endangered animals and it was a priviledge to care for these, knowing that in 3-4 years time, they would be free.
What tainted the experience however, was the following. They breed rabbits as live food for the jaguars, ocelots and other big cats . The rational is that it's no use just throwing chicken legs etc. into the pen, they have to use live animals so that the jaguars etc. learn to hunt. Such an unfair contest . I have told the organisation in no uncertain terms that the conditions the rabbits were kept in was totally unsuitable. Wire mesh flooring did not allow the bunnies to exhibit natural behaviour by hopping etc.
I told them that they had a duty to properly care for all animals and not have a two tier system i.e. excellent conditions for ones due for rehabilitation and **** conditions for ones bred for food.
I doubt it will make a difference and am saddened that a wonderful experience has been been tainted. I will certainly due extremely thorough research before carrying out such a venture again.
I really want to remember the monkeys clinging and jumping all over me, the parrots pecking my head and neck, the totally weird and wonderful creatures I saw.... but in the background I see the bunnies