Georgia Aquarium Loses Second Whale Shark

[Tu Ku]

Retarded. If they killed even one of them, then they shouldn't be allowed to keep the rest of them. Let alone buy two more to replace them. Seriously, you dose a chemical that kills off two of the largest creatures on Earth and use some bull excuse like, "oh we didn't know enough about them; let alone in captivity". Screw that. Put them back where they came from.

 

[Tu Ku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11325307#post11325307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mysterybox
you've already made your point numerous times, & obviously you're on the left side of "public opinion", however, those fish were about to be slaughtered. I cannot change such an opinion as closed minded as yours, but I do ask you how many million people have now seen those creatures and are now in "awe" of them? Don't ya think the first time a dolphin was kept in captivity there were issues? Don't ya think the first time a killer whale was kept in captivity there were issues? Don't ya think the first time that a home aquarist kept a acropora that there were issues? Sea Horses? Alligators? Pandas? etc?

Not all Zoo's are great. Not all Aquariums are great. Not all people are great. However, not everyone that differs in your opinion are evil either. 20 to 30 years ago, things like killer whales, dolphins and rays were getting the same comments from closed minded people like you. Now, it's "taken for granted"! What if we could get them to breed? WOW! 4 whale sharks that were going to be slaughted are saved, and now could save the species? Do you know anyone that works there? Does it really look, feel, & breath like a Petco? Come on, no one that has been there would "buy" your "CNN" point of view of the largest aquarium in the world. get a life. opinions on bloggs are a "dime a dozen"

And yeah, you're a loony if you actually believe that.

 

[fishdoc11]

Tu Ku,

<img src="/images/chimp_shaking_head.gif" width=120 height=82 border=0>

There are more constructive ways of getting your point across than calling people loony and using the term "screw that". The words themselves are fairly harmless but their intent doesn't appear to be.

Chris

 

[billsreef]

Keep in mind, those particular fish were guaranteed dead if the Aquarium did not buy them. They were caught as part of Taiwan's annual quota. Had the aquarium not brought them and tried to keep them, they would have been on someones dinner plate.

 

[TypicalNoah]

Bah.

I never imagined such response to this when I started this thread over the summer. I'm surprised and amazed, and then a little ashamed at my own durn naivete at the assumption that conversations could all be... well... peaceful isn't the right word, but it's the first that comes to mind.

And I used to wonder why I have less than a hundred posts...!

 

[Tu Ku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11403214#post11403214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
Tu Ku,

<img src="/images/chimp_shaking_head.gif" width=120 height=82 border=0>

There are more constructive ways of getting your point across than calling people loony and using the term "screw that". The words themselves are fairly harmless but their intent doesn't appear to be.

Chris

Ya ya. I'll use whatever term I see fit. The organization in question is full of loonies, and if you can rationalize what has happened to those animals than you too are "loony". And screw that.

 

[TypicalNoah]

- this post of mine was un-necessary but can't be deleted.

 

[billsreef]

[flamealert]

 

[Tu Ku]

I merely added .02 of this opinion. It's too bad that others can't maintain conversation, and feel the need to try and put down individuals simply because we don't agree.

 

[billsreef]

It's also never a good idea to rise to the bait and engage in the same behavior with ones own postings.

Now let's simply get on to discussing things without making any personal jabs in any direction. After all, it's never good to make a moderator have to moderate

 

[Tu Ku]

All appologies. And God knows I'm not PETA. But the loss of something so incredible on such a grand scale is gutwrenching to say the least. Let alone that they be given a second chance. Surely other people posting about the positive can understand the negative and where those feelings come from, regardless of all else. Though this aquarium is one of few places on earth suited for studying these creatures, the original, main intent is for viewing of the masses. And I feel strongly that it's not a good enough excuse.

 

[TypicalNoah]

So, Tu Ku, let's pose a hypothetical condition, namely that their primary intent actually is research.

If this is true, then you are clearly unsatisfied. What should they be doing to get this across to the viewing masses (public)? Is there something you'd like to see beyond what's available on their web site and press releases?

And don't say "killing them" is doing it wrong; you just admitted that this is one of the few places suited for studying these creatures. I just want to know what you'd like to see coming out of the aquarium if they are indeed aiming at research?

 

[Ralph ATL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11458573#post11458573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tu Ku
All appologies. And God knows I'm not PETA. But the loss of something so incredible on such a grand scale is gutwrenching to say the least. Let alone that they be given a second chance. Surely other people posting about the positive can understand the negative and where those feelings come from, regardless of all else. Though this aquarium is one of few places on earth suited for studying these creatures, the original, main intent is for viewing of the masses. And I feel strongly that it's not a good enough excuse.

apology accepted.

 

[Ralph ATL]

However, It is beyond my comprehension that anyone cannot understand the facts that these sharks were taken from fish nets before they were to be slaughtered for soup in order to perform research, public viewing & learning. Whether or not you agree or disagree that whale sharks should be in an aquarium or not, it doesn't change the facts that these particular animals would already be dead. Now 4 at least, are alive and well, and they are capturing the interest of millions of people. That alone is just incredible. I'm not saying that anyone cannot have a difference of opinion, that's fine, but I just can't comprehend the alternative. At least with PETA (no, not me by far!), I can understand their point of view. I don't agree with it, but I can understand it.

 

[westwind737]

well that sucks

well that sucks

If the aquariums would stop focusing on the "big" animals then I think they would be doing a service, but this "we got the biggest animal" approach is a waste of cash. We should be preserving at a higher level of diversity and I'm pretty sure that the size thing go's in the opposite direction for that. Check out my post on conservation efforts. Right above this one.

 

[TypicalNoah]

True, that sentiment seems impossible to point a finger at; or rather impossible to deny that it exists ("we got the biggest"). Yet I think it's about the challenge and is easily, although maybe a little bit shady, defended by saying that biological understanding of these animals, let alone awareness, is very low and augmented by such a program.

After all, we make progress building non-natural things we use for ourselves - taller skyscrapers, bigger cars - we can't then be squeamish about dedicated progress being made in the natural sciences, even if the most stringent attempt and technique is still seen as mildly controversial. It's learning with the best available, viable technique we've got. It's big, it's going to get flak. Period. But that doesn't invalidate it; it just means everyone at that aquarium's gonna have to work a lot harder than some other place with just sea otters.

 

[kidako]

I think that it is unfortunate that the whale sharks have died.I have scuba dived with a 30 footer .(best 3 min of my lfe.)Through research there are gains and losses,we all here have taken from the wild for our selves,and have lost animals,we support a trade where animals are killed being caught,harvested,in shipping and in our tanks.Over the years we have learned(I hope) proper /better ways for looking after them in all aspects.was an autopsy done? Could they have died from natural selletion ?
There will always be people for or against thats what make up society. But name calling or labling is what I left behind in grade school.

 

[kidako]

I think that it is unfortunate that the whale sharks have died.I have scuba dived with a 30 footer .(best 3 min of my lfe.)Through research there are gains and losses,we all here have taken from the wild for our selves,and have lost animals,we support a trade where animals are killed being caught,harvested,in shipping and in our tanks.Over the years we have learned(I hope) proper /better ways for looking after them in all aspects.was an autopsy done? Could they have died from natural selletion ?
There will always be people for or against thats what make up society. But name calling or labling is what I left behind in grade school.

 

[TypicalNoah]

Yes, there was, for each Ralph and Norton. My memory sucks; I had thought the aquarium posted the necropsy information on the press releases part of the web site, because I remember reading information that I received when I was a volunteer there, but it appears not to be on that particular page... whatever... do a google search and make sure to take heed of only the durn reputable sites if there are any anyhow.

The only facts I remember are that Ralph had an "atypical stomach lining," thinner and perforated or something; and that Norton did not seem to have the same issue.

 

[HippieSmell]

Well, I just came back from there and it was amazing. It looked like a top notch facility and I'm sure they do everything they possibly can to keep them healthy. Sure, it's primarily a place for animals to be displayed, and not necessarily research, but it's worth it IMO. There were people from all over the world there, and that public face is very important for conservation. Especially if the sharks were captured from nets. I mean, what's the alternative?

The best thing I heard there concerned the seals. One of them had undergone cataract surgery and this guy asked why they had bothered to save the seal's eye. The person working/volunteering said "Well, we can do it. So, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be done". I'm sure that's the attitude they take towards all of the inhabitants.

Anyway, facilities like these are gems and the animals that may die because of husbandry that isn't perfected is small potatoes compared to what is happening to the planet as a whole. There should always be pressure to improve the care provided any animal in captivity, but to simply stop them because it isn't perfect from day 1 seems a little short sighted.