Comments on: Miracle Babies?

By: Ina Reece

Ina Reece — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:39:49 +0000

If the BBC cared about the wishes of the public that fund them, they would not have presented a programme on invasive breeding of animals behind bars who have no choice in the matter. We have all heard about the terribly fate that happens to some of the surplus Zoo animals. It is of course also much cheaper to do this, than to actually go into the wild and find interesting, stimulating material among the wild animals. After all,animals behind bars cannot give us a realistic picture of the natural behaviour of these animals in the wild, so it is hardly educational. I think we should all write to them to express our views on this programme.

By: Tyrone Graham

Tyrone Graham — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:55:18 +0000

Grandiose plans to reintroduce animals bred in captivity into the wild are a pipe-dream, and a nightmare for the creatures involved. The best that can be hoped for is a way to preserve their genetic material, to possibly supplement declining wild populations through artificial insemination – though human intervention in these matters is not renowned for success. The humane solution would be to neuter these unfortunates and let them live out the rest of their unnatural lives in relative peace; and to eventually shut down all zoos (besides outlawing circus acts that feature ‘performing’ animals). We have ample stories, pictures, video footage, stuffed specimens, etc. – besides the results of countless experiments – to feed our curiosity and need for knowledge (or entertainment) … and to stand as monuments to our folly …

By: Sue Norris

Sue Norris — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:45:05 +0000

Whilst I do not agree with animals being kept in zoos, we have to acknowledge there is a real problem with trying to keep endangered animals from becoming extinct. If the ultimate aim in captive breeding programmes is to be able to release future generations of these animals back into a natural protected environment then surely there is a case to be made for doing so. I do not want to witness Amur Leopards for example disappearing off the face of the earth FOREVER simply because the only way to save them is captive breeding programmes.How can we save these animals when the countries they live in are destroying their habitat and NOT protecting them from poachers etc? It is a real dilemma, but they must be preserved and eventually used to repopulate declining numbers in their natural environments worldwide.

By: Mary Brace

Mary Brace — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:56:23 +0000

Using animals for entertainment is not new. The Great British Circus still has wild animals in it but of course I got no reply to my email to them about it. Trying to educate people to respect animals and the environment is a constant challenge. The earth is a fragile eco-system and we all play a part in that. Humans are endemic and that is the problem. We would not allow any other species to populate the world so prolifically. Breeding animals in zoos is appalling and selfish. Zoos know cute animals means money. Look at the money generated by that poor polar bear in Germany. Virginia McKenna is quite right as she always is.

By: LC

LC — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:57:09 +0000

I couldnt agree more! BBC have taken a step backwards and are “advertising” cpative animals and zoo’s. Its ridiculous. Whilst I appreciate that some captive breeding is now essential for species to survive then this certainly isnt the way to enagage with people on TV. Displaying cute young cubs, and young animals just to generate viewing audiences isnt something I would see the BBC do, yet thats whats happening. Its awful. I notice Sir David Attenborough, Mark Carwardine or any other naturalist or zoologist worth his merit involved with this. Bring back the educational, awesome programmes that we expect BBC. And get this series scrapped! More ethical, social responsibilty is expected from the Beeb!!!

By: Kate Cleland

Kate Cleland — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:39:50 +0000

I started watching this programme half way through and was wondering whether the animals were being bred for captivity or to be released into the wild. The presenter answered that question towards the end of the show and I wondered what the point of breeding all these animals was – and I agree with Virginia, it’ll keep zoos going! Having been to see animals in the wild in Africa I became a supporter of Born Free and am very much against the existence of zoos. Yes, some people might never see certain animals without zoos but why does that matter. With the internet now it’s easy enough to learn about wild animals instead of seeing them in a fake zoo environment. Keep up the good work Born Free.

By: Rosario Rodríguez León

Rosario Rodríguez León — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:50:13 +0000

PATHETIC. SOULFUL. WHEN WILL COME THE DAY WHEN ANIMALS ARE TREATED AND RESPECTED AS SENTIENT BEINGS AND INDIVIDUALS???????????
IT’S DISGUSTING how this world uses and abuses indefense creatures. It is specially disturbing when it comes to children, ederly, sick and animals. But violence’s violence at the end for everybody. I DEEPLY HATE ANY DEGREE OF VIOLENCE. And this ATTEMPT to tv-show IS one.
I’M INDIGNANT AND DEVASTATED!!!
I’m not going to watch it NEVER. Those poor animals you will see on ARE REAL, AND ARE INDIVIDUALS. Animal individuals WHO are being inflicted irreparable injury. NOW I’M GOING TO WRITE INMEDIATELY A LETTER/E-MAIL TO THE BBC TO EXPRESS MY ABSOLUTE OUTRAGE.
The worst thing (apart from the abuse these poor animals are enduring day by day ’til the day they die) is the NASTY AND DECEPTIVE message that a channel such as the BBC’s spreading to the audience (specially to those who are unaware of Animal Rights and their true idiosyncracy). Things like this helps nothing but society perpetuate animals’ suffering. So I won’t leave it like that!!! The BBC has to learn the unfortunate extent of promoting zoos and their programs!!!

By the way, friendly speaking: I disagree with Kim Davis user. Abuse of some to save others WILL NEVER BE ETHICAL OR FAIR. THERE’S ALWAYS A FAIR SOLUTION FOR EVERYONE.
Sadly, I sincerely believe that many people won’t think like that if those imprisoned in zoos where HUMAN BEINGS, on the brink of extinction or not.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:34:02 +0000

I have been watching it and am pulled both ways – I don’t want to see any animal go extince because of humans and think it can only be a step in the right direction to try and ensure the future of these animals by breeding in captivity however on the other side I hate seeing animals in cages ie zoos and know that the animals we see on the programme will never be free and we may never be ablew to save them until we tackle the underlying issues ie demand for fur, etc

By: Tracey Thornycroft

Tracey Thornycroft — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:23:29 +0000

It is very distressing to see the BBC show such an awful programme – while some may argue that without zoos many people will never get to see wild animals and therefore they play an important role in educting people. The fact is that none of us will ever see everything in this world and if the likes of the BBC rather spent their money on promoting proper and good wild life films of animals in their natural habitat behaving naturally people would benefit far more from watching those programmes than from any visit to a zoo where the animals do not behave naturally and are doomed to life imprisonment. Seeing a beautiful caged animal does nothing but make people go “ooh aah how beautiful”. It does not teach us anything about that animal, it is purely for your entertainment at the expense of the animals – you could look at any decent photograph of the same animal in the wild and learn just as much. Come on the BBC act more responsibly and ethically!!!! And come on public DO NOT SUPPORT ZOOS!!!!!

By: Dalila Ouai

Dalila Ouai — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:49:19 +0000

Animals are not entertainments, you should be sure that these beautiful angels of our planet will be let in peace soonly and for ever. They deserve it