Tiger attack. . .San Francisco Zoo admits that the wall was too low. . .

[Comandanta_Blankenship]

How sad that this beautiful creature, who didn't ask to be where she was in the first place,
should have been killed because a couple of sick guys were trying for some ''kicks''.
I have no pity for them.... none..

[comaplate]

[quote M A V I C] Let them be wild so they can do what they know best.
I think in this case, the Tiger did just that.

[Anonymous User]

Moral relativism, when entering the realm of anthropomorphism, shows just how little HUMAN life is valued these days. Even stupid humans, Darwin's candidates for Gods sake, have a value greater than that of a wild animal. If this happened on the plains of Africa we'd all shrug our shoulders and say " what a maroon" & "bad break."

But blaming the humans makes the mentally handicapped FEEL good. And that's all that really maters these days...

The score to date: Humans 1, Tiger 1. It's a draw!!!

[ssledoux]

Do you really think Darwin candidates are a great value to the world? I don't blame the humans, but I'm not going to feel sorry when their own stupidity is what caused their demise.

As for the devaluing of human life, you can thank Roe v. Wade and 30+ years of legalized abortion for that.

[bfd]

There's plenty of blame to go around. And none of it falls on the tiger. There appears to be some evidence that there was provocation. Why the zoo didn't keep a better eye on visitors (for the safety of the animals) is kind of questionable. At the SD Zoo, there are cameras everywhere - visitors are generally unaware of just how many. And plenty of Zoo cops (all armed) to make short work of unruly visitors - or animals. Try tossing something into an enclosure. You'll be nailed in less than 60 seconds. Apparently, the security in SF was not up to the task, and it cost them an animal.

It is really not that unusual for animals to get out of their enclosures. Here in SD, the extreme example of that was an orang named "Ken Allen" who constantly - as in daily - escaped from his enclosure. Besides a barred cage, nothing could hold him. The zoo spent tens of thousands of dollars to have some rock climbers go through the enclosure and map out every toe hold and crevice. Then the engineers came in and did their best to remove the escape routes. This went on for several months. Ken never hurt anyone when he escaped, and general just hung around his enclosure, aping the spectators. He even taught the other orangs how to do it. For awhile when bfd was still in school, it was daily news. Sometimes Ken would wander around looking at other animals, but a crowd always followed him, so he never really went berzerk. As time went on, the escapes were finally foiled, but it took them about a year to stop completely.

Far more intelligent than his keepers (who went 'under cover' and posed as visitors - Ken would spot them immediately), the orang was a town legend. Everyone knew who Ken Allen was. Might not've known who the mayor was, but everyone knew about Ken Allen. For several years before he developed cancer and was euthanized, he learned to make paintings that the zoo auctioned off for hundreds of dollars.

[ho'ard]

[quote bfd]For several years before he developed cancer and was euthanized
Tron is right, we do treat animals better than humans . . .

[RAMd®d]

At this point, given that the Siberian tigers are nearly extinct, I believe it's reasonable to place a greater value on the life of the tiger than that of certain humans.

Still, no.

Some people make take joy in the apparent karma, but more people, truly innocent, could have possibly been hurt.

Yes, it may indeed be too bad the tiger had to be killed, but this is it's second attack.

There is a lot still unknown, regardless where your sympathies lie. Based on what passes for logic here, maybe choosing a hydra over *some* members wouldn't be such a bad idea, MM excluded of course.


Apparently, the security in SF was not up to the task, and it cost them an animal.

True enough.

[ho'ard]

[quote RAMd®d]At this point, given that the Siberian tigers are nearly extinct, I believe it's reasonable to place a greater value on the life of the tiger than that of certain humans.
Still, no.
OK, healthy Siberian Tiger, happy and minding its own business, vs. the sniper kid who was sentenced today.

Tiger vs. the guy who shot the politician and blew himself ans 20 others up in Pakistan yesterday.

Happy healthy tiger vs. human in vegetative state, or with terminal cancer and 1 week to live, etc. . . .

[brofoski]

I never understood the need for a two-bit zoo in every city. There should be less than ten zoos in this country, and they should all be up to the quality of The San Diego Zoo. The L.A. Zoo is a total disgrace. The last time I was there there were kids all over throwing coins at the animals, sometimes right in front of their parents. You can't tell me these animals have more "value" than any of the captive animals.

[ho'ard]

More details:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22419664
But this is getting to be like following the Drew Peterson story.
Suddenly someone thought to mention that a shoe and blood were found inside the enclosure. Now there is a description of what happened when the victim died, but nobody felt like offering anything about what led up to it.
Best part of the story-- releasing victim's names is against policy, so just offer the condition of anonymity if you want the info.