I have a love/hate relationship with zoos. The sight of wild animals in captivity breaks my heart. But, sadly this is the way our world has gone due to our disrespect for all living plants and beings and our hunger for money. Many of the animals in zoos are hanging by a thread in the wild. It still doesn’t make it any easier for me to watch the small cats pacing their cage all day. Some zoos are particularly good and some are bad. The large zoos provide a great deal of environmental enrichment for the animals and the keepers really know what they are doing, but it’s no comparision with being free.
I went to Adelaide zoo a few years ago specifically to see the only two Flamingoes in Australia. One Chilean Flamingo and one Greater Flamingo live in the historic Flamingo enclcosure there which was built in 1885. They are both between 70-80 years old, which is incredibly old for flamnigoes.
They were an absolute pleasure to photograph, especially the greater flamingo who liked to stand at the front of the enclosure talking to people. Sadly, in 2008 the greater flamingo was bashed by a group of teenage boys. He survived, but may not be quite as friendly anymore. Why you would want to hurt any animal is beyond me.
I intend to go back very shortly to continue my flamingo series. These are the last flamingoes we will ever see in Australia due to avian importation laws.
If you’re interested in birds, beauty or history, you really should take a trip to Adelaide zoo before they are gone.
Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally.