My appologies. I had just gotten off a really bad week at the zoo
and your letter lit the fuse. Don't think of yourself as a nobody (I sorry
if I actually made you feel this way, really I am), every hobbist, no
matter their experience or lack there of has something to contribute to the
field.
I always thought the more eyes looking at a problem the better! I
agree that the people at the Shedd should try a bit harder at their
authenticity (but I hestiate to speak ill because I really don't know their
situation (although there is little in the way of excuses that make up for
poor display integrity).
Again, I am very sorry if I sounded (and I know I probably did)
angry, I actually did not take your letter personally (I always strive to
better my work, and to do this I must make mistakes). I was actually trying
to give you a look into the life of a zookeeper (that sounds just too
pretenious) because a lot of people think this job is a piece of cake, more
play than work, and that we should know the answers to all fish questions
everywhere.
If you're ever in Denver, please let me know so I can give you a
look around the zoo. Brian Lang has already been down for a tour, and I'm
happy to do this for anyone interested.
I just read the rest of the posts, so I'll tack this on at the end.
I agree, regardless of the number of tanks keeping the correct fish is no
harder than keeping hybrids. That isn't really the issue, if the former
keeper gave a damn about display integrity they'd go the extra mile. Now, I
don't wish to speak ill of my fellow zookeepers but I'll give two examples
(Note, these people don't necessarily work at any insitution with which I
am, or have, worked).
1) This zookeeper has been working in aquaria for the last 5 years. I
can tell by talking to him he knows his stuff to some degree. I
can also tell he just doesn't give a crap anymore, in fact he's
going to school to work in computer programing. He's hanging on
because he's got senority, a cushy job, and is secure in his
position.
2) Another zookeeper worked mainly hoofstock before being transfered
into a fish section (long story). He is trying his best and
works very hard, but this is not his passion. He tends to buy
fish due to some internal colour scheme, he recently bought
some turquose blue dwarf gourami's. Even though this fish is
a mutant hybrid he'd like to display them because they look
pretty.
I'll admit, sometimes I feel like saying "To hell with it, the
public won't know and doesn't care". This week we escorted 3 groups of
people out of our building because they think its their "right" to wash
their hands in tanks, feed pennies to our turtles, or make our cobras hood
up by banging on the glass.
I feel, as most zookeepers should, that it is by professional duty
(and payback for having what is usually a wonderfull job) to display
animals as you would find them in the wild (plants, substrate, etc, etc.).
I think any job worth doing is worth doing right, many people, in many
professions, would agrue otherwise. I'm not trying to defend either side
here, I can see why things happen either way even though I might
necessarily agree.
Well, I've got to go take care of some large furry animals right
now so I'll get off my soap box (sorry if I've sounded as if I was
lecturing). I hope I haven't offended anyone, or driven them to think all
zookeepers are ***holes. If any one is ever in CO and would like a tour,
drop me a line before hand. I am always willing to take time to show the
interested people around the zoo and have a good chat about fish (and my
bark is really worse than my bite).
P.S. Roy, I'll try and call you this week/weekend (that is if you'd still
like to talk :-) ).
Cheers,
Alex
asaunders at mho.net
Denver Zoo, Denver,CO
Any fish is a good fish
(especially with a little butter)