Editor: In response to the letter:  鈥�,鈥� (The Times, Aug. 14), it鈥檚 unfortunate that the gate greeter was texting and chewing gum. Complain to the management there.

Zoos are educational.  And we can learn empathy and compassion for other species besides ourselves.  The general admission price of $22.50 and food prices are not that much, considering that a great part of that money probably goes towards building and maintaining those 鈥渃ool enclosures,鈥� specific diets and medical supplies. It鈥檚 all about the money. It has to come from somewhere.

Alberta is a very wealthy province, considering the oil sands. Perhaps some of the oil sands money helps out many organizations such as the Calgary Zoo. Unfortunately, we don鈥檛 have oil sands here.

I鈥檝e been to the Greater Vancouver Zoo many times with friends, and we enjoy ourselves. Zoos have their place in today鈥檚 society.  Some species of animals don鈥檛 have much time on this planet, because of man鈥檚 encroaching into their space.

As long as the care and treatment is under the watchful eye of the SPCA, it鈥檚 all good. Maybe animals don鈥檛 have the capability to show 鈥渉appiness鈥� like we do.

Animals pass away in captivity and in the wild and are left alone.  Wild spaces are growing smaller all over this planet.

I like to suggest to people who complain about animals shut in cages and look sad, that they try volunteering for awhile. It鈥檚 rewarding and you learn a lot.

Zoos and wildlife societies need our help.   You can make a difference in an animal鈥檚 life.   Humans are taking over and soon the only place you鈥檒l see animals is in zoos.

Take some time to roll up your sleeves and help out, and learn something about the wildlife which is under-appreciated. Because at the rate global warming is happening, most wildlife will be wiped out.

I went online to check, and the Calgary Zoo general admission is $21 鈥攏ot much less than our admission here. If the ducks that were enclosed are common to this area, they can fly and they can land anywhere.  It could mean they like the zoo and want to be there.

G.C. Hawrychuk,

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