Steve Slimm

Review of Wild Futures

Back to Wild Nature - but So So UN-NATURALLY!

Back to Wild Nature - but So So UN-NATURALLY!
I have to say first, the animals are very well cared for and have a great physical environment. But sad to say, despite all good intentions by those in charge, I felt the ethos of the place was both un-natural and psychologically unhealthy. On arrival we were instructed not to engage with the monkeys, and if we saw any engagement by them with people, we were to look away. My partner and I dutifully obeyed. So we saw the monkeys in the enclosures, and heard their carers talk about them - rather like human equivalents of automated video transcripts. Whilst there, the only actual engagement we experienced was a young robin who came up close to test out his new whistle on me. The atmosphere of the whole place was thick and heavy with this lack of engagement - due to the instructions everyone UN_NATURALLY followed. (The monkeys have no option!)

It was only on reflection that we realised the real implications of such an unwholesome approach to these creatures. In the wild, if they are presented with human company, they naturally engage readily. We've seen it on TV how friendly wild capuchins are with film crews, for example. As humans, we naturally want to engage with other creatures, as I did with the robin, and they with us. The controlling effect of the management of this establishment reminded me of the Nazis - well intentioned but deluded. Plus the food at the award winning veggie cafe was actually the worst we'd had in years. It made both of us somewhat ill - and I usually have an iron stomach! . . . . . .

So - as an overall experience it was dire - but worthwhile - because it taught me the folly of trying to impose intellectual control on nature. And how powerful a single instruction to many people can be.