Ski Dubai puts penguins on display | ExpatWoman.com
 

Ski Dubai puts penguins on display

3863
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 16:02
Thanks folks for agreeing; I wish some of those with the money/power to do something would agree too! I wish the FNC for example would raise the zoo issue; I'm sure if more locals spoke up against it something would be done, and all the locals I know adore animals so I'm sure there would be agreement in that forum! Another yes from me
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 15:43
Thanks folks for agreeing; I wish some of those with the money/power to do something would agree too! I wish the FNC for example would raise the zoo issue; I'm sure if more locals spoke up against it something would be done, and all the locals I know adore animals so I'm sure there would be agreement in that forum!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 14:00
Honestly I think the import of ANY type of wild animals into Dubai should be completely halted until the zoo is dealt with. Agreed wholeheartedly. Plus 1 Another 'yes' vote.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 00:32
GA, great post. Agree completely.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 23:27
Honestly I think the import of ANY type of wild animals into Dubai should be completely halted until the zoo is dealt with. There is no excuse to be bringing in more animals just to turn a profit when that place still exists, is woefully underfunded and is literally the worst zoo I have ever seen in terms of animal welfare. I am well aware that a very dedicated gentleman was trying to keep the animals in good health, but honestly until the government OR the private sector commit to relocating and/or euthanising those animals, no more should be brought in. I'm not saying that these penguins won't be cared for adequately (though I hope there is a massive fence around the enclosure to stop people chucking things/banging on the glass etc), but there is a much bigger issue here which IMO needs to be dealt with before the place becomes inundated with more animals. I've seen the penguins at the Dubai Mall and if these new ones are treated anything like that I will be writing to San Diego along with many others I hope. PS does anyone know if the tigers are still in their cage (yes CAGE, not enclosure) outside the Dubailand office on EK road? I haven't been for at least a year but they were there last time I went. And people yell at me for having an adopted husky!! Jeez. I have also never met anyone who supports animal rights to be "cool"...don't think I know those kind of people luckily for me. edited by GirlAnachronism on 16/01/2012 Could not have put it better myself.....;)
3804
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:57
Honestly I think the import of ANY type of wild animals into Dubai should be completely halted until the zoo is dealt with. There is no excuse to be bringing in more animals just to turn a profit when that place still exists, is woefully underfunded and is literally the worst zoo I have ever seen in terms of animal welfare. I am well aware that a very dedicated gentleman was trying to keep the animals in good health, but honestly until the government OR the private sector commit to relocating and/or euthanising those animals, no more should be brought in. Agreed wholeheartedly. Plus 1
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:26
Honestly I think the import of ANY type of wild animals into Dubai should be completely halted until the zoo is dealt with. There is no excuse to be bringing in more animals just to turn a profit when that place still exists, is woefully underfunded and is literally the worst zoo I have ever seen in terms of animal welfare. I am well aware that a very dedicated gentleman was trying to keep the animals in good health, but honestly until the government OR the private sector commit to relocating and/or euthanising those animals, no more should be brought in. I'm not saying that these penguins won't be cared for adequately (though I hope there is a massive fence around the enclosure to stop people chucking things/banging on the glass etc), but there is a much bigger issue here which IMO needs to be dealt with before the place becomes inundated with more animals. I've seen the penguins at the Dubai Mall and if these new ones are treated anything like that I will be writing to San Diego along with many others I hope. PS does anyone know if the tigers are still in their cage (yes CAGE, not enclosure) outside the Dubailand office on EK road? I haven't been for at least a year but they were there last time I went. And people yell at me for having an adopted husky!! Jeez. I have also never met anyone who supports animal rights to be "cool"...don't think I know those kind of people luckily for me. <em>edited by GirlAnachronism on 16/01/2012</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:21
Please don't do the human vs animal argument - that's not fair! Animals have no voice and rely on people to highlight their injustice. The penguins that are being brought though are surely the 'end result' of the breeding program and reading the articles I would assume that there will be no breeding going on at Ski Dubai - so in fact what is the point? Oh yes another animal attraction - great. I too boycott Atlantis, the Dolphinarium and the zoo because I see absolutely no excuse for these pathetic things, no reason at all. The fact that Ski Dubai have posted the same statement in virtually every media outlet they can find today, obviously means they're seeing a big backlash over it. Sadly I have to say rightly so. Because you know the other thing that will happen, you'll have people trying to import penguins as pets next - do you think they give a hoot about red tape, CITES paper work, environment etc? er no. How many endangered animals are there already being kept as pets in the UAE? And is anything done about it? Nope. <em>edited by Chocs01 on 16/01/2012</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:09
As a young child I grew up in the bush in Africa. Life was hard but seemd perfect to me,animals roamed free. I know this is almost impossible today but with awareness and education the public can put pressure on organisations who dont' have the animals welfare at heart. My dad would go on "hunting" trips just to disrupt the hunters,my mom would "rescue" the most lethal snakes when they were injured LOL. SkyKitty in all of my dealings with animal rescue groups (believe me there have been many ) I have yet to come across anyone who does it to be "cool". There is just too much hard work involved for it to be cool LOL. I think I can speak for many,we get involved in animal issues because we care. As Greenish has said ( Hi Greenish ....) research any number of posts about helping out labourers or someone handling a crisis etc. and see who responds with offers of help or advice. Like other posters I never visited Atlantis on principal because of Sammy AND the swimmimg with dolphins. If everyone simply didn't turn up to support these attractions they would cease to operate.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 13:04
Green-ish I get that, but there are also that element out there that are 'into' animal right's because it's "cool" (not meaning anyone here, just speaking generally) Perth Zoo has a very good elephant enclosure which has had a successful breeding program for Thai elephants, the section visible to the public is only a small part of the areas they have to walk around. I think all zoos have good and bad points but not all are 'bad' as such. And in a lot of cases the animal has more chance of surviving there than in the wild. I guess it does depend if the animal is born in captivity or not, to me that makes a difference also. I remember back in the early 90's they had dolphins in a dolphin park in Perth, it got shut down due to protests about the dolphins being kept and trained to perform. When they tried to release them, they kept coming back so eventually ended up at Underwater World (Now "AQWA") until they died.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 12:31
Are those poor, miserable, unhealthy looking penguins still at the underwater zoo in Dubai Mall? What, they're in that big aquarium in Dubai Mall? Really? they're in the underwater zoo bit. Yep...after much nagging, I caved to my son before we left Dubai and paid to take him in there. Those wee penguins and otters and so many other animals just broke my heart. Appalling place. :( I have only in my life seen two zoo's that didn't horrify me...Al Ain was started by genuine animal lovers who provide safety, shelter, care and food to the nations unwanted and abused. The gorilla is the sadest things I have ever seen, but otherwise they do an amazing job with the resources they have. Western Plains Zoo in Australia is the other one. At least the animals are climate appropriate and housed in genuinely beautiful, natural, spacious surroundings.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 12:26
... I find a lot of people here (here as in Dubai/UAE) are very vocal about animal rights (fair enough it's a cause close to my heart as well) but then some of them (I said SOME) can quite happily ignore the appalling human working conditions some people experience here.... I think you'll find time and again that humans who are the most passionate and vocal about the welfare of animals are also equally as passionate about human rights. Start a thread on the plight of construction workers housed over summer without AC and watch me get going. ;)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 12:13
Are those poor, miserable, unhealthy looking penguins still at the underwater zoo in Dubai Mall? What, they're in that big aquarium in Dubai Mall? Really? they're in the underwater zoo bit.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 11:42
I have to agree with SkyKitty, a voice of reason. Why boycott SkiDubai before assessing the situation? As was mentioned before, these poor penguins have lived their lives in captivity and the Ski Dubai environment may in fact be a good one for them, considering the options. As for Ski Dubai, well it's a business and a very well run one at that, and these penguins cost a lot of money to bring here, so it's in their best interest to keep them healthy and happy to encourage procreation. How about we just wait and see how the whole thing goes before we crucufy them?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 11:33
The whale shark was clearly in a location that was NOT built for its size. Cannot really pass judgement on the Ski Dubai setup until we see it. If the enclosure is of the right size, and the penguins really are only on show (not for the public to do what you describe above- which I am sure they would, sadly) then how is it different to zoos elsewhere making 'realistic' (but not REAL) enclosures for animals. I kinda doubt San Diego is of an Antarctic climate either, so they would be coming from one artificial environment to another (even if it is very close to what they would experience) How do we know they don't donate money to charities? I find a lot of people here (here as in Dubai/UAE) are very vocal about animal rights (fair enough it's a cause close to my heart as well) but then some of them (I said SOME) can quite happily ignore the appalling human working conditions some people experience here. Where's the priorities? In my book, if the penguins are happy, well cared for by properly trained/qualified staff and not at the mercy of the public, then there might be some bigger things to worry about in Dubai...
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 11:10
I'm (almost) speechless. If the "Ski Dubai family" really cared about the animals in these breeding programs, then they would send a huge whack of their profits to the people already breeding the animals in an appropriate climate. Aside from wanting to rake in the punters dirhams, there is NO excuse for bringing penguins to the desert. Are those poor, miserable, unhealthy looking penguins still at the underwater zoo in Dubai Mall?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 08:02
What, like how Atlantis was all controlled and scientific with Sammy? ... Anyhow, yes, it would be lovely to have penguins running around, but unfortunately - judging by how some of the public likes to goad the animals into "doing something" by throwing stones, poking them or shouting at them - the problem will be the public, not the penguins. Basic respect for animal welfare is simply not in the culture of a large proportion of the UAE's residents... I agree with the above. I still refuse to go to Atlantis because of Sammy and it looks like Ski Dubai will now also be on my boycott list along with Dubai Zoo and the dolphin place. I will be telling all my visitors this year (all 30 of them) the reasons why I will not be taking them to ski dubai.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 00:57
If, as Ski Dubai say it's all controlled and 'scientific' then I'm okay with it. What, like how Atlantis was all controlled and scientific with Sammy? ... Anyhow, yes, it would be lovely to have penguins running around, but unfortunately - judging by how some of the public likes to goad the animals into "doing something" by throwing stones, poking them or shouting at them - the problem will be the public, not the penguins. Basic respect for animal welfare is simply not in the culture of a large proportion of the UAE's residents...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 00:04
Was at MOE yesterday and didn't notice anything major going on, then again I was having a meal with a vino or two ;) If, as Ski Dubai say it's all controlled and 'scientific' then I'm okay with it, but definitely not if it's going to be another 'swim with the dolphins for ten zillion dhs' type exercise...
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 22:50
Hi Ladies keep the debate going, it seems as per comments from Ski Dubai someone is listening.They know there are those out there who are concerned and watching to see what happens.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 19:15
Hmm perhaps they should have a word with 7 Days who just made it sound like another 'attraction'.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 19:07
We've received a comment for this thread from Ski Dubai and have been asked to post it here.. "The Snow Penguin colony at Ski Dubai is part of a multi-generational breeding programme from the US, which has seen these birds and their parents hatched and raised in the care of humans in order to study and educate people about their species. The habitat created for the Snow Penguins exceeds the standards set in the US and Europe for the care of these new members of the Ski Dubai family, to include temperature, feeding, healthcare, and mental and physical enrichment. We look forward to welcoming guests to learn more about the Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai firsthand in just a few weeks.”
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 13:22
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/march-of-penguins-into-ski-dubai-440274.html Dubai shoppers will soon be able to get up close and personal with snow penguins, after Ski Dubai announced it would play host to a colony of the Antarctic birds. The indoor ski slope, located in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, said it planned to build a special enclosure to host the birds as part of a multi-generation breeding programme. The environment will “mirror the Antartic,” Ski Dubai said in an emailed statement. “Visitors will be able to view the snow penguin's natural antics.” The penguins will be on show from early February, in the statement said, after being recently relocated from US-based SeaWorld. Dubai state-owned developer Nakheel said in 2008 it had struck a deal to build SeaWorld Dubai as part of the 'Worlds of Discovery' themed attractions on the manmade Palm Jebel Ali project. The company suspended more than 100 property projects in the wake of the Dubai property crash, including the Palm Jebel Ali project.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 11:47
Would any of you also boycott the San Diego zoo for authorizing the transfer? Sorry it was SeaWorld in San Diego. Not a fan of them either, although the difference is they actually have breeding programs for the endangered species of penguin and without that they would be totally extinct. As a general rule, I only really support breeding programs if the end aim is for reintegration back into the wild to bolster dwindling numbers, otherwise I see no reason for any animals to be kept in captivity. My real anger comes from the fact is they keep starting these new stupid animal attractions and those poor souls in the Dubai zoo are STILL suffering! When oh when will they get a 'state of the art' facility?! Makes my blood boil. I don't go to any zoo or anything attraction that has captive animals - and that's across the board, so my answer to your question is yes, absolutely.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 11:42
Would any of you also boycott the San Diego zoo for authorizing the transfer?
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 11:38
huh ! ive been skiing in italy and didnt see any penguins around ?!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 11:08
Disgraceful. Boycott. Boycott. Boycott.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 10:43
Ski Dubai are bringing penguins over from San Diego zoo, to be put on display. Seriously - why? As if this place doesn't have enough issues with animal welfare. This totally makes the mind boggle.
 
 

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