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Calgary Zoo loses four more stingrays

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 2:47 PM EDT 15/05/08

Initial tests show water chemistry at Calgary zoo's stingray pool safe ...Read the full article

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  1. Brian Ch from Canada writes: Although accidental deaths is bad as well, it would be incredibly disturbing if this turned out to not be an accident.
  2. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Interesting word used in the story "creatures". Kind of tries to take the "sting" out of it doesn't it?

    Obviously a tragedy for the stingrays and the Zoo but again subject to hyperbolic concerns and opinions. How many stingrays die of natural causes or other reasons daily in the oceans? Has to be a very large number.
  3. mike sty - from Canada writes:
    Calgary zoo = calgary morgue

    Alberta.............. Poison the land...Slaughter the animals

    Dead ducks

    Dead hippos

    Dead gorillas

    Dead stingrays
  4. Barbara J. Stewart from Vancouver, Canada writes: I may question the idea of zoos and aquariums, etc. or their efficacy in a connected world. It is the preservation of natural habitat - theirs and ours - which demands our meaningful, urgent, longterm commitment. (I don't think "bred in captivity" provides an out.)

    But the moment we took those creatures from their own world, we assumed a moral responsibility to ensure their health, safety and well-being. This is sad and appalling and I have little patience with those who see it as anything less.
  5. Bubbles McBubbles from Trawna, Canada writes: Three possibilities:

    1 - accidental introduction of toxic element (metal, detergent, etc.) into the water supply

    2 - electrical current from equipment malfunction

    3 - deliberate introduction of toxic element - such as bleach

    My money is on number 3.

    Likelyhood that poisoning was done by anti-zoo zealots vs. some stupid kid = 25/75
  6. Arec Bardwin from Canada writes: Obviously they got a lethal dose of something. My money is on some eco-warrior trying to prove a point. That or PETA.
  7. Zoltan Karpathy from Baycrest Hill Forest Ridge, Canada writes: I must say I find the style and structure of this stingray display to be very archaic and possibly quite cruel to the animals.

    Apart from the obvious risk of tampering, the display appears to contain no features whatsoever that make it resemble the creature's habitat. The animals are left to swim endlessly round and round a featureless circle and seem to have no place to find shelter from the visitors.

    It seems rather horrifying, frankly.

  8. Zoltan Karpathy from Baycrest Hill Forest Ridge, Canada writes: Not to mention that the poor critters are mutilated so they pose no risk for visitors handling them.

    HANDLING them.
  9. Bubbles McBubbles from Trawna, Canada writes: Zoltan (give my respects to the Queen of Transylvania, btw), rays are kept successfully in much smaller captive tanks. The circular design and strong current promotes swimming and keeps them in shape. From the look of the picture, the rays can escape into the center. Nevertheless, I am not in support of this sort of "petting zoo" display, nor do I think the rays should be surgically altered to suit this sort of thing.
  10. Jeff C from Canada writes: I hope they get their answer soon and Toronto decides to remove the 'interactive' exhibit of the sting rays there.
  11. J D from Calgary, Canada writes: The Calgary Zoo is a premier facility that has demonstrated commitment to being among the best in the world.

    The criticism focused on the Calgary Zoo by animal rights organizations is misguided, at best. They should come to the realization that Zoos have the same interests; preserving our natural heritage and educating people on life beyond the cookie cutter homes and cities we live in.

    Closing zoos would have no impact on the the real issue which is mismanagement of our worldwide natural resources. Closing zoos is not an answer to the real problems out there.

    But, unfortunately, they are easy targets...
  12. Alan S from Calgary, Canada writes: “No zoo’s No animal education == attitude don’t care about animals. Most Zoo’s are run by people how love animals, and to throw the cruelty thing etc is unjust and incorrect, Yes the animals live in cages, and may not have a the freedom of the open plains, where predators, sickness, poachers, drought, starvation could be their companions. Many times these animals are bred in captivity and no know better like most happy city bound humans who have no opportunity besides zoo’s to see animal life. This is a really sad case, I feel for the zoo staff, and I hope as some one mentioned this is not some Eco Terrorist trying to make a point, but just some sick brain dead thinking it was a cool thing to do. As the terrorist motto is “Some innocents must die for the good of the many”

    Keep up the good work Calgary Zoo
  13. Resident Skeptic from Calgary, Canada writes: Yes, the stingrays were able to criss-cross through the center of the tank or even turn around and swim against the current. It was a wonderful exhibit to visit and a great educational tool for children and adults, but I doubt it could ever be reopened after this tragedy. How is the Toronto Zoo going to approach security with the travelling exhibit they are hosting this summer... I hope they at least have cameras in place. Of course, it has not been proven that the rays were attacked by evildoers. The number of people in the vicinity on a weekend would have made it very difficult to sneak any substance in the water.

    Were the Sunday staff experienced enough with marine animals? Was the tank large enough with proper filtration systems? I noticed the Toronto tank is 60,000 litres vs 37,000 litres and will house fewer rays. Whether this occurred through negligence or malicious behaviour, Calgarians are mourning the loss. Sad days indeed....
  14. Plain Jane from Toronto, Canada writes: The Calgary Zoo can't be considered a "premier facility" if its animals keep dying. And if it thinks a "petting zoo" exhibit is at all appropriate. They're charlatans and should be shut down.

    Stingrays aren't meant to be petted...that's why they're deadly. It's nature's way of saying "don't put me in a petting zoo".
  15. Sean L. from Toronto, the capital of corruption, Canada writes: Maybe David Miller was out there looking at them before the Toronto Zoo sets up its own stingray exhibit.

    Everything Miller touches turns to sh*t and dies, so that would explain the stingray deaths.....
  16. Bill H from Canada writes: It's obvious they were poisoned by some eco-terrorist zealots.
  17. J D from Calgary, Canada writes: Plain Jane from Toronto, says that the Calgary Zoo cannot be considered a premier facility if its animals die. Well, I have sad news for PJ, everything dies, eventually!

    By the way, check out the National Geographic Channel on your digital TV someday. You will see that many animals die very violent deaths in their natural habitat. Are zoo animals really that much worse off?

    What about the wildlife that was displaced to build the house or upscale condo you likely live in?

    The Calgary Zoo is a premier facility that bends over backwards to take care of the animals that are part of the zoo. Are mistakes made? Sure. It is not a perfect world.

    Once again, closing zoos will not solve a single thing...
  18. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Mike Sty: You don't say where you're from but I'd guess it would be from a city beside a dead lake that once was called great. You drive a car, work in manufacturing without much imagination. How many ducks live in Hamilton harbour? I remember the last experiment 25 years ago. The ducks were dead in a few days. Better get your prostate checked since your part of the country has the highest rate in North America. You'll choke on the glove though!
  19. Green Canada from Canada writes: R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: ....Obviously a tragedy for the stingrays and the Zoo but again subject to hyperbolic concerns and opinions. How many stingrays die of natural causes or other reasons daily in the oceans? Has to be a very large number

    --------------------

    always curious about such reasoning. To translate that to humans. No matter the catastrophe or war or genocide one could say, well many humans die naturally everyday so it's no biggie. and yet I have a feeling that these comments are not intended as such. bizarre reasoning if you ask me.
  20. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    What's most ridiculous is they don't even have video monitoring. They should have installed video cameras, started monitoring, and put a big sign up stating "you're on camera" before opening the exhibit to the public in the first place.

    An ounce of prevention and all that...

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