This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/18/david-attenborough-zoos-respect-gorillas-privacy-peepholes
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| David Attenborough: zoos should use peepholes to respect gorillas' privacy David Attenborough: zoos should use peepholes to respect gorillas' privacy | |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Veteran British naturalist David Attenborough has called for gorillas in zoos to be kept behind walls with peepholes rather than glass panels, in order to respect their privacy. | Veteran British naturalist David Attenborough has called for gorillas in zoos to be kept behind walls with peepholes rather than glass panels, in order to respect their privacy. |
| The 90-year-old television presenter spoke out after a gorilla briefly escaped on Thursday from its enclosure in London Zoo. Attenborough said the incident was “hardly surprising” when animals are subjected to intrusion. | The 90-year-old television presenter spoke out after a gorilla briefly escaped on Thursday from its enclosure in London Zoo. Attenborough said the incident was “hardly surprising” when animals are subjected to intrusion. |
| He also said people should behave in a more respectful manner in zoos rather than clowning around trying to goad animals into a reaction. | He also said people should behave in a more respectful manner in zoos rather than clowning around trying to goad animals into a reaction. |
| But Attenborough, who has opened the eyes of millions of viewers to the wonders of the natural world during more than half a century in television, also said zoos play a vital role in preserving endangered species. | But Attenborough, who has opened the eyes of millions of viewers to the wonders of the natural world during more than half a century in television, also said zoos play a vital role in preserving endangered species. |
| “They are wonderful animals, gorillas. They are animals which guard their privacy,” he told ITV television. | “They are wonderful animals, gorillas. They are animals which guard their privacy,” he told ITV television. |
| “In the forests of west Africa, they don’t live out in the open. They aren’t stared at by people. | “In the forests of west Africa, they don’t live out in the open. They aren’t stared at by people. |
| “Maybe the solution is that people should not be allowed to be behind big sheets of glass but look behind peepholes so that the gorillas don’t realise [they are being watched] – but that’s very difficult to do in a zoo where there are tens of thousands of people wanting to see these animals.” | “Maybe the solution is that people should not be allowed to be behind big sheets of glass but look behind peepholes so that the gorillas don’t realise [they are being watched] – but that’s very difficult to do in a zoo where there are tens of thousands of people wanting to see these animals.” |
| Attenborough called for zoo-goers to show more consideration to the animals. | Attenborough called for zoo-goers to show more consideration to the animals. |
| “Sometimes visitors to zoos are not respectful and they start shrieking or waving their arms in order to get the poor gorilla to do something. | “Sometimes visitors to zoos are not respectful and they start shrieking or waving their arms in order to get the poor gorilla to do something. |
| “They are not just animals. They are related to us. They value their privacy. Just imagine what it’s like to be there.” | “They are not just animals. They are related to us. They value their privacy. Just imagine what it’s like to be there.” |
| Attenborough said it would be nice to think creatures such as mountain gorillas were safe in the wild but zoos did preserve species under threat of extinction. | Attenborough said it would be nice to think creatures such as mountain gorillas were safe in the wild but zoos did preserve species under threat of extinction. |
| “It’s a pity they’re always in danger,” he said. “If we could get rid of that then perhaps there would be no need for zoos. | “It’s a pity they’re always in danger,” he said. “If we could get rid of that then perhaps there would be no need for zoos. |
| “It is important for people to be able to see what these wonderful creatures are like and to understand the responsibility that the human race has towards gorillas.” | “It is important for people to be able to see what these wonderful creatures are like and to understand the responsibility that the human race has towards gorillas.” |