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The Hindu
12-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Are zoos necessary?
Merriam Webster defines zoo as 'a facility with usually indoor and outdoor settings where living, typically wild animals are kept especially for public exhibition'. Cambridge dictionary defines it as 'an area in which animals, especially wild animals, are kept so that people can go and look at them or study them'. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries define it as 'a place where many kinds of wild animals are kept for the public to see and where they are studied, bred (kept in order to produce young) and protected'. All the modern day definitions about zoos centre around them being used as facilities for studying animals and their public exhibition. Proponents of zoos often cite the crucial role zoos play in conservation. While this may be true, it is hardly unlikely that the countless zoos around the world are involved in the conservation efforts of an endangered species. Most exist as centres of amusement and fascination, a recreational facility you walk in and leave. So what exactly are zoos? In the modern day world, as human consciousness and empathy evolve, how should we approach zoos? Are they ethical? We dive into the big debate—do zoos do more harm than good? A brief history Also called zoological garden or zoological park, a zoo, in modern day definition, has been used to house captive animals for study, research, recreation and conservation purposes. But how did it all start? Humans have always been fascinated by animals and their charisma. Long ago, we are talking about centuries here, zoos were created as private collections by the wealthy. These were called menageries, representations of which can be seen in the wall carvings in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Other civilisations such as China, Greece, and Rome also had zoos. Then during the 18th Century, during the Age of Enlightenment, modern zoos became centres of interest for the scientific community, where people could research and study animal behaviour. The first modern zoo thus opened in France, in 1793. Earlier, animals were kept in cramped cages. Over time, with people advocating for the rights of animals, zoos started incorporating wild-like environments, natural habitats and allocating more space for the animals that are in captivity. But are these measures enough? In defence of the zoo According to the advocates of zoos and some conservationists, zoos play a huge role in saving endangered species, educating the public and helping them develop an appreciation of other species. Let's look at the animals that could be saved by zoos after they became extinct in the wild. For instance, take the case of the Arabian Oryx which was hunted to extinction in the wild. It was following the conservation efforts by the Phoenix Zoo and other organisations that this animal could be reintroduced back into the wild. The Przewalski's Horse is another, which could be saved after it went completely extinct in the wild. The same applies in the case of the majestic bird California Condor, or the antelope Bongo or the golden Lion Tamarin. It is the captive breeding programmes in zoos and other organisations that helped save these species. A study published in the journal Conservation Letters in 2021 cites that '...the extinction of at least 28–48 bird and mammal species was prevented between 1993–2020, and of 11–25 bird and mammal species between 2010–2020'. It is argued that zoos not only educate people but also serve as a person's first introduction to wild animals. Maybe it is by locking eyes with a tiger that a kid might take an interest in studying zoology or want to grow up and become a wildlife conservationist. Seeing animals at close quarters can make it an extremely personal experience, which could impact one in more ways than one. But do these human-animal experiences and other positive outcomes justify keeping wild animals against their will—away from their natural habitats, instincts, and kin? Not to mention commodifying wildlife? The dark side of zoos If you were to ask any animal on its willingness to be kept in a cage, we all know what the answer is going to be. Incidents of animals escaping their enclosures tell us what we really want to know. No one wants to be restricted; freedom is important to all beings, human or nonhuman. And zoos cannot simulate the conditions of the wild. Several researches have proven how animals kept in captivity exhibit signs of distress and stress. These include repeated motions, pacing, swaying, bobbing of head etc. This is called zoochosis. These psychological stressors and symptoms get exacerbated due to what is referred to as the 'visitor effect' –the stress a visitor contributes, due to their presence and loudness. The economics of zoos cannot be ignored. Come any holiday season, zoos always witness an influx of people. For most people, zoos are centres of recreation, where you go to gawk at animals. The breeding of charismatic animals is also one of the ways zoos try to increase footfalls, as cute animal babies always draw a crowd. But captive breeding programmes can also lead to inbreeding, following which the babies could end up with deformities and health problems. This human-nonhuman relationship hasn't always been in the best interests of the animals. Take the case of Marius. Some 11 years ago, Marius was all over the news. The 18-month-old healthy giraffe was considered useless for breeding by the Copenhagen zoo which decided to kill it. Despite protests and petitions and even zoos and agencies offering to take in Marius, he was shot dead and dissected in front of a large crowd, which even included children. Can a mindset shift help? Next time you visit a zoo and stare at any of the charismatic animals, take a moment to reflect as to how (and if) watching the animal in the confines has enriched your perspective and understanding about animals. Or did it just remind you of the stark reality these animals face on a daily basis, of waking up and pacing about in the restricted, human-made area, where people like you and me regard them as cute artifacts, and fated to live a life devoid of even the quiet freedoms we enjoy?
The Hill
18-06-2025
- General
- The Hill
Famous shipwreck confirmed to be in Rhode Island waters
NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — Australian researchers have issued a final report on a decades-long search for a famous shipwreck believed to be off the coast of Rhode Island. Researchers confirmed the final resting place of 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook's lost ship is in Newport Harbor. 'For some, the Pacific voyage led by James Cook between 1768 and 1771 embodies the spirit of Europe's Age of Enlightenment, while for others it symbolises the onset of colonisation and the subjugation of First Nations Peoples,' the executive summary of the report said. Originally called the 'HMS Endeavor,' the vessel was later renamed 'Lord Sandwich' and used as a troop transport and prison ship before it was deliberately sunk in 1778. The approximate location of the wreck is just north of Goat Island and east of Rose Island, near Newport, Rhode Island, according to the report. The Australian National Maritime Museum said it's working with the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission to protect the site.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Captain Cook's Endeavour confirmed to be in Rhode Island waters
Researchers have confirmed that the 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook's lost ship found its final resting place in Rhode Island's Newport Harbor, solving a decadeslong mystery, according to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Two Australian historians, Mike Connell and Des Liddy, originally pinpointed the location of the ship, called HMS Endeavour in 1998, the museum said in a report released earlier this month. The museum's report detailed how a 26-year archival and archaeological research program ultimately determined that the Endeavour was, in fact, at the bottom of Newport Harbor as Connell and Liddy had thought. Captain Cook famously sailed the Endeavour across the Pacific Ocean multiple times in the mid-1700s. He is remembered for his voyage to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia, which he claimed for Britain, as well as Hawaii, where he ultimately met his fate in a dispute with indigenous residents. Cook's exploration of the islands laid the foundation for British colonization in those areas, which is why, for different reasons, it's an important part of Australian history, according to the museum's report. "For some, the Pacific voyage led by James Cook between 1768 and 1771 embodies the spirit of Europe's Age of Enlightenment," the executive summary of the report reads, "while for others it symbolises the onset of colonisation and the subjugation of First Nations Peoples." After Cook's death, the Endeavour returned to England, which went on to use it for transporting British troops and detaining prisoners during the American Revolutionary War. It was sold to private owners, who renamed the ship Lord Sandwich, and deliberately sunk in Newport Harbor in the midst of war in 1778. When Australian maritime experts initially announced in 2022 that they believed the Endeavour was among a number of ancient shipwrecks still scattered across Newport Harbor, the claim was widely debated. But a partnership between the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and the Australian National Maritime Museum forged ahead with the research that eventually led to the wreck's identification. They are working to ensure that the wreck site is protected from now on. "Given Endeavour's historical and cultural significance to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, England, the United States of America and First Nations peoples throughout the Pacific Ocean, positive identification of its shipwreck site requires securing the highest possible level of legislative and physical protection," the report says. American stranded in Israel with her family speaks out amid airstrike exchanges with Iran May retail sales drop more than expected Everything we know about Israel, Iran and where Trump stands on the conflict
Express Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
The insecurity of power
Listen to article For millennia, humankind has feared ferocious beasts, unforeseen calamities, "divine retributions", forces beyond comprehension, and natural phenomena beyond their control. Notwithstanding the powerlessness and inherent ignorance in prehistoric times, some individuals seized opportunities to emerge as leaders — such as the 'big men' or chiefs — who embodied mythical figures like Prometheus, Heracles, Theseus, Perseus, Apollo and Asclepius, selflessly pursuing their people's welfare and guiding them, however briefly and imperfectly, to safety and light. This was primarily because the legitimacy of most of them was rooted in transparency, proven abilities and a consensus built sincerely, albeit informed by limited knowledge. However, as societies became more complex and knowledgeable, so did the rules of legitimacy and the nature and scope of transactions between the rulers and the ruled. The evolution of language, which drives reason, logic and philosophy, has equipped humans with reliable tools to examine themselves and their environment, shedding light on their ignorance and gaining a deeper understanding of their surroundings. From nascent reasoning to the Socratic and dialectical methods, and from the Age of Enlightenment and the Renaissance to the dawn of the scientific method, all helped liberate humankind from threats - real or perceived - posed by nature and from fears rooted in nature's apparent meaninglessness or the metaphorical tabula rasa of human cognition. These developments, which have dispelled the fog of ignorance and introduced humanity to greater knowledge, ethical understanding and political education, should ideally have fostered greater transparency in statesmanship and collective affairs, promoting an informed collective will and legitimacy in statecraft. However, greater knowledge has fostered enlightened deceit and hypocrisy, which perpetuate carefully controlled ignorance or empower influential figures with vested interests in society, thus fostering opacity and undermining legitimacy in modern statecraft and statesmanship. This manifests, among other ways, in the rising authoritarianism and securitisation of democracies worldwide. Under the guise of the people's will, totalitarian and Orwellian tendencies are being fostered by the very institutions and leaders tasked with upholding democratic values. Consequently, hard power and brute force supplant the collective public will, imposing self-serving policies that disregard the interests of the people. Although marked by authoritarianism and disdain for the people's will, such regimes rarely abandon democratic forms entirely for three reasons: First, a democratic façade shields them from international sanctions. Second, it legitimises their authority under the pretense of democracy. Third, it sustains false hope among the populace, thereby deterring rebellion against those in power. This is because, unless informed, transparent and popular, those in power - whether individuals or institutions — tend to channel most of their resources and energy into masking their insecurities, sustaining their authority, and guarding their misdeeds against potential retribution. In other words, power obtained through questionable means or brute force both stems from and reveals underlying insecurities, driving all efforts to maintain it. This underlying insecurity of power ultimately and inevitably succumbs to the weights of its follies, corruption and abuse. Had it not been so, all the states that our status quo gets inspiration from would not have been consigned to the dustbin of history. Thus, rather than being lasting and self-sustaining, the autocratisation of democracy is both a cause and a manifestation of insecurity, fear of losing control, and potential retribution for wrongdoings. In other words, authoritarian power reflects the hidden insecurities of vested interests, ill-gotten resources, and fear of retribution for past transgressions. Like dogs or snakes that strike when threatened, authoritarian power escalates aggression toward its people as its insecurities deepen. These insecurities drive further aggression and unlawful acts, ultimately leading the regime to collapse under the burden of its errors, delusions and misdeeds.
Arab Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Francophonie month ends on high note in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, May 1: The 'Francophonie Month 2025' closing ceremony was held recently under the patronage and in the presence of Honorary President of the Council for the Promotion of Francophonie in Kuwait (CPFK) His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad. In his speech on the auspicious occasion, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad underscored the importance of the event, expressing his pride in participating in it in appreciation of the cultural role played by Francophonie. He highlighted its notable contribution to contemporary global culture and its vital role in promoting dialogue and cultural diversity in a world rapidly moving toward globalization. He affirmed 'the French language occupies a prominent position in the world of thought and culture; characterized by its clarity, delicateness and logical precision. These characteristics have made it a popular language in the fields of Philosophy, Law and Diplomacy. Since the 17th century, it has been supported by the efforts of the Académie Française to standardize the language.' He pointed out that French is a refined and melodious language deeply intertwined with the artistic expressions of poetry, song and storytelling. It helped express complex philosophical ideas in an understandable language, facilitating their dissemination during the Age of Enlightenment. He stressed that Francophonie played a distinctive role in enriching Arab culture, especially since French was the official language of European culture from the 17th century until the end of the 19th century. He said that intellectual, political and diplomatic elites used it as a means of dialogue and openness; adding that it was used by kings, ambassadors and non-native thinkers, most notably the Enlightenment philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Montesquieu and Pascal. He continued saying that the French language played a major role in spreading the concepts of rationalism, politics and human rights; and clearly contributed to the emergence of modern concepts like the social contract, individual freedom and separation of powers. He stated that these concepts were first formulated in French before being translated into the rest of Europe's languages. He added the French language has produced a rich world literature, ranging from novels like those of Balzac and Flaubert, to theater such as those of Molière and Corneille, and poetry such as those of Baudelaire and Rimbaud. He asserted that French literature has won the largest number of Nobel Prizes and has a prominent presence in the arts, fashion and cinema; ranging from Impressionism and painting to pioneering French cinema. He emphasized that Francophonie is not merely a means of communication, but rather a carrier of cultural heritage and concepts that have shaped modern western consciousness. He described French as 'the language of reason and beauty' for its phonetic elegance and philosophical and poetic vocabulary. 'The language is still used in international forums and centers of intellectual and legal legislation, most notably the United Nations and the International Organization of La Francophonie. Kuwait is keen on providing all the necessary facilities to support Francophonie, as it has always been an incubator for culture and arts in the region. Its doors will remain open for the exchange of knowledge and cultural cooperation with various French-speaking countries,' he stressed. He pointed out that the French language, with its long history, is present on all continents -- from Asia to Africa, from Canada in the North to Haiti in the South, and even New Caledonia and Tahiti in the Pacific Ocean, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean. He wished it further spread and prosperity until it reaches the North and South Poles. His Highness concluded his speech by conveying feelings of friendship and celebration to all French-speaking peoples, extending his thanks to the ambassadors of the member states of the Francophonie Organization for their participation in this celebration and praising the successful organization of the evening. On the other hand, French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin, said 'thanks to the collective efforts of the members of the Council for the Promotion of La Francophonie -- 44 ambassadors -- and our partners. We held an exceptional celebration that coincided with the announcement of Kuwait as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media.' He asserted that La Francophonie promotes the values of participation and cultural diversity. He said the French language -- which is spoken by more than 320 million people in 130 countries, including 500,000 in Kuwait -- is considered a tool for building bridges between cultures and promoting dialogue and exchange. He stated that around 50,000 students in Kuwaiti public schools learn French annually, reflecting the growing local interest in the language. He then quoted French writer and Nobel laureate Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, stating, 'Francophonie is a space for dialogue and exchange, a place where cultures meet.' Addressing His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, he said; You are the father of Francophonie in Kuwait. You took the initiative to support it in the 1980s. On this occasion, the Council for the Promotion of Francophone Languages in Kuwait unanimously chose you as its honorary president. So, Your Highness, allow me to reiterate by deep gratitude to you.'
