As the spooky season is upon us, we start to feel a deeper connection with the spirits of the past. Here at the GVZoo we have started a tradition of honouring the species lost in hopes that while they may be gone, they will never be forgotten. Last year, 13 eerie apparitions materialized throughout the zoo in the form of tombstones, and this year even more are rising to join them.
Throughout the month of October, you'll find the familiar faces of the Tasmanian tiger, bramble cay melomys, and schomburgk's deer, returning to share their stories and lessons. They are not alone though. More tombstones have appeared throughout the zoo. Among them are the Steller’s sea cow, Guam flying fox, and more, raising the total to 20 tales to be told by the animals of the past.
The haunting part of these apparitions isn’t hearing the tales of the past, but the knowledge that all 20 of the tombstones (and many more) are there due to human actions. Humans have a strong effect on the world around us and will continue to do so. Overhunting, pest management, and fear mongering are only a few of the countless ways that we have driven animals to extinction. Without careful management and consideration for our actions we will be the cause of many more tombstones to come.
... But this year the tombstones aren’t alone.
Three new trees have burst forth from ground. These trees have erupted from animals that were so close to being lost that their tombstones had already formed. Nourished with the lessons of the past these new trees grew from the careful management of dedicated conservationists. Animals that were plagued by the overhunting and carelessness of humans were saved by the intervention of compassionate humans as well.
These trees serve as a reminder to us that we can always make a positive impact. Whether you work every day to care and maintain a species in a zoo, relocate across the world to protect and advocate for an animal, or are a passionate and caring part of a community, you have an impact.
Visit the GVZoo until Halloween to learn about some of the Ghosts of the Animal Kingdom.
Learn from the mistakes of the past.
Discover how we make a difference.
Explore a world of possibilities and hope.
