Shimoda Aquarium..living conditions for the creatures...

There is always a big debate with animal lovers about just how much zoos and aquariums can really 'educate' us about each animal.

Shimoda floating aquarium

For example, you don't hear the gibbon song at Ueno Zoo because each gibbon is alone in a cage compared to the wilderness of the forest where they sing from tree to tree. BUT, these places can offer us the chance to see creatures we might never normally come face to face with even if we do travel to their country of origin.

The dolphin 'homes'

The dolphins at Shimoda aquarium are directly from Taiji, but that is not what this is about.

Once captured dolphins, turtles and all sea creatures at this aquarium deserve some semblance of respect and good quality of living conditions especially given the vast area of water they would normally live in. But, as if witnessing the mass murder of their family members or the brutal and heartbreaking separation from their babies, these creatures are then made to live in horrid conditions while still being expected to perform tricks for the visitors as well as accompany snorkelers in the water.

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Improve the living conditions at Shimoda aquarium! Sign this petition!

(change.org)

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While the whole experience is a learning process for the humans involved, what does it all mean for the animals? The dolphins are supposed to stay in that rectangular compound that is rusting at the sides? We saw plastic bags and garbage floating on the water...

And the loggerhead turtles? 

Please see the pictures below...

I wish I had taken more and some video just to prove the point, but I think you can imagine..

Loggerhead turtles need much more space than what the aquarium is offering them... all nine of them, outside the gift shop.

 

This is not education. This is cruel.Look at their shells, their sad faces and their horrid 'house'. This needs to change.

I have written some messages to the aquarium because we need to know if they are aware of this situation and they are changing it at all.

Also, to precipitate any futures changes that they should be making, I have started a petition, we need as many signatures as possible to show them that many people care about this situation.  Please sign and share and even though these creatures will have to live in captivity, let's at least make it a more pleasant experience for they deserve that much.

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Improve the living conditions at Shimoda aquarium! Sign this petition!

(causes.com)
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They can grow up to 120cm!! and 140kg....but not in this tank..

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Improve the living conditions at Shimoda aquarium! Sign this petition!

(causes.com)

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Improve the living conditions at Shimoda aquarium! Sign this petition!

(change.org)

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And, I forgot to even add this, but when you arrive at Izukyushimoda station, there is a tank with two or three turtles waiting to 'greet' you and remind you of your potential visit to the aquarium. Ugh.

Taken from their facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shimoda.aquarium/photos/a.267730456663115.41250.262665050502989/366126693490157/?type=1&theater

Death in the road

So, along the walks with the dogs, I have already written about the creatures that we see. There have been ducks, turtles, cranes and they have all made me smile.

But, there is another, darker side to this beautiful countryside we love so much. Survival is something we all must do. Failure, means one thing. Death. Sudden, dramatic, however it may happen, it is going to end.

Remember I mentioned a turtle crossing our path? How I wish we had rescued him and put him back in the water. Ian saw a crushed turtle, shell and everything, on the side of the road just the other day. It is hard to say it was the same one, although, he did think it had the same dark shell (the turtles here are mostly terrapins with the stripes, so a darker one would be remembered).

He had also spoken to me of dead shrimps in his path. I didn't believe him. Surely the lake wasn't so fertile that they were living there. Well, they do, or they were.

So, the fishermen really do have their pick of things in the lake, which is surprising to think about when you look at it, for it isn't that healthy at all.

And, lastly, for this post, I have to just describe what Susie and I came across.

I could see on the path ahead a couple of crows on the road. Really, I knew they could only be doing one thing, but I prayed that there was no creature involved. But, of course, crows are crows and they were eating at a poor, poor pigeon. The pigeons here are clean and cute unlike those I am used to back home.

The crows flew away as I approached, so after a car passed, I was able to try and move it to the side of the road. Unfortunately, Susie wanted a sniff too, and even though I pulled her away, she still found some feathers and looked at me as if to say 'what?'.

I moved the carrion but I had clearly disturbed the peace. The crows were all up in arms as I walked on and by the racket they were making, they were not happy. I was scared they would swoop down to peck at me (they are horrible creatures and totally would), so Susie and I ran as fast as we could home.

Nature isn't always so nice, is it?

Happy Monday!!

Get out my way!!!!!

What follows is not a rant, surprise, surprise.

Here is a little list of the things (read 'creatures'!) that I have seen on my travels here in Kasukabe.

Amongst all the madness, we are still adapting to the countryside life and i marvel at the beauties I see each day.

Walking the dog (read 'dogs'), there have been a few things that you certainly would never find on your travels elsewhere.

If you walk at dusk, you witness an amazing sunset, but, if you leave the house a little later, you may miss it, but you won't miss the mystery the darkness brings.

The little frogs may jump ahead of you, moving from field to field. Sometimes they are camouflaged and match the colour of the road. Other times, they are a stunning green. I believe I posted a picture of them already. Either way, Elbi is bound to spot them and chase after them!

This weekend, on a walk with Susie, there was a duck up ahead waddling along. Sensing our approach, he flew into the filed itself. We often see ducks together, sometimes in pairs sitting in the rice fields. It is a cute sight. This one is just a loner enjoying the sunset...


On Sunday, Ian and I were surprised to see a turtle on the road. I'm not sure where he was headed as it looked like he was leaving the lake and the wet life behind him, but we let him be and dragged Elbi away.

This morning, out with Susie, there were the remains of a crab, yes, crab. I didn't even double take, I stopped, looked down and stared hard. All that remained was a pincer, just the one and a small part of the body shell. The lake was about a two minute human walk away, so a fair feat for the sideways-walking creature, only to be had for a late supper by a devilishly hungry crow no doubt.

Seeing so much nature around you is great. You really do stop to appreciate it. It's like being on holiday, although today isn't anymore. They typhoon/tropical storm/ heavy winds and rain have set in for the night. It doesn't sound pleasant at all outside. It does make me wonder what will wash up in the storm tomorrow....







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Location:Kasukabe,Japan