THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 25, 1996 TAG: 9608230360
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 22 lines
In an editorial lamenting the death of Nyla, the hippo at the Virginia Zoo, who swallowed a ball tossed into her enclosure, you say, ``Nyla's death leaves a void at the Virginia Zoo.''
Yes, it does, and hallelujah! At least Nyla's involuntary imprisonment in a concrete-and-iron cage has ended. The frustration at the unnatural living conditions - her every instinct dictated by humans - had to be intolerable for Nyla.
The phrase ``natural habitat'' when applied to zoos is an oxymoron. Hasn't this latest incident proved that rather than the planned expansion of the zoo, which will only exploit and imprison more animals, a major downsizing is more appropriate?
The day that zoos are void of all animals will because for celebration.
JENNIFER O'CONNOR
Norfolk, Aug. 20, 1996 by CNB