Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
contained a wide variety of intertidal and subtidal invertebrates
and fishes, and its purpose was for looking and asking questions.
The second component consisted of four shallow, dish-shaped
pools, six feet in diameter and two feet o¤ the ground. These four
identical pools contained hardy species of sea stars, sea urchins,
and a variety of seaweeds, all of which could be touched.
The height of the pools was designed for kids, which meant
they were a bit awkward for adult-sized people—though that cer-
tainly didn't stop the big folks. It gave visitors an opportunity to
actually touch another creature, to feel its texture and sense the
seawater medium it lives in. The response of visitors to this ex-
hibit was amazing.
The popularity of those pools has resulted in touch pools of
various designs being included in aquariums worldwide. There is
no question that the interactive nature of such an exhibit stimu-
lates learning and creates a special appreciation of marine life in
visitors. This awareness and appreciation should pay dividends
down the line in protection of the environment and habitats of
the animals represented. As the saying goes, we only protect what
we care about.
Of course, this benefit is not without cost. When operated cor-
rectly, a touch exhibit is labor intensive, requiring the constant
presence of a sta¤ or volunteer interpretive guide. The guide's func-
tion is twofold: to interact with the visitors by providing infor-
mation and answering questions; and to protect the animals from
excessive or inappropriate handling. Even when the best of care
is taken, some of the animals may die. And this raises some in-
teresting points.
Animal rights activists object because they say the animals are
“su¤ering,” and some even believe all animals should always be
free. But do animals lacking a central nervous system su¤er? I don't
think so; certainly not in the same way as mammals, with their
highly developed nervous system. Should all animals be free, no
matter what? Free, perhaps, to face death in an environment be-
ing polluted or destroyed by humans unaware of the damage we
are doing? Better, I believe, that a few animals should die to save
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