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Submitted: December 30, 2011
Image Size: 400 KB
Resolution: 600×785
Submitted with: Sta.sh

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Comments: 9
Favourites: 33 [who?]
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Camera Data

Make:SONY
Model:DSC-H7
Shutter Speed:10/200 second
Aperture:F/4.5
Focal Length:78 mm
ISO Speed:400
Date Taken:May 15, 2011, 3:06:10 PM
Software:Adobe Photoshop CS4 Windows

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The Thinkerby *HeWhoWalksWithTigers

Photography / Animals, Plants & Nature / Wild Animals

A western lowland gorilla at the Toronto Zoo stares into space.

As someone who is familiar with big cats, I am confident that felids can be given a great life in captivity if keepers are knowledgeable enough and have the resources to address their needs. With more intelligent and complex animals, however, my knowledge fades and uncertainty grows.

I don't claim to know enough about gorillas or other large primates to judge whether they are well suited for a captive environment and I tend to avoid seeing human emotions and expressions in animals. However, there is something a bit unnerving when a gorilla stares off into space for hours on end.

I am sure it's keepers want nothing more than to provide it with the best possible care, but it makes one think. Can highly intelligent animals like this gorilla be given a fulfilling and enriched life in captivity? Would the benefits of bringing such charismatic animals closer to the public outweigh the potential problems? Until I'm more well informed, I'll let greater minds dictate the course of this debate.

In any case, seeing these animals up close is a rather surreal experience. We share so much in common and yet have so much to learn. What does it say about us that this species is now on the verge of extinction? To lose a form of life this incredible and so close to us would be an unspeakable tragedy. Please support your favourite conservation non-profit in the fight to save them.

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*seeing-the-dark Mar 20, 2013 Professional General Artist

Gorillas are so stunningly expressive by their very nature. I would love to see you spend some time shooting them to a point where you've seeing and capturing their innate personality the way you so effortlessly seem to do with the big cats.