Stupid Guest Tricks

CBC News: Boy, 7, goes on animal killing spree in Australian zoo

Where were the parents in all this? And, good god, do they realise that if today it's reptiles, what will happen later on when little Timmy grows up and discovers the power of a gun? Particularly if, as they said, he did all this with absolutely no show of emotion.

Excuse me while I go have a good cry over the fate of those helpless animals, and figure out a way to get this kid the "help" he needs. :microwav:

Too many video games showing violence with no consequences.

At least the zoo is sueing the parents.

Damn, too bad he didn't fall into that croc pit.

Anyone remember the tiger incident a year or two ago where the big cats got out and ate some SG? It was big news when it sounded like SG was just an innocent bystander, but it didn't make nearly as big of a story when the zoo was found not to be at fault because SG and his relatives had been antagonizing the animals and screwing around...too bad only one of 'em got his just desserts in becoming dessert for the tiger.

Syndrome wrote:Damn, too bad he didn't fall into that croc pit.

Anyone remember the tiger incident a year or two ago where the big cats got out and ate some SG? It was big news when it sounded like SG was just an innocent bystander, but it didn't make nearly as big of a story when the zoo was found not to be at fault because SG and his relatives had been antagonizing the animals and screwing around...too bad only one of 'em got his just desserts in becoming dessert for the tiger.

Yes, that happened at the San Francisco Zoo. They were messing with the tiger, and - surprise - the tiger didn't like that, so decided to teach them a lesson. Unfortunately, the police had to shoot and kill the tiger.

The zoo was somewhat at fault, as it was discovered that the walls of the tiger's enclosure were about two feet shorter than everyone (including the AZA) had thought. The zoo got in trouble for that, and the whole thing has opened up a controversy about how the zoo keeps its animals. A big problem is that many of the enclosures are just not up to par; the zoo has been around for at least fifty years (I think), so some of the facilities are pretty sad. The hippos and elephants in particular have pathetic living spaces, not humane at all. The zoo is fixing things up, but it takes a long time, and they can't afford to do everything they want to do. They have some exhibits that are up to date and very humane (the lemur forest especially is well-done, with large spaces and a varied environment), but it'll take millions more dollars to get everything to where it should be. Meanwhile, of course, the animals have to live there.

I'm gonna be fuming if they let the kid go on some "mental disorder" and give him automatic forgiveness, as they always seem to do these days when brats run amok.

You'd think that with all the years Australian T.V. had with Steve Irwin teaching people the right way to view and treat wildlife, it would've sunk in. And the kid was SMILING as he smashed those rare lizards' heads in with a rock and fed them to "Terry" the crocodile. SICK! He even led some of the critters into the croc's mouth. Maybe they should feed him to the croc and see how he likes it.

Token Australian here :waves:
This actually didn't make the tv or radio news....I first heard about it here....
According to smh (after running a search):
"Police were able to identify the boy from the footage and have cautioned him and spoken to his mother about the incident, the spokeswoman said."
No charges for boy, parents face lawsuit. So it looks like nothing will be done.
We currently have school holidays and this weekend is a long weekend and the news has been reporting various animal cruelty things that have happened as caused by bored kids without supervision. I'm really surprised they haven't made an example of this kid after all of that! :(
The problem appears to be though that
- Under Northern Territory law, no child under the age of 10 can be criminally charged, so Alice Springs police will not be pressing charges against the boy.
The NT is sort of a bit different. I think in my state more would have been done but I'm not sure.

It's too bad they can't organize something for the kids to keep them busy when school is not in session. With all the wildlife parks there in Oz, one would think they could have like a Holiday Camp and teach kids how to respect wildlife as well as pets, craft activities, sports, maybe even career exploration for the older ones.

I spent 6 months in Australia when I was 9 (1965-66), 4 months in Sydney and 2 months in Brisbane. G'day, Queenie!

felinefan wrote:It's too bad they can't organize something for the kids to keep them busy when school is not in session. With all the wildlife parks there in Oz, one would think they could have like a Holiday Camp and teach kids how to respect wildlife as well as pets, craft activities, sports, maybe even career exploration for the older ones.

I spent 6 months in Australia when I was 9 (1965-66), 4 months in Sydney and 2 months in Brisbane. G'day, Queenie!

Hey! nice to meet you :)
I know what you mean...it just makes me so mad when I hear about kids being bored. As for camps...that would be a great idea but the problem is parents. Camps cost money...leaving a kid to their own devices is free. I mean it ultimately is their fault.
I'm only 26 and so school days aren't tooooo distant and I never remember having enough time in the school holidays to get all the stuff I wanted to do done!!!