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It is an unfortunate fact of the modern world that captive wildlife is increasingly responsible for maintaining the health and diversity of wild populations of animals. In an ideal world it wouldn't be necessary, but too many people are venturing into wild places to see "real" wildlife, thereby eradicating the wild places by their presence in them. Almost none of the animals living in our national parks are truly wild; they've been conditioned to dealing with people on an enormous scale. Photographing, "wild animals" in our national parks and priding oneself as a photographer for getting a shot of a wild animal there is a nearly ludicrous concept at this point, akin to photographing "wild animals" at the petting zoo or a wildlife park. Photographing truly wild animals is valid and valuable; ridiculing non wild animals and photographs of them is ensuring more people will seek pristine habitat to experience and explore, ensuring the continued genocide of wildlife and wilderness.
Sonoran Desert Mountain Lion at the Sonoran Desert Museum outside of Tucson, Arizona. Nikon F camera, 200mm lens, F16, 1/125th sec. exposure, tripod and cable release. Fuji Velvia asa 50 slide film. Copyright 2003 John Annesley, all rights reserved. |
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