Oakville Reads discussion

In the introductory chapters, Pi makes a case for zoos being good for animals, in spite of his saying, "I don't mean to defend zoos... I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces." What did you think of Pi's defense of zoos? Did he change your opinions one way or the other?

I agree with him fully! I know a few of them give zoos a bad reputation, but there are a lot of really great facilities out there. Most of the time, people don't spend their education and lives dedicated to animals if they intend to hurt them.

Personally, I would much rather see an animal live a long life in a zoo, as opposed to in the wild with game hunters, extinction, etc. we are constantly hearing about.

The Toronto Star recently featured a long story detailing the difficulties of The Toronto Zoo in light of declining attendance. Even though the Zoo has many delightful baby animals, they are having trouble attracting the crowds they did in the past. So as Pi said, it could be because "zoos are no longer in people's good graces."

I think Pi made a very convincing argument for zoos, at least for smaller animals. I have trouble thinking that elephants or rhinos have enough room to move in most zoo enclosures. And the great apes - who share most of our DNA - shouldn't be in captivity either. But Pi's argument about the territoriality of animals and their desire to be in their "homes" makes sense to me. He also says that the abundance of food and medical care are desirable for us, and for animals. Animals, he says, "don't escape to somewhere but from something." Pi's description of Pondicherry Zoo makes it seem like a safe refuge for animals - his father was well educated about them and he passed that knowledge along to Pi.

I'm of a mixed opinion. On one hand the whole animals in captivity thing it a bit hard to swallow and on the other there is such good work being done, and they give an opportunity for you to see these animals that you would probably never get a chance to see on your own.

I really liked Pi's defense of zoos and I agree with Dana, people who spend all that time learning and spending time with animals probably don't intend to hurt them. Pi's family was certainly very respectful of the animals in their zoo.

Interesting news today about SeaWorld planning to phase out ownership of captive whales. This has to be the right decision - of all animals, I put whales and elephants at the top of the list of those that should not live in captivity.

I fully agree with the whales... but I just can't get past all of the trophy hunting going on all over Africa, legally and illegally. Its nauseating really what people are capable of :(

On the Zoo question in the novel: Given there would be decent zoo-keepers, Pi makes a wonderful case for a zoo-home for animals as opposed to the wild with its "unforgiving social hierarchy in an environment where the supply of fear is high and the supply of food low and where territory must constantly be defended and parasites forever endured."

However, Martel's Pi has such a sense of humour with his analogies. In explaining how important a safe territory and routine are to animals as when even 'a coiled hose left out by a keeper [makes] a menacing impression', Pi reaches out to human situational changes:

"If you went to a home, kicked down the front door, chased the people who lived there out into the street and said, 'Go! You are free! Free as a bird! Go! Go!' - do you think they would shout and dance for joy? They wouldn't."

I found this image hilarious, as Pi continues: "We're calling the police, you scoundrel."

You're all so insightful!

Pi's defence of zoos definitely made an impression on me. I found his anecdotes about animals and their territories fascinating, and I also found that I could apply all of these theories to my own dog. I do believe he's right! Of course, as Sylvia pointed out a kind and good zookeeper is required to ensure the quality of life for the animals. I must say that I do feel that some animals might be happier with more roaming space, and I wonder if we are suppressing many of their natural instincts by taking such good care of them. Not sure if that's the right thing to do or not.

In the end, I thought pi's zoo in Pondicherry was probably a pretty charming and wonderful place to live. The pairing of animals, like the goat and the rhino, were really interesting in terms of filling a void when it came to companionship...and, how about that example of the mouse in the viper pit!

P.S. Sylvia, I loved that analogy of freeing people from their homes! I thought it was spot on.

Haha. Allison -shows just how clever and talented a writer is Yann Martel! I love being able to quote him.

Pi's description of zoos and the insight into animal behaviour was a highlight of the book for me. There are two kinds of zoos in my mind. Some, like that in Toronto and other major cities, have made it a point to integrate this behaviour into their design and to help us city-folk see the beauty and power of wildlife. They are champions of animal conservation and work for species preservation. There are other smaller zoos, however, that are inhumane. I too am glad to see Sea World and the Vancouver Aquarium before that make good decisions about killer whales.

I understand what you mean, Susan, about the sizes of zoos. I have taken my children to several places in the last ten years, including the Toronto zoo, the Atlanta zoo, the Atlanta aquarium and the Central Park zoo in NYC. The Atlanta zoo reminded me of the Toronto one though on a much smaller scale...obviously they didn't have some of the larger animals there. I'm pretty sure they didn't have any large cats for instance. I though Martel's information about just how much space an animal needs to feel comfortable was really interesting. It did alter my views of zoos somewhat. Although part of me still isn't quite convinced.

He also mentioned the best times of day to visit a zoo (ie., morning and night). This also makes sense as being times when the animals are most active.

I must say I cannot get over certain animals in captivity though, such as the orangutans, chimps, or any of the great apes, all bears, and large cats.