Innocents Behind Bars Photo Gallery by Ali Majdfar at pbase.com

Innocents Behind Bars

Have you ever thought how selfish we are as human being?
Just look at their eyes. Do we have the right to restrict other creatures' freedom like this?
Express your feeling, Please.

IMG_5724r.jpg	IMG_5720r.jpg	IMG_5750r.jpg	IMG_5756r.jpg
IMG_3278-f.jpg	IMG_6145r.jpg	Eye behind Bars...	...Bars behind Eye
IMG_5718r.jpg	IMG_6529r.jpg	IMG_5722r.jpg	IMG_5758r.jpg
IMG_5719r.jpg	IMG_6578r.jpg	IMG_5735r.jpg	IMG_6571r.jpg
IMG_5805r.jpg	IMG_6151r.jpg	IMG_5755r.jpg	IMG_6528r.jpg
IMG_5764bwr.jpg	IMG_3276r.jpg	IMG_3260r.jpg	IMG_3279r.jpg
IMG_6631r.jpg	IMG_5745r.jpg	IMG_6611r.jpg	IMG_6648r.jpg
IMG_6639r.jpg	Long Live Love!	L.. L.. L...!	L.. L.. L...!
IMG_5744r.jpg	IMG_5747bwr.jpg	IMG_5728r.jpg	IMG_5749r.jpg
IMG_5729bwr.jpg	IMG_5895r.jpg	IMG_6610r.jpg	IMG_5733r.jpg
SC-01r.jpg	SC-04r.jpg	IMG_5814r.jpg	IMG_0369pr.jpg
IMG_6572r.jpg	IMG_5739r.jpg	IMG_5768r.jpg	IMG_3395r.jpg
IMG_0384pr.jpg	IMG_0416pr.jpg	IMG_0413pr.jpg	IMG_0415pr.jpg
IMG_0350pr.jpg	IMG_0427pr.jpg	IMG_0414pr.jpg	IMG_0412pr.jpg
zebra Couple	IMG_0347pr.jpg	IMG_0432pr.jpg	IMG_0344pr.jpg
IMG_0345pr.jpg	IMG_0385pr.jpg	IMG_0359pr.jpg	IMG_1509r.jpg
IMG_0341pr.jpg	IMG_0396pr.jpg	IMG_1572r.jpg	If only I were You!
If only I could fly!	IMG_0400pr.jpg	IMG_0475pr.jpg	IMG_0397pr.jpg
IMG_6544r.jpg	IMG_1590r.jpg	IMG_7292r.jpg	IMG_7229r.jpg
Begging for Crisps!	IMG_7219r.jpg	IMG_0368pr.jpg	IMG_7273r.jpg
IMG_7234r.jpg	IMG_0424r.jpg	IMG_7310r.jpg	IMG_3706r.jpg
IMG_1573r.jpg	IMG_0425pr.jpg	IMG_2995r.jpg	IMG_8862r.jpg
IMG_7147r.jpg	IMG_5365r.jpg

comment |

Ann Pettigrew		19-Nov-2014 03:54
Mankind is a misnomer, isn't it? I am watching a program tonight about the plight of elephants and rhinos all because man has decided that their ivory and horns are worth more than the animal itself. We need to teach the Chinese and others that these animals are as important to all of us as their pandas are to them

gilles bourgogne		08-Dec-2013 07:48
Great gallery indeed !

bill birdsong		12-Nov-2013 21:58
Wonderful gallery....and sentiments.

Mariana Fernandez		06-Jun-2013 02:54
Great way to present one of our "human" stupidities.

dr mork		10-Apr-2013 07:51
They look innocent. Very touching gallery.

Pink * fin		30-Dec-2012 02:17
You shouldn't pull an animal out of its environment, to fit into ours. Leave them where they are and visit them. Go on safari, dive in the ocean. And do your research on the place before you visit. I will only go to aquariums that Do not have whales and dolphins! Dolphins are so intelligent and so unhappy in captivity that they often kill themselves, but sea world just get more?.? Look at the work of Ric o'barry for more info

Marc Demoulin		31-Jul-2012 19:52
Great theme and great tribute Ali! vVv Marc

Jeff Real		28-Jul-2012 13:00
Very powerful and thought provoking work here. ~V~

Jean D		27-Jul-2012 00:21
If an animal can no longer live in the wild due to an injury they obviously should be protected. Healthy wild life shoud not be caged .

Marcia Colelli		27-Jul-2012 00:01
Wonderful gallery. It does break your heart when some of the animals are not treated properly V

clickA SF		26-Jul-2012 10:40
BIG VOTE, Ali! ted

Shane Graves		26-Jul-2012 08:35
I do remember how sad I felt for a Big Male Orang-utan In the Adelaide Jail, errrr Zoo. He had an open outdoor cage surrounded by a mote, trees and lots of little luxuries inside but in the middle there was a very very tall pole which he would climb and could see out of the zoo and look over the city, I no longer visit Zoos!

Zolt�n Balogh		26-Jul-2012 07:55
What a great gallery Ali! A real food for thought! V

Bob White		26-Jul-2012 07:21
Excellent portrayal of how cruel mankind can be...v

fotabug		26-Jul-2012 05:48
Beautiful images made with feeling. I agree, humans can be cruel. The most intelligent creature on the earth is the most destructive. I wish the animals, birds, fish, etc, could all be free as they were intended to be!

Noemia Costa Dias		23-Jul-2012 22:15
IMpressive photos, great takes....

George McCarten		21-Apr-2012 15:32
An interesting collection of images. It induces thinking about a non-too-pleasant possibility of imprisonment. The gibbons look the saddest, whereas the eagle/falcoln seems put out by the circumstances it is in.

Herve Foltz		19-Feb-2012 17:09
I see your gallery develops reactions against captivity, unfortunatly, there are still more and more innocents behind the bars...

laine		18-Dec-2011 18:08
I don't visit zoos or go to the circus and I especially don't like to see caged birds...and object to Japan's slaughter of the whales.

Raymond		15-Dec-2011 16:51
Yes, it is so sad to see that. Some zoos however, are quite well equiped for them, I can think of the San Diego Zoo for example. But most are ... it is beyond words how cruel humans can be. On the other hand of the scale, there are governments who keep millions of people behind a psychological fence, who distort their views and instill fear and hate in their minds, that too is placing innocents behind bars.

janetspain		14-Dec-2011 11:19
Thank you for your sensitivity to these wonderful creatures...

Irene Wehrli		13-Dec-2011 14:56
Animals have no right - it's a shame... Irene

Margaret Sloan		13-Dec-2011 04:12
Exceptional gallery of a painful subject.

carabias		12-Dec-2011 22:14
Un Documento fotográfico excepcional. BV

slhoornstra		12-Dec-2011 08:15
This series brings tears to my eyes, Ali. I admire your courage to do the shots, for I know it was painful for you, very fine work!! BBV

classics		12-Dec-2011 02:30
a guy finds the world's ugliest zoo, photographs it in the most unflattering light possible...and guess what?...the pathos crazed segment comes out of the woodwork practically deeming him the messiah.....ultimately leading to the complete insanity expressed by Person...my goodness gracious.....Pbase, what hath thou wrought?

Birte Person		11-Dec-2011 23:59
While I know some animals are highly endangered I think natural reserves would be far better. Zoo's are for peoples amusement and nothing else. Some are lavish some are terrible they are of absolutely no benefit to the animal. If we were willing to give up some of the things we think we can't live without there would be no need for zoo's. Personally I would not mind seeing a human zoo, now that would be good! I can think of many that would make good specimens in a cage. Quite a few could be herded out of Hollywood, the big banks, Wall street and of course all those great Politicians we all have. Wonderful poignant gallery Ali.V

Colin Storey		11-Dec-2011 21:38
Fantastic gallery with a very strong message and subjects, superb work. v

Alain Boussac		11-Dec-2011 20:10
Great touching gallery arousing an unlimited debate. V.

FrankB		11-Dec-2011 20:09
I love zoos.....the modern zoo loves its animals and treats them with respect and kindness. As long as there are ignoramouses in the world who believe that rhino horn has medicinal properties and that ivory is something to admire on their credenzas and that gorillas are there for meat and tiger skins are decorative, the only hope for survival of these animals is the zoo. Not only do they keep certains species in safety but they also raise funds supporting wild life conservation around the world. Without zoos, there would be no American Bison, no European Bison, no White Rhinos, no Formosan deer, no Przevalski's Wild Horse, etc etc. Those who condemn zoos do so out of complete ignorance.....inluding you my dear friend Ali.....

Jeff Goulden		11-Dec-2011 17:48
Ali, Wow!! I've never seen so many well deserved comments on a gallery before. I'm a bit conflicted on this issue. Yes, some zoos treat animals poorly. However, what we are doing to wild animals and their habitat is far worse and ultimately will hurt the human species as well. For example, loss of polar ice through global climate change will eventually endanger the bears that depend on the ice and also raise sea levels, threatening coastal communities. The list goes on and on. What you have accomplished with this gallery is to raise awarness of the wildlife issues and encourage dialog. That in itself is valuable. Keep up the good work.

Lillian Rodriguez		01-Sep-2011 22:32
A truly remarkablegallery. You've achieved capturing their sadness at such terrible life. BIG VOTE

nigelpartridge		28-Jun-2011 21:50
I can only add my sentiments to those above many of which express my thoughts far better than I could ever do. N

T.R. Nickel		17-May-2011 22:56
Great photography. I too hate to see animals locked up like this.

Barry McCartney		04-Apr-2011 17:22
Good shots - it is indeed sad how we treat the creatures of this world. I was watching tv yesterday, 2 hunters were stalking a huge Grizzly bear in Alaska. They came across a huge old male and expressed on camera how beautiful it was. Then they shot it 3 times and walked over to it, still wasn't dead so they finished it off. Very sad, just taken for a trophy - WHY??

Suzanne Lanthier		12-Feb-2011 17:37
I was really intrigued by the title of this gallery and really impressed by the quality of its content. Bravo Ali and I shall return to see more of your work.

Guest		03-Feb-2011 11:44
I hate this and we absolutely do not have the right ! Thanks for raising this issue !

Dan the Man		11-Dec-2010 01:55
Thank you for sharing! V

Herve Foltz		06-Dec-2010 09:34
Go further Ali, exibitions etc... sensitive and loving animals persons can't understand this. We just would like to break open the world cages.

Michael Topcuoglu		03-Dec-2010 10:30
Your message is very clear, in more ways than only the obvious.

tigerravi		01-Sep-2010 17:00
it is outstanding and good message to all

Linda & P�r Johansson		07-Aug-2010 09:08
We are going to destroy the world. Put the human being behind bars instead! You have done a great and important work! V

Guest		15-Jul-2010 04:13
I agree it is almost criminal what we do in the name of entertainment or what we call conservation. I really like the message you sending in this gallery. : ) v

princess		29-Jun-2010 00:03
Outstanding gallery and message! V.

Derec Owen		25-Jun-2010 16:53
So sad to see these poor animals behind bars, it should be the people that put them there, I still remember my old headmaster telling us at primary school " Some people think that cage birds sing, when in fact they might be crying". So true !!!

Gill Kopy		23-Jun-2010 23:51
A very sad gallery - we are lucky to live in an area where there's a lot of wildlife - but man is for ever encroaching into their habitat with sad results.

Carol Rollins		23-Jun-2010 14:43
Excellent gallery and message. ~ I agree with you.

Zolt�n Balogh		23-Jun-2010 12:53
I haven't seen your gallery before Ali, but it is really nice! V

Paco L�pez		23-Jun-2010 04:50
Great work!! I love this gallery, V!

Lieve Snellings		23-Jun-2010 03:33
so strong gallery Ali ! you so much show the crualty of us humans... at one part I love zoo's too, when the animals have space and are taken care of well... but when you look at the eyes here... we have to question ourselves... Watching your photos in this gallery makes one look and listen and reflex... thank you so much for this gallery ! BV+

Guest		13-Mar-2010 15:08
An interesting perspective We are all a captive audience - some recognize the bars and can't get beyond them others understand that freedom is a circumstance not within our control but within our reach freedom is not in the eyes of the beholder but in the heart of the captive There is one who set the captives free - his name is Jesus Christ

Alain Dumas		20-Feb-2010 02:54
I agree 100%, Very well done.

Guest		17-Nov-2009 11:04
as soon as possible

Henry Taitano		31-Aug-2009 19:32
Excellent gallery! Very nice work.

Dafna		19-Jul-2009 10:27
Great theme for this gallery too. Perhaps humans do this because they separate themselves from nature- and other humans - and lose their empathy... want to have 'power over'...to conquer...rather than be part of... V.

Don Lambert		21-May-2009 11:39
I agree with you totally, Ali. I pity the views of Barry Ailetcher, which evidence a lack of understanding, or at worst, a serious lack of mental balance - Don..

meekam tam		17-Apr-2009 20:38
Hi Ali, I am against keeping living things in cages. Just imagine if one of us is put behind bars and shown to the public. V

Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)		11-Apr-2009 18:55
Another masterpiece here...V Paolo

Keith Goldstein		08-Apr-2009 00:44
Innocents indeed. ~V~

stevent		06-Apr-2009 22:50
whay do you have animals at the zoo?

Bilsen		06-Apr-2009 15:35
Incredibly well presented concept. Innocent indeed and deserving of better.

Christina Kretchmer		13-Mar-2009 18:30
Ali you are to be applauded for this. I have never been to the zoo since I was a child and saw a lion in a space so small he could hardly turn around- since then I have also stopped eating meat and adopted a dog from a shelter that was going to be euthanized. There is a quote that goes something like, "a man that is not kind to animals is not a good man"- you most definately are a very good person for drawing attention to this. Big vote..

Guest		09-Mar-2009 04:28
Very interesting gallery!!!

Guest		09-Mar-2009 04:10
Very interesting gallery!!!

Guest		04-Mar-2009 12:45
I believe in the title and the message that you are trying to bring to all people. They don't deserve to be behind bars, nobody deserves this their whole lives.

Ann Pettigrew		03-Mar-2009 17:36
I love that you have started a thread like this, Ali. I have such mixed emotions about zoos. I think, in some cases, they perhaps are a learning tool and will help educate people to the plight of so many of this planet's non-human residents. I abhor the local petting zoos who are merely in the business to make money to the detriment of the animals who get minimal care and intraspecies interaction. The primates shown in your photos are a prime example. What a lonely existence. Well done for making more of us aware.

Marilyn		17-Feb-2009 20:34
Quite a thought provoking gallery. Zoos are indeed a double-edged sword. There are some, like the one near me, that do their best with limited funds to sponsor breeding programs for animals in low numbers, increase awareness of the impacts on their natural environments, rescue and treat injured animals for release, etc. or sometimes keep them there because they can no longer do well on their own. By the same token a cage is not a natural environment for someone who committed no crime! One can argue that they may be safer, but if they are not treated well or not given the stimulus they need they may as well be subjected to the wild. Indeed, how would we feel, and what right do we really have? How does the bird feel in the cage when he can clearly see his wild cousin flying free from his confines? More questions than answers. I believe it was Ghandi who said that a society can be judged on the way it treats its animals. How do we measure? V

Antony Swiderski		01-Feb-2009 16:39
Seeing your images depresses me. Beautiful images, but they tell a very sorrow story. It's a shame this is still happening in this world. Hope this will be over someday soon !!......V

Guest		31-Jan-2009 12:42
Catchy title, sorrowfull subject, we know they suffer. V.

an nguyen		26-Jan-2009 14:25
Though provoking and sad images that is how I feel..I love animals and don't want to see them like this.. the series brought tears to my eyes....

Guest		23-Jan-2009 21:28
I love the title of this gallery. I don't care to go to zoos normaly. Animals in cages is just not a sight that inspires in me a love of nature. Some zoos are better than others like the wild animal park in San Diego. The animals there are not in cages but a giant outdoor park. A lot of zoos do a lot for animal conservancy, protection and breeding, but over all if they are needed at all it is because of a larger underlying neglect and abuse of our natural world. But what should you expect from humans that can not even treat their own kind with respect and fairness. When you look at what people and nations do to other people and their neighboors, one should have no surprise at how they treat animals.

Guest		05-Jan-2009 20:04
There are two zoos near me. One is fairly new and treats the animals quite well, with large exhibits and lots of toys and distractions. The other is old and most of the animals are in small exhibits. There are not many enrichment toys to help them relieve their boredom. I like to think of animals as being just as important as humans, and wish very much they would be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. But let's face it, there are a lot of morons in the world who think they are entitled to rule over every other creature on the planet. Until that basic attitude changes, things will not change for the earth's animals.

Guest		12-Dec-2008 05:35
Great and meaningful gallery.. I cannot agree more. xxx Ruth

Evaristo Buendia Carrera		01-Dec-2008 03:18
Very touching gallery.

Guest		30-Nov-2008 02:54
I love your sensibility.. It' s not easy for me watch these pictures..

j>a>e>17 :):):)		29-Nov-2008 07:14
you ARE such a man o'heart & o'spirit & HOW... mega thanx for this gift gallery... you ROCK, j>a>e>17 :):):) 17 windy city AAAHHHvations :):):)

silvia marmori		28-Nov-2008 20:34
my support for this gallery... i like open zoos as a way to show them, to preserve some species (that surely we killed first) but what kind of "message" a kid may learn to see an animal in these conditions?... sorry, i just saw the thumbnails.. i wouldn't bear to see the bigger images..

Ken Chambers ARPS		28-Nov-2008 17:15
Lovely photography of beautiful creatures... Possibly I would never have seen these animals if they haven't been in captivity.... But I don't like Zoos, The Circus or indeed Animal Poaches, so there we have a dilemma of how to preserve without captivating.

Meggi Raeder		25-Nov-2008 05:23
I am very saddened by the last comment by Barry - how very inappropriate! One may not agree with PETA, but to be rude and insentitive is disrespectful of the fine photography and Ali Majdfar , and such comments do not belong on pbase. Ali, thank you for your touching gallery and for speaking out for the innocent behind bars. Meggi Raeder

Barry Ailetcher		19-Nov-2008 23:07
YOU MUST BE A PETA IDIOT

Tom Briggs		18-Nov-2008 19:50
Ali, I could not agree with you more. Zoos are cruel jails for these animals and should be outlawed unless they provide the animals with a friendly and roomy habitat, good food and good medical care. Most unfortunately do not ... I cannot imagine what life must be like for these animals in your gallery and thousands like them the world over ... excellent and compassionate gallery, Ali ... voted

Sholeh		16-Nov-2008 17:52
How far we are from our humanity!

Guest		21-Oct-2008 21:33
Very powerful images in this gallery! The message is clearly presented! Well done!

Meggi Raeder		13-Sep-2008 20:44
Thank you for this tribute to the caged ones - may they be free some day! Meggi

Guest		13-Sep-2008 13:06
Your right it seems so unfair to the animals. There eyes say it all.

Ceya		06-Sep-2008 18:21
A touching gallery, Ali. Why are there so many of such jails? Because so many people want to visit them! I think there is a global tendency against such exhibitions, but it will take a very long time to get results... There have already become restrictions concerning use of animals in circus. On the other hand, some animals might be preserved in Zoos as their natural environments have been destroyed - by us, selfish people! If the conditions were better for the animals, some forms of Zoos could be accepted.

Ali Abrishami		04-Sep-2008 02:25
Thoughtful and provocative!

Roland		22-Jul-2008 23:27
I wrote the following on July 29 2006. You asked for our real feelings so here it is. Thinking of it makes me very sad and I cannot get the image out of my mind. A bald eagle was perched on a tree branch and was motionless except for an occasional movement of his head. This movement was brought on by his following the flight patterns of other birds. This went on for the half hour I watched but I know in my soul that it went on all day long, day after day and would continue until he finally died and fell off the branch onto the ground inside the screened cage of the zoo. I wish zoos would be made cruel and unusual punishment since the victims have done nothing wrong. They are in emotional trauma most of their lives. It is not right

Guest		15-Jul-2008 13:16
thanks for visited my gallery, your right, equal freedom as human.....V

Fay Stout		04-Jul-2008 01:46
One of my favorite quotes: "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." Dr. Albert Schweitzer V.

franckjd		02-Jul-2008 08:34
love the message of this gallery, I would try to evoid the bars for the pictures but you make sure to take it, very interresting in fact, big voted

Guest		13-Jun-2008 17:36
This gallery makes you wonder.. strong images indeed.

Guest		15-May-2008 14:15
Powerful and emotive Ali...the reality of it is gripping and heartfelt...seems a tragedy, all those bars, and seeing the solitude and sad faces...very well captured. A good body of work..V!

Guest		08-May-2008 10:57
all has been said here. vote

Len		25-Apr-2008 13:24
I like to photograph critters in the wide open spaces(in the wild) and believe that is where they belong.A very thought provoking gallery-well done.

Don Marlow		05-Apr-2008 16:53
thanks for commenting on one of my images Ali, I find this gallery particularly expressive and agree we do not have the right as humans to cage animals simply for our viewing pleasure. Thanks for sharing.

Guest		02-Apr-2008 00:18
Touching gallery. Good work! V

Matija Barbic		05-Mar-2008 19:01
I'm deeply touched...every look of those innocent creatures tells us their sad life stories...

Liz Bickel		02-Mar-2008 20:52
Well presented gallery. Except for rare situations, I stopped photographing animals at our local zoo because of the wire. To me, it is too sad.

Ted Chappell		02-Mar-2008 15:55
An incredibly thought-provoking message offered both by words and by expert, sensitive photography, This whole subject is indeed disturbing. Warmest regards from New Zealand

iamwhoiam		29-Feb-2008 03:02
That is so horrible seeing those animals behind cages just think if us humans were behind cages like that we would go crazy and yet we do it to these beautiful creatures!!! It's so unfair

Guest		26-Feb-2008 09:15
Beautifully seen and extremely sad.

veraferia		08-Feb-2008 15:20
Excellent and touching gallery!V

Antonio Ruggiero		07-Feb-2008 18:56
Absolutly wonderful gallerie...Bravo...V

Kilkenny Photographic Society		30-Jan-2008 19:45
Thanks for visiting my Gallery Ali. No animal should be caged. I accept safari parks for endangered species okay, but not zoos. They should all be closed, at least for "fur and feather". Go Well Ali and keep up the good work. I'll be back to view more of your photos. Harry Reid.

deborahcuming		26-Jan-2008 01:34
thank you for bringing such a harsh reality to the eyes of many! don't stop.

jesse		23-Jan-2008 14:24
I hate zoo's, these animals should be free!

Darbowski		21-Jan-2008 22:29
Bravo !!! V

Guest		21-Jan-2008 20:06
Absolutly wonderful gallerie

Guest		21-Jan-2008 10:15
Well Ali ..i just pictured all of us humans in thoose cages instead animals for we deserve to be !! than them...But then again well welcome to PLANEt EARTH everyone where we r not humanbeing just SUPERIORBeing and all animal big or small defenseless against us...

Guest		11-Jan-2008 07:40
Hello Ali. I can't go to zoo's. It literally pains my heart to see such beauty caged. Were it not for the title of your gallery, I probably would have skipped by this particular gallery, but it is powerful. It is strange that I came across your gallery today. I went out for a walk with my camera and took some beautiful photos of an alligator....not in a zoo, but in the wild, a short walk from my home. It was a thrill to capture such a long surviving animal in it's natural habitat. I am happy to say that here where I live these animals are not caged, but protected by law. Great gallery Ali with a great message. Warm regards, Kat

Guest		10-Jan-2008 22:12
This is a visually stunning indictment of mankind's domination of the natural world. The ultimate irony being that because of this obsession, we now feel an obligation to imprison wildlife in order to save it from us. Many of these beautiful images ultimately made me turn away in shame. (voted)

giselle borgwardt		07-Jan-2008 20:28
At my first visit to a zoo as a child i already suffered. I don't go to zoos, neither went there with my daughter, when she was a kid. It's nothing else than a prison, human arrogance! Same with circus and with the 'mead factories' ! Big vote for this work!

monica memoli		26-Dec-2007 22:14
What a pity! Great gallery! Love the title! v

rebekah		07-Dec-2007 14:05
this is so evi.l to keep animals in a limted space let the poor animals bace in the wild you make the cages look like the place they would have lived in the wid so stop making them feel like there in the wild and let them get the real excprance i think we should do a servay and see hwo agrees with the zoos and hwo disagree with me

Dom Burke		02-Dec-2007 17:33
Totally agree with you Ali. The gallery is very well done

Thibaud Turcat		01-Dec-2007 10:17
I totally agree with you!! It's very sad that so few people don't see it like this. V~

Marcia Manzello		29-Nov-2007 02:13
WOW this is an amazing captures and I love how you named this gallery...SUPER! V

kimene S		28-Nov-2007 09:13
What a wonderful human being you are! Thankyou

George McCarten		24-Nov-2007 05:39
Two ways of looking at this. One is that it is deploarable to cage these animals. In this vein, newer modern zoos that allow limited roaming over a much wider expanse of land are appearing, but are ultimately just nicer prisons. The other way is that they ensure the survival of some species until more enlightened times (if that will ever happen) when they can be released into their natural habitat.

FrankB		23-Nov-2007 00:49
Zoos have saved many species from extinction...the American and European bison, the Pere David's deer are examples....millions of children around the world come into contact with wild animals visting zoos. Hopefully the wonder and excitement of this experience will help save some of the wild places of the world.

Betty Wilchek		22-Nov-2007 02:26
Great photos Ali-I feel so bad for these animals . it's the same here at the Bronx Zoo Gallery Vote

Guest		21-Nov-2007 10:28
A brilliant gallery concept and a powerful message made all the stronger for the skill of your compositions. Congratulations on this presentation. ~V~ The confined and boring living areas shown here (and similarly at my local zoo) is a shame upon us all.

Birte Person		18-Nov-2007 21:09
A sad statement for mankind,if I had my way it would be humans in cages like this.We do not deserve the world we have been given,In the beginning when zoos were first created it was for the entertainment and amusement of humans, now unfortunately it is properly the only way that these creatures will survive.We are heading down a path of no return, our climate is changing, species are becoming extinct at an unprecedented rate,greed and money have become god, heaven help us all.

Fabienne		18-Nov-2007 14:06
C'est une belle série de photos sur des animaux que nous rarement l'occasion de regarder dans leur milieu naturel. Ce sont de très jolies photos.

Debbie		18-Nov-2007 02:17
And man created the cages...may we all weep in shame. What a beautiful, moving gallery. My heart is on the ground

Helen Betts		18-Nov-2007 01:48
Excellent gallery and message, Ali.

BAD THING TO DO		10-Nov-2007 20:03
YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THIS THEY REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY ARE REALLY THERE. I REALLY HOPE THAT SOME DAY THEY REALIZE THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WANT AT ALL. THEY NEED TO STOP TO BUILD THINGS THAT IS NOT WORTH NOTHING!

MarcWildPassion		10-Nov-2007 14:42
Nice suite for a good message !

mathilda williams		30-Oct-2007 22:27
a very powerful gallery, with a very important message. well done. voted mathilda

Dale Simmons		28-Oct-2007 22:38
Ali, one of the great things about photography is its ability to convey a message with emotion and you have accomplished that brilliantly here. Well done. Big Vote.

Meggi Raeder		26-Sep-2007 02:23
Your title says it all! The innocent don't know why they are behind bars. I second all that has been said before and hope we can put our energies to preserve teh few wild places on earth for the wild animals that have the right to be adn to coexist with the human beast. Meggi

Guest		12-Sep-2007 01:56
Yes, the story is told in the eyes. Rilke had something to say on this subject. V http://www.helpphillyzooelephants.com/page/page/3928367.htm

Barry S Moore		23-Aug-2007 12:17
Your photo essay conveys the silent plight of animals world wide. A most importabt statment to make. ~V~

flowsnow		17-Aug-2007 17:16
A very moving gallery. V

Alain-Philippe BAUDRY-KNOPS		17-Aug-2007 05:50
Very nice work. i'm also against animals in captivity. Unfortunally for several species is the last solution.

Gervan		09-Aug-2007 22:05
Great gallery with many beautiful shots. V.

Sandi Whitteker		16-Jul-2007 14:24
Maybe this is why I don't go often to the zoo, and this looks like an especially bad one. The whole time I'm at a zoo I think how I would feel living my life in a cage. A part of me really enjoys the chance to see the animals up close, but a bigger part of me wants them all to live free. Of course, that's in an ideal world, that is quickly disappearing, as man continues to hunt animals for their horns and hands, and is all too quickly eliminating their habits worldwide, causing many species to become extinct already. To their credit, the larger zoos have made great efforts to provide more natural living environements, and are major contributors worldwide towards animal conservation. The pics I have from a recent trip to the San Diego zoo show a happier bunch of animals than I remember seeing as a child. None of them were acting neurotic and they mostly seem content, if not happy. I'd still rather see them free, but this is a big improvement. Sadly, the day may come, and it might not be fr off, when we will only find "wild" animals in zoos, as we eliminate their territories worldwide. Solent Green is upon us.

Nestor Derkach		13-Jul-2007 15:38
Great title , wonderful gallery . It is sad that we have to do this , but if we did not us humans would displace them . Presently the Tiger is in trouble and may be extinct in the wild in the future. Great work at teh zoo. Vote

1moremile		12-Jul-2007 23:38
You do some really great photography. Regardless, these are some really nice shots. v,

sharon		12-Jul-2007 02:13
we will never be civilized until we recognize animals as fellow creatures . we may never make it for we do not recognize one another yet. we have been particularly cruel to primates in research, who are so much like us, and to whom we are closely realted.

Guest		07-Jul-2007 12:40
well said&done! congrats

M Williamson Lebon		06-Jul-2007 02:57
Absolutly right!! V

Martin Wenzel		05-Jul-2007 20:32
Ali, you are absolutely right! As a nature lover and photographer for over 50 years, I have never believed in zoos or other forms of captivity for animals. We do it for our own amusement and pleasure - no regard, I'm afraid, for the feelings of our fellow beings! Take caremy friend, Martin

Harald Schillhammer		29-Jun-2007 10:23
Well, a pic says more than thousand words http://www.pbase.com/rovebeetle/image/37968156 That's my take on it. Voted!

YIANNIS BARBERIS		21-Jun-2007 23:07
It is obvious the sadly on the eyes of the animals. Ali, with these images give the fuse to be opposed people against the captivity! The 'jail' of the animals is not an indication of progress of humanity! Great gallery!Bravo Ali! Thank you for sharing!A great vote!

Guest		21-Jun-2007 00:52
My thoughts exactly!!! I find caged animals to be a very depressing reality...and it poorly reflects on humans. thank you for sharing this gallery!

cat bounds		16-Jun-2007 02:12
I've never been able to understand how people enjoy zoos and aquariums. I wander around the whole time feeling sorry for the captives. I wonder if they remember the wild, even if they were born in captivity. But the saddest part is, not much of their natural habitats exist any longer, either. Even in the "wilds of Africa" they're kept on game preserves and managed like herds of domestic animals. The days of truly wild animals is but a memory, preserved in movies and documentaries. The Rain Forests are dwindling. Pretty soon it will all be a concrete jungle, and these sad creatures behind bars, the only reminder of what once was.

Tony		11-Jun-2007 15:42
Thanks Ali for sharing your superb images. Regards

Asha		04-Jun-2007 12:14
very sad but this is reality. this is what the humans are doing for publicity and entertainment for the public. it is dispicable and horrible. why dont you think of how it would fel like if we were the ones in cages. i have proved my point.X3

Guest		30-May-2007 15:41
Very true indeed,Thanks

Guest		29-May-2007 17:11
Species have been saved from extinction by zoos. In most zoos, bars and cages have given way to glass and natural habitats. This oversimplified view, like all oversimplified views, is contemptible.

Shakira		15-May-2007 17:10
It is not really shelfish to keep animals in cages like this! and i have many reasons to suport my argument... -Keeping animals behind bars can protect the animal from being hunted by other predators! -It can also stop a certain animals from becoming extinct because if you look after a pair of animals then they can reproduce and then the certain animal wont come extinct eg..the pandas -Also many animals carry disease. -Furthermore if an animal is sick or injured TRAINED people in zoos can look after them and give them what they need.. But i do think that if people are going to keep animals in cages then the animals should have a large area of land to move about in! Love Shakira Age..13 I would just like to say R.I.P Waren you did'nt deserve to get runover at such a long age! Always in our hearts Babe xxx

Guest		07-May-2007 13:15
On the one hand, it seems pretty selfish to do this, but on the other hand, zoos do tremendous work by breeding species that would otherwise be extinct already because of other selfish people. So as far as i'm concerned, these people generally do a great job. If only people on the outside would take the natural habitat of animals into account, they wouldn't have to do this. Of course, there are also animal parks who just display animals in much too small spaces and do no effort to contribute to the survival of threatened species too.

Guest		02-May-2007 13:41
I've always been conflicted about zoo animals. Some zoos go to great lengths to create a realistic living environment for their animals. I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to view these exquisite creatures I would never be able to see, otherwise, but I cannot escape the restless nature of the cats and the vacant look in the eyes of a lot of the animals. I try to tell myself that they are fed, have health care and are safe from their predators. I believe zoos should be monitored with great restrictions and severe penalties for breaking these restrictions, at the very least.

Golpouneh Nasseri		17-Apr-2007 07:55
Your work is truly Beautiful and inspiring.

123		17-Apr-2007 05:40
I could not agree more w/ you Ali. This is an excellent gallery. Voted

Elena Kalis		15-Apr-2007 10:37
I often feel the same way! Great gallery! Thank you!

Sam X		29-Mar-2007 14:30
... ARE WE ALL BEHIND OF SOME KIND OF BARS??? BUT AT LEAST THOSE BARS ARE VISIBLE AND CAN BE REMOOVED A LOT FASTER ,ONLY IF MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WOULD SHOW THEM TO THE WORLD. AND WHEN PEOPLE GOT DISTURBED ENOUGH THEY CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD.

laine82		25-Mar-2007 23:32
It is heartbreaking to think about why they are there in some instances...a wonderful gallery.

Effy		17-Mar-2007 14:06
One of the saddest moments in my life was looking at the gorilas in a zoo. I felt ashamed to be there and for having brought my young children there.

Guest		20-Feb-2007 21:30
Many people lacks empathy, they don't have the skill to imagine how others feel. These people get high positions in societies where exploiting others for profit is the norm. The result we can see in these pictures. Well done.

LeuAnna Taylor		16-Feb-2007 14:15
Man was given dominion over all the animals by God. Instead of being good custodians and care givers, learning to live in harmony with the animals, man in all his arrogance took it to mean dominating and destroying at will. Unfortunately too much of this behavior has gone on for such a long period of time that it's really too late for enough people to change to make a difference. At this point I think the best thing and manybe the only thing we can do is promote and push hard for better, more natural habitates and living conditions for the animals in the zoos. Any zoo not complying would need to be closed. As far as setting them free, that would be totally out of the question. Most of the animals in zoos today have no knowledge of the wild and how to survive there, and most of the natural habitates of those animals are inhabited by the human variety now - condos and parking lots. Thanks for bringing this to peoples attention, Ali.

Guest		07-Feb-2007 23:43
This is a sad reality...they're caged for our entertainment.

Hernan E. Enriquez		06-Feb-2007 21:32
Very good shots, great gallery of a very sad reality1

Kat		04-Feb-2007 23:00
It's heartbraking, the animals were there first, they have more rights than we do! We call ourselves intelligent, but manage to destroy everything that's beautiful. Animals should be respected and, if we can't altogether avoid fencing them in, they should be given a lot more space.

Guest		04-Feb-2007 00:30
Vote : freedom to all living beings, including H U M A N B E I N G S !

DMITRY		02-Feb-2007 23:54
WORST!!!!!

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		30-Jan-2007 18:53
Thank you, Ali, for drawing attention to the plight of the innocent caged ones in our zoos. Photography as social commentary has a long and respected history. You have now joined their ranks and I admire you for it. V

Guest		29-Jan-2007 22:47
A beautiful gallery Ali.. well done..gmv

Matylda Lempel-Chareza Photography		27-Jan-2007 19:19
I hete the ZOO,specialy the monky's cage !!!freedom for older women,freedom for animals !vote

maryS		23-Jan-2007 04:09
I agree with the comments left here. You can see the effect of the price they pay in their eyes and facial expressions. Very sad.

Isabel Cutler		11-Jan-2007 13:34
I couldn't agree with you more. Isabel

Guest		04-Jan-2007 15:25
Excellent and worthy topic. Unfortunately, mankind has destroyed our planet to the point that many of these creatures may only survive through human intervention now. However, like you, I believe captivity such as zoos, circuses and the like are intolerable. Only when the human race decides it is a part of nature, not separate from nature, will these creatures and our planet have a chance for survival.

The Third Side		03-Jan-2007 13:13
The price they pay for our curiousity. Your beautiful images brings them a little more justice.

Bryan Ramsay		03-Jan-2007 01:47
A very touching gallery! -BJ

Focus		29-Dec-2006 01:59
Well done..........this galley needed to be..........thanks for sharing it with us. Voted.

Bernard Bosmans		26-Dec-2006 11:46
A gut-wrenching sight Ali and I agree we should not restrict those animals their freedom like this. But we should not be surprised to see this form of cruelty being tolerated, as is the public’s willingness to allow their freedoms to be subverted . We can see these cages at the zoo, but not the thousands and thousands of cells where prisoners of conscience languish out of sight and often forgotten. Thanks Ali for showing your feelings and bringing this sad record to our attention.

Bill Taylor		25-Dec-2006 03:24
Its very sad to see animals in the Zoo. They looked so bored and sad.

Guest		23-Dec-2006 20:23
It's sad to see them behind bars, yet without these zoos, you'd never see see many of these animals because they'd be extinct. One way or another humans seem to have a knack for destroying the beauty that is nature. On a positive note, I do know employees at a local zoo, and the animals are their priority. That is, however, not always the case.

marzi		23-Dec-2006 11:47
Being Inocent is very good but afew people can understand what is! I'm very appreciated you for your pretty feeling of this : -)

Sam X		18-Dec-2006 23:04
locking them up we lock up a part of oursefs .... it's not fare ... great gallery

j>a>e>17 :):):)		14-Dec-2006 22:13
Mother Nature love always lessons for humans furry freedom now "17" wishes for repsect and care for all of Mother Nature...John :):):) too many humans are tragically barbaric beyond RELIEF...how sad this is...thank you Awesome Ali for this heartfelt gallery you give to us :):):)

Arnulf M. Elvevold		13-Dec-2006 20:15
I completely agree with you and hate the idea of putting wild animals into a cage. Strong documentation here.

Tom Briggs		11-Dec-2006 22:16
Ali ... you are absolutely correct; however, what's worse than zoos are circuses and the use of animals to perform 'tricks' ...

HELENA AFONSO		09-Dec-2006 12:12
Thank you ALI for showing and sharing with us a true and real problem which is not really recognized because people are too busy with "human" subjects, becoming deshuman!.

Joel		08-Dec-2006 01:17
Animals should not be kept in any form of captivity. Animals belong in their natural habitat. It is a breach of their natural rights to take them away, and put them behind bars. All animals that are kept in captivity should be realised into the wild. In zoos around the world animals are suffering. Every day animals are taken out of their natural habitat and put behind bars, purely for our benefit. Studies have shown that these animals are suffering form severe cases of depression, abnormal behaviour and physiological distress. This abnormal behaviour can be best described as stereotypy. Stereotypy is a repetitive motor disorder, which is when an animal (who is often heavily distressed) continually repeats an action which has no obvious purpose or reason. These actions may include: Attempting to escape, excessive eating or vomiting, over grooming, abnormal sexual behaviour, excessive sleeping, repetitive pacing, and even self mutilation. It obvious that zoos give animals no freedom or quality of life. This leads me to my next point. Many people visit zoos so they are able to gain greater knowledge of how animals behave and operate. These people want to see the animals acting naturally, how they would in the wild. As I stated in my previous point, animals do not act naturally in zoos. When these people see a lion bashing its head against a wall or a monkey vomiting its guts out, what are they meant to think? The only way to understand an animal properly is to see it in its natural environment. Zoos give totally artificial and misleading views by isolating animals from there ecosystem. If people want to see how animals behave they should go out into the wild to see real animals, not ones who are physiologically distressed. You may be thinking ‘Australian zoos are exceptional and the animals seem happy.’ Well that may be the case, but in some poorer zoos the conditions are extremely bad. Most of them keep their animals in wire cages which are often too small to allow the animals to move around. Most of these cages have cement floors and lack any opportunities for the animals to act naturally. To make it worse most of these animals die young due to the harsh conditions they are forced to live with. Many zoos are absolutely disgraceful, and no animal should be forced to live within them. Some people claim that zoos help protect endangered animals. Capturing animals from the wild can endanger them, and some species have become extinct in zoos. For example the last Tasmanian tiger was kept in a tiny outdoor cage with a cement floor, and soon died of hypothermia. It is a known fact that many animals are reluctant to breed in zoos; Because of this it is very difficult for zoos to save endangered species, and often fail to do so.

Hodero		26-Nov-2006 08:36
Hope they get enough food.

Guest		25-Nov-2006 18:57
why is it that the animals are behind the bars, are we not prisoners ourselves, are we not the ones looking out, and the animals looking in?

olivier bruning		29-Oct-2006 09:14
nice work!

Guest		20-Oct-2006 21:39
Perhaps we appear to the animals as the ones in the cages----or, what is the difference between these animals and the people trapped in "projects" on welfare

Cindi Smith		14-Oct-2006 14:32
I agree that zoos are not what was intended for animals. They should be running free, not locked up behind bars! Great depiction! V

Isabel Cutler		06-Jul-2006 14:32
I couldn't agree more with your feelings about this imprisonment. When I was a child and went to an old-fashion zoo with barred cages it never occurred to me how horrible the abuse was. We must educate the world about better ways of housing these creatures. Voted. Isabel

Christin Tr�ger		03-Jul-2006 08:44
Touching gallery, even though modern zoo's try to consider the needs of animals and some of them wouldnt have a chance to survive in the wild (sad, but true) the still remain a prision. http://www.pbase.com/cheetha/image/58023774 http://www.pbase.com/cheetha/image/58241643

John Cooper		12-Jun-2006 15:49
Human beings are indeed very strange. Humans capture animals to put in a zoo. Humans own and run zoos. Humans pay money to see the animals in the zoo. Humans campaign to shut zoos because they are cruel and unjust. All zoos that exist for entertainment should be closed.

rick bolt		09-Jun-2006 14:00
A sad, wonderful, poignant gallery. John Matt

Shu		09-Jun-2006 12:58
Ali--There are "bars" other than physical fences......personal bars that inhibit and destroy human beings. My own brilliant brother is confined to an institution with mental illness even tho he had a wonderful Yale education, many talents and a world open to him. So you see my sadness comes from experiencing this and other tragic events in the human condition. The world is not a place that is free of injustices. We can do our best to elieviate pain and suffering when we deal with each other--one on one. Let's pray that we all possess this empathy! Thank you for looking into my gallery. shu

Narelle Power		07-Jun-2006 12:43
Ali - you have me in tears - Narelle

Guest		30-May-2006 13:55
This is a moving gallery, Ali. With a few outstanding exception, zoos are very sad places.

Soenda		30-May-2006 08:01
Especially the primates...so often the look in their eyes is the same as prisoners of war. Despondent and without any hope for parole. Very moving. Soenda

Rob Rosetti		20-May-2006 15:12
A disturbing gallery, I have been at the zoo one time in all my life, not a good experience, all animals seem so sad and confused.. Roberto

Dougie Young		14-May-2006 22:16
NO Ali we definately do not. The people that do this should be kept behind bars for a long time and maybe they would think about how these beautiful animals feel. I would like to add my VOTE to this sad gallery. Well done for posting.

Guest		11-May-2006 07:36
You are right. Beautifully captured by the camera, such saddness and dispair. The people that go to these places should take a long look into the eyes of the prisoners, and decide if they are having a 'nice day at the zoo' Voted!

Guest		29-Apr-2006 10:56
very poignant . like you i dont believe animals should be caged. one of the saddest things i have ever seen was a silverback mountain gorilla kept in an enclosure in florida, i was staring at him for about an hour just crying because he just looked so sad. A beautiful and magnificent creature, enclosed in a space no bigger than my apartment. Humans are very selfish i agreee but as long as ppl are paying to go and see these animals the ppl that run these places will always have a reason to keep doing it. voted !!

Arno Meintjes Wildlife		23-Apr-2006 07:42
This gallery should be seen all over the world. As for your remark above, all I can say is I will have to keep my trap close otherwise I will be behind bars. VOTED. ( a big vote )

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment