Posted by seldomseen on January 10, 2009, at 5:30:51
In reply to Re: Fainting goats » seldomseen, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2009, at 9:13:05
I don't know enough about fainting goats or their husbandry to have an informed opinion.
Also, I don't know if their condition directly results in suffering of the animal or the breed
Hopefully their application as countermeasures against predation has run its course, but I don't know (but will readily admit, if not outright marvel at, the cleverness of the sheep herders).
They are a novelty, that's for sure, which usually leads to trouble, Economic drive for any animal typically results in all sorts of inappropriate behaviour.
Take, for instance the white tiger. In my experience, people LOVE white tigers, but very few are aware of HOW white tigers are actually produced.
Breeders have to inbreed to get white tigers, and even then there is no guarentee that a litter of white tiger cubs will result. I can not tell you how many "almost whites" we've had come through our tiger sanctuary - and they are the lucky ones. As I'm sure you know, inbred animals have all sorts of co-morbid problems.
It is estimated that for every white tiger in a show, zoo or circus, there are 29 that were either too sick, or not white enough to be profitable. What happens to that other 29?
Check out this link for more info to see a more accurate depiction of what white tigers actually look like.
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/cats/wild/white_tigers_fraud.htmOn a side note, although most white tigers look like this, I believe I know the one depicted in the photos. His defect was so severe that he required multiple surgeries just to allow him to eat solid. His name is Kenny.
Seldom.
poster:seldomseen
thread:872661
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20081222/msgs/873114.html