- 2
What Makes a Good Zoo - A Personal Journey
The difference between a good and a bad zoo is not black and white. The article describes a personal zoo journey and raises issues for people to think about.
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Zoos Of The United Arab Emirates
Zoo visits are popular in the United Arab Emirates. Here there is a list of all public zoos and a few of the private animal collections.
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Pattaya Bucket List
The Pattaya Bucket List details ten activities which the short term visitor to Pattaya in Thailand should not miss.
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Rhinoceros Farming in China
Rhinoceros Farming in China is taking place to feed the increasing demand for Rhino Horn in the Traditional Medicine market. Here the horn is harvested without killing the Rhinoceros.
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Ankus
The Ankus is an ancient tool used by man for the management of elephants in captivity. In the correct hands it is the best instrument for the job. In the wrong hands it becomes an abusive weapon.
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Cheetah in the United Arab Emirates
The cheetah has never been endemic to the United Arab Emirates. Regardless of the lack of evidence newspapers often state that it was a UAE mammal.
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What Do Tigers Eat In Zoos?
The average zoo visitor may wonder what it is that tigers eat in zoos. It is the same as in the wild...meat. In the zoo however the fare varies as does the preparation and presentation.
- 12
Interesting Facts About Polar Bears
Polar bears are a very popular animal, but in spite of this people know so little about them. Here then are some interesting facts about these wonderful bears.
- 12
International Vulture Awareness Day
The International Vulture Awareness Day takes place each and every year on the first Saturday in September. The day is all about promoting an awareness of the importance of vultures and the vital niche role they play in...
- 2
World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day takes place every year on the 25th April. The choice of the date is to coincide with the march of the many thousands of Antarctic Adelie Penguins as they head north to follow the sun and leave the...
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Eating Horseshoe Crab
The Horseshoe Crab does not really look like crab at all. In fact it isn't, the only things it shares with the crab is its English name and the fact that it lives in the sea. It is though a popular food in some parts of...
- 0
Continuing Professional Development in Zoos
Those serious about working in zoos as a career need to be continuing there professional development. It is easy to stagnate. This article serves to advise on what you should be doing.
- 10
Pattaya Fish and Chip Shop Review
My origins lie in the North East of England where in my youth Fish and Chips were a staple food. Although I spent most of my early years living in Kuwait we returned at intervals to Durham and a regular once or twice...
- 5
Pattaya Buffet Breakfast Review
If on vacation or long stay money is always a consideration. Eating a good breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Eat well and save money too.
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Pattaya to Bangkok by Minibus
There are regular scheduled bus services to Bangkok from Pattaya and it is even possible to catch buses by standing up by the edge of the Sukhumvit Highway. There are taxis available 24 hours a day. Expect to pay in the...
- 10
How To Sex A Crocodile
Determining the sex of a crocodile or alligator is difficult to impossible by sight. The animal has to be caught so that the it can be seen whether it is a male or female. This article tels you how.
- 5
Thai Butterfly
The Butterfly is one of the most attractive of creatures, symbolic not only of beauty but of youth and rebirth in many cultures. Thailand is lucky to have a wide variety of these beautiful insects and upwards of 520...
- 0
200 Sentences English for Massage Therapists
200 Sentences English for Massage Therapists (Nice & Naughty) is a comparatively new arrival on the Thai, learn a language book market. Few were surprised to learn of the 'Get Rich Quick English for Bar Girls' but...
- 12
The Anatomy of a GoGo Bar
The GoGo Bar may be a mystery to many. Explore the pitfalls and the pleasures of a temporary escape from the world outside.
- 8
The House of the Rising Sun
The House of the rising sun must be amongst the most recorded of all songs. No-one know who wrote it and so there is no copywrite and it can be freely recorded without paying dues to anybody. Although the various...
- 9
Get Rich Quick English For Bar Girls
My Thai girlfriend has reminded me dozens of times over the years of a simple fact. "You think Thai girl come to Pattaya for LOVE? No, come for munneee!" The same applies of course to wherever there is a bar scene...
- 12
Declawing Tigers And Lions
The declawing of Tigers and Lions is and never has been an operation that has ever needed to be done. It cruel and unnecessary. It always has been and it always will be. The only time a claw should have to be removed is...
- 15
Darwin Two Pound Coin
You may on occasion have a Darwin Two Pound coin end up in your pocket change. Check out its condition as it may be worth far more than two pounds. A possible investment for the future.
- 11
Painted Pets
Why on earth would anyone want to paint or dye their pet? It is the $1000 dollar question that really answers itself. For money! People are prepared to stick their hands just that little deeper in their pockets for...
- 27
The Only White Tiger In Great Britain
Zoological Gardens in the British Isles are all under the authority of the 'Zoo Licencing Act'. This is amongst the best if not THE best zoo legislation in the world. Any collection open to the public which includes...
- 5
Live Feeding To Zoo Animals
The subject of Live Feeding To Zoo Animals is an emotive one. It is readily accepted in some cultures by the majority of the the population. In others then the opposite applies. Perhaps today it is accepted by more...
- 10
Edward VII Love Chair
The Edward VII Love Chair is of unique construction. Built on the precise instructions of the overweight playboy Prince of Wales for lovemaking.
- 29
The Sex Hubs
Actually The Sex Hubs is a little bit of a misnomer. True enough the subject rears its head ever so slightly in these hubs, though often the word does not. There are no hubs here with pornographic content, there is...
- 30
How to Kill a Chicken
To be able to humanely kill a chicken quickly and without causing pain or distress is an important skill for anyone thinking of small scale farming.
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The Thailand Sex Diet
Som Tam or Papaya Green salad is probably one of the healthiest of all meals. All of the ingredients have health giving properties. What perhaps is lesser know is that most of these are believed to be aphrodisiacs, Som...
- 31
Ten Good Reasons To Holiday In Thailand
Thailand is probably one of the best places in the world to take a vacation. It is clean, safe, the food is good, the people friendly and there is so much to see and do.
- 7
Being opinionated
Having an opinion which differs from someone else can lead to censorship. It need not necessarily be wrong or right but simply a different point of view to the censor.
- 14
The Roman Swiss Army Knife
Most people will be familiar with the Swiss Army Knife. This remarkable and extremely useful invention is the first choice of many hikers, campers and travelers. Others will have one ticked away in a kitchen drawer,...
- 7
Some Zoo Questions
This hub was written in response to an approach from a young lady in Mexico who was researching zoos for a project. Along the way she had come across my Zoo News Digest and decided I may be worth interviewing. Whereas...
- 12
D'Family Park Zoo in Cebu City
The D'Family Park Zoo is located in Nasipit, Talambam in Cebu City on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. The Park opened for the first time in 1993 and offers a variety of activities including a swimming pool,...
- 19
The Zoo Hubs
The Zoo Hubs is a collection of links to Asian and some other zoos plus articles related to zoos.
- 1
Gembira Loka Zoo
The Gembira Loka Zoo first opened its gates in 1955. It is located just a short distance outside of the city of Yogyakarta. It is a popular weekend destination for local people and a point of interest to tourists to...
- 24
The Five Freedoms
To you and I it is probably obvious. We have a cat or dog or some more exotic 'pet' at home. We care for it. It is our responsibility. The caring means that we want that animal to be both happy and healthy. Even if you...
- 6
Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo
The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is located on the outskirts of Bangkok. It makes an interesting visit but sadly lacks educational value unless you look on the negative as a positive.
- 11
Zoos in Thailand
Zoos in Thailand seeks to put together a comprehensive list of all the zoos operating in Thailand. Includes both the good and the bad zoos.
- 16
Hand Rearing Lion Cubs and Other Carnivores
There they are, the cute fluffy little lion, tiger or whatever cubs in the newspaper photo. That should bring some visitors in to the zoo, sanctuary, rescue centre or whatever you like to call it. We have all seen them....
- 2
The Palm Civet Gauge
The Palm Civet in Asia is represented by several different species and umpteen subspecies. The most familiar is the Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. This cat sized mammal is actually known as the 'Toddy...
- 12
An opinion on to pinion or not to pinion
Pinioning. With a few species specific exceptions birds were meant to fly. I don’t believe that there is anyone who would argue with that. At the same time though it could be said that they do not have to fly. Within...
- 16
Mr Moke the Talking Chimpanzee
Mr Moke was the stage name of a chimpanzee called 'Moko'. Mr Moke was claimed to be the worlds only talking chimpanzee and he may well have been at the height of his fame. He was definitely not the 'one and only' ever...
- 224
Craig Busch and Zion Wildlife Gardens
Craig Busch of the 'Lion Man' TV programme sprang to fame on the back of a number of falsehoods. He lost control of the Zion Wildlife Gardens through a disagreement with his mother. We examine why and where things went...
- 14
Vientiane Zoo
The Vientiane Zoo is the only 'official' zoo in Laos. There are captive animals on display in other locations I have visited however. Vientiane Zoo is located in beautiful countryside some 65 Km from the city of...
- 23
The Perfect Zoo Enclosure
The Perfect Zoo Enclosure would surely have to be an exact replica of the territory the animal lived in in the wild. Visitors to the zoo could wait for the animal to appear...and wait...and wait...and wait. The...
- 11
Komodo Dragon Problems
The Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis is the worlds largest lizard. They are capable of growing up to ten feet in length and weighing 150 lbs. With a surprising turn of speed on land and in the water they are a creature...
- 55
The Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi Thailand
The Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Bangkok, Thailand, is a front for a cruel commercially exploitative tourism trap. There is no religious reason for its existence.
- 12
Sri Racha Tiger Zoo
Sri Racha Tiger Zoo is probably the worst Tiger exploiter on the planet. It is Tiger farming hiding behind a zoo name. Over breeding simply to produce cubs for photographs. What next?
- 33
Malabon Zoo in Manila in the Philippines
Malabon Zoo is a popular private zoo located within Metro Manila. Easily reachable by the Manila metro it makes an interesting alternative to Manila Zoo.
- 1
Coffee with a Lift a Nation on the Rise
There has been a long time joke about Viagra in Coffee (i have posted it further along) but I don't think that anyone thought that this madcap idea might become a reality. Authorities in Malaysia have been working...
- 2
Safari World in Bangkok Thailand
Safari World in Bangkok is probably the largest 'zoo' in Thailand. It is a commercial enterprise, is purely exploitative and does nothing for conservation, education or research.
- 6
Britain's Rarest Snake
It is a common misconception that Britain's rarest snake is the Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca . This is incorrect. The rarest resident snake to be found within the British Isles is the Aesculapian Snake Elaphe...
- 13
The Thai Oil Massage
The Thai Oil Massage is amongst the most popular of massages by visitors to Thailand. Relaxing but at the same time rejuvenating it is an experience not to be missed.
- 7
Is the Fish Spa a Con or a Cure?
Over the past few years cleansing of the skin in a Fish Spa has become a popular and increasingly fashionable treatment. Fish Spas can now be found in beauty parlors, as separate entities or attached to aquariums or...
- 13
A Psoriasis Cure You May Rather Not Know About
Psoriasis is a nasty red, itchy, non-contagious skin condition. It can occur on any part of the body but more frequently on the head or joints like elbows and knees. At it simplest it is overgrowth of skin cells and...
- 10
Pata Zoo in Bangkok Thailand
In May 2009 I made my 5th visit to the infamous Pata Zoo in Bangkok, Thailand. Located on the top two floors of the Pata department store this zoo has taken a huge amount of critical comment over the years. Much of this...
- 27
How to Live in Pattaya in Thailand on Five Dollars a Day or Less
The idea of living cheaply in Thailand appeals to many. It is not as difficult as it may first appear. Here is wise advice on how you can overcome some of the difficulties.
- 24
Should I Be Here or Somewhere Else
Personal brushes with death which have helped turn me into the person I am.
- 0
Pattaya Beer Bar Signs
If there is one thing which Pattaya in Thailand does not lack it is Bars. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of them, big and small. Each Bar has its own sign, its own shape, colour design, spelling and mis-spelling....
- 46
Never Fall In Love With A Bar Girl
It is easy to say "Don't fall in love" but much more difficult not too. Thai girls are beautiful, friendly, attentive and loyal but above all devoted to their families.
- 27
Pattaya Full English Breakfast Review
It is said that a good breakfast can set you up for the day. It really can too. Here is an exploration on what is on offer in Pattaya, Thailand.
- 19
Manila Zoo in the Philippines
Manila is a huge city with a population numbering somewhere in the region of 20 Million people. Nearly all of these are familiar with Manila Zoo which, as reputedly the oldest* zoo in Asia, opened its doors in 1959 on a...
- 4
The Night Butterflies of Bali
The night butterflies of Bali are the young from the islands and provinces. Far from home and supporting their families as best they can.
- 24
An Honest Report on Bali Safari and Marine Park
Bali Safari and Marine Park is an increasingly popular tourist attraction for visitors to Bali Indonesia. Set in a lush and beautiful location it makes for an interesting day out, but is it really worth it?
- 25
Zoo Misconceptions
Many people are anti-zoo due to misconceived ideas. There are good zoos and their are bad zoos. Here you will find many zoo misconceptions explained truthfully.
- 15
Old Hag Syndrome
'Old Hag Syndrome' appears to be a form of hallucinatory sleep paralysis which occurs shortly before falling asleep or just as one wakens. A surprisingly large number of people (2%) experience it once in their lives. It...
- 15
Balut, A Taste Worth Acquiring
As a kid I was a very fussy eater. I hated fat and would labour away to see that every last shred was removed from any meat. I hated turnips, cabbage, turnips and vinegar. I shunned spaghetti because it resembled worms...
- 19
How to Get a Job in a Zoo
The idea of working in a zoo is very popular and considered by those within the profession to be the best job in the world. This article gives advice on what you need to do to get that job.
- 6
The Wonderful Asian Sniff Kiss
Almost undoubtedly the kiss originated from grooming/bonding behaviour and can be seen in its most primitive form by watching other primates. Other animals lick and preen. The kiss today is commonly carried out as a...
- 16
The Backpacker Guide to Pattaya in Thailand
For some very odd reason Pattaya in Thailand does not appear on the Backpacker circuit. They arrive in Bangkok from wherever and head north to Chiang Mai or south to Phuket. They may even pass Pattaya by as they...
- 8
Animal Enrichment Versus Routine
Most zoos fail to understand the difference between animal enrichment and routine. The difference is important from an animal perspective.
- 3
Tawas Powder
Tawas Powder is a natural deodorant which really works. If all the others have failed you do give this a try. It is cheap at the price.
- 16
Thai Whiskey
Actually the whole subject of Thai Whiskey gets a bit confusing, especially in conversation because there are more than one drink going under the same title. Often someone will have tried one type once, not liked it, or...
69
After a long and happy career working in zoos I found myself in a bit of a quandry. I was suddenly and reluctantly divorced after 30 years of what I considered a happy marriage and ended up in debt and with two mortgages. What to do? Work till I dropped and still have debts to pay or do what I wanted to do?
I wanted to travel.
I did a lot of thinking, resigned my post, sold my house and all my possessions and paid off my debts. I was left with a little money. It wasn't much but I decided to hit the road anyway. I thought that if I worried about money then I would not enjoy myself...so I deliberately don't think about it (it is difficult not too at times). I go with the flow, take each day as it comes and enjoy most. I have been 'on the road' since 2004 now. I have no home...home is where I lay my head each night. I live out of my backpack.
I firstly travelled to Turkey. That was fun but seeing a cheap ticket to India I moved on there. The next cheap ticket led me to Thailand and since then I have been sort of happily 'stuck' in South East Asia. I have visited Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Sabah, Philippines and others and some several times.
My interests have always been wide and varied but my whole adventure has been a learning experience and I continue to learn every day.
My main interest is zoos. They were my life and are still my usual reason for travelling to new destinations. I publish weekly the largest on-line zoo related e-zine Zoo News Digest
UPDATE - Further to the above I have remained 'stuck in Asia' and using Thailand as a base. Recently I obtained a contract in Dubai so that is where I am living now albeit still living out of my backpack, going with the flow and enjoying most every day.