h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So the Wildlife Photographer of the Year has been announced. Unlike most other years the winning photograph wasn't shot in some far off exotic location, the african savanah, the south american or asian rainforest or even the blue depths of the south seas. It was shot in an enclosure at Miami Zoo.
The picture shows a gorilla looking at the camera and in the background shadows a small boy is looking towards the beast intently while leaning on the enclosure.
I like the picture, I think it shows a level of interaction that you don't normally get with 'big animal' wildlife photos. It also shows that photos are there for the taking wherever you are. Of course there will no doubt be those out there somewhere that will decry it, with it being a picture of a beast in captivity rather than roaming free in the wilds. It is though a picture showing how most people in the westernised world see such animals, in zoos, aquariums, safari parks and other collections.
Of course ALL the photos shortlisted are visually rich and stunning, they have to be in this competition and any of the category winners would be worthy winners.

I wonder if the exhibition of shortlisted entries will be coming round here or if I'll need to have a look at the book to see what they were.

I shall have to post up my picture of the meerkittens (like meercats, only smaller) from Dublin Zoo. If only H2G2 allowed such frippery.

But H2G2 doesn't any more Long gone are the days of making it all up on the fly.
I've not been to a zoo for a long time. I think the last one I went to was London zoo a number of years back, some bits were good, others much less so.

Dublin zoo is good (and getting better). Many of the animals are kept in by moats rather than cages and theres a "savana" section where the (vegetarian) African animals roam around together...

We went to London Zoo before the Summer Meet and there was so much going on. Birds of Prey display, talks on animal habitat with animal and owl participants. We were really impressed and the emphasis was firmly on conservation.

It was a scorchio day and the meerkats were loving the heat and sun, they were in fine form. The otters were frolicking in the water, the tigers were fast akip, but you can get right up to their sleeping platforms, seperated by only a sheet of thick glass. Sadly there are no elephants or large rhino at the Zoo any more. I think the view is that Whipsnade is more suitable for them with bigger enclosures.

Did someone mention meerkats? http://www.fotango.com/cgi-bin/view_a_picture_all.cgi?ALBUMS=383151

These are mine: http://www.galah.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16454

Awwwwwwwwwww sweet

Nice one Duncan
I can't get to see your pictures though Granny

Damn, it's taking Fotango longer and longer to put things up in the Public Gallery