To the editors:
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First they pointed out that they come from Canada’s Hudson Bay in the central Arctic, not from the American Pacific Northwest. In addition, they wanted the public to know that not a hemlock, artificial bush, tree nor rock is to be found in their environment–not even piped-in bird and cricket sounds. Neither are there gates that open and shut and separate them visually from their companions. They thought these gimmicks pretty silly and wondered whether you really can fool all of the people all of the time.
They queried William Braker’s logic. Braker argued that in standing at the foot of Kilimanjaro, one “gets a sense of it” and this, purportedly, increases one’s appreciation of nature. But Braker stated that he went to the mountain; he did not bring the mountain back to Chicago. His example is, therefore, equivalent to whale-watching, not captivity. As an alternative to captivity, the belugas strongly recommended the “wonderful books and videos” to which Ramirez referred.
Director
