Madam, - It was surprising and rather shocking to read Eileen Battersby's glowing account of a visit to Dublin Zoo (The Irish Times, January 4th). It was surprising because her previous writings make it clear that she is a committed animal lover and it is difficult to reconcile a love of animals with approval of zoos, where so many magnificent species are condemned to a life of boredom and stress in conditions alien to their natural habitats.
To watch the constant pacing of the animals, their unceasing search for an exit to freedom and the harassment inflicted by noisy children is not pleasant and it is just one more manifestation of man's exploitation of all the other species with which this planet is shared. - Yours, etc,
CARMEL COURTNEY, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16.