Why do zoos go out of their way to replicate human to human relationships?

[ldb0475]

As a zoo I have notice the effort we go to tout monogamous committed relationship. The question is it the only way to have a human to animal relationship?
The reality is most animal are non-monogamous and the ones we most likely to have relations like dogs, sheep, and goats are non-monogamous.
Are you still ethical if you have an open or polygamous relationship? If a bitch consent to have sex with to roommates regularly and both love her and take of her, is the relationship ethical?

 

[QuantumHusky]

I suppose it depends on personal morals. Don't forget Wolf alpha pairs are usually monogamous with each other so it's a bit like that. You are her alpha and she is paired with you. That is the best defense I can give to something like this. Also, your roommate might be worried about the STD'd that can transfer in this way.

 

[Bloodwolf]

I am sed wolf Alfa of my pack and the full financial supporter of my pack and anything outside of my permissions will catch lead.

 

[Deleted member]

I have two wives and don't need to worry about other's ethics or morals - it works for us and has for many years! ?
(and they're free to seek other husbands/wives as they see fit)

 

[AriesAngyl]

I think it various person to person and relationship to relationship and situation to situation.

I don’t particularly feel like like I have a commitment to my German Shepard (as in exclusive) but he is really the only dog that is available to me. Obviously he lives with me and we share a special connection and bond, but I don’t have some sort of exclusive commitment.

I date men, and of course my activities with my Shepard I keep a super secret. I date casually and I don’t feel like I am cheating on my dog or anything just like when I am with my Shepard I don’t feel like I am cheating on someone I am dating.

maybe that is a skewed way of looking at it, but it is how I look at it. I have an extremely close bond with my Shepard, but that does not eliminate the fact that I like the company of a man from time to time. Smile

 

[catnabis]

i think the commitment is nice.

 

[AriesAngyl]

The commitment is nice in that it is part of the connection. But at the same time I still like human men and to be honest I don’t think I would say ‘no’ to someone I wanted to be with because of my German Shepard.

I guess in my mind and in my situation it is almost two different things. What I have at how is so different from what happens with a man I don’t feel like I am cheating or not committed

 

[Lolrocco]

I think it varies person to person. It’s like seeking other people’s permission if you have an open relationship. If it works for you and no one is hurt, it’s none of their business. Side note, I am attracted to Human men and female dogs. Go figure.

 

[PortStallion]

Well, monogamous relations are in their essence, really, a non-natural relationship standard. It’s more a social imposition. Through monogamy, the "society controlling entities" control the human being, in this manner controlling the family unit, as a whole. Naturally Man is not monogamous, although he may tend to that, through affective involvement and commitment, but that is another issue, because you do have human cultures, that assume a monogamous affective relationship, being however polygamous in terms of sexual intercourse, assuming different postures between both situations. Concerning animals, relationship humans / animals, monogamous relations, are really non-sense and non-natural, because the entails to this relationship is pure lust and sexual pleasure for both participants, otherwise there is no reason to take it forth; If we speak of a dog, he really needs to interact with several females, it’s in his nature … that is why he reacts to breeding scents, when he catches it in the air, whatever female bitch it may be … ok, he can be exclusive to his female human owner/partner, but he really needs the females from his own species to be emotionally balanced. It really is an option for each and everybody, but believe me there is no ethical whatsoever downside to it in practical terms, other, than the well-known society “official” rejection attitude.

 

[Ruben]

As a zoo I have notice the effort we go to tout monogamous committed relationship. The question is it the only way to have a human to animal relationship?
The reality is most animal are non-monogamous and the ones we most likely to have relations like dogs, sheep, and goats are non-monogamous.

Apparently there are more ways to have a relationship. But mind the differences between species and also individuals. In some animals males will try to win a harem of females and females will generally be fine with being in a harem, while males may not get along well with each other in the presence of sexual partners. In other animals that isn't the case. The psychology of your partner(s) should be considered for a healthy relationship.

Are you still ethical if you have an open or polygamous relationship? If a bitch consent to have sex with to roommates regularly and both love her and take of her, is the relationship ethical?

The situation as you describe it sounds fine, doesn't it? Everyone is consenting. But also consider what happens when someone wants to or has to move away. I mean, how long do roommates usually live together? Then you have two people loving the same dog and possibly also a dog who wants to be with both humans or has developed a preference for the one whom she doesn't legally belong to ... You will have to find a solution then. How do you do that? Who decides who keeps the dog? The dog? Don't underestimate the possibility of jealousy while everyone is still living together either.

I know of a scenario that is quite similar to what you describe and it didn't went well. Now the humans have broken off contact completely. While the situation as you described it may not be unethical per se, it may be an unstable one with conflicting interests which can easily promote unethical behavior such as lying, breaking rules etc.

 

[Ruben]

Well, monogamous relations are in their essence, really, a non-natural relationship standard. It’s more a social imposition. Through monogamy, the "society controlling entities" control the human being, in this manner controlling the family unit, as a whole. Naturally Man is not monogamous, although he may tend to that, through affective involvement and commitment, but that is another issue, because you do have human cultures, that assume a monogamous affective relationship, being however polygamous in terms of sexual intercourse, assuming different postures between both situations. Concerning animals, relationship humans / animals, monogamous relations, are really non-sense and non-natural, because the entails to this relationship is pure lust and sexual pleasure for both participants, otherwise there is no reason to take it forth; If we speak of a dog, he really needs to interact with several females, it’s in his nature … that is why he reacts to breeding scents, when he catches it in the air, whatever female bitch it may be … ok, he can be exclusive to his female human owner/partner, but he really needs the females from his own species to be emotionally balanced. It really is an option for each and everybody, but believe me there is no ethical whatsoever downside to it in practical terms, other, than the well-known society “official” rejection attitude.

Serial monogamy occurs frequently in nature, that is two animals being together for a season to raise their offspring. There are lifelong monogamous animals, too. Monogamy is a natural phenomenon. I don't see how it would be unnatural for humans either, especially if you stripped society away. Strong bonds are necessary for humans to raise a child in the wild. Maybe they wouldn't need to be strictly monogamous, but permanent attachment is necessary. I'd further argue that living in society itself is natural for humans. We are highly social animals. So assuming a conflict between human nature and society per se wouldn't make sense. I also think that it is society and contraceptives that allows more varied relationships today. You can fuck around without conceiving children nowadays and you can even raise a child as a single parent thanks to society.

Interspecies relationships don't yield offspring, but the instincts and potential for feelings are still ingrained in those who are involved. Bonding is a thing.