February 5, 2007: Japanese throw beans at gorilla
 

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These are zookeepers and visitors at the Ueno Zoo, in Tokyo, and they are throwing beans at that gorilla. Beans! It's part of a traditional ceremony to dispel demons, to celebrate the coming of spring and drive out bad luck.

So they are pegging a gorilla with beans for good luck.

Ok.

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If the gorilla eats those beans, the demons won't be the only thing "dispelled".

I'm confused.... are they throwing beans to obtain good luck for themselves, the gorilla, or the zoo? Wacky Japs. :confused:

That is uncool...

It's all just good fun until someone loses an eye...

It is my understanding that the environment is supposed to be relaxing, wholesome, safe and happy for the animals...
Getting pelted with beans all day negates all of those.
He would be better off in the wild waiting to get poached.

In the wild it would be bird or monkey poop raining down. :D

I doubt at that rate.

Uh, they are throwing beans. BEANS. What kinda 400 lbs gorilla would be physical hurt by beans. Maybe emotionally, but heh....

If I were a gorilla I'd be happy I get more variety other than leaves and twigs.

How would you like to be put in a box and be pelted with something for twelve hours a day, every day?
It would drive you insane.

Um, that would have to be a transparent box.

No. It would be annoying, but wouldn't drive me insane. Where does it say that this is done for twelve hours a day, every day? The description says it is for a "ceremony." I admit that I don't know how long this particular ceremony lasts, but ceremonies I have been to take anywhere from 5 minutes to about 3 hours.

I mean no disrespect... but I do not think you have ever been locked in a box & treated like a thing.

No offense taken.

This is very similar to throwing rice at a couple after they are married. It probably lasted for several seconds. Maybe a minute. I don't know for certain, and am just guessing, but based on the expressions on their faces, it looks like they are all enjoying a moment of bean throwing.

I did not know... I have a past. The ape area at zoos are "difficult" for me.
Geez, after my posts this last week, I seem like a loon. I assure you I'm not.

I really dislike zoos, and whenever I have been, I remember how the animals were exhibiting these bizarre behaviors as a result of being so unnaturally confined and ƒucked with. I'm not sure how you could enjoy seeing a trapped, living thing, pacing around it's tiny quarters, obviously distressed and hopeless. That being said... what appears to be happening in this photo is a few people making a feeble attempt to toss some beans over a high wall, and the gorilla doesn't even notice. I'm sure he has greater issues to contend with on a daily basis than a few beans, landing somewhat near him.

I wouldn't be surprised if the gorilla is annoyed by it, and I wouldn't want to be in a zoo if I was a gorilla. I also feel sorry for the gorilla, but I don't think it's being abused here.

Those zoo visitors are enjoying a moment. The question is whether it continues throughout the day as other zoo visitors go through.

But, as a spring-welcoming ceremony, I think it's safe to say that even if it's "twelve hours a day", it's not "every day".

It's also worth pointing out that this picture is totally taken from the gorilla's perspective, as these crazy humans are trying to hit it with beans. It's composed to encourage us to identify with the gorilla.

Some zoos are important and save animals from extension and threats.
Some zoos are torture holes. I have seen both.
I have worked with the Tampa (Lowry Park) zoos insect department. I miss my scorpions, but I cannot take care of them any longer... that was a hard day.

Gorillas, beans, poached ....it's not Friday already is it?

Hey... that gorilla's got arms. If he's pissed off with the beans being thrown he can throw them back.

Or go and give a big blowfish on the window. With his hairy bum.

better than the gorilla throwing shit at you

Just you wait until the beanstalks grow and gorilla Jack climbs out ...

Zoos suck. I'm with RK in that I'm delighted about conservation etc. but I hate the "just for show" aspect of them. I also dislike circus for that reason. The worst is the elephants, they are so intelligent and you can see they fucking hate it. :(

Can NOT resist any longer

Cool Beans.....

lol!!!

Actually, the beans look kind of old. I think they might be has beans.

Needed that laugh today, Sheldon! :p

Bean there, done that, because I am a human bean.

Beanafit of being in a Japanese zoo?

Heaven forbid...let's save an animal from extension, they're hairy enough already!

:lol: