e u Iss E N I THE Z Saint Patrick’s Special Dublin Zoo CANCELED How Saint Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Galway Hidden Corners
Saint Patrick’s Special CONTENTS Dublin Zoo - CANCELED 02 How Saint Patrick Drove the 04 Snakes Out of Ireland St. Patrick’s Parade 05 Hidden Corners in Galway 06 1
n a c ZOO d e l ce From my time volunteering at the Sofia Zoo in Bulgaria, I have found that zoos could actually be a place for conservation and good care for the animals who need it, despite the public's opinion. I remember when a crocodile was saved and transported to the zoo where he would begin his treatment - Crocky, now named Maasai, had been living in a water-filled hole in a residential area, where his 'owner' illegally kept him. When he arrived, he was in really bad health, but thanks to the zoo's efforts, his condition began improving. This is just one of the many examples of animals that have been saved at the zoo. I assumed that every zoo is like that - I was wrong. While planning my trip to the Dublin Zoo, I encountered a bill, published on the Irish government's website. While reading it, I soon enough became disgusted and even terrified by the details provided. The deputy spoke of immense cruelty and neglect towards the animals. Turns out they were treated like attractions and not like sentient beings, which should be conserved and cared for. Needless to say, I quickly changed my plans, but I know that hundreds, probably thousands, of people still visit the Dublin Zoo every day, clueless of what goes on behind the curtains. All of that is to say, there is hope. People are protesting, even handing out informational leaflets, and overall spreading the word. I believe in the good a zoo can do, in the species and individual animals it can save. Perhaps in the future, this will be the norm everywhere. 2
INHERENTLY BAD? Key benefits of Zoos include: Protecting endangered species Providing education on the natural world Providing medical care for sick and/or injured animals Teaching respect and appreciation towards animals Rehabilitating animals Aiding in animal research Improving biodiversity by conservation 3 “Zoos can actually be a plase for conservation and good care for the animals”
DROVE THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND Chocago river, dyed green for Saint Patrick’s day He didn’t. Well, not exactly. Every 17th of March, Ireland—and much of the world— celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day. Parades wind through Irish streets, and in Chicago, even the river is dyed green! But what makes St. Patrick so special? Legend has it that he brought Christianity to Ireland and drove the snakes out. So, after he told them to "hiss off", the only "snakes" you will meet here are in college. However, fossil evidence shows that serpents never existed on the Emerald Island. Then what’s the story really about? The saint did banish something—but it was metaphorical. He was responsible for the eradication of allegorical snakes. In Christian symbolism, snakes represent evil and temptation, following the tale of Adam and Eve. Saint Patrick's spiritual and missionary work brought Christianity to Ireland, driving all malicious spirits out. And those shamrock-filled parades and green-tinted rivers? They celebrate not the absence of serpents, but the triumph of good, the spread of Christianity, and—above all—Ireland itself. Parade
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