For the Birds

So I have discovered that there is an aviary near my apartment. This was great fun. The penguins were, of course, my favorite part. I think what got me, though, were the bald eagles. I had never seen one before, and was actually quite saddened by this. Have we really damaged our planet to the point that some animals can only be encountered in captivity? I'm sure there were other endangered birds there, but the eagles are what got me. I'm from a place where you can still see them in the wild, although this is very rare, and I never did see one. God gave us stewardship over this planet, and what have we done? Having lordship over lesser beings doesn't mean that we mistreat them. I know people who believe that this world is not important, that the next one is. These same people call themselves "pro-life," yet they are not interested in what is left for the children after they are born. Eagles were once very common. The kookaburra, a.  bird that mimics your laugh, was also once very common, I'm sure, as were the penguins I love so much. But we have destroyed habitats. The rain forests, for example. And most of us don't regret that. It may be too late, given that there is so little left, but that's why places like the aviary exist. They exist for the protection of these animals. I don't see them as existing for our amusement. Yes, we can go see them. Yes, they serve that purpose. But moreover, they serve as a reminder of what we have left. And what we have left is very valuable, and must be protected.