The sorrowful stuffed zebras of Poland's Niepołomice Castle
Heard of Marius the Danish giraffe? Worldwide outrage greeted the news that despite protests, this long-legged inhabitant of Copenhagen Zoo had been killed and fed to the lions. Euthanasia isn't uncommon among zoos but Marius' death and dissection were a PR disaster for the zoo.
And no wonder. Modern revulsion over killing exotic animals is well established. We're conscious of our destructive impact on ecosystems and feel intensely squeamish when reminded of how we've driven animal populations towards extinction in the past - especially when it's for frivolous reasons.
So it's unsettling to visit Poland's Niepołomice Castle (www.zamekkrolewski.com.pl/zamek-krolewski; Polish only). This 14th-century castle served as a hunting lodge for game expeditions around Niepołomice forest. In its rebuilt Renaissance form, this lesser-visited sight is well worth a halfday trip from Krakow (it's only 30 minutes' drive away).
Taking a tour of the rebuilt Niepołomice Castle. Image © Anita Isalska. See more on my Flickr stream. |
Try not to make eye contact... some of the exotic game in the castle. Image © Anita Isalska. See more on my Flickr stream. |
Native Polish wildlife: deer, bears, European elk and grouse. Image © Anita Isalska. See more on my Flickr stream. |
Of course, we're judging them by modern standards. Hunters of centuries past weren't privy to information about declining animal populations and fragile ecosystems. They couldn't predict the revulsion their trophies would rouse in the future. Instead of being pride of place, these sad stuffed zebras are a relic of a past we'd rather guiltily forget.
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