According to the Guardian, the British Humanist Association has recently asked that the zoo, run by husband and wife Anthony and Christina Bush, be removed from the materials of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other visitors registries, on grounds of concealing its Creationist bent and misleading visitors by trying to discredit scientific fact. In the past, British Centre for Science Education has lodged complaints, too.

The owners say that, while they're Christians, what they offer is merely a range of perspectives, an approach that admits "both God and evolution", saying,

We...have much material on our website, which is not disguised or hidden, as well as being on our leaflet. Our education policy is purely based around the national curriculum. At no point is religion taught in the classroom, unless requested, as that would go against the national curriculum...We are offering our visitors the chance to look at the evolution/creation debate. As it is a free country, that is within our right. Contrary to a small minority of people's claims, we do not teach false science. This is clearly shown within the zoo with one exhibition talking about Darwin and another offering another point of view."

In the past, however, Anthony Bush has been more plainspoken, stating,

From the outside, our farm is not overtly Christian. But, from the inside, we are very strongly Christian. I am a Creationist, and we see the farm as a mission station to give people scientific permission to believe in God

It's this sort of rhetoric that has people worried about Noah's Ark being...less than direct.

The North Somerset council has, apparently, dismissed the complaints, telling the Guardian, "The licensing of zoos does consider education in so far as a zoo must promote an understanding of, and concern and respect for, biodiversity, animals and the natural world. The zoo licensing system therefore does not comment on or is involved in personal beliefs."

Obviously no secular "educational" facility can teach stealth creationism - even some bizarre, watered down version that presents the Earth's age as somewhere between the two views - and present it - especially to children - as science. At the same time, a private organization can do whatever it likes, and can have a rock petting zoo devoted to the history of leprechauns if it wants - as long as they're not presemtong themselves as a government sanctioned authority. My primary questions would probably be:
-Does Noah's Ark make it clear that it's a creationist organization?
-Does it actually promote pseudoscience?
-And, is it possible to enjoy and learn from the animals without being exposed to any said pseudoscience?

The answer is, sort of. Their website, from the outset, seems like any other zoo's. And then you see the "Creation Research" tab. Yes, there are allowances made for both evolution and creationism, but in a sense the very reasonable tone is more worrisome: like the best propaganda, it concedes enough points to avoid the polemical, but still drives its message home.

After looking at the current scientific explanations for origins and evolution; it is our view that the evidence available can be accurately explained using an evolution framework with an initial Creation by God. This is treated as controversial by some and welcomed by others: but our aim remains the same. We do not profess to have all the answers, but we will search for them with an open mind and publicise our theories.

For instance, there's a whole section on Darwin, but the biographical sketch emphasizes the negative.

Robert Darwin was one of 14 children of a somewhat profligate doctor, Erasmus Darwin who had children by 3 women. One of these he did not marry, another of them was married when he began an affair with her. His first wife died of cirrhosis of the liver brought on by alcohol abuse, along with a large overdose of morphine administered by Erasmus.

Later, "Some speculate that part of Darwin's mental problems were due to his nagging fear that he had devoted his "life to a fantasy" - and to a "dangerous one" at that."

While the writers don't state Biblical truth with off-putting fanaticism, there's enough "questions" asked , in serious-looking sections like "How Old Is The Earth?" about carbon dating and the fossil record - and a "they're both wrong" tone - that's insidious. And the "educational materials," with questions like "From which of Noah's sons are the nation of Israel and Jesus Christ, descended?" are explicitly Christian (or, at any rate, Biblical.)

So, yeah, no one should be recommending this as a "zoo" without a caveat. Public schools should probably not be making field trips here. That said, were I a parent, I don't think I'd worry that one day at a spot whose web site contains craftily-worded pseudoscience would brain-wash my kid forever. And, at the end of the day, you're perfectly able to enjoy the animals (who are humanely and kindly treated) the hay ride, the maze, etc. without a side of creationism - which is important for those families who might not have another zoo nearby. The zoo is also committed to conservation issues, and this portion of their literature seems blessedly lay. Indeed, I think in a sense this could be the best kind of educational trip for the thinking kid: a lesson in distinguishing between real and false, and in taking the good from something without losing yourself.

Humanists Accuse West Country Zoo Of Pushing Creationist Agenda [Guardian]

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

A Fun Day Out For All The Creationists [Guardian]

Interview: Anthony Bush Co-Founder Of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm [Church Times]

Rocky
"My dog, Rocky, needs a major makeover because I'm not exactly sure
what his face looks like anymore. [This picture is of him] beating up the cat and, as you might notice, they blend into one gigantic black fluff ball. He's the lighter-colored and bigger one. Please make it so that I'll be able to seperate my dog from my cat. His long black hair also hides seaweed and sand and dirt quite well until he can get under my blankets and shake the filth off."

Coconut
"I am nominating my pup Coconut, he's a 2 year old Pomeranian! This little fuzzywump really need a good grooming! Besides his massive amount of frizzy fur, his little nails need a cuttin', he looks a lot more delightful with a haircut. Plus, I won't have to keep giving him "big plastic cup" showers in the tub after every time he leaves his tootie rolls for me to pick up. (he leaves a reminder behind) Plus, he
would love to meet and show off his dance moves to you guys..."

Sparky
"Sparky is a 7 year old adopted beagle/dachshund rescue from the BARC Shelter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Like any other hipster dog he enjoys striped sweaters, tofu and Rufus Wainwright. Sparky is continually ridiculed by his owner's friends because of his funky crooked tail (which may have been broken pre-adoption and sticks out at a weird angle resembling a man's genitalia), freakishly long torso and heinous bad breath. He would truly enjoy a day of pampering — and he hasn't peed on the floor in a while, so he deserves it. What Sparky lacks in looks he certainly makes up in personality. He's feisty, opinionated, playful and loves to sleep all day long. In the attached picture, Avon perfume had just been sprayed and Sparky reacted appropriately. He told me later he much prefers anything by Chanel."

Bob
"I'm attaching a particularly gnarly photograph of my dog, Bob. He's a four-year-old Yorkie/Daschund mix with a bad case of skin allergies and an ever-present funk that permeates my bedroom. I'd say this picture showcases him at his worst, but a friend of mine claims he looks just like Heather from the first season of Rock of Love. He can look pretty good with the proper treatment, but ever since my best friend quit her grooming job 2 years ago to become a nurse, it's all gone downhill."

Oslo
"This is my dog Oslo. She is 8 years old. Why yes, those ARE frozen lines of drool hanging from her mouth. It was 25 degrees out when the shot was taken, so imagine what the drool is like when the weather is actually hot in Chicago. It hangs from her mouth, it drips down to the fur on her chest, it smells like sin. All day. Every day. You can see how long her hair is... It gets tangled and matted, and it's near-impossible to comb through. She's a whole lotta lady to groom. It requires the skill of a trained professional. It also requires someone who has no sense of smell."

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Anna: ok so let's talk about animal planet. as you know, what prompted me to want to do this chat now as opposed to an undetermined time in the future is that i may have mistakenly given the impression in a post that i don't like the channel. a commenter questioned it, so i felt the need to set the record straight. also: it is a SLOOOOW news week so animals are always a good go-to.

Megan: animal planet: obviously, i am completely addicted as well.

Anna: so i want to know: when did you start watching, how many hours a week, and what are your favorite shows/who favorite personalities?

Megan: ok, how I started watching is a complete embarrassment, but it was one of
the animal cops shows- NY or San Francisco, I can't say. because there's hardly anything on at 10:00 on weeknights and I would be like, awwww, poor puppy/kitty/horsie/swan whatever and be totally hooked for an hour.

Anna: haha SWAN

Megan: and then it's all like, yay! new home! omg, did you not see the episode in NYC with the swan? these meanies killed a swan that was nesting and they saved the little swan eggs and everything

Anna: no! i never saw that one.

Megan: one of the "cops" was keeping them warm in her coat!

Anna: did the people get charged? the meanies?

Megan: no. they like, shot it with an arrow it was very sad.

Anna: ugh. i don't get that. see, that's one thing i don't like about the animal cops shows: the people sometimes get off scot-free

Megan: not in Texas. it's like completely awesomely Texas-y that one person an episode in Texas just gets hosed

Anna: one reason to like texas!

Megan: in NY and Detroit, hardly ever. it's usually the horse-abusers, who are always truly awful.

Anna: sometimes when the agents are dealing with the abusers, i wonder: how do they stay so CALM? cause i'm often about to put my fist through the fucking TV screen and why don't they yell more? that's one thing that bugs me. they don't really ever chew them out. at least not to MY liking.

Megan: sometimes they aren't, which is even more awesome. i've definitely seen people- even the gruff dudes (NY and Detroit again) like tear up. and i've totally seen people get ripped new ones. see, i obviously watch this alot.

Anna: well then you are watching the right episodes and i am watching the WRONG ONES. one awesome thing: the women in animal precinct (the show set in nyc) are often parked outside the deli and diner in my neighborhood in queens, getting coffee/food. i was starstruck when i saw the blonde woman... annemarie lucas. i waved, albeit shyly

Megan: see, i like the really rough-seeming ones, because they're soooo cute to see go ga-ga over the animals

Anna: the men?

Megan: yeah. annemarie seems like an animal person, more than a cop. well, a couple of the lady cops look like they could do some damage, and then they're all like, kitty kitty kitty and it's totally sweet. and there's that lady in detroit

Anna: the heavyseat one with the curly dark hair?

Megan: yeah, her in detroit, too. she could take someone down. and the black dudes in detroit are cute!. but she could kick my ass halfway into next week.

Anna: i wonder if they have groupies

Megan: omg, they HAVE to have groupies. i would totally hit on them in a bar, are you kidding?

Anna: haha ME TOO . so the horses bother you the most. they bother me for sure, but so do the puppies and adult dogs

Megan: well, let's not get me wrong, the dog situations are usually horrifying and sad and awful

Anna: embedded collars, etc.

Megan: but with the horses, we're talking months and months and months of starvation if not years, whereas a dog I can at least pretend that it's like 6 weeks, tops

Anna: yes. there was a family of pigs on a recent episode of one of the shows (phoenix maybe?) that were being starved and that really got to me. which is perhaps hypocritical because i eat them?

Megan: plus, then, the owners are always like, but i just rode him last week, and you've got this horse that weighs less than me. no, the starving piggies are sad, too. i mean, a starving pet is just terrible. my friends feel bad if they forget to feed their dog at 7 and do so at 8

Anna: i would like for someone to start a blog with the names/email addresses of the abusive owners seen on those shows so that... so that... i dunno. i could write to them and tell them off? send them a care package of shit? something?

Megan: flaming bags of poo would, i think, be completely appropriate. (unrelated point: i know a lobbyist who had that done to him at his office door)

Anna: hahaha. i know a guy who got a baby ruth bar, melted it slightly (just slightly) in an office microwave, shaped it a bit with his fingers, and laid it in the bed of a pair of tightey whiteys and left that on his office mate's desk. the company sent out a memo the next day saying they were looking for the perp and that they'd had the substance tested and it was found to be human feces

Megan: lmao

Anna: right?

Megan: what does that say about poo?

Anna: speaking of poo? there isn't a lot of shit to be found on animal planet. my experience is that animals generate a LOT of shit

Megan: It might be Discovery instead of AP, but Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs on whom I have an enormous crush deals in animal poo all the time. They need to get an animal poo roundup show with him on AP.

Anna: oooh good one!

Megan: But, you're right. Miss Adventure would be the only one who would ever traffic in poo

Anna: i think jeff corwin has made some shit jokes

Megan: Jeff Corwin would. And he's cute.

Anna: and he's funny. even though his jokes can be kinda lame?

Megan: And Jeff Corwin always seems to end up wet. Sorta like Mike Rowe ends up shirtless a lot. I think they're playing to our baser natures, and I'm fine with that.

Anna: you should ask your friend who works for AP but, do they have two distinct demographics? young males who like lizards and snakes and then women, who like the cuddly creatures and hot guys?

Megan: Ummm, I'm going to guess that they mostly gear towards kids and women. Because I like lizards and snakes and it's really education, and the only men I know who are devoted watchers are gay.

Anna: on the plane back from california the other day, i was watching the new orangutan show on AP and paul was watching some GUY SHOW on some other channel - south park? something - and he looked over at my screen for a bit, then changed his channel to animal planet too.it was cute

Megan: omg, i love monkeys, too. also, awww.

Anna: i love the orangutan show! i'd never seen it. i actually started crying halfway through the second episode, but that may have been the high altitude

Megan: oh, please, who doesn't cry at Animal Planet shows here and there? I think my roommate made me watch one once in college about lemurs and the lemur died and I wept.

Anna: oh i do all the time but i also don't usually go from zero (no crying) to 60 (full-on sobs) that often or, that quickly. do you like emergency vets? i think i am developing a crush on the lead doctor.

Megan: Yeah, definitely. They're after our souls! Hot guys, and Puppy Bowl? It's a winning combination.

Anna: haha. i like puppy bowl BUT i get bored quickly. speaking of, when i was on the AP site tonight loooking for a HOT IMAGE OF CORWIN i saw that AP is selling puppy bowl dvds, which, for some reason, i find ridiculous. it is a genius idea, however - puppy bowl. isn't there a kitten halftime show? or am i making that up?

Megan: but you know why I'll bet people buy puppy bowl dvds? to leave on for their dogs during the day.

Anna: which brings us to... do you have a pet?

Megan: I do not, actually. I used to work the kind of hours I felt were mean, so I'm godmother to my neighbor's dog Ronnie and I dogsit for my friends' dog Bourbon. I'm a doggie aunt.

Anna: no pet? see here's my experience with AP and pets
1. i leave AP on when i'm not home for them. sound turned down but picture on.
2. when i AM home and watching an Animal Planet show that i find upsetting, i go to them for consolation.
them = 2 cats. thing is, they could give a shit about giving me consolation

Megan: Well, they are cats.

Anna: so it's just me with wet eyes and cooing and shit. i do think they watch AP quite often. they like the meerkats

Megan: I love the meerkats. [sniffs] Poor Flower.

Anna: i'd like for your friend at Animal Planet to find out how many people leave the channel on for their animals when they leave the house. i'd think that would boost ratings!

Megan: I would bet a ton of people do. I wonder how they'd find that out? Also, I wonder if advertisers would then try to develop more pet-specific advertising, and whether it would work.

Anna: ok hot guys: who else is hot? is corwin the only one?

Megan: Well, I mean, Sean Astin voices Meerkat, and I still have a residual Goonies-era crush there. I saw him once in DC, and I got all schoolgirl about it, especially when I realized that no one else around recognized him but me because he's short-ish and just looked like any other Hill staffer if you weren't paying attention.

Anna: Ok, so, him, the 2 Detroit guys...

Megan: the snake assistant on the Miami version (Mario, I think he name is), and, frankly, the pudgy guy (Charles?) on Texas got me when he cried over a horsie dying in his arms. because i was like, awww, big teddy bear.

Anna: dude if you are going to have a proper crush on the detroit guys you need to LEARN THEIR NAMES

Megan: Sean Hairston is the one without dreds

Anna: ok one down! do u know the other one's name?

Megan: damn you! um, no I'm blanking

Anna: ok i'll give u a HINT. it's actually VERY SIMILAR to the name of a certain discovery channel hottie you mentioned earlier

Megan: so, it's Mike?

Anna: yes. and last name is just one letter different. DOWE. mike dowe

Megan: so, they're cute, plus Mario and Charles. are there actually other men? Mo Rocca used to do a voice over and he's kinda fey nerdy cute.

Anna: (note to animal planet: need more men)

Megan: there are some ripped ones on Arizona, but I hardly ever see new episodes

Anna: well there was STEVE IRWIN. but he never did it for me

Megan: nah, he never did it for me either. he was too hyper for my taste. But Jacques Cousteau's hot grandson...

Anna: why is it that men who work with animals are especially hot? i mean i get it but
i don't think that men who work with, say, children are hot. i don't think they're NOT hot but i certainly don't think they're extra hot

Megan: Well, it sorta depends on the guy, but I think we're starting to be conditioned a little to view men that works with children with a touch of suspicion. because of the relentless media coverage of pedophile teachers and coaches and stuff. but that doesn't exist with men who are good with animals, and we're projecting that they would then be good with kids, probably. also, the hot grandson is phillipe: http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/06/cnna.cousteau/index.html

Anna: i don't like the scruff on him. too manicured. also he has highlights? or is that just from days on the ocean?

Megan: yeah, he's looking kinda too manicured

Anna: read = GAY

Megan: well, could be but i've heard otherwise

Anna: it's the whole gay or european debate. So, did we figure out anything? were we supposed to? or were we just riffing on animal planet? oh, i wanted to know how many hours a week or day you watch it

Megan: Um, I'd have to say 5 hours a week? I really don't watch and blog because I get distracted.

Anna: yeah i turn on cnn during blogging hours. animal planet only weekend. i would like for them to do more programming on how animals are farmed in america. not judgmental just educational

Megan: oooh, yes.

Anna: because if they're airing "mature" stuff like GRIZZLY MAN they can air something about industrial food production

Megan: it's actually really interesting. I am a big educated carnivore. Grizzly Man was amazing!

Anna: i loved that movie THE FOXES! oh one last question! your avatar is a monkey right? if so, WHAT KIND???

Megan: actually, i believe it's a puppy in a costume. it used to be a lioness, but it MYSTERIOUSLY changed the time i blogged from Moe's. not that i'm accusing

Anna: hahahaha. SHE had that avatar once! it's haunting her home. well i think it's the right amount of "cute" and "intimidating"

Megan: yeah, that seems to be about my style

Earlier: The Real Beasts At Zoos Are Not Always In Cages