-Barriers at zoos are there for a reason
Published by NAWA News Feed in -Animal Welfare- · Monday 18 Mar 2019
Barriers at zoos are there for a reason!
You can hardly pick up a newspaper or click a news link this week without seeing or hearing about the jaguar attack at the Wildlife World Zoo in Phoenix.
Whether the visitor crossed the barrier or leaned too far over (her latest version) is not the most relevant part of the story. No speculation is necessary to know that zoo animals are wild species and we must be responsible for our own actions. The Wildlife World Zoo is top notch in its reputation for animal care and excellent habitats. We know them well and in fact it is our friend, Mickey Olson, zoo director, who graciously donated Neena and Hobbes to Chahinkapa Zoo after the flood. This man and his staff know big cats and have designed a facility that is safe for visitors to see such magnificent beauty in conservation.
Barriers are barriers! Period. They should not be challenged by the visitor to believe that if they are able to get over the top or lean far into “reachable space” that it is the responsibility of the zoo. Several years ago we had a visitor at Chahinkapa who went over the barrier and gave a snow leopard Mountain Dew! Showing off his lack of common sense and reasoning he then posted the video on Facebook. That is where were able to catch him and prosecute for his actions. READ MORE
