Zoo/Aquarium Hot Takes

Birdsage said:
Well, there is always a significant possibility of visitors feeding their alcoholic refreshments to the animals. As you may or may not know, many zoo visitors don’t obey the rules or the signs, and when beer is involved, that can get dangerous in a zoo setting.
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I don't think that's much of a concern. The purpose of beer gardens is to limit where it's served, so people aren't just walking around with alcohol. I rarely see them open, and even when they are, usually don't see anyone getting anything.

I've been to one zoo event where alcohol was a big feature, and it was the *employees* that were having concerning behavior, not the visitors (do I even need to say it wasn't an AZA place?)
 
Birdsage said:
Beer gardens don’t belong in zoos. Enough said.
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I disagree most strongly, beer and zoos is an ideal mix in the summer, and trust me, no-one is getting drunk in a UK zoo at the prices they charge... ;):p

ThylacineAlive said:
I've never purchased alcohol at zoo but I imagine it's a pretty good source of concessions income.
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As someone who has had his fair share of beers in zoos then yes, they are a very good source of income. Nearly £6 for a 330ml bottle of Peroni at Whipsnade is probably the most expensive I've stumbled upon but other places come close. Chester, YWP and Dudley are quite reasonably priced though! ;)
 
Well, there you have it! That would definitely be my hottest take of all!
I guess they are fine if we are talking about expensive beer and sensible visitors!
 
Birdsage said:
Well, there you have it! That would definitely be my hottest take of all!
I guess they are fine if we are talking about expensive beer and sensible visitors!
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I just think the culture around beer is very different between the continents - a beer with lunch is very standard in Europe. In many European countries you can get a lager in McDonalds, so not having it in a sit-down zoo restaurant would seem very odd.
 
Galapagos Penguin said:
If a zoo trains their animals to do tricks and performances, that’s an immediate sign they prioritize profit over conservation efforts.
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That’s a very broad statement, do you mean like circus acts or ambassador animals used in presentations at zoos? I actually disagree if it’s the latter subject I mentioned. Ambassador animals are an opportunity to show off to the general public some of the common and uncommon animals doing their natural behaviors. Having had been to my local So-Cal zoos for so long, not once was there a sense of the animals being forced to put on a show. At times, the animals don’t want to display the behavior or takes them a bit longer than usual to do so. Seeing an animal up close displaying what makes them unique while also trying to illustrate their story and/or struggle in their native range certainly will make an impression on anyone. Whether or not it will have a lasting impression to everyone, there will be those who will take home what they saw and perhaps expand their knowledge of said specie. At least that’s how I’ve felt many times and that sense of wonder and thirst for knowledge hasn’t subsided ever for me.
 
Galapagos Penguin said:
If a zoo trains their animals to do tricks and performances, that’s an immediate sign they prioritize profit over conservation efforts.
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I know this comes from a place with good intentions and I can understand what your trying to say because I see you just liked my anti-SeaWorld post but this statement is just wrong. Besides ambassadors which were mentioned earlier training animals is extremely important in animal care.
All animal training is routine for all species in zoos. It can be used for medical purposes having the animal do a certain trick to allow vets to complete a physical exam. It can be used in research purposes having animals complete all sorts of tasks to research their physical and mental capacities. Speaking of mental health trialing animals to do certain tricks can keep animals minds active improving mental health. Training even accounts for animals basic care like aquatic animals who use target training to feed. Even SeaWorld who’s morals could be questioned still have a good reason for doing training and tricks. It works as a form of excersise keeping animals fit and stimulated. Every Zoo or aquarium with sea lions or seals uses training and tricks to keep their animals entertained and fit so is every zoo/aquarium with sea lions greedy for money. Do zoos like Bronx, Los Angeles, Columbus, Omaha, St. Louis, Houston, and Denver all prioritize money?
 
Galapagos Penguin said:
If a zoo trains their animals to do tricks and performances, that’s an immediate sign they prioritize profit over conservation efforts.
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Fun fact: most non-AZA zoos holding native raptors are required by USFWS to use all their raptors in a certain number of educational programs each year once the bird is trained and comfortable with humans. :p

Also if an educational program brings more guests through the gates, that's more income and hopefully more towards conservation and more people educated. And I can guarantee you those programs are attractive.

And for many species, especially intelligent ones such as cetaceans, elephants, primates, corvids, and parrots, having a repertoire of appropriate "tricks" and husbandry behaviors is highly beneficial and enriching to them.
Many species will learn tricks on their own accord as well: magpies, a raven, and various parrots I've worked with were never taught to talk, but they quickly starting mimicking us anyway. It's a natural habit; we're their new flock and so they pick it up. Primates, especially apes, will mimic things they see keepers doing. Or learn things of their own accord, such as orangutans teaching themselves to pick padlocks and hiding their picking tools from keepers. Providing them with alternative means of entertainment is far better than the apes deciding to learn how to get out!
 
Galapagos Penguin said:
If a zoo trains their animals to do tricks and performances, that’s an immediate sign they prioritize profit over conservation efforts.
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I was actually amazed to learn that Dreamworld in Australia (who have white tigers and daily tiger shows) are one of the biggest contributors to wild tiger conservation in Australia, over all the main zoos. The other biggest contributor is Australia Zoo, who also have full contact with their tigers, walk them around the zoo and have them perform in shows.

“Tricks” are often demonstrations of natural behaviour and can be used to engage the visitors, while passing on the conservation message. There’s every reason to believe these cats find the engagement with their keepers enriching as they’re not forced to perform and do so willingly.
 
@Steinhart Aquarium/ California Academy of Sciences Thursday evening half price special ( which catered to singles group of 30's yrs.) Alcohol carts were available throughout the museum. While no illegal occurrences were seen or happened, good news was someone thought I was a professor walking through gallery!
 
Cincinnati's Zoo. Back in the day, say early eighties visiting Cincinnati Zoo. In the older version of Bird building trying to photograph caimans below in pool a squirrel monkey came out of nowhere from top vegetation and stole my camera filter right from me. I protested and without dropping it into the caiman waters below the little rascal actually brought it back to me!!!
 
junglejim said:
Cincinnati's Zoo. Back in the day, say early eighties visiting Cincinnati Zoo. In the older version of Bird building trying to photograph caimans below in pool a squirrel monkey came out of nowhere from top vegetation and stole my camera filter right from me. I protested and without dropping it into the caiman waters below the little rascal actually brought it back to me!!!
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That is quite the hot take.
 
The choices of choosing between cotton candy verses snow cones as a kid! The choices were simpler back then. And those refreshments either energized one, and also chilled a kid during hot summer days.
 
When the zoo actually was just the zoo! As a kid from Cleveland remembering singing: Lions, Tigers n Bears O-My!!! Because all these species housed in close proximity to each other. Discover of see large carnivorous mammals was to treat to one's senses and brought joy to our lives.
 
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