Dumbest One star zoo reviews
- Thread starter OkapiFan
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cloudedleopard611
Well-Known Member
Someone complained that the Saint Louis Zoo had food options in many places throughout the park because they felt like they were being pressured into spending money. Like I am begging you to consider why an attraction on a large plot of land primarily visited by families with young children having food options throughout might be a good thing.
As this thread has come back to life I had a look at reviews for my local zoos to see if any amusing low rated ones had been added.
In one the reviewer is complaining that they only saw 4 animals in their whole visit. They attached 4 photos to their review, showing a total of 12 animals.
In one the reviewer is complaining that they only saw 4 animals in their whole visit. They attached 4 photos to their review, showing a total of 12 animals.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
A review for Columbus a few weeks ago claimed that "half the zoo was under construction" and that hindered their visit. Yeah, one section and a singular habitat is half the zoo 
And of course numerous reviews claiming the zoo shouldve put warnings that the animals wouldn't be active due to the heat. As if common sense wouldn't give them their answer.
And of course numerous reviews claiming the zoo shouldve put warnings that the animals wouldn't be active due to the heat. As if common sense wouldn't give them their answer.
A review of Plzen Zoo stated: If you want to see under-fed, overheating miserable animals then this is the place to you. After 30 minutes we wanted to leave seeing most animals wishing for death.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
There are dozens of reviews for the Detroit zoo stating many “issues” including the chimpanzee drowning many years ago, a fake review stating a guy fell into the gorilla enclosure and got beaten.
I have seen many reviews complaining about half of the zoo being closed but the only animals not visible are giant anteaters and chickens.
I have seen many reviews complaining about half of the zoo being closed but the only animals not visible are giant anteaters and chickens.
cornu aspersum
Well-Known Member
Are they staff names?
Baryonyx
Well-Known Member
I don't know.
Some more from the NC Zoo:
"I’d like to see the zoo transition to free range only. The polar bear looked sad and stressed. The puffins were pecking their beaks against the glass in a downtrodden looking enclosure. After that I really didn’t want to see anymore. The public is told told that many of these animals would not be able to live in the wild for various reasons, however I’m inclined to think it would be better to die than have to live confined like this. One other thing; if these animals are so well taken care of, why weren’t staff aware of the medical condition of Polar Bear “Payton” before his aborted transport to Kentucky (he died enroute and the autopsy revealed he had a tumor and cardiac complications)?"
"I remember coming her as a kid or even two years ago and it was not bad off. When I visited today I noticed that most of the animals looked sad and sick and soulless. Their enclosures look outdated, dirty and neglected. I also noticed they are adding a new continent on, I think that is crazy when it looks like they’re barely taking care of the animals they have in there at the moment. The zoo is not the same anymore and those animals deserve better lives."
"I hate to say it but if I could give it ZERO stars that's what it would get. I have probably been to more Zoo's than 80% of the general public and this is the worst I have seen. I have waited to go to this Zoo for 6 years now and ended up leaving without even going completely through it. We went in the North American entrance and at first it was like okay this may be good and after seeing the alligators it went south. The enclosures are small, look outdated, and just blah when you look at them. You spend more time walking than actually seeing animals here. Way to spaced out, poor connections from exhibit to exhibit, one exhibit closed, Asian exhibit doesn't open until 2026, I could go on and on but this review is already long enough.
One bright spot.......the puffins and how they seem to fly under the water. It's a small exhibit but that's where we actually spent the longest amount of time.
For better entertainment........buy a Jack Russell terrier and a and watch the dog chase it around in the back yard."
"I’d like to see the zoo transition to free range only. The polar bear looked sad and stressed. The puffins were pecking their beaks against the glass in a downtrodden looking enclosure. After that I really didn’t want to see anymore. The public is told told that many of these animals would not be able to live in the wild for various reasons, however I’m inclined to think it would be better to die than have to live confined like this. One other thing; if these animals are so well taken care of, why weren’t staff aware of the medical condition of Polar Bear “Payton” before his aborted transport to Kentucky (he died enroute and the autopsy revealed he had a tumor and cardiac complications)?"
"I remember coming her as a kid or even two years ago and it was not bad off. When I visited today I noticed that most of the animals looked sad and sick and soulless. Their enclosures look outdated, dirty and neglected. I also noticed they are adding a new continent on, I think that is crazy when it looks like they’re barely taking care of the animals they have in there at the moment. The zoo is not the same anymore and those animals deserve better lives."
"I hate to say it but if I could give it ZERO stars that's what it would get. I have probably been to more Zoo's than 80% of the general public and this is the worst I have seen. I have waited to go to this Zoo for 6 years now and ended up leaving without even going completely through it. We went in the North American entrance and at first it was like okay this may be good and after seeing the alligators it went south. The enclosures are small, look outdated, and just blah when you look at them. You spend more time walking than actually seeing animals here. Way to spaced out, poor connections from exhibit to exhibit, one exhibit closed, Asian exhibit doesn't open until 2026, I could go on and on but this review is already long enough.
One bright spot.......the puffins and how they seem to fly under the water. It's a small exhibit but that's where we actually spent the longest amount of time.
For better entertainment........buy a Jack Russell terrier and a and watch the dog chase it around in the back yard."
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3
Well-Known Member
I found this one on Google Reviews for the Boston Franklin Park Zoo. It’s one star and sort of weird and odd but also funny.
“Accused me of trying to steal a pumpkin. Thanks for making the end of our visit so special.”
Im not sure if they were referring to a light up pumpkin which would be part of their annual Boston Lights experience or not but either way it’s still weird.
I found another one that’s also for the Franklin Park Zoo and it’s one star. It’s probably a fake though.
“What the heck! Animals don't wear clothes. Not appropriate for families.”
Here’s a few more one star reviews about the Franklin Park Zoo.
“Needs more turtles”
“Awesome great”
(This is a one star review but is saying the zoos great.)
“Hi, what is the ticket price? Adults and children”
(Also is a one star review but is asking a question)
“I really liked the zoo”
(This is also oddly a one review too since they again are talking so high about the zoo)
“Accused me of trying to steal a pumpkin. Thanks for making the end of our visit so special.”
Im not sure if they were referring to a light up pumpkin which would be part of their annual Boston Lights experience or not but either way it’s still weird.
I found another one that’s also for the Franklin Park Zoo and it’s one star. It’s probably a fake though.
“What the heck! Animals don't wear clothes. Not appropriate for families.”
Here’s a few more one star reviews about the Franklin Park Zoo.
“Needs more turtles”
“Awesome great”
(This is a one star review but is saying the zoos great.)
“Hi, what is the ticket price? Adults and children”
(Also is a one star review but is asking a question)
“I really liked the zoo”
(This is also oddly a one review too since they again are talking so high about the zoo)
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Zoo-Lover-1-2-3
Well-Known Member
Here’s a one star reviews about the Stone Zoo:
“Trash in animal enclosures? Yes, hard to believe!
So many cages were empty, but then perhaps that's not a bad thing. Many of the birds and animals were in the tiniest of cages and made me think that it must have felt like been in solitary confinement. There's a reason today's modern zoos are open to the sky or, in the case of birds, are big enough for true flight.
And to see the black bears surrounded by trash, was quite a surprise and disappointment.
We won't be back.”
A photo is attached to the comment of an image of one of the black bears near the pool where you can see a piece of enrichment floating around. The person must have been thinking that the enrichment that is throughout the zoo was trash.
“Trash in animal enclosures? Yes, hard to believe!
So many cages were empty, but then perhaps that's not a bad thing. Many of the birds and animals were in the tiniest of cages and made me think that it must have felt like been in solitary confinement. There's a reason today's modern zoos are open to the sky or, in the case of birds, are big enough for true flight.
And to see the black bears surrounded by trash, was quite a surprise and disappointment.
We won't be back.”
A photo is attached to the comment of an image of one of the black bears near the pool where you can see a piece of enrichment floating around. The person must have been thinking that the enrichment that is throughout the zoo was trash.
ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
Rubbish in animal enclosures is commonly seen - old broken childrens toys and garbage ready for the dump, often spoiling enclosures which have cost huge sums of money to theme.
'Enrichment' is the usual excuse, but it still looks like garbage to the viewer...
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3
Well-Known Member
yes you are correct but I’ve been to Stone zoo lots to of times and never seen any old children toys.
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3
Well-Known Member
I think that the person who wrote this was faking being surprised.
Here is a 1 star review for London Zoo:
Saw 3 animals, waste of money
This zoo is so bad, it was absolutely rammed, you expect a few school trips at this kind of place but there were SO many schools and colleges there, it was uncomfortably busy. You couldn't see any animals because of the crowds and once we eventually got to the window, there weren't even any animals in half of the enclosures. Disappointing the snack shacks and face painting were closed too. It's great if you want a long walk but other than that it is so boring. Do not waste your money.
Saw 3 animals, waste of money
This zoo is so bad, it was absolutely rammed, you expect a few school trips at this kind of place but there were SO many schools and colleges there, it was uncomfortably busy. You couldn't see any animals because of the crowds and once we eventually got to the window, there weren't even any animals in half of the enclosures. Disappointing the snack shacks and face painting were closed too. It's great if you want a long walk but other than that it is so boring. Do not waste your money.
Here is a 1 star review for Chester Zoo
Fake reviews?
Jul 2024 • Family
Not sure if most of these reviews are fake, but struggle to see how anyone has had a 4/5* experience.
We went today (me,my partner and 16 month old) and it was an awful experience. As we arrived, we saw a few large elephants and thought that this was just the start - and we'd see a lot more animals.... We were sadly mistaken.
The animals were few and far between, and most of what we saw were just empty fields/trees/tanks.
Apart from the place being overrun by chavvy school kids who did nothing but swear (appreciate this isn't the zoo's fault), there were lots of areas shut off because of building work, lots of stalls closed and lots of machines out of order.
All in all, a very expensive/disappointing day and you'd be better off visiting a local farm.
Fake reviews?
Jul 2024 • Family
Not sure if most of these reviews are fake, but struggle to see how anyone has had a 4/5* experience.
We went today (me,my partner and 16 month old) and it was an awful experience. As we arrived, we saw a few large elephants and thought that this was just the start - and we'd see a lot more animals.... We were sadly mistaken.
The animals were few and far between, and most of what we saw were just empty fields/trees/tanks.
Apart from the place being overrun by chavvy school kids who did nothing but swear (appreciate this isn't the zoo's fault), there were lots of areas shut off because of building work, lots of stalls closed and lots of machines out of order.
All in all, a very expensive/disappointing day and you'd be better off visiting a local farm.
ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
If you check the USA section of the gallery on here, you will see it is quite common - plastic slides, climbing frames, balls and other childrens toys; sometimes in enclosures that would have cost hundred of thousands of dollars to theme to look natural.
It does take the edge of a zoo experience somewhat, if an enclosure looks like a cross between a budgie cage and a council tip...!