karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
Chester did think long and hard about this kind of feeding and considered both the welfare of the animal, the educational value of a more natural style feed and the impact on those people that might find this kind of natural behaviour upsetting. In the end they chose to allow the public to see the natural feeding behaviour of the animal as it's benefits outweigh the problems. The reason one of the zoo rangers is present when the feed takes place is not only to help educate the visitors in what is going on but also why the zoo do it and what effect it would have on the animal if they didn't feed it in this manner.
From my conversations with the rangers the feedback had been significantly positive, combining the educational aspects of the feed with the amazement at seeing an large and fairly unique lizard such as the Komodo being so animated - they tended to get much more criticism previously from people who complained that the komodos never moved and just sat under their heat lamp all day!!
in answer to a previous question too, all of Chesters meat for the carnivores is sourced from local producers including the venison. Remember that a carnivore can only eat meat that has NOT been killed by lethal injection otherwise you run the risk of poisoning your zoo carnivores with barbiturates. That in itself makes sourcing difficult.
I hope this helps answer some of your questions and provide more information - it is not however intended to change your personal views they are as always entirely your own.
