Alice Springs Reptile Centre Alice Springs Reptile Centre

[ZooPro]

What kind of fence has this place got, that a 7 year old can get in like that?
The bottom line is; no-one (be they 7 years old or 17 years old) should be able to gain unauthorised access to any animal park that easily.

I think you'd be very surprised at how many overnight break-ins there are at many zoos, including some of the big ones. If someone wants to get over a fence or a wall, they'll find a way. I wouldn't go blaming the institution for that.

 

[Zooplantman]

The perimeter fence is the easiest barrier to cross and cannot be the only protection given to animals (or people). We're talking about a kid who could get to a saltie, aren't we? You say there's no preventing that?!?! Kids will be kids? Accidents happen? I believe that the zoo made a decision. They decided not to spend funds on securing their animals further. That is their responsibility and they made a bad decision. When I say they share responsibility, I am not saying they are evil and should be hanged, but rather they need to act responsibly.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Ara and Zooplantman - there is NO fence yet designed that will prevent a determined human from breaking in to any kind of establishment, not just a zoo.

Humans [especially feral kids] are more agile than monkeys, more cunning than foxes, more slippery than snakes and more dangerous than politicians!!

If humans can escape from jails, with all their sophisticated technology and 24/7 staff, how are zoos going to be able to keep them out?

Queensland's draft Standards for Exhibiting Animals earlier this year had a requirement that a zoo perimeter fence should be of a design and standard to safely contain ALL the different animal species held therein. ALL of them - from snakes to birds to monkeys to elephants contained by one fence!!! Fortunately that got thrown out when the Feds took over the development of the Standards.

I think that you are expecting a bit too much of us.