Opinions on Children’s Zoos

[Arizona Docent]

Having barnyard animals is a double edged sword as it typically portrays an idealized version of a small family farm and neglects to address the welfare concerns of modern factory farming! And there is certainly no mention of the large scale environmental destruction involved in raising beef cattle!

 

[TinoPup]

I just looked up the Zoo Farm at the Virginia Zoo, and it looks like the best of both worlds: wild and domesticated species all in one area with many coming from different parts of the world

It really is. Several of the wild species are uncommon in zoos, too. There's also an eating area (that isn't super overpriced!) where you can sit at a table and watch the primates and farm animals.

Having barnyard animals is a double edged sword as it typically portrays an idealized version of a small family farm and neglects to address the welfare concerns of modern factory farming! And there is certainly no mention of the large scale environmental destruction involved in raising beef cattle!

Because those are both very heated topics with a lot of myths on both sides. It's also above the average child's learning level. They mostly just want to moo at the cows and touch animals they've never touched before. Learning the basics is plenty.

 

[MonkeyBat]

The problem with children's zoos for me personally is most of the time they're just not worth the visit. Omaha's is very well done and naturalistic, but there's so much more to see at that zoo I don't think it's worth the visit. There are four animals, goats, budgies, prairie dogs, and squirrel monkeys so I usually don'y visit that part.

I think children's zoo should have both domestic and exotic animals, but for the place to be called a "children's zoo" there should be exhibits that the kids can be a part of.

For example bubbles for prairie dogs and meerkats, crawl-through tubes and for penguins and otters, and climbing structures to get up close to monkeys and birds.

 

[Julio C Castro]

It really is. Several of the wild species are uncommon in zoos, too. There's also an eating area (that isn't super overpriced!) where you can sit at a table and watch the primates and farm animals.



Because those are both very heated topics with a lot of myths on both sides. It's also above the average child's learning level. They mostly just want to moo at the cows and touch animals they've never touched before. Learning the basics is plenty.

To be frank, I do see where both of you come from. I’m an omnivore although do prefer my meats of all kinds. Yet as the current trend is going and has been going, it cannot be sustained as it is and it will mess up our plane t more. I’ve tried to cut back on meats and if I can, buy locally organic produce. It’s not often but it’s for when I can and it will help if more people do the same too. And I do agree maybe it would be a bit over a child’s head and it would be more targeted for adults as they’re the ones buying groceries. The main idea would be to immerse children into a highly interactive area and maybe it could either confuse some kids or just go right over their head but maybe it could also be said that they should promote healthy ideas such as increase intake of vegetables and fruits, not wasting so much water, and recycling too

 

[Julio C Castro]

The problem with children's zoos for me personally is most of the time they're just not worth the visit. Omaha's is very well done and naturalistic, but there's so much more to see at that zoo I don't think it's worth the visit. There are four animals, goats, budgies, prairie dogs, and squirrel monkeys so I usually don'y visit that part.

I think children's zoo should have both domestic and exotic animals, but for the place to be called a "children's zoo" there should be exhibits that the kids can be a part of.

For example bubbles for prairie dogs and meerkats, crawl-through tubes and for penguins and otters, and climbing structures to get up close to monkeys and birds.

That’s kind of how I imagine some of the best children zoos are of hope to be. From the various concept designs I’ve seen about San Diego’s Children’s Zoo, it looks very promising and highly engaging for children with such experiences you mentioned. Sure not all zoos can afford to have a highly interactive area dedicated for children but for those who can and don’t seek to, it would seem like a wasted opportunity due to the fact their largest demographic of visitors usually are children.

 

[TinoPup]

Water usage and recycling are things I frequently see, as they aren't controversial and are much easier for children to understand.
Organic and local aren't always better and can sometimes be much worse for the environment. Those aren't really topics for this thread, though.

 

[Julio C Castro]

Water usage and recycling are things I frequently see, as they aren't controversial and are much easier for children to understand.
Organic and local aren't always better and can sometimes be much worse for the environment. Those aren't really topics for this thread, though.

You’re right and didn’t mean to sway away from the main topic at hand, just was adding on about children’s zoos that may have or should have some sort of green thumb message to get kids started early