I suppose the best thing I can say about the current version of the zoo's raptor show is that no one got hurt (this time), despite some painfully dumb stunts the show's operator was pulling.
Saw the thing on Saturday (May 9th), first show of the day at noon. None of the birds wanted to be anywhere near Mr. Worley's glove, nor did he have much luck flying one of his falcons (Duncan), who is quite the veteran of the shows. I found out later that, although we did see him fly, he was so exhausted afterward that he couldn't even stand up on his mews perch (and I have the pictures to prove it).
This is, I believe (after talking with our falconry mentor about it), a sure sign of poor exercise and, possibly, lack of proper diet. Think of it as asking a 300-pound human, who has been existing on a diet of sodas and junk food, to suddenly run a marathon without taking the time to get into shape.
I'm sorry to say the pointless "fly-the-harris-hawk-through-the-human-tunnel" behavior is still being worked on -- MINUS any of the zoo's oh-so-hyped safety precautions. Worse, at the beginning of the show, we saw a series of small children from the audience brought out, equipped with a glove and a bit of food (and, thankfully, show staff right behind them), and set up to have the birds fly to them to pick up said tidbit.
Perhaps the strongest statements about the show, and about its owner, came from the rest of the audience. Practically non-existent applause (that's what you get for talking down to your audience, as Mr. Worley is in the unfortunate habit of doing), and not even a dozen people lining up for "Photo with a Falcon" afterward.
For my part -- I think the worst day at ANY other raptor show would be better than the best one at "Radical Raptors."
Happy travels.
Saw the thing on Saturday (May 9th), first show of the day at noon. None of the birds wanted to be anywhere near Mr. Worley's glove, nor did he have much luck flying one of his falcons (Duncan), who is quite the veteran of the shows. I found out later that, although we did see him fly, he was so exhausted afterward that he couldn't even stand up on his mews perch (and I have the pictures to prove it).
This is, I believe (after talking with our falconry mentor about it), a sure sign of poor exercise and, possibly, lack of proper diet. Think of it as asking a 300-pound human, who has been existing on a diet of sodas and junk food, to suddenly run a marathon without taking the time to get into shape.
I'm sorry to say the pointless "fly-the-harris-hawk-through-the-human-tunnel" behavior is still being worked on -- MINUS any of the zoo's oh-so-hyped safety precautions. Worse, at the beginning of the show, we saw a series of small children from the audience brought out, equipped with a glove and a bit of food (and, thankfully, show staff right behind them), and set up to have the birds fly to them to pick up said tidbit.
Perhaps the strongest statements about the show, and about its owner, came from the rest of the audience. Practically non-existent applause (that's what you get for talking down to your audience, as Mr. Worley is in the unfortunate habit of doing), and not even a dozen people lining up for "Photo with a Falcon" afterward.
For my part -- I think the worst day at ANY other raptor show would be better than the best one at "Radical Raptors."
Happy travels.