Signage in zoos on individual animals

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Sign on "Kimba" and "Gus" the white rhinos at Lille zoo, France:

Photo credits to @Shirokuma.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage on "Coolio" the Northern elephant seal pup at Pittsburgh zoo:

Photo credits to @Moebelle.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Rotterdam zoo gorilla ID signage and video:

Photo credits to @vogelcommando.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Studbook educational display for "Carolina" the Andean condor and "Spike" the black rhino:

Photo credit to @blospz.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "Jorge" the loggerhead turtle at Mendoza aquarium, Argentina:

Photo credits to @devilfish.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "trooper" the Siberian lynx at Insync exotic wildlife rescue center, USA:

Photo credit to @snowleopard.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "Tux" the little penguin at National zoo and Aquarium, Australia:

Photo credit to @Simon Hampel.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "Joanie" the Chacoan peccary at Elmwood park zoo:

Photo credits to @red river hog.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Chimpanzee ID signage at Saarbrucken zoo, Germany:

Photo credits to @zoogiraffe.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Sulawesi crested macaque ID sign at Tierpark Gettorf, Germany:

Photo credit to @vogelcommando.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

ID and information signage on young bull Asiatic elephants at Heidelberg zoo, Germany:

Photo credits to @Maguari.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "Comico" and "Beijinho" the yellow breasted capuchin monkeys at Birmingham Nature Center, UK:

Photo credit to @Brum.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage on individual animal ID / birthdates at Frankfurt zoo, Germany:

Orangs:

Black rhino:

Common hippo:

Photo credits to @nikola.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Hippos and name signage at Cologne zoo, Germany:

Photo credits to @Toddy.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Name and ID signage for bonobos at the Cologne zoo, Germany:

Photo credits to @Paradoxurus.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage on individual animals in the Berlin zoo:

Signage for "Chico" the Baird's tapir:

Signage for giraffes "Max" and "Mugambi":

Signage for Asian elephants "Drumbo", "Victor", "Panga pha" and "Anchall":

Photo credits to @snowleopard.

 

[Valentinoamor]

I've seen a few comments saying how they'd rather see signage for the species being housed rather than the individuals.. I can understand why one would like to know about the species, but I do think that getting to know an individual can make one appreciate the species more than just learning about the species itself.

Learning about the name and backstory of an animal allows the visitors/audience to humanize the animal more, making them a lot more personal. When one is able to sympathize with the animal, it is much easier for them to gain an appreciation for that individual, and in turn, the species as a whole.

For example, if someone learns about Jasper the Leopard Gecko's favorite foods, where she came from, and maybe a funny story or some interesting quirks about her, they would be more likely to want to help conserve the species in the wild. They would be reminded of Jasper when seeing other Leopard Geckos, which would trigger those personal emotions and they would sympathize with the species on a human-to-human level. No one wants to see bad things happen to an animal they love!

It would be much more effective than just seeing the species name, where it lives, and what it eats. While that information is important, the one-on-one connection between a human and an animal can influence conservation and a passion for a species so much more.

 

[Alex Bensky]

I wish I'd taken a picture, but years and years ago the sign for the wolverine at the Detroit Zoo called the animal "a mischievous and savage beast of cunning ferocity."

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for black footed cat kittens "Romulus" and "Remus" at the Birmingham zoo, USA:

Photo credit to @team tapir.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Signage for "Una" and "Uke" the newborn addax at Planckendael, Belgium:

Signage for "Jelani" the white rhinoceros at Singapore zoo, Singapore:

Signage for "Suci" the Sumatran rhino at the Cincinnati zoo, USA:

Signage for "Daphne" the okapi at ZSL London zoo:

Signage for "Mayani" the lowland gorilla at Antwerp zoo, Belgium:

Signage for "Carrot" the Javan langur at Apenheul, the Netherlands:

Signage for "Nick" and "Simon" the polar bear cubs at Dierenrijik Europe, the Netherlands:

Signage for Grevy's zebra "Tamu" at Planckendael zoo, Belgium:

Signage for "Santa" and "Sofia" the bushdog at Planckendael, Belgium:

Signage for "Twiga" the Kordofan giraffe at Planckendael, Belgium:

Signage for "Ubundu" the okapi at Antwerp zoo, Belgium:

Photo credit to @KevinB, @Baldur, @vogelcommando , @sooty mangabey and @Moebelle.