Smoking in British Zoo's

I'm in full agreement about children. I still think it's a shame that, in most people's minds, zoos exist simply as a day out for children. People are often amazed when I admit that, as an adult, I love visiting zoos. It always pleases me whenever I see couples sans children, or just single people, wandering around a zoo and peering with interest into each exhibit. Children can spoil a day out to the zoo. They're noisy, they rush around. Half the time all they seem interested in is the adventure playground or the narrow-gauge railway or the souvenir shop. Is it obvious that I don't have children? And the number of times you see children (and not always children, sadly) banging on the glass front of an enclosure to rouse an animal from slumber...At Amazona Zoo, Cromer, I saw some children chasing the free-ranging geese. The children obviously thought this was a wonderful game. The geese didn't! The children's parents were nearby and didn't do a thing to stop their little mites. As there were no animal staff around, I told the lady in the cafe about this to see if she could radio a member of the keepering staff. But I think by the time a keeper was eventually notified and had walked over to the area, the family had moved on.
 
@pinkback and zooman64:

I can hardly believe that you both have ever been a child too.

Yes, children do screeming around. Yes, they are running around. Yes, those things can or do disturb animals and other visitors. And yes I think also that IN GENERAL parents should take more responsibility about their kids.

BUT: It is normal that kids want to play, means, running, wherever they are. When they are excited about seeing an animal, then making noise is normal too. It belongs to their process of growing. They should have fun while visiting zoos, also because they are the paying visitors of tomorrow. And it could'nt be the goal of education by transforming them into quite, soulless roboters. Also, in opposite of your poisonous and for your life absolutely unnecessary cigarettes, the noise of children doesn't harm you.

If you really wanna make a good change, then talk with them. Tell them, why some behaviours are not good for the animals and other visitors (by saying, not by shouting). Most kids will understand. And for those who don't: Feel free to inform a zoo staff, if their parents don't care also.

Last but not least my opinion about smoking in zoos (not only in Britain): In designated areas it would be okay, but it must be strictly controlled.
 
Went to Colchester this afternoon and saw lots of people (at least 6) smoking but only 2 of these were near animals. They were at the tiger viewing window and both were told to stop smoking by zoo staff.
 
I am avidly against smoking in general, let alone in zoos; isn't it illegal to risk the health of those around you?! I have witnessed, at two zoos, visitors actually knowingly blowing smoke IN to aviaries, one of which I knew had young chicks in it.

However, I think if smoking were banned in animal collections, this might have a negative impact on visitor numbers. Therefore, zoos could just erect smoking shelters around the site, away from animals, and clearly point out where they are. Who said I am not prepared to compromise?! :P
 
CiaranDUK said:
isn't it illegal to risk the health of those around you?!
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It depends on the big picture, i.e. potential liklehood of damage to health, level of damage to health in the case the risk occurs and, importantly, the financial implications (for governments that's ecomonic activity and tax, for zoos that's visitor numbers).:)
 
Smoking is absoutely banned in Australian Zoos! They have smoking areas away from the animals and the main public areas and this works wonderfully. 99% of poeple respect it and are happy to head away to the smoking area and have a cigarette. Sometimes visitors from overseas light up without realising the rules, but when you ask them politely to head to a smoking area they always oblige.
It is so simple to do and it only makes sense. It would be better and healthier for both visitors and the animals. Europe and UK are VERY behind in all of their smoking laws and quit campaigns, hopefully they will get on board in the future!
 
@headkeeper: "Europe AND UK"... hm, did I miss something at school during my lessons in geographie;)?
 
I was at Chester yesterday and saw (or should I say smelt!) many smokers - not something I normally notice. Most of them seemed to be young women with children. Although I like the idea of separate smoking areas, I would be concerned if children were taken into them. Maybe they could be sited near to play areas so parents could have a cigarette while watching their children playing.
 
zoomaniac said:
@headkeeper: "Europe AND UK"... hm, did I miss something at school during my lessons in geographie;)?
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Nope, last I heard UK wasnt part of European union? May have missed something in your spelling classes though: 'geographie' :)

Sorry, just a friendly dig, couldnt pass up the chance! :p
 
@headkepper: No worry, thats okay. I take this dig as a man:). As you can see, my native language isn't English. Anyway: To show you that I am able to learn: geography!
(But keep in mind: One wrong German word and the friendly dig comes back):)
 
headkeeper said:
Nope, last I heard UK wasnt part of European union? May have missed something in your spelling classes though: 'geographie' :)

Sorry, just a friendly dig, couldnt pass up the chance! :p
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Johnny Morris. said:
The UK most definately is a part of the European Union.
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It is indeed most certainly a member of the EU. It's not in the Eurozone though, which may be where the confusion arises.


EDIT: ...and even if it weren't, it would still be part of Europe on grounds of basic geography! Norway and Switzerland are the most obvious non-EU European states, but there are many others.
 
Or (I know this may upset some people but I will say sorry if I do before I start) what we should be saying is Europe IS part of the UK as we seem to be paying nearly a 1/3 of the budget to run the EU with very little reward

On this smoking in zoos i said on a earlier thread that I would be against a ban but after going round quite a few new zoos this year I think a total ban is the only way forward as I have seen butt end inside enclosures, on the floor all over the place, Mom's and dad's smoking while children are eating right next to them, people (Adults) blowing smoke into animals faces (have reported them to staff).

If they want to smoke let them but only in a CONTROLLED/SUPERVISED area and if they don't like it then tough!!!!!
 
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