Things people do that irritate you when you go to the zoo? #2

I really hate crowds, but as most of my visits are limited to school holiday times, they can be unavoidable. It was absolute bliss when my school's half term was at a different time to Cambridgeshire, and a visit to Linton and Hamerton Zoos was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Though not as quiet as the trip to Linton between Christmas and New Year, when they were technically closed due to the weather, but kindly let me in as I had prebooked a lemur experience and was driving over from the other side of the country.
 
I visited the national aviary today, and I was in one of the Walkthrough aviaries inside. I was shocked to say that I was walking by and I saw a mother with her camera out filming her daughter and encouraging her to go up to one of the birds and pet it which is against the aviary rules. While I had no authority there, I didn’t say something since someone else did. It just shows the lack of respect and common sense people have.
 
natel12 said:
I visited the national aviary today, and I was in one of the Walkthrough aviaries inside. I was shocked to say that I was walking by and I saw a mother with her camera out filming her daughter and encouraging her to go up to one of the birds and pet it which is against the aviary rules. While I had no authority there, I didn’t say something since someone else did. It just shows the lack of respect and common sense people have.
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Did she actually pet it? I assume that the bird was much too quick for the girl. Also, is the rule against petting the birds easily visible? If so, then the women is just an idiot.
 
TZDugong said:
Did she actually pet it? I assume that the bird was much too quick for the girl. Also, is the rule against petting the birds easily visible? If so, then the women is just an idiot.
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The girls touched it then the mom encouraged her to pet it. I was suprised the bird didn’t do anything. I’m not entirely sure about the rule, I believe there are signs. It’s mainly common sense and there are staff to monitor this
 
TheMightyOrca said:
I think zoos would change for the better, not just for visitors but for the animals, if they weren't just seen as places to entertain kids for a day. It would also improve reputations of zoos, again, seeing more as educational and not a place for parents to entertain their snotty, disrespectful brats.
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I was having a similar conversation the other day, except I was trying to pinpoint where that switch took place -- that is, wanting to go to the zoo and zoos and/or animals are for babies. Is it pre-teens? Teens? A general malaise regarding the environment and subsequently animals because it interferes with the convenience of modern life?
 
Buldeo said:
I was trying to pinpoint where that switch took place -- that is, wanting to go to the zoo and zoos and/or animals are for babies. Is it pre-teens? Teens?
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Several authors have pointed to American TV children shows of the 1940s and 1950s as one of the main influences that established the modern public conception of zoos as attractions for children. Granted, zoos have always attracted children and families since their early beginnings. But ever since the zoo stakeholders realized the economic benefits of focusing on children and their parents (and they're not the only ones; just think of Disney...), zoos have embraced them as their main customer base, and have changed their presentation, amenities and structure accordingly. Therefore, both teenagers and single / childless adults tend to distinguish themselves from zoos, often clinging half-heartedly to reasons such as animal ethics, the necessity of local in-situ conservation etc. while not openly admitting that it is rather the presence of and catering to children that detains them from zoos.
Teenagers in general appreciate animals and the environment - if they are brought up accordingly and have learnt to value both. But that's up to the parents and families to instill.
 
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I agree with this, people don't understand how I don't get bored of going to the zoo twice a month! Maybe one of the reasons that my family enjoys and is interested in zoos so much is because a family member of mine is a zookeeper. And even so I know many of my younger relatives are interested in working at a zoo.
 
Yeah, I suppose that there is a 40% possibility. By the way, I think Asiatic black bears are rarer in American zoos than giant pandas. They're the only species of ursine I've never seen in the flesh.
 
FunkyGibbon said:
In China the Asiatic black is usually called the dog bear
(And the panda the bear cat).
Also the above sentence is a beautiful tautology: Some people think that bears that are black are black bears!
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That would just confuse me even more! To me a dog bear is a sun bear, and a bear cat is a binturong!
 
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