What are zoos doing during the eclipse?

[TheGytrash]

Do any zoos have any plans to keep animals inside during the eclipse to keep them from looking up at the sun? Are any zoos having eclipse celebrations? I know animals sometimes behave differently before/during an eclipse. Anyone planning to be in a zoo during the eclipse and want to report anything interesting? Share it here!

 

[SwampDonkey]

I saw a few zoos, including , Clearwater Marine, Toronto and Dallas advertising to attend the zoo during the eclipse. Dallas does not seem to be taking many/any precautions only saying "the ideal spot to view the eclipse AND observe how our animals respond to this amazing natural phenomenon!" and that you can reserve your free eclipse glasses when you buy a ticket online.

The eclipse is so short, I am not sure that really any zoo is taking "precautions".

 

[15399]

Last time there was an eclipse across the United States, Riverbanks Zoo collected some interesting data detailing how various animal species, ranging from gorillas to tortoises, behaviorally responded to it: Total Eclipse of the Zoo: Animal Behavior during a Total Solar Eclipse

This time around, a few zoos, including Buffalo Zoo (https://buffalozoo.org/event/total-solar-eclipse-at-the-buffalo-zoo/) are running eclipse-themed events at the zoo.

 

[TheGytrash]

On Facebook, the Fort Worth Zoo reports:

Overall, there was an increase in vigilance and curiosity as well as movement toward the gates to go to the animals’ indoor barns for the evening.

The animals that moved toward their gates included the tortoises, elephants, giraffes, kudus, bonobos, gorillas and coatis.

The animals that displayed an increase in curiosity and vigilance included the lions, lemurs, mandrills, wild dogs and gorillas.

It was also noted that some of the nocturnal animals showed an increase in activity, such as the ringtail cats and two owls.

Most importantly, there were no observed signs of anxiousness or stress.