What do you spend money on at the zoo?
- Thread starter nanoboy
- Start date
If they have a decent book selection then I'll buy any books I think my collection needs (or that I just want). But recently I've also been purchasing souvenirs like glass animals - not the little mass produced glassware, but some expensive blown glass from Africa. And if a see an animal model that catches my eye, then I get that too.
Hix
Hix
I'll usually spend a little for an encounter (mostly involves feeding some sort of parrot). Rarely do I ever buy food there. I've had such BAD experiences with most food places, that and it's really expensive. I'll either bring my own or eat before I visit the zoo.
Giftshop wise I'll usually buy a plus or two of one of my favorite animals, and any fair trade stuff they may have.
Giftshop wise I'll usually buy a plus or two of one of my favorite animals, and any fair trade stuff they may have.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
After I've paid entry and bought any and all possible maps/guidebooks, I'm usually to stingy to buy much else, I certainly avoid buying meals at zoos, and often take my own food, although sometimes I buy hot chips or something else relatively cheap. If I arrive early I almost always buy a coffee, despite the fact that zoo coffees appear to be universally terrible.
If there is animal food for sale I will probably buy it, e.g. to feed kangaroos, and at giftshops I might buy a book on the zoo if available, or maybe an interesting postcard. I will also buy interesting products, such as porcupine quills, if these are available, as these are just too cool. One thing I regret not buying in Europe was one of the old species signs for sale in the Artis Zoo (Amsterdam) gift shop. I was keen on the Prevost's Squirrel one, but it was 45 euro, and I couldn't justify that expense sadly.
If there is animal food for sale I will probably buy it, e.g. to feed kangaroos, and at giftshops I might buy a book on the zoo if available, or maybe an interesting postcard. I will also buy interesting products, such as porcupine quills, if these are available, as these are just too cool. One thing I regret not buying in Europe was one of the old species signs for sale in the Artis Zoo (Amsterdam) gift shop. I was keen on the Prevost's Squirrel one, but it was 45 euro, and I couldn't justify that expense sadly.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah! I forgot forking out for an animal encounter and food to feed the animals.
I agree that the food is usually horrible and pricey, but it is often more convenient for us, especially if we are on vacation in a different city.
I never buy books.
Although, we keep saying that we will buy a polo shirt from each zoo, but we get turned off by the price.
I agree that the food is usually horrible and pricey, but it is often more convenient for us, especially if we are on vacation in a different city.
I never buy books.
Although, we keep saying that we will buy a polo shirt from each zoo, but we get turned off by the price.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't buy clothes from a zoo, and even on holiday we quite often don't buy food at the zoos we visit.
We have bought a few stuffed animals over the years, notably a quite big elephant from Taronga Zoo ("Gung") and a leopard from Singapore Zoo ("Kotiya"). But we are trying to stop buying them now.
We have bought a few stuffed animals over the years, notably a quite big elephant from Taronga Zoo ("Gung") and a leopard from Singapore Zoo ("Kotiya"). But we are trying to stop buying them now.
Did I read that too quickly? My first thought was how the bloody hell did you get a stuffed elephant home, my second thought was you meant an elephant teddy.
Between me and AG, it can vary zoo to zoo. If my Chester membership doesn't cover it then there is the entrance fee. If the zoo does one then there is a guidebook and postcards from the gift shop [and anything that catches our eye, such as small models or the occasional cuddly toy [Echidna and Corroborree frog from Stuttgart spring to mind]
AG collects pressed pennies so usually one or two of those get done, and then [very rarely] any costs for feeds and transport if we have time.
At Chester we don't pay entrance and get discount on food so don't mind paying as it is actually quite nice, we get a burger and chips each followed by a double Cheshire Farm ice cream [Double toffee-fudge for me!]
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
Yes, I meant a stuffed toy elephant (same for the leopard), not the real deal
He is pretty big though, he was our carry-on baggage but he definitely exceeded the allowable dimensions.
Jackwow
Well-Known Member
I never buy souvenirs or anything like that so pretty much the only things I buy are drinks and snacks (the Highland Wildlife Park does a decent bacon sarnie and nice filled baked potatoes). Aside from that in some Asian zoos I might buy something to feed some of the animals.
I buy memberships. Yes, memberships. So now I belong to five different institutions up and down the West Coast.
Once inside the park, however, I buy very little. Postcards and magnets are my thing, but my girlfriend usually wants a snack or three. We also put a few bucks in those "please give your change to support..." buckets that are set up around the park.
I'll buy a book or t-shirt on a very, very rare occasion.
Once inside the park, however, I buy very little. Postcards and magnets are my thing, but my girlfriend usually wants a snack or three. We also put a few bucks in those "please give your change to support..." buckets that are set up around the park.
I'll buy a book or t-shirt on a very, very rare occasion.
Not_a_Nautilus
Well-Known Member
Stuffed toys as souvenirs, but only occasionally, usually if the trip was somehow notable.
For example, I bought one of a black and white colobus on a college trip to Fota Wildlife Park, because the trip was so fun and it felt like it deserved a memento.
For example, I bought one of a black and white colobus on a college trip to Fota Wildlife Park, because the trip was so fun and it felt like it deserved a memento.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
JBZvolunteer
Well-Known Member
Are you male or female?
Well he or she isn't a nautilus, that much is for sure!
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
ROFL! Good one!
I used to always buy mugs or cups if the zoo/aquarium had one specific to their establishment. I had quite a collection but they mostly got smashed up in the earthquake. I have quite a lot of stuffed toy animals as well.
Not_a_Nautilus
Well-Known Member
Are you male or female?
I am a male who greatly enjoys having (realistic-looking, that part's important) stuffed animals decorating his room, and also hugging them occasionally, thank you very much.
The red panda one is my favourite...
I'm not a nautilus, though, you guys were right about that. I thought the username was quite clear on that point.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
I am a male who greatly enjoys having (realistic-looking, that part's important) stuffed animals decorating his room, and also hugging them occasionally, thank you very much.
The red panda one is my favourite...
I'm not a nautilus, though, you guys were right about that. I thought the username was quite clear on that point.
Do the other boys at school know that? You should tell them.
This is such an interesting idea for a thread and Im glad that it is here. Its actually taken me over a day to decide what to write as a response too!
My answer is that it really depends on what zoo I am in and why I am there. My local zoo is Melbourne Zoo and I have bought a lot of things there - particularly since having children. Last Christmas I actually bought a lot of my 2 year old twins' Christmas presents there and then in April I bought quite a few of their 3rd birthday presents there too. I got them lots of little toy plastic animals, a few childrens plastic bowls, plates, cups etc and some plastic kids drink bottles. Ive bought them some of this sort of thing at Werribee Zoo also (our second local zoo). I once bought the twins some tshirts at Melbourne Zoo and when they were a few months old I got them some cuddly toy elephants as well. Stuff for kids at Melbourne and Werribee Zoos is actually quite reasonably priced.
As for other zoos, when Im in countries where things dont cost so much I often buy a book about the zoo from the zoo (if its in English) and sometimes some postcards. When I was in Buenos Aires Zoo I bought some animal feed and fed some llamas/alpacas/guanacos/vicunas (I cant recall which ones they were). I seem to remember buying something touristy in Belgrade Zoo in Serbia too (note: why isnt there more talk about this zoo on this forum - its a really interesing place), but I cant recall what it was that I bought.
I rarely buy food at zoos though - as it is usually overpriced and not great - although Melbourne Zoo is an exception to this (and Im not just saying that because its my local). The food in the bistro there is good quality and cheaper than most pubs.
In general, I would buy more things in zoos if the prices werent so high in a lot of zoos. I realise that the money (at least to some degree) goes to helping the zoo, but of course more people would buy things if they werent so expensive. As a tourist, Id be looking to buy small souvaneers and postcards mostly - and particularly small books about the history of the zoo etc. Id also admit that if food was cheaper (and better quality) in zoos Id buy it more.
So in a nutshell, I buy things for my kids, books about the specific zoo and postcards for myself and very rarely food.
Hope this helps...
My answer is that it really depends on what zoo I am in and why I am there. My local zoo is Melbourne Zoo and I have bought a lot of things there - particularly since having children. Last Christmas I actually bought a lot of my 2 year old twins' Christmas presents there and then in April I bought quite a few of their 3rd birthday presents there too. I got them lots of little toy plastic animals, a few childrens plastic bowls, plates, cups etc and some plastic kids drink bottles. Ive bought them some of this sort of thing at Werribee Zoo also (our second local zoo). I once bought the twins some tshirts at Melbourne Zoo and when they were a few months old I got them some cuddly toy elephants as well. Stuff for kids at Melbourne and Werribee Zoos is actually quite reasonably priced.
As for other zoos, when Im in countries where things dont cost so much I often buy a book about the zoo from the zoo (if its in English) and sometimes some postcards. When I was in Buenos Aires Zoo I bought some animal feed and fed some llamas/alpacas/guanacos/vicunas (I cant recall which ones they were). I seem to remember buying something touristy in Belgrade Zoo in Serbia too (note: why isnt there more talk about this zoo on this forum - its a really interesing place), but I cant recall what it was that I bought.
I rarely buy food at zoos though - as it is usually overpriced and not great - although Melbourne Zoo is an exception to this (and Im not just saying that because its my local). The food in the bistro there is good quality and cheaper than most pubs.
In general, I would buy more things in zoos if the prices werent so high in a lot of zoos. I realise that the money (at least to some degree) goes to helping the zoo, but of course more people would buy things if they werent so expensive. As a tourist, Id be looking to buy small souvaneers and postcards mostly - and particularly small books about the history of the zoo etc. Id also admit that if food was cheaper (and better quality) in zoos Id buy it more.
So in a nutshell, I buy things for my kids, books about the specific zoo and postcards for myself and very rarely food.
Hope this helps...