What is the craziest thing you've seen happen at a zoo/aquarium?

Last time I visited Dudley Zoo in 2022, there was a girl about 6 or 7 years old throwing a temper tantrum about something, the parents shouted at her to stop, and she grabbed the edge of a steel barrier that was blocking a path and tried to either throw it or drag it along with her, but of course she was only strong enough to move it a couple of inches.
 
Again, during my time at Dudley Zoo, i witnessed on two different occasions, groups of teenagers had climbed over the safety barriers at the old lion enclosure ,currently where the new Orang enclosure is now and we're encouraging the lions to stand on their hind legs by putting their fingers through the mesh. The teenagers were oblivious to the danger that they had placed themselves in.
 
Again, during my time at Dudley Zoo, i witnessed on two different occasions, groups of teenagers had climbed over the safety barriers at the old lion enclosure ,currently where the new Orang enclosure is now and we're encouraging the lions to stand on their hind legs by putting their fingers through the mesh. The teenagers were oblivious to the danger that they had placed themselves in.
And the Darwin Award for worst way to lose a body part goes to....
 
Not exactly crazy in a shocking or gruesome kind of way, but more in an impressive and awe-inspiring way. In March 2016, a wild sea otter came in and gave birth in one of the rock pool enclosures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I was living in Monterey at the time and just so happened to be at the right place at the right time. I wasn’t there to see the actual birth, but I saw the newborn otter. Granted, I was probably only around 8 or 9 at the time (way before I had my first phone), so I have no photographic evidence to prove my claim; you’re just gonna have to take my word on this one! :p

Article written by the Washington Post discussing this event:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...irth-to-darling-pup-as-amazed-humans-look-on/
 
At a school trip to Blackpool Zoo, when I was only 6 years old, a classmate if mine started taunting a pelican. When he turned his back, the pelicans huge mouth was open behind him. The teachers tried to call him away but he wouldn't listen, oblivious to pelican trying to snap behind him. He finally turned away and ran off screaming before the bird shut its mouth.
 
Well, I haven't seen anything out of the normal yet
But I have seen quite a few bovids alleviate themselves with their rears facing the people of the exhibits.
Now there is a scat themed cardboard cut out near the enterance of the Zoo where you would put your head where the animals rears are..
I guess the keepers are so traumatized from cleaning up after the animals they have decided to make light of it with a card board cut out lol
 
When I was a child, Wellington Zoo held a pair of giraffe named Ricky and Tisa, who produced several offspring together. On one visit I noticed Ricky drinking Tisa’s urine and didn’t think much of it.

Years later I read online that bull giraffes do this to ascertain if the cow is ovulating and realised that was what he was doing.

On hindsight, I can answer the question for Ricky that no she wasn’t ovulating, as she would have around been three months pregnant at the time. :)
 
I have first-hand experienced the very intriguing manner by which hippos relieve themselves of solid waste :oops: truly an incredible (and somewhat disgusting) display.
 
I once saw Piranha cannibalism in an aquarium in northern France. Large tank with 30 or 40 Piranha in, and the keeper puts in a dead fish on a spiked pole. During the feeding frenzy, one Piranha lacerated another; within less than 2 minutes only a stripped skull and vertebral column remained!
I've seen someone cleaning the glass of a piranhas.
With the piranhas in it.
I mean this dude literally put his hands inside water with piranhas and was casually cleaning the glass
 
I just saw multiple people at Ripleys aquarium in Myrtle beach grab moon jellies from a touch tank and throw them on the floor, many jellies were stepped on purposely too.
 
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