Rizz Carlton
Well-Known Member
During a presentation around coconut crabs in their enclosure, a man said rather proudly that he had ate one of these crabs before and how good the taste was, which lead to a rather awkward moment.
What's something you heard at a zoo or aquarium from another guest that irritated you?
- Thread starter Davdhole
- Start date
Well there is a reason why they are extinct in so many islands
Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
GORILLA? HOW
Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
Even though it’s not what they mean, apes are still technically monkeys…
taxonomy is crazy honestly
Alternate perspective: From a purely monophyletic perspective, there's no such thing as a "monkey". There are New World monkeys (Platyrrhines), Old World monkeys (Catarrhines), apes (Hominoids), and the group containing all three is the simians (or anthropoids). There's no need for a monophyletic group called "monkeys", since that group already exists with a different name.
Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
Someone I was with on a zoo trip to Omaha stopped by the Indian rhinos (in the ASIAN HIGHLANDS) and said something along the lines of “it’s kinda sad looking at it in a pit like this, think how far these animals would roam out on the African Savannah”
Given the barbels and general behavior of koi, I can understand that one.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
I can't even look at the (Nile) hippos because they really freak me out so much and I absolutely hate them more than any other thing in this world!
Probably because of the barbels, I'd imagine. Although barbels are common in a wide range of fishes, catfishes would likely be the most familiar to to the average person.
CatLady636
New Member
I remember watching the Indian elephants at the St. Louis zoo. A keeper was standing above the enclosure feeding a cow treats, I believe it was bits of banana, after the elephant would do a certain "trick" based on the keeper's signal. These were simple, such as her picking up a certain toy or lifting a leg -- which they need to learn as basic foot care demands. I got the impression this was done regularly as one of the many forms of enrichment the keepers come up with, and we just happened to witness it, as it was not very near a viewing area. Two women in front of us were bemoaning the unfortunate elephant's fate. "The POOR thing! They're making it work or it will starve! How terrible!" etc, as if the keeper was using a cattle prod and not a clicker, or that they weren't otherwise fed. I almost said something, but the women left, mumbling something about reporting the "abuse."
I heard a dad say to his toddler not to pick things up off the ground because that's "nasty." This was the same man who I observed not ten seconds earlier having that same toddler walk barefoot in zoo restrooms.
Tapirus Lar
Well-Known Member
why would they stand in front of the enclosure and think about hippos if they hate ,em so much
Typical anti-zoo person who has no idea about animals and no intention of learning about them. Not to be harsh or anything... But I can't stand them. -_-
Not sure if "irritated" more than a little sad, but I can almost never watch a captive vulture (usually an American Black Vulture or Turkey Vulture) without hearing someone saying something along the lines of "What an ugly bird!" or "Eeww." 
They may not be the most graceful or ornately plumed but they are remarkably well-adapted to their environment and play crucial ecological roles - they do also have a certain charm about them in my opinion (my local sanctuary has a leucistic Turkey Vulture and her plumage is gorgeous!), so it's a bit frustrating to see people comment on their appearances alone and then simply move on.
They may not be the most graceful or ornately plumed but they are remarkably well-adapted to their environment and play crucial ecological roles - they do also have a certain charm about them in my opinion (my local sanctuary has a leucistic Turkey Vulture and her plumage is gorgeous!), so it's a bit frustrating to see people comment on their appearances alone and then simply move on.