Zookeeper Opinions on the Pittsburgh Zoo Incident

You certainly won't receive the opinions of zoo personnel... They are contractually obligated to remain silent.
 
I feel everyone realizes that the mother is at fault. However pointing fingers at her, will not revive her lost child, nor the African wild dog killed in the incident. The zoo has been more than accommodating to her through out the entire tragedy. And I'm sure she herself realizes it was her own blatant disregard for safety that caused this.
 
I'm not looking for opinions from the Pittsburgh Zoo personnel. No need for the scolding tone and people, like to talk, I don't care if they have to remain silent or not. Hey, if no one from another zoo wants to respond to this no problem. I would think though that other zoo worker/volunteers may be somewhat upset with how you're being portrayed. I do guarantee this though...if you don't want to talk now, you will down the line- a radio/tv station here is trahsing this zoo like crazy.

Look, okay, don't scold- if you don't want to answer this, don't answer it. If you see this thread a couple of weeks from now and want to vent about it go ahead.
 
While there is a certain passion with assigning blame ASAP and, at least on this Forum, on defending the zoo.... none of us really knows what happened. We can't know if the mother acted inappropriately if we didn't see exactly what happened, what she did, what the situation was, how the child was behaving, etc.

Why so quick and insistent on blaming?
Let the lawyers do it... they no doubt have begun.... let a jury or court decide.
Or do we just want to draw blood ourselves?
Pack of wild dogs indeed

This article covers accusations, defenses, and even how this exhibit is different from or similar to others around the country.
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/...sign-safety-attack-human-snider#axzz2C0PMejpw
 
The ironic thing is I'm listening to a Philadelphia sports show and the guy just said, "Don't let anyone stop you from expressing opinions-" and guess what? As long as you do it in good taste, he's right- so here it goes...

What I really, really hate is someone scolding me, the waving of the finger type reply. I put out a thread that is actually a reasonable type question and point of discussion. I was looking for someone at a zoo to possibly talk about these wild dogs or what kind of displays they're in (in another zoos).

What in the world is the matter with what I'm asking here? Within 24 hours it was already decided, "no charges against the mother." Are you kidding me? Zooplantman seems to think or accuse me of wanting to spill blood and I don't appreciate at in the least. I love zoos and I think this zoo is getting a really bad rap. To those of you who don't live around here, turn on KDKA, they've found witness after witness to this and the original story said no one actually saw the fall. Let's not a cheetah used to live here (in the dogs area) and no one ever said anything about how this was set-up.

I'll tell you what, if this question upsets you then ignore it. I cannot believe how politically correct everyone is now. Wow...
 
Give me a break- okay. There is no investigation of the mother, none- so don't sit there and tell me that. A little boy is going to have no justice here and this is the last thing I'm responding too. I come on here for information and discussion that's it. Again you weren't even reading what I was looking for.
 
The incident was a terrible, horrific accident and that is how it should be perceived by one and all. Individuals baying for blood should not condemn the mother for a stupid mistake, but should let her move on and attempt to survive life without being subjected to anything ridiculous like charges or a trial. Compassion is needed for a grieving mom, and she will be in mourning for the rest of her life so why does she need to be assigned blame by people who have never even met her? I'm positive that she will be blaming herself and struggling to maintain her composure for the rest of her life.

An interesting perspective that is found in Canada is that each year in my home nation there are always a few stories that make the newspaper where mothers have dumped a newborn's body in a garbage can/forest/alley/etc. Often the moms are under 30 years of age, have had an illegitimate baby that has not been healthy, and at least a couple of times a year the baby (whether alive or dead) is literally dumped into a plastic bag and disposed of. I can remember briefly researching this gruesome fact with my students (I'm a high school teacher) and what at first surprised me was that in less than 10% of the cases are any charges ever laid. The police force and authorities understand that the young mothers have already undergone a tremendous amount of self-loathing and grief and thus charges are not recommended. I'm not saying that I'm supportive of that stance, but the guilt-ridden mental state of an individual is taken into account when it comes to things like criminal charges.
 
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