RANT: Visitor Feeding

One of the things I find many visitors love about going to the zoo is the experience of feeding the animals themselves. Not to downplay how awesome it is to experience but I feel in many cases this is not healthy for the animal or our relationship with them.

1. Overweight Animals
Animals at zoos which allow visitor feeding I have observed to be more overweight than those where diets are monitored. In terms of animal health this can cause many issues – much like obesity in humans. In zoos with strict no feeding policies animal diets are monitored and keepers are better able to adjust the diet if need be to suit specific animal needs.

2. Aggression
Competition for food is a normal part of animal life. In many cases the more dominant or aggressive individuals are more successful. I find many animals within petting zoo style enclosures which are fed by the public are conditioned to be more aggressive than they usually would. In the wild or in keeper fed enclosures there are usually multiple sources of food – grass fields, larger feeding vestibules, or separate feeding stations for individuals. In public feeding scenarios either the food pellets are the only option or the more enticing one – meaning the animals have to compete for the attention of the visitor. This can be detrimental for the whole visitor experience especially for young children who may not be used to pushy animals.

3. Enrichment
A huge element in the modern zoo is the role enrichment plays in the lives of the animals. One of the easiest ways to provide enrichment and diversity into day-to-day life for the animals is through food. By hiding food in the exhibit it encourages foraging or hunting behaviours and mental stimulation. In many species diversity in their food can be used as cues for seasonal changes, to allow for variation between individuals (one may need more fat, another may be low in certain vitamins or minerals), or research into better zoo nutrition overall. Treats can be used as rewards in the training process and/or to help in the administration of medication. The more public feeding becomes dominant in a zoo, the more stagnant their diet becomes and these other diet aspects are put to the side.

4. Encourages Feeding at Other Zoos/Exhibits
Contrary to many guests beliefs that if one zoo has certain rules it applies to all – not all zoos allow feeding. Along those same lines, some species are more easily adapted to public feeding scenarios than others. For this reason, pay careful attention to signs posted and unless it explicitly says that feeding is allowed…don’t. Just because an animal is in a zoo doesn’t mean it is domesticated or unable to harm you.

5. Bribe
Most zoos have a variation of an indoor enclosure for their animals to spend the night. Normally their indoor environments are better controlled than their exhibits and are more secure. The easiest way to encourage an animal to go inside at night or outside in the morning is through their stomach. If visitors are filling them up all day it can be harder for keepers to get them inside at the end of the day. This may not seem like a big deal to the visitors who don’t have this frustrating task – but if you think of it in terms of the safety of the animal this should be of more of a concern.

6. Social Status
Many zoo animals live in social groups with members having different social rankings. One of the most common perks of being near the top of the standings is having first pick of the food. When a guest disturbs this practice by feeding one of the lower ranking individuals they could be causing social unrest within the whole group. A prime example of this is the death of a young orangutan at the Toronto Zoo in 1998 when guests threw food into the exibit.

Plaque at the Indomalayan Pavilion at the Toronto Zoo

7. Encourages Feeding of Wild Animals
Obviously there are differences between putting out a bird feeder and trying to give a slab of raw meat to a bear – but feeding in zoos can encourage disruptive behaviour. Hand feeding wild animals can make them imprinted on humans or unable to forage properly. Not having that fear of humans leads them to become comfortable in urban areas or being near humans – this can lead to them being labeled nuisances and sometimes killed. It can also be a danger to those doing the feeding as protective mothers may attack those trying to feed the more inquisitive young. It’s best to keep the wild animals wild and admire from a distance.

8. Toxicity
Those of you with pets probably know that certain foods can be toxic to different animals, such as chocolate or grapes for dogs. This is the same for many zoo animals. What you may think would be part of their natural diet could be potentially fatal – for example avocado skin and pits can be toxic to many species including goats and rabbits, and the flesh can be harmful to a number of bird species. Many plants can have toxins in their bark, wax covered leaves, or flowers. For this reason, feeding your picnic lunch or nearby vegetation to zoo or wild animals could be causing them harm.

Cards given out to guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

9. Diseases
While zoos regularly check their animals for diseases and keep as sanitary an exhibit as possible, it doesn’t mean guests still can’t get sick if they come in contact. Many animals touch or eat their own feces or that of other animals, which can make humans sick. Many wild animals may have ticks, fleas, or other problem insects that can be transferred to humans. The list is endless which is why it is safer to view from a distance – zoos add barriers for a reason.

I don’t mean to completely deter guests from doing behind the scenes feedings or going into the petting areas – I just want you to make some smart choices at zoos. If the animals appear overweight don’t buy the food when you go into the petting area; if the food being fed to the animals during guest feedings don’t seem like a natural option for them don’t take part; if you see other guests feeding the animals approach them and explain why it is harmful. Most of all respect the zoos wishes and remember it is for the animals safety as well as your own!

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FEATURE: Butterflies

For the most part zoos make their big bucks off of mammals. They are cute and cuddly and are huge draws for the regular visitor coming to the zoo. I hope through my animal ‘Features’ I can encourage you to also stop and look at some other species you might not have considered before. Butterflies are one of those exhibits that people often overlook because they are animals that are seen fairly often in the wild or visitors are in a rush to see the ‘main attractions’. These people are missing out!

Plain Tiger (Danaus chryssipus) butterflies at the Toronto Zoo

There are over 15 000 species of butterflies in the world, with more being discovered frequently. With this amount of diversity, a butterfly exhibit or conservatory can have so much variety in size and colour. Every time you visit you could potentially see a variation you haven’t seen before. An abundance of flowers are always present within their exhibits as this is most butterflies main source of food – nectar and/or pollen. Due to their oasis style enclosures which tend to be a walk through style, they are perfect for amateur and professional photographers. Also, butterflies are great in multiple species habitats which means zoos often have birds and/or fish on display within the same enclosure.

Pupa at the Toronto Zoo

Butterflies are fascinating in many ways, but perhaps the most intriguing is their life cycle. Every butterfly exhibit I have been to also has an area displaying different stages of butterfly growth and development. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for young ones, and a perfect introduction to the fascinating world of insects and biology.

Rice Paper (Idea leuconoe) butterfly at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Butterflies are universally captivating. I have witnessed delight on children’s faces when finally their patience pays off and a butterfly lands on their arm; and I have seen calm enjoyment shared by an elderly couple relaxing on a bench watching them flutter around them. I hope next time you visit a zoo or conservatory you are able to have a moment like that, and can appreciate some of the beautiful butterflies from around the world.

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REVIEW: Toronto Zoo NEW Giant Panda Exhibit

Zoo: Toronto Zoo

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Website: torontozoo.com

Highlights: Interpretive Centre, Outdoor exhibit landscaping

Children Friendly (9): With plenty of activities and things to look at even before the pandas, children are kept entertained and wanting to go back. Large windows that go to the floor in both the indoor and outdoor exhibits allow children to see without having to be lifted. The only thing I took points off for is the wait time. Naturally it is a new and very popular exhibit which creates a line up. They do a lot to lessen the monotony of the wait but it will seem quite long to a child.

Animal Viewing (9): Indoor viewing area has virtually one whole side wall of each room as a window allowing for a great view. In the outdoor exhibits there are multiple vantage points including right close to the exhibit as well as some slightly elevated viewing from further back. Multiple sides of the outdoor exhibits are on display with not many spots where the animals are fully out of view.

Animals Happiness (9): Both pandas seemed for the most part content. The male (Da Mao) seemed to enjoy the attention, where the female (Er Shun) appears to be a little more shy. The exhibits cater to the pandas with plenty of natural landscaping. The indoor exhibit does seem a little ‘cold’ with concrete flooring however the animals did not seem bothered by this. I took away points just for the fact that the female may take some adjusting or special attention from the keepers to keep her comfortable with the amount of attention from the public that is coming her way.

Photography (7): The main outdoor exhibit was amazing for photography – plenty of sightlines, no fences in the way, and beautiful landscaping. The secondary outdoor exhibit does have a chain link fence around it but I believe you can get close enough that it wouldn’t be that much of an issue. The main area I took off points is in the indoor viewing. The windows do get a large amount of glare which greatly hinders getting a good photograph. Also since you can get right up to the window and this exhibit is hugely popular, the amount of fingerprints and smudges get in the way.

Layout/Environment (10): The layout of this exhibit was very well thought out and accounts for the volume of visitors travelling through. First off they made it a one way exhibit – meaning that you can only enter it from one direction, with a one way flow of traffic. The zoo knew what to expect in terms of volume and created a queuing line with touches of Chinese culture and things to read. The interpretive centre allows for a distraction from the line and allows for visitors to learn a great deal about pandas and where they’re from.  The two outdoor exhibits are on opposite sides of the indoor holdings limiting the amount of congestion around one area. In the main outdoor exhibit, each viewing are has a different focus – a climbing structure, a rock cave, or a large pond with a waterfall. Each area is beautifully landscaped and natural looking.

Safety/Cleanliness (9): In terms of safety the only issue I can foresee is if a parent lifts their child on top of the railing. There is an angled glass to prevent items falling into the exhibit and it shouldn’t be a problem as long as parents are being attentive. In terms of cleanliness I found it very clean, although it was lacking garbage cans.

Extras (10): In terms of extras the real star is the interpretive centre. Even without the actual exhibit the centre was so entertaining both for children and adults that it is a great addition by itself. Plenty of interactive games that are both fun and educational are spread out through the centre. Not only do they give amazing facts about the panda but also about other animals in danger that live in the same environment. The other thing that this exhibit got right is the décor. By putting bamboo on the back fence of the exhibit it creates a beautiful backdrop for photos.

Overall (9): A beautiful exhibit that definitely catered to the pandas. I feel the only thing that is going to hinder visitors experience is the volume of other people crowding the area.

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TIP: Off Exhibit Animals

I often hear people complaining in zoos about how they went on a trip and they didn’t see any animals there! Often times this isn’t the case…either they didn’t spend enough time looking for the animals in their exhibits (some like to hide or have good camouflage!), or one particular animal they wanted to see was not out and they were grossly over exaggerating. There are many reasons animals may be off display so I’d like to provide both some insight in why they might be, as well as ways you can find out before you go.

• Winter: This is probably the main reason animals would be off display. Many animals in zoos are traditionally warmer weather species and do not have the proper methods to keep themselves warm in snow or cooler temperatures. For this reason they will be kept in off display exhibits with warmer temperatures. As well if there is ever any ice in outdoor paddocks many zoos do not let out any hoofstock animals due to the higher chances of leg injuries.
  **Note: If you notice some zoos have a species on display where you go to another one and they say it is too cold for them to be out. This could be an example of zoos having the resources to alter the exhibits to have hot spots and therefore provide extra heat even to outdoor areas.

Toronto Zoo white lions are able to be on display even in the middle February due to installing heated areas of the exhibit disguised as the base of a rock formation.

• Storms: This may seem silly to many guests as most animals would have to endure storms if they were in the wild but usually this protocol is to ensure the safety and comfort of their animals. Giraffes for example are usually moved indoors in zoos during storms to prevent being struck by lightning. If any of you have pets at home you may know how some are very frightened by thunder. This happens with zoo animals as well and they may be moved indoors into a calmer or safer environment.
• Heat: Many animals are more comfortable in warmer environments; however, if the temperatures climb too high it can quickly turn to uncomfortable. In general, zoos try to keep their exhibits as comfortable as possible for their animals which would include shade and possibly pools for them to cool off in. If these options are not available or on exceptionally hot days certain species or individuals may be kept indoors.
• Vet Checks: Attempts are usually made to schedule vet checks on slower days or on already scheduled off days. However, if any of you readers have children or pets of your own you can recognize how fluke problems can arise or injuries can appear seemingly out of nowhere. In order to address any problems immediately animals may suddenly be off display part way through the day.
• Reproduction: Either for breeding purposes, fertility checks, pregnancy monitoring, or off exhibit time alone for the first days/weeks/months for the mother and young.

Toronto Zoo pandas are now at the zoo but will be in quarantine for a number of weeks before being on display.

• New Animals: For newly acquired animals by a zoo in many circumstances these animals will be off display for awhile before they will be displayed to the public. First mandatory quarantine procedures must be followed in the majority of cases. Also these individuals would also have to be introduced to the routines of the zoos so they know they are safe and at a new home. If there are other individuals they are on display with they are also usually introduced to each other for the first couple of times outside of the public eye in case of any problems.
• Construction: For updating exhibits or areas of the zoo often the animals would not be able to be on display during this time. There’s usually no way of getting around that but keep in mind this is often the zoo trying to make your future visits better!

So clearly there are many reasons why animals may be off display at the zoo but how would you be able to know ahead of time to pick the best days for your trip?

• Check Their Website: Most places do not update their website every day, but if an animal is going to be off display for an extended period of time due to illness, construction, or hibernation they will usually post this on an area of their website.
  
• Call Ahead: Usually the guest services department knows of times animals are off display or when they usually are. Give a call the morning of your trip or the day or two before to see if they know of any.
• Check When You Arrive: It doesn’t save you the drive but sometimes there are notice boards at the entrance to zoos giving a list of animals which won’t be on display for the day or will only be out for certain times. You can always check this board or ask at the gate before you pay.

Remember: Zoos know that their guests make the trip to the zoo to see the animals. They try their best to keep animals on display, however the welfare of the animals is their first priority.

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TIP: Feeding Times

Many zoos list feeding times for different animals throughout the day. These times are a great opportunity to get a better view of the animals – they are more in view and will be more animated. In some of the more laid back animals this provides an opportunity to see them moving around; in some of the more active animals that are normally difficult to get non-blurry pictures of, this can provide moments where they’re staying still.

One of the active Ring-Tailed Lemurs at the Toronto Zoo taking a moment to enjoy a snack.

With many of the feeding interactions the zookeeper will also say a little blurb to the crowd about that particular animal and what they are feeding it. This is a great learning opportunity and also a chance to ask any questions you may have. With the lesser dangerous animals the keeper may be in the exhibit with the animals which displays the bonds these keepers have with their animals.

Zookeeper feeding the African Penguins at the Toronto Zoo.

You can normally find these feeding times on the zoos website before you go for the day. If you can’t find any displayed online or on the map ask at the front gate when you go in!

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TIP: Broaden Your Horizons!

One of the great things about zoos is their ability to introduce visitors to exotic creatures from around the world and educate them on how things we do day to day can affect their lives.

Kookaburra at the Toronto Zoo

Make sure you take time at the zoo to explore new exhibits you may have missed previous times, or the exhibits that are off the main path or may seem small to you. It is in these exhibits that you will find animals you may never knew existed! Take the opportunity to learn about a new animal – you may just find a new favourite!

Capybara at the Toronto Zoo

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REVIEW: Toronto Zoo

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Website: www.torontozoo.com

Highlights: White lions, Mayan Temple exhibits, Polar bear pool

Photos: Feb 2012, May 2012, June 2012, Feb 2013, March 2013, May 2013, Nov 2013, Jan 2014, Feb 2014, March 2014, April 2014, July 2014, July 2014, Sept 2014, Oct 2014, Oct 2014, Dec 2014

Children Friendly (8): So many sights for youngsters to see and do. Plenty of activities and child friendly events. Also has a children’s area with animals, jungle gyms, and a wet play area. Discounted admission for ages 4-12, and free under 4. Downside is that it is a very big zoo so little feet may get tired quite quickly, and a variety of the exhibits are hard to view the animals if you’re under a certain height.

Animal Diversity (10): Huge zoo boasting 450+ species and over 5000 individual specimens. They are not an aquatic zoo therefore they don’t have any whales, dolphins, seals, etc. but overall I feel that with such a wide variety of other animals representing so many different areas of the world and representing all 6 of the groups of animals I feel they deserve a 10.

Animal Viewing (8): Certain exhibits allow the animals many hiding spots, making them quite hard to find. As well, many exhibits only allow viewing from one side. There are always a variety of animals off display – however there are lists both on the website as well as at the gate before you enter (I did not deduct many points for this reason as well as the fact that due to the zoo’s size having one animal off display does not affect the entire experience greatly).

Animals Happiness (8): Most enclosures have a variety of enrichment activities for the animals to partake in as well as basic needs such as food, water, and shade. The animals seem well cared for and most do not show any obvious signs of stress. I have noticed instances of pacing in some of the larger carnivores.

Photography (7): As noted in Viewing, many of the exhibits have partial blockage or do not allow all angles to be accessed. Also a number of the exhibits have quite obstructive fencing (most notably the outdoor gorilla exhibit) and glass which makes it quite difficult to photograph through without glare (most notably the orangutan exhibit).

Layout/Map (7): The map is quite well done, showing silhouettes of animals over where they reside as well as being colour coded. Another great feature is showing where and when feeding times are in an easy to follow path of numbers with a legend at the bottom. The area where I deducted points is the layout. I do like that they followed a layout based on origins of the animals not on animal type; however, the long walking distance between these areas can be rough for younger children or the elderly (or everyone in the summer heat!). I also feel the walk and steep hill to the Canadian domain discourages many people on visiting it, therefore missing out on some great exhibits. The long walk in Eurasia also tempts many people to skip this section.

Hours (10): Open at the same time every day year round is fantastic, as well they have generous closing times. Extended hours during the summer, spring/fall weekends and March break is great for families.

Price (8): As mentioned in the Children sections, discounts are great for kids. A general admission of $20 plus $10 parking won’t break the bank especially for the amount of animals and activities to take part in. The membership options (10 different ones!) are amazing and I would definitely recommend one of them to anyone planning on going to the zoo at least twice a year. The food may cost you as much as admission if you partake in all the goodies offered.

Food (8): Quite a bit of variety from sandwiches and salads to burgers and popcorn. It’s what you would expect from an outing at an entertainment area with a couple of bonus’ such as the Beavertails stands and a licensed patio.

Website (10): Awesome website! Provides so much information from events and news updates, to conservation initiatives and facts about the zoo. Easy to navigate, has plenty of pictures and information, and is updated frequently.

Gift Shop (10): Having more than one, and all being large allows for less crowded areas during the busy season. They have great variety in the gift shops and items are frequently on sale. They also have an area selling uniquely African souvenirs and gifts.

Quiet Areas (8): Quite a few of these throughout the park. Although I knocked the distance between areas in the Layout, it does provide for many quiet areas to sit and enjoy some peace and quiet or regroup. Eating areas can get quite busy, but there are picnic benches or park benches along most pathways.

Safety/Cleanliness (9): I’ve always found this zoo quite clean. I rarely see garbage lying about or food everywhere. All exhibits appear to be well taken care of with no signs of being rundown or safety issues of animals escaping.

Extras (8): There are always plenty of events that the Toronto Zoo hosts or is a part of. They do have camps and fundraisers throughout the year (bonus not just having them in the summer!). I would like to maybe see some more activities aimed towards the adults (talks, conservation information sessions, etc).

Overall (8.5): LOTS of animals (which means lots of babies year-round), exceptional hours making for great off season visits, upgrading and welcoming more species/individuals all the time. I would highly recommend this zoo for every visitor. Great for families, young adults, seniors, and everyone else!

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