Zoos are a great way to have fun for the entire family. They present the opportunity to get up close and personal with exotic animals that you could otherwise only read about online or see on TV. The average person may assume that they already know all of the basic information about zoos, but they can be a lot stranger than people realize. Here are some interesting facts about them, and be sure to check back for part two of this article.
Number Ten: Animal Print Has Been Banned at Zoos
After noticing that animals were getting a bit too close for comfort to certain spectators, The Chessington World of Adventures zoo in Great Britain enforced a ban on animal print. If you’re caught wearing leopard, zebra, or giraffe print on the grounds of this business, you either need to change into a gray jumpsuit or leave.
Number Nine: A Zoo in China Got Caught Showcasing Fake Animals
The Henan Province Zoo in China had incidents of dressing up dogs as lions, leopards, and wolves. When confronted about the timber wolf that was actually a dog, the zoo officials tried to play it off by claiming that the dog was the wolf’s pet.
Number Eight: Elephants Live Much Shorter Lives in Captivity
Usually, animals in zoos live longer than animals in the wild, because they do not face the same dangers. Safe from food shortages, predators, and harsh weather conditions, the animals can frolic worry-free. However, for elephants, the opposite is true. They tend to live only 17 to 19 years in captivity, as opposed to the 50+ enjoyed by elephants in their natural habitats.
Number Seven: Animal Thefts Have Occurred at Some Zoos
More common than one would imagine are incidents of animal kidnapping. There have been reports of people breaking into animal cages or tanks, and even one event where a Bengal tiger and two camels were stolen while in transport to a Canadian zoo.
Number Six: Some Zoos Feature Bizarre Animal Shows
For the entertainment of guests, there exist a variety of strange activities zoo keepers force animals to partake in. These talents range from tricycle riding, to bear boxing, to tight rope performances. We hope you enjoyed part one of this article, and make sure to keep an eye out for part two, coming soon.