The zoo, for many, is a place of wonder. A place to escape their nonchalant lives and sample some of the most exotic species from half-way across the world. A place to revere the piece de resistance of nature’s marvelous works. To be dazzled by elegant beasts that are free from the proverbial yoke of modern living.
It can be a little overwhelming, to say the least…especially for first-timers! Here’s a fun fact; did you know that the first video to be posted on Youtube was by co-founder Jared Karim on his visit to the zoo? That’s how impactful nature is!
Nevertheless, there is some etiquette to be observed when visiting the zoo. Lest you want to end up on some random ‘funniest fails of 2020’ video on Youtube!
With this in mind, here’s what you need to know before traversing an animal enclosure or sanctuary near your city.
What to Observe
One of the major disturbances caused by visitors at a zoo is excessive noise. Indeed, the excitement can be a tad too much and can irritate the animals in the enclosure. As a rule of thumb, try as hard as you can to be a silent observer, acknowledging each animal’s majesty with your eyes rather than your voice box!
When visiting enclosures housing apes, it’s highly recommended that you avoid eye contact with these exotic beasts. Intelligent creatures such as the chimpanzee and gorilla are highly receptive to eye contact. What do you know? It looks like our cousins like their own privacy as much as we do. In fact, if you stare at them, they will most likely turn their backs in shyness or embarrassment!
Safety, of course, is paramount in any animal enclosure. There is a reason why such sturdy barriers are put in place to protect you and the animal from ‘interacting’ with each other.
Never attempt to scale any walls or barriers put in place, regardless of how desperate you are to get a great photo for your timeline. You’d be surprised by the number of recorded injuries zoos get every year from overzealous tourists who wanted the perfect photo to circulate to their friends!
Last but certainly not least, always listen to the zoo instructor and follow their every order. They have been put in charge primarily for your safety and education. Do not attempt to brave the enclosures on your own as you might get more than what you reckoned!
