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Posted by Carl_A on April 08, 2003 at 13:53:41:
In Reply to: zoos, parents & snakes posted by theMAC on April 08, 2003 at 13:28:51:
During college, I worked in the reptile house at the Bronx Zoo (that was the name when I worked there) and witnessed this on a daily basis.
My complaint was basically with the ignorance that was being passed down. Parents, not knowing anything about an animal and just trying to pacify the child with an answer - any answer - would just blurt out whatever came to mind. It's difficult to work against. A few zoos I've been to have volunteers / keepers out there to answer any questions the viewing public may have. My most asked question, "how do they pee?"
I have a feeling there's a greater fear of snakes (and animals in general) than there is an attraction. I, for one, have no problems working with snakes, large crocodilians and the like. But when I'm on a farm, and we're feeding peanuts to donkeys by hand, I don't take part, because I'm not at all used to working with these creatures. And that, I realize, is because they are foreign to me, and I have no understanding of them.
My thoughts, anyway. I should add that there are very few attractions at zoos that draw more visitors than the reptile house.
