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Are You Afraid of the Zoo?

Posted: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 7:05 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

There are few things more exciting, especially for children, than going to the zoo. I recently went to one with my brother, sister-in-law, and their two kids, and my niece and nephew had a great time looking at the array of different animals -- even at this small zoo in New Jersey.

This undated file photo provided by the San Franci...After our trip, my nephew, who is 7, said he wanted to visit the Bronx Zoo, which is one of the world's biggest and best. And it has, among other animals, tigers.

So the news of this tiger on the loose (left, in an undated AP photo) at the San Francisco Zoo, which killed one man and injured two others, should give anyone pause about going to the zoo, especially if they have children.

There is still too much that we don't know about this specific case -- particularly, how exactly this tiger was able to escape from her exhibit -- to know what happened and what could or should have been done to prevent it (though it's chilling to think that a year ago, almost to the day, this tiger attacked her keeper).

The odds of something like this happening, of course, are very small. But even still, are you now feeling more reluctant this morning to go to the zoo in light of this attack?

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Comments

People need to remember that these "exhibits" are still animals, wild animals, and that they can cause anyone harm, even their keepers.

MR, Hinesville, GA (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:21 AM)

We go to the Zoo at least 6 times a year and will continue to do so without any reservations. The animals living there are still wild animals and have to be respected. It is unfortunate that we are over developing their homes to the brink of extinction for many species and they have to be put in captivity and at times the strain of being caged and restricted has horrible results. We as humans have done this to these animals.

H. Detty, Bloomington IN (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:37 AM)

The zoo is one of my favorite places to visit. Millions of people safely visit hundreds of zoos all over the country. We cannot let one incident, although tragic, dictate our way of life. It is sad, that for some, it will.

Vicky Sturgell, Williston, SC (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:38 AM)

Of course your kids come first! - don't take them any place you imagine might not be safe.

That said:  Judging the guilt/fault now is way
too premature.  We have almost no facts.  When I
hear that three men who were friends, in their 20's, were alone at the tiger's home after closing, in the dark, and were all three attacked, I need to know more.  Were they merely hapless nature lovers out to admire something untamed?  Or was it some macho thing, were they trying to get Tatiana agitated so she'd act "more like a tiger?"

It is premature for the zoo to decide how it happened.  Yes, they have a duty to start speculating and act on the conservative side because people come first.

But conclusions at this point, no.

Monica Chynn, Silver Spring, MD (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:40 AM)

I am not afraid of going to the zoo. I am afraid of losing all wildlife to humans and the lack of interest in keeping wildlife surviving. Weather in a zoo or in their own environments, people will always blame the animals for being what they are, wild. With all the great wildlife charities in this country, why don't people give more. Children love to see these amazing animals. I know they will not see some as they get older and their children will see even less. Instead of giving gift2 at Christmas and birhdays that end up in the closet, adopt an animal, join a charity, give help to the zoos in any way you can. Just my thoughts.

Bonnie Flamont, HUntington, WV (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:41 AM)

I do not fear the Zoo. I work in one. I do however fear the moat style enclosures. Not only for visitor safety on the human side of the fence (kids falling in moats), but for the safety of the animals who are harrassed while doing their job as ambassadors showing the world what it is losing.
There are different ways to exhibit a wild animal, preferrably by saving its natural environment in the Wilds, but if not plexiglass is not a bad option.
This tradgedy should never have occurred and I wonder what they aren't telling us about the whole story.

Tigerlily ~ Nor Cal (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:55 AM)

the whole thing is tragic, it's too bad the police weren't armed with tranquilizer guns instead of real bullits. who knows why the tiger attacked. was she provoked?

patty meltabarger, springfield,mo. (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:21 AM)

I'm glad to read that most of the comments on this are to remember these are wild animals. I too will continue to visit the zoo when ever possible.I was sadened by both the lose of human life and that of the tiger.

Hazel Maddox (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:31 AM)

Zoos are horrible places for animals and I hope that at some point they are ALL shut down.  Too bad people get hurt but these are wild animals that don't belong caged up and gawked at. I am ALWAYS on the animal's side.  CLOSE THE ZOOS!!!!

Patti Lawson, South Bend, IN (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:54 AM)

How would we feel forced to live in a small area for the rest of our lives is a question we should ask. Animals are animals and desrve to live free or in a preserve where they can roam freem Unfortuntley there a few "animals" around the human race who think nothing of killing the animals for skin or display.

Sarah seguin Tx (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:05 AM)

I am not afraid of the zoo, but these are wild animals. They are not pets. People who treat wild animials like pets or Beanie Babies, are more likely to get hurt.

JK, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:50 AM)

My husband works at a Wildlife Sanctuary in Scranton, PA. The city does little to help advertise the fact that it is not a "zoo", but a place for rescued exotic and endangered species. Some won in courts from medical & make up testing facilities. Some abandoned by idiot owners who thought for some reason they could own a Lynx, a Cougar, or a monkey of some sort. It is run solely on donations and generosity from local supermarkets. It is a sad fact that even the local people do not know it is a rescue and criticize the sancutary as a "zoo", some even demanding animals be released into the wild!! (Where they would NEVER survive!! Public education should be NUMBER ONE when dealing with any type of animal habitat! Zoos, Sanctuaries, and Rescues!

Kat Terrill, Luzerne, PA (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:00 AM)

I have also liked going to the zoo. I took my kids when they were little.  It was a thrill for them and myself to see these wonderful animals so close.  Not really thinking how dangerous they are.
This big female tiger found a way out. She is a hunter. At 300 pounds of teeth and claws, she was always searching for a way out.  It doesn't matter how long the keepers know these animals, at any minute they can go from calm looking to the wild animals they are.  They should never go into these animals cages, unless there are at least two others watching out.
My heart goes out to the ones attacked.

Debra Biggerstaff, Charlotte, N.C. (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:11 AM)

Animals do not belong in the zoo, they belong in the wild. The practice of keeping animals under lock and key and enclosure in the name of "conservation" ( you know, conservation like shooting and killing the animals when they escape) has detrimental effects on us and the animals. I am not surprised by the escape and attack, nor am I afraid of zoos. Like many experiences in life, you enter at your own risk.

Linda, Austin, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:20 AM)

It is  so  sad  this has happened but the zoo authorities has to find out how did this  animal got  away from the cage.  

Wanda Rios, San Salvador El Salvador (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:49 AM)

I absolutely will continue to go to zoos. I agree with Monica from MD...seems to much of a coincidence that all 3 of these boys knew each other & all were attacked. It seems that is all instances when you hear of someone dying or being attacked at a zoo, it is almost always the humans fault. Although tragic that this happened to these you men, I feel equally bad for the tiger. It is because of humans they are so endangered & forced to live in captivity.

Suzy, Las Cruces, NM (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 12:11 PM)

I agree that this story lacks a sense of the random.  The odds of this tiger attacking three people who know eachother have got to be pretty high.  Having said this, the tiger did what comes naturally to tigers, and if we want to keep them in zoos then we have to be willing to assume a certian amount of risk.
So yes while I am willing to assume the risk, I am a little afraid of Zoos!

Lauren Tompkins Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 1:03 PM)

I know exactly how those two guys feel.  Thirtyfive years ago my daughter and I were attacked by a Siberian tiger at the zoo here in Omaha.  It is truley something that you never forget.  Ittoo had jumped out of it grotto type cage grabbed my arm when I went to push it away my then 5 year old dughter ran and the tiger picked her up by her head and carried her a good distance before it dropped her. When ever I hear of an attack of any kind it brings back all of the bad memories.

Gloria Cordner Long Omaha, Ne (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 1:29 PM)

Animals don't belong in zoos, and this is just one more tragic bit of evidence of this.  I don't go to zoos because to me, it is like looking at loads of prisoners that have committed no crime.  Too sad.  Most captive wild animals will eventually hurt someone if given the chance because the environment is unnatural and designed for viewing, rather than safety or privacy.  There is a lot of suffering that goes on behind the scenes just so that we can gawk at the zoo inhabitants, research it and you will see.

Cathy Dunne, McKinney TX (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 4:15 PM)

When my daughter was perhaps three or four we were at the Denver Zoo and the large feline exhibit was behind glass. As my daughter played down right by the glass window, the large cat was following her back and forth ready to pounce at any moment. Thank God for the protective glass.

Becky Iacono, Aurora, CO (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 4:51 PM)

Properly-run zoos are educational and allow children (and adults) to have real life (but hopefully safe) encounters with wildlife they would never otherwise see in person. Most youths who frequently visit zoos become adults who support the protection of animals in the wild. Accidents sometimes happen, but children and adults are safer while at the zoo than they are riding in a car on the freeway. So if someone is afraid to take their children to the zoo, they had best never take them anywhere at all!

Shari Meyr, Port Orange FL (Sent Wednesday, December 26, 2007 7:55 PM)

I live in the SF area and have visited this particular zoo. I think it extremely important to remember that these animals are wild animals and just because they are held in captivity does not make them domesticated. Animals do what they are instinctly supposed to do. I think a lot of us forget that. Yes, I believe that the zoo should have had a safer containment area, but I think that these boys had something to do with the tiger escaping. I think they tried to get in as a prank or something and now they are paying the consequences. In truth, it's not the tiger should be at fault, but human stupidity.

Stephanie I. (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:56 PM)

I listened to Jack Hanna discuss his feelings about the tragedy at the San Fransisco Zoo. He had a gut feeling that something just wasn't right. Zoo tigers are not as agile or  in top athletic form as a  free ranging tiger so jumping the fence would be extremely difficult for the animal without some human intervention.  
   If the park had already "closed" for the day, why were these young men still hanging around the tiger enclosure? I hope that as the survivors heal from their injuries, they will be willing to give a true account of what happened.Our sympathy goes out to the family for the loss of their son. This tragedy should never have happened.
    Zoos have an important role in securing the survival of many endangered species. My family will continue to support our local zoos (Cleveland Metroparks and Akron Zoo)in Ohio.

J. Evanovich, Rootstown, Ohio (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:29 PM)

Man is Man

Animals are Animals

We must strive towards coming together as a human race with love,care and sharing...towards each other and the beauty of our animals on this earth.

We just must in anyway we can to make a difference-change -contribution for better tomorrows in our world.

Claire McGibney New York ,NY (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 10:41 AM)

We must be thankful that we do have our zoos, our
animals our losing there natural habitat to a concrete jungle. If Tatiana could escape from her exhibit, why din't she get out other times and why did only Tatiana escape, something does not add up.

Mary Pennington, West Palm Beach, FL (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:29 PM)

Afraid of the zoo? Of course NOT ! I feel for that tiger.She was taunted,teased and provoked. How sad that two lives were lost,hers and the young mans.I feel security should be around wild animal exhibits such as the tigers,to protect the people and the animals as well.A beautiful animal and a broken heart.

Holly Cariola (Sent Monday, December 31, 2007 8:37 AM)

Common sense tells me they don't need to build a higher wall,It should be lower and then STEEL rods or metal rods, along with heavy duty fence over the top should keep a tiger in the gage. Dominic Palmer Pa

dominic grillo (Sent Monday, December 31, 2007 10:58 PM)

What a horrible way to go!!  For both the young man, and the tiger.  I'm not religious, but I feel that just because we may be superior in brain power compared to God's other creatures, doesn't give us the right to lock them up, isolating them from their own kind just so the selfish, pee brained humans can stand 15ft from them, pointing at them, yelling at them,laughing, whistling, etc., day after day, year after year.  It's enough to drive any animal to bust free and do what God created it to do, attack the dumb humans.  Those creatures deserve to remain in their natural, wild, habitat.  Those minuscule, artificial environments the zoo has created for them, must really get lost in all the concrete, noise, and pollution that surrounds them. Whom ever designed the enclosure
should be held accountable.  A young man gone, two others severely hurt and a dead tiger that should have never been here in the first place.

nancy (Sent Tuesday, January 01, 2008 10:25 AM)

Young people need to be taught that wild animals are just that, wild. Animals should never be taunted or provoked.

Marylu Leveroni, Ormond Beach, FL (Sent Tuesday, January 01, 2008 11:04 AM)

apparently these young men thought that it would be fun to tease the "dumb animal",well, the "bored" animal was reacting to an external stimulus, and the young men, sadly, got what they asked for, a reaction.

John W., Douglasville, Ga. (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 7:59 AM)

(Resent, due to the "H" word). The message from Stephanie I. from the SF area says it all! I would like to add that ALL animals, caged, wild, or domesticated should be
treated with sensitivity and respect. We can learn a lot from them. Incidently, in light of all the current political unrest, and possible danger to zoos and escaped animals, such as the ones in Baghdad, captivity in a responsible facility can be a safer home for some of our animals.
Finally, as a former San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park visitor, H_LL NO I'm not "afraid of the zoo", and wish there was a great zoo in MS!!! I'm more afraid of some of the PEOPLE who VISIT our zoos and wild places!!

Shirley Tracy, Vicksburg, Mississippi (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:45 AM)

The Zoo can hire a lawyer and the young men and the family of the dead boy who were attacked can hire a lawyer but who will defend Tatiana? She's dead. Who will defend her? I'm not a fanatic about animal rights but I wonder who will speak for the Tiger. She was a wild animal, the enclosure was supposed to protect her too.

Sandra Dortch, Fishers, IN (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:19 AM)

It is really sad that in today's society, people are allowed to taunt, maim and kill animals when in reality, it is the people who are the real animals! People, no matter how old, need to take responsibility for their actions. Someone teases a wild animal untik that animal can't tolerate anymore and kills said taunter. Animal gets killed also, but no one sees the reality which is no one should taunt any living thing. So, eventually, someone will get sued, be it the city, zoo, etc. Does that solve the problem? No, bullys are bullys! Where is the justification? An animal, who wasn't bothering anyone, until it was bothered, gets a bad rap, when it is the people who are at fault.

Hope, Wi (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:12 AM)

I will always have RESPECT for a wild animal regardless of where I come into contact with one. Whether it is in a zoo, open range in Alaska, or my own back yard.  So, I would never be afraid to go to the zoo!

Leslie, Waterloo, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 11:45 AM)

It truly boils down to the fact that tehy are dealing with wild animals still and they demand the respect that they deserve.  

qball seattle (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 12:59 PM)

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been to the SF Zoo many times and will not be afraid.  I'm failing to understand why the SF Zoo is taking the huge hit in all this, when the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are also at fault because they're the ones that send out inspectors to ensure zoos and aquariums are meeting standards to acquire accreditation, yet they are not even being mentioned.  Sure, the SF Zoo is partly to blame because they should have been proactive in ensuring animals do not escape, but if the inspectors do not point out that the 12.5-foot wall is not meeting national standards, is that solely the SF Zoo's fault?  I, also, think that even though Tatiana was provoked, the tiger should not have been able to get out, period.  We could dangle meat and the tiger should not be able to escape.

Wuz Up G, San Mateo (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 3:44 AM)

No, I am not afraid of the zoo.  What happened to that Tiger on Christmas day was apauling.   Those kids taunted that tiger and now we should feel sorry for them.  NOT ME!  They should be thrown in Jail for life for caudising the death of that animal.  Whta they did was equal to Vick.  Who got off way to easy. Why is the zoo and that tiger being blamed?  What would a person do if they were being taunted and possible injured (based on the sling shots they had).  I will tell you THEY WOULD DEFEND THEMSELVES!  That is exactly what that tiger did.  IT IS A LAW THAT IF A PERSON COMES ON TO YOUR PROPERTY AND YOU FEEL THREATENED THEN YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF EVEN IF IT MEANS CAUSING THE DEATH OF THAT INTRUDER.  HELLO.. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE TIGER DID!  What people are aloud to do to animals in thsi country is unbelievable.  They abuse them and get either nothing or a slap on the wrist.. Where are the animlas rights.  People protest about abortion because that is causing the death of a living being.  Wake up-- animlas are living beings also.  Noone can help that tiger now. She is dead but something needs to be doen to punish those boys and to stop animla abuse.  A day or  two after this someone in Texas shot another big cat.  That poor cat did not even attack anyone but yet was killed by some moron.  

N, PA (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 12:10 PM)



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