Syndrome wrote:Damn, too bad he didn't fall into that croc pit.
Anyone remember the tiger incident a year or two ago where the big cats got out and ate some SG? It was big news when it sounded like SG was just an innocent bystander, but it didn't make nearly as big of a story when the zoo was found not to be at fault because SG and his relatives had been antagonizing the animals and screwing around...too bad only one of 'em got his just desserts in becoming dessert for the tiger.
Yes, that happened at the San Francisco Zoo. They were messing with the tiger, and - surprise - the tiger didn't like that, so decided to teach them a lesson. Unfortunately, the police had to shoot and kill the tiger.
The zoo was somewhat at fault, as it was discovered that the walls of the tiger's enclosure were about two feet shorter than everyone (including the AZA) had thought. The zoo got in trouble for that, and the whole thing has opened up a controversy about how the zoo keeps its animals. A big problem is that many of the enclosures are just not up to par; the zoo has been around for at least fifty years (I think), so some of the facilities are pretty sad. The hippos and elephants in particular have pathetic living spaces, not humane at all. The zoo is fixing things up, but it takes a long time, and they can't afford to do everything they want to do. They have some exhibits that are up to date and very humane (the lemur forest especially is well-done, with large spaces and a varied environment), but it'll take millions more dollars to get everything to where it should be. Meanwhile, of course, the animals have to live there.
