Better Living Through Zoology: What Not to Do at the Zoo

Dear zoo-goers,

Animals really only need three things, in this order:

1. To sense that they are safe and healthy
2. To get enough to eat and drink
3. To socialize to whatever extent is usual for their species (including mating and raising young)

And that's pretty much it. The people who build and run zoos (especially modern ones) know this. You'll notice that "space to roam" or "freedom" didn't make the list. This may be a controversial opinion, but the only reason animals need space to roam is so that they can fulfill all of those other needs in a wild setting.

As a visitor to the zoo, your responsibility is to help the zookeepers fulfill the first part of need #1. The zoo will take care of the health part, and the feeding, and the socializing, and most of the safety. The only thing in the animals' environment that the zoo can't control is you. So help them and yourself by not jumping into the enclosure with the animals. They won't feel safe. Especially if you do it while need #2 is being addressed.

So, by all means, go to the zoo! You get to learn about and experience the fascinating wonders of our world, imbue a love of animals in yourself and your children, and get to help preserve endangered species in the process.

But please, help the animals feel safe, and teach your children to do the same!