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Zoo Blether
United Kingdom
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2022
Ex-zookeeper talks all things zoo! Exhibit design, industry secrets, weird animals and more.
As an ex-keeper, I wanted a way to pass on some of the knowledge I learned during my career, as well as to continue to learn and support what zoos are doing today!
If you want to reach out, either to suggest a topic, ask further questions please comment on a video or email me at zooblether@hotmail.com
Hope you enjoy!
To stay in the conversation, please Subscribe www.youtube.com/@zooblether?sub_confirmation=1
As an ex-keeper, I wanted a way to pass on some of the knowledge I learned during my career, as well as to continue to learn and support what zoos are doing today!
If you want to reach out, either to suggest a topic, ask further questions please comment on a video or email me at zooblether@hotmail.com
Hope you enjoy!
To stay in the conversation, please Subscribe www.youtube.com/@zooblether?sub_confirmation=1
How WILD are zoo animals?
Are captive animals really that wild? If they are used to people, can be trained and even breed with people watching, are they really as wild as we think they are? And if not, is there really any chance that they could one day be released to the wild?
REFERENCES
African Lion at Zoo Knoxville by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/374239786 CC by 3.0
Bright orange baby arrives at Zoo Knoxville for Silvered leaf langur family by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/492527157 CC by 3.0
California Condor Release Overview by USFWS Pacific Southwest Region. flickr.com/photos/usfws_pacificsw/15603520059/in/photolist-21WC5rR-C1PA3h-FH2bpj-C1PF2W-EVWEbH-pLQ7TV-F4bi4o-Nir44v-F2JKmb-FKkHL8-C682eu-DyYrpe-6SSfWJ-ZcciVX-Vj6gnr-q2abmS-Z7VLbU-9BpZS4-59jYWh-UHRVQq-Fx8Ps3-YNmeSA-MkAQBF-ZcJLZj-AZruYv-YNjHVJ-yctnRu-Kwenub-Zc9CEX-27E8kvk-27E8xG4-J16XYz-KwesSW-27E8h4F-2fTSphv-V7ryyZ-V4DMZm-FM6mGw-AZs98a-BUxmN5-BWSpYn-AZqyCr-AZjjXy-FQddAQ-C65hkC-Y7qGih-NcvCxn-FNXYJq-FRn5kM-HPcRyB CC by 2.0
Drovers rest their horses and dogs by Archives New Zealand. www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/albums/72157651555822850/page4 CC by 2.0
Getting Red Wolves ready for the wild.mp4 by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/750435445 CC by 3.0
LA PRÉHISTOIRE by patrick janicek, www.flickr.com/photos/marsupilami92/6786030260/ CC by 2.0.
Lascaux IV by Simone Ramella. www.flickr.com/photos/ramella/47685864631 CC by 2.0
Lion Love match by Zoo Knowville. vimeo.com/552517986 CC by 3.0
Startled Silver Fox by Zoofanatic. flickr.com/photos/zoofanatic/8564642508/ CC by 2.0.
Zoo Knoxville Stay Cool b roll by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/849138810 CC by 3.0
Zookeeper Appreciation Day by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/847419167 CC by 3.0
Additional Footage filmed at Hertfordshire Zoo
REFERENCES
African Lion at Zoo Knoxville by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/374239786 CC by 3.0
Bright orange baby arrives at Zoo Knoxville for Silvered leaf langur family by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/492527157 CC by 3.0
California Condor Release Overview by USFWS Pacific Southwest Region. flickr.com/photos/usfws_pacificsw/15603520059/in/photolist-21WC5rR-C1PA3h-FH2bpj-C1PF2W-EVWEbH-pLQ7TV-F4bi4o-Nir44v-F2JKmb-FKkHL8-C682eu-DyYrpe-6SSfWJ-ZcciVX-Vj6gnr-q2abmS-Z7VLbU-9BpZS4-59jYWh-UHRVQq-Fx8Ps3-YNmeSA-MkAQBF-ZcJLZj-AZruYv-YNjHVJ-yctnRu-Kwenub-Zc9CEX-27E8kvk-27E8xG4-J16XYz-KwesSW-27E8h4F-2fTSphv-V7ryyZ-V4DMZm-FM6mGw-AZs98a-BUxmN5-BWSpYn-AZqyCr-AZjjXy-FQddAQ-C65hkC-Y7qGih-NcvCxn-FNXYJq-FRn5kM-HPcRyB CC by 2.0
Drovers rest their horses and dogs by Archives New Zealand. www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/albums/72157651555822850/page4 CC by 2.0
Getting Red Wolves ready for the wild.mp4 by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/750435445 CC by 3.0
LA PRÉHISTOIRE by patrick janicek, www.flickr.com/photos/marsupilami92/6786030260/ CC by 2.0.
Lascaux IV by Simone Ramella. www.flickr.com/photos/ramella/47685864631 CC by 2.0
Lion Love match by Zoo Knowville. vimeo.com/552517986 CC by 3.0
Startled Silver Fox by Zoofanatic. flickr.com/photos/zoofanatic/8564642508/ CC by 2.0.
Zoo Knoxville Stay Cool b roll by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/849138810 CC by 3.0
Zookeeper Appreciation Day by Zoo Knoxville vimeo.com/847419167 CC by 3.0
Additional Footage filmed at Hertfordshire Zoo
มุมมอง: 2 435
วีดีโอ
Why dinosaurs RULE the zoo
มุมมอง 13Kหลายเดือนก่อน
This is no Jurassic Park, but dinosaurs have certainly taken over the zoo industry! If visitors seem to love dinosaurs, could this lead to animatronic animals taking over too? Personal Footage filmed at Hertfordshire Zoo. Additional footage as below: “Zoo Dinosaur b-roll” by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/786357512 CC by 3.0 “Dinosaur B-roll” by Zoo Knoxville. vimeo.com/802762774 CC by 3.0 “Fearsome ...
How zoos make animals more interesting
มุมมอง 69Kหลายเดือนก่อน
Animals, regardless of how exciting they can be, are often doing a whole lot of nothing. On top of this, a good zoo offers the opportunity for animals to go where, and do whatever they like. So with animals hiding away, lazing around, or simply off display, how do zoos offer their visitors the best possible experience? From animal shows to behavioural opportunities, as well as a range of exhibi...
How BIG should zoos be?
มุมมอง 169K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
How big should zoo exhibits be? With the complex needs of animals needing to be met, is it really a case of bigger is better? Research suggests otherwise! Lets take a look at some of the considerations zoos have to make. Full Reference List de Azevedo, C.S.; Cipreste, C.F.; Pizzutto, C.S.; Young, R.J.(2023) Review of the Effects of Enclosure Complexity and Design on the Behaviour and Physiology...
How many animals do zoos have?
มุมมอง 2.6K4 หลายเดือนก่อน
Collection planning is an important part of any zoo. Keeping tracking of a living, breathing animal collection is hard enough, but how about managing it long-term, how do zoos decide what direction to take. Let’s take a look at just how zoos manage their collection, why counting animals with a clipboard isn’t quite what it seems and ultimately how zoos plan for their own future. Stock footage u...
Zoo habitat designed to FAIL, It's perfect!
มุมมอง 8K6 หลายเดือนก่อน
This exhibit was designed to fail, but theres actually a very import reason why. Let’s take a look at some of the key design features, the careful planning and overall outcome of this impressive habitat. All personal footage of Sun Bear Heights filmed at Paradise Wildlife Park. www.pwpark.com Additional footage used with permission from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. A special thanks...
Zookeeper Hacks. The weirdest items keepers use wrong.
มุมมอง 1.5K7 หลายเดือนก่อน
Zookeepers often can't find something designed just for their needs. Instead they use everyday items in ways you might not expect! Lets take a look at a few of those weird uses and later, find out what part of zookeeping has really made keepers think outside the box! Resources All footage from "Zoo Knoxville" used under CC BY 3.0 License. I am not affiliated with, nor did I partake in any of th...
Should zoos mix species? Mixed species exhibits explained
มุมมอง 10K10 หลายเดือนก่อน
Should zoos be mixing species within a single exhibit? Can it work well and is it worth the extra effort? "Mixed Species Exhibit." Becker1999 (CC by 2.0) from ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/becker271/5728620725 Footage filmed on location Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/ Colchester Zoo: www.colchester-zoo.com/ Dudley Zoo: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/
Is the zoo hiding this animal?
มุมมอง 1.7K11 หลายเดือนก่อน
Why can't I find any mention of this species? Are they hiding something? Or is there more to this story? Back at Paradise Wildlife Park to track down exactly what's going on here. Footage taken at Paradise Wildlife Park www.pwpark.com Photo 160435953, Christoph Moning CC by 4.0 www.inaturalist.org/photos/160435953
Why feeding time at the zoo is better than you realise.
มุมมอง 2.3K11 หลายเดือนก่อน
Feeding time at the zoo is certainly important for the animals. Not only do they get food to survive, but keepers can use feeding time to do so much more! These three concepts are all hugely beneficial to the welfare of the animals, and worth looking out for when you're next at the zoo! Mandai Wildlife Group provided the footage of the fossa using a dynamic tree feeding device, filmed at the Si...
Should zoos go VIRAL?
มุมมอง 1.7Kปีที่แล้ว
Why viral media will change zoos. And why zoos should aim to use it to their benefit. 1News Interview with Ron Magill, Zoo Miami Communications Director. th-cam.com/video/LiEhA27IFqU/w-d-xo.html
Why zoo layouts are so confusing
มุมมอง 7Kปีที่แล้ว
How do zoos organise their animals? Is it to help you find your favourite species, to push an education or conservation message, or maybe something else? Footage filmed on location Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/ Additional footed used with permission.
Why EVERY zoo has meerkats.
มุมมอง 8Kปีที่แล้ว
Are meerkats the best zoo animals? Sure, they're cute, but why do so many zoos have them? Footage filmed on location Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/ Additional footage used with permission.
Want to be a zookeeper?
มุมมอง 2.1Kปีที่แล้ว
So you want to be a zookeeper? Here's some advice to get you started on your career! If you have any questions or want any advice, comment below and I'll get back to you! Footage filmed on location Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/ Additional Reading BIAZA offer a variety of information on gaining entry into the industry as well as the different roles within it. In particular the career g...
Where do Zoos get their animals?
มุมมอง 2.9Kปีที่แล้ว
Where zoos get their animals has been and still is a complicated matter. For good zoos, in Europe and across the globe, breeding programs allow them to ensure the genetic health of a species, but so much more needs to be considered. Footage filmed on location Dudley Zoo: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/ Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/ Additional footage: Zoo Quest for a Dragon. BBC Television Stud...
Tiger exhibit that take you on a journey at Paradise Wildlife Park
มุมมอง 1.2Kปีที่แล้ว
Tiger exhibit that take you on a journey at Paradise Wildlife Park
4 zoo exhibit design techniques that let you see better!
มุมมอง 8Kปีที่แล้ว
4 zoo exhibit design techniques that let you see better!
Wildlife Park vs. Zoos. Which is better?
มุมมอง 2.2Kปีที่แล้ว
Wildlife Park vs. Zoos. Which is better?
Great content. Your videos are very well made for the amount of views they get. You definitely deserve more.
❤
While domestic animals tend to be more tolerant. Both domestic and wild tend to use the same level of force against a person as they would one of their own species if they are having a bad day.
I don't think zoos should house species, which travel long distances in the wild. A cage full of dart frogs is not that big of a problem, but keepin elephants on 4 squarfeet is just cruel. Also Polar bears in a climate, that get's to 40°C in the summer is complete bs. If you can't provide a cage big enough for the normal territory of an animal, you shouldn't keep it. You can put as many ropes into a cage, seeing a silverback gorilla in an enclosure, that's smaller than my living room is saddening.
You should do an interview for the design podcast 99% Invisible! This is exactly the kind of thing they love exploring.
Great video and awesome thumbnail! I remember asking an educator at my local zoo which animal would be most dangerous if it escaped its enclosure and the answer was hands down the male zebra 😂 Would love to learn more about breeding for genetics in zoos and the important conservation work they do!
Hey thanks! I read one “statement” while researching that said they cause the most injuries to keepers in the US, but couldn’t verify that! That’s a good suggestion, I’ll keep it in mind!
lim Zoo -> 0
interesting domestication fact. Cats break almost every rule of domestication, ASIDE from a quick maturation rate. Another fun fact Us humans didn't *exactly* domesticate cates. THEY self domesticated or more accurately adapted to life with humans. Cats waltzed into our civilizations one day, and never left.
I'd have no need to have a theme park within a zoo. I'm plenty busy observing live animals. I guess I could see this as extra entertainment for urban kids that could go to the local zoo on a regular. As lon gas the animatomnic didn't take away funds from taking care of the animals, space for them and stress the animals.
At the aviary near me, they only take bald eagles that are injured and cannot fly correctly/survive in the wild. In cases like this the space/morality of the entire subject changes dramatically. Giving any space, care, and treatment to an animal that would otherwise be dead is a blessing to the animal itself.
Give the animals vr headsets are going crazy
I totally forgot about Racing Stripes! Super informative video man 💪
thanks! And may you never forget it again!🦓
What are your thoughts on "tug of war" type activities in zoos? From what i can see they aren't great considering the only zoos I see doing it are in the UAE, China or are in the US and are basically amusement parks (other than one British one). I could see it being fine as long as food isn't involved and the guests are obscured from the animal so it doesn't see the guests as an enemy that's taking its food though, ideally emphasizing it as an educational tool instead of a way for the guest to brag or think of the animal as a beast.
Well strictly from a welfare point of view it is presumably a trained behaviour. Ie pull the rope and get a reward. Assuming I’m right in saying that, then food could absolutely be used as a reward. Reality is a person isn’t going to out-pull a tiger for example, but as a behaviour that’s trained, it would be the act of sustained pulling rather than “winning” which is rewarded. In training any behaviour you really break it down to the most basic behaviour. And training is itself a positive thing for welfare, in this case both mentally and physically. As for “should you train it”. That will depend on the zoo. Given that the training could be mentally/physically positive would you be more comfortable if it only happened behind the scenes? There’s certainly some risks, damage to teeth etc which wouldn’t be present otherwise, but I don’t know enough about the setups to really assess that. From a public perception, I think some zoos will steer clear to present a more “natural” zoo experience. And actually I’ve seen tug of war setups without animals before, where you pull a rope attached to a box with a variety of different “strengths” and assigned animals. In this instance, showing the “power” an animal has doesn’t have to be a negative, just maybe not a priority for most.
I’m currently studying for a masters degree in Kuala Lumpur; meerkats are a very common site in pet stores.
I look back at Racing Stripes pretty fondly.
The heyday of cinema!
I don't want to sound like some kind of karen, but the background music? sound? in some parts of this video set off my misophonia like crazy. Please reconsider using tracks with wet and crackly sounds for those of us with misophonia, it causes me pain and emotional distress.
Sorry to hear this, send me an email and I’ll sort out a private link to one without the music. Going forward I’ll try and keep this in mind. Cheers
misophonia is a bitch. You're not a karen. (fellow sufferer)
Given that zoo animals don't face the same threats as they would in the wild, they won't face the same collection pressures either. As such, oftentimes animals which would've died in infancy in the wild would live to adulthood in zoos- many times having offspring of their own. This can mean that certain behaviors which are selected for in the wild aren't selected for in the same way in captivity- the biggest example being anti-predator behavior. A wild zebra with poor anti-predator behavior gets eaten, but in a zoo? It doesn't. That said- unless a species is part of a re-introduction program then I don't see this sort of change as being overly problematic. Most species will never be part of reintroduction programs anyways.
Yeah, this is a very good point. Not just behaviour either, genetically it will be true too. Something like disease resistance or lack thereof, which they may never encounter in captivity, but is prevalent in the wild could lead to a whole population of captive individuals being unsuitable for release.
This video reminded me about zoochosis and also made me think about humans Humans are wild animals too, what enrichment would be best for our welfare? Like no we aren’t being kept in an enclosure by an outside force but the way society is structured might not be the best overall for human happiness (and also anyone who tries to reply and say that humans domesticated ourselves or something we really haven’t, we haven’t been purposefully bred for a trait for years by another species. We also don’t really display any of the traits associated with domestication like piebaldism. (Not that some humans don’t have piebaldism btw, it’s just not as prévenant. Humans generally still have ‘wild type’ markings, you also can’t really apply the other traits that come with domestication to people, the reason we have so many traits beneficial for social behavior is because humans are social animals.)
1:25 African animals also evolved alongside humans especially humans hunting them and naturally do not like people very much Zebras are also more closely related to asses than horses
absolutely, the evolution alongside people is certainly a factor. And the behavioural differences between zebra and asses, especially their breeding system is a big factor in the lack of domestication as you say!
Thank you for a great video. I found your channel a couple of months ago, and your videos have made me think about zoos in different ways than I did before. Maybe in the future, you could talk about the history of zoos, or their ethical ramifications? I wish you many more subscribers!
Thanks for this! And thanks for the suggestion!
There are some rather eccentric individuals on TH-cam who believe zebras are actually just domesticated horses or donkeys that have been painted with stripes and this pretty much explains one of their silly observations. “Why won’t they let you ride the zebras in zoos? Must be a fake painted horse.”
They’ll also show vintage photographs of people riding zebras and then they’ll be like “see, they’re just horses with stripes painted on. They’re just making it up you can’t ride them!”
Funnily enough I had some vintage photos of a horse and cart but couldn’t use them! I also found while researching this that in “The Greatest Showman” they actually did paint horses as zebras to recreate it! I’m sure that just adds fuel to their fire!
Those foxes can’t be house trained. Deep inside they are still wild. But what amazes me is that pet reptiles are sometimes such attention seekers.
nice
Thanks
Essentially its the age old nature versus nurture debate. Most Zoo animals have retained their wild behaviours pretty well I think. Though learned skills that are passed from mother to child have probably eroded a lot. However as zoos do not allow their animals to display the full spectrum of their behaviour, its impossible to tell how far eroded these behaviours are. We know for example that a zoo lion still knows how to kill another lion from incidents. Violent takeovers and splits in coalitions still occur in zoos even when those animals have never been in the wild for generations so the behaviour is there. However, the social dynamics of lion society in Sabi Sands is far more complex than those in a enclosure and I doubt that a zoo animal would be able to integrate as easily as a relocated wild lion would. Then again, there are also successful programs where animals were released back in the wild. Some even without any preparation and training. So I guess it will highly depend on the type of animal, circumstances and skill and commitment of the organisation.
Great response! Hoping to delve further into this focussing on a specific species where I can go further into specific behaviours they’re lacking by talking to the people “on the ground” later in the year!
Great video 👍👍
Thank you 👍
While It Is Possible To Ride A Zebra As One Would A Horse, Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should.
I thought zebras were light hearted like Marty was from Madagascar 🦓
Or like zoey zebra from Peppa pig sadly they’re not
@@Autistic-Noice-Panda-2023 Oh yeah I forget and here baby sisters
@@TheIntelligentElephant71133 yeh and zu the zebra
Before I watch, let me guess the awnser, Not very. Most wild animals are bred in captivity to be more tame so there is no real way to have every zoos animals to be 100% wild.
As a keeper, I can confirm this is not the case. Animals, at least in the AZA, are bred for genetic diversity, not traits. Honestly, one of our biggest welfare goals is to encourage natural behaviors, and we take a pretty hands-off approach. Even training is really only done for the betterment of the animals, no "tricks."
No, that’s not even always true for domesticated animals (not all of which are bred for docility) let alone non-domesticated animals.
I just had a funny idea: how would big cats react on holographic "prey"? Would it entertain their instincts or would it frustrate them more? Would they even fall for it with?
thank you so much for this amazing video!
I’d rather be able to see them since I wouldn’t otherwise get the chance. I don’t especially care. I want the animals to be happy.
3:45 As someone who was lured along on hikes with a trail of mnms as a kid, you’d sounds great.
I don’t know how quality it is, but I have pleasant memories of the holiday themed enrichment at my local zoo. Tigers rolling around jack o lanterns to extract chunks of horse meat and chimps tearing apart Christmas presents for a watermelon. Some families had holiday traditions to go see those events. I hope it’s good for them, because it’s a fun time.
Zoos shouldn't exist go vegan!
I think there will always be ways that enrichment can be improved
Bruh I’m from STL, my zoo is free 😎
So basically, tigers need escape rooms
Zoos are animal prisons... PERIOD. Most animals in Zoos suffer from their captivity and develop behavior problems like weaving the head, walking in circles or straigt lines and even eating their own shit! And most fish in big aqariums die well before they should and most of them already die during the transport becuase they were stolen from the ocean... Never visit a Zoo ever again!
All these ideas... it's better, it may look more natural. But still they have no choice than to live there. No animal lives in captivity voluntarily and neither would you. Yes Zoos brought back a hand full endangered species, but for the cost of sooo much suffer of other animals. Most of them are kept, because we like to see them. Most Zoos are for profit. Immagine how much u could do with that money to protect their original habitats. I don't need to see animals in Zoos. For me, it's enough to watch a documentary where i can see them acting naturally.
Let me posit something to you. Would you agree to live in captivity if you got all the food you’d ever need, a comfy environment to stay in, free medical care, and free WiFi along with anything you might use with it? Would you accept if the only alternative is living out in the wilderness, with death around every corner? Living in a zoo is a very good deal for a lot of animals, and statistics showing way longer life expectancies from the wild prove it. Also, a lot of money from zoos goes back to the environment which wouldn’t otherwise.
@@foureyesisafish7968 No, i would not chose that. It's not more than a friendly prison. Immagine, that you couldn't leave your house or your room for your entire life. Even if u had more space, lets say ur City, that u life in. It would still feel very restriktive. And u See all those people comming from far away, watching you and going again, but you cant do the same. I dont know many people that would chose that. Even if we dont travel a lot, people like to have the oportunity. My Patents lived in East Germany, when it was surrounded by a wall. ...the country had a very good social system, cheap living costs, cheap or free water and electricity, garanted jobs and living spaces for everyone. But yea, u couldn't travel in the West or prettymuch elsewhere. Guess what, my Patents didnt like it. ^^ And many others didnt. Many people tried to flee, even if the might geht shot at the border. They took the risk even if the had a whole country. Zoos are prettymuch like that, but way smaller ...the size oft what? Your garden? I know no one, who would chose that, and u cant even ask the animal. They can never habe a free will, they can never hunt, never meet their friends and family outside, never chose their Partner, and never travel that huuuge distances, some animals are used to do. In my eyes we need more national Parks, with borders and restrictions for the people and hunters but not for the animals. The Zoos are lying, when they say, there is no alternative.
Interesting
Did not expect my hometown zoo (Hagenbeck) to randomly get a shoutout lol
I like seeing an animatronics that resemble dinosaurs & other prehistoric/extinct animals, they can teach people about evolution & extinction as long as they don’t upset real animals. However, they should be scientifically accurate & should be laid out spaciously & not cluttered, also the layout should represent different periods of time in order. Rather than just setup a Lost World scenario, tho I wouldn’t mind a Jurassic Park scenario. As for animatronics that resemble modern animals, well…..I don’t know how I feel about that?
I personally like a biogeographical layout for any zoological facility, it feels more organised to me
It's not about giving animals a choice, it's about triggering their program, instinct. By definition they can't make choices.
can gorillas and orangutangs be in the same enclosure?
Amazing video and summary of all the pros and cons of your traditional zoo. My local zoo has been undergoing a LOT of construction over the past 10 years and it's encouraging to see them take what was once several small exhibits and re-format them into one, somewhat larger, but more interesting exhibit for a single species. Animal wellfare is a complex issue that takes time and research to get right!
Instead of trying to revive dinosaurs why not creating technologically advanced dinosaurs which they move on their own, it'll be better than reviving them. Would be even better if someone opens up a park that have robotic monsters worldwide.
My zoo where I live is prob the only zoo that doesn’t 😭
Wow! Thank you for sharing these ideas and videos! I have just found this inspiring channel and the videos really made me think about the relationship between the design of enclosure and the animal behaviour.
A Zoo is a prison for the innocent.