After this white tiger episode, called a chap with the outfit and asked the $M question. Would your chaps shoot the beast if they had arrived in time and had a clear shot. "Yes" was the emphatic answer will full strength confidence.
Then the penny dropped and I realised the reason for the confidence. They had indeed shot and killed a tiger in the past which never made the press. The poor beast was spotted by a Night Safari Tram driver strolling nonchalantly on the road just past his trams. Driver raises the alarm, the team spots the beast and takes it out as they could not take a chance of it escaping into the undergrowth.
Since we were on the topic, decided to cover other incidents.
Staff spots Orang Utan conducting its own photo session by the roadside with arm over shoulders of visitors. Rather than hit the walkie talkie and alert everyone including management and screw up keeper's life, mobile phone call made to the keeper. As his team rushes foreward, the animal spots them and knows what it was doing wrong and immediately takes up submissive position by placing both hands on its head and crouching.
Next incident, 2 young orangutans decide to take stroll in the middle of the busy day holding hands and walking on the main road to the delight of the crowd. Keepers rush in and grab them.
Asked the chap, why the escapes and he said it is one of the biggest zoos in the world with enclosures designed to be natural. There are also mutiple entry and exit points unlike a staright forward cage. Human error and forgetfulness the main issues. Orang Utans are also highly intelligent and watch the keepers routine and wait for the occasional opportunity.
Thats the zoo for you. Business as usual.
Then the penny dropped and I realised the reason for the confidence. They had indeed shot and killed a tiger in the past which never made the press. The poor beast was spotted by a Night Safari Tram driver strolling nonchalantly on the road just past his trams. Driver raises the alarm, the team spots the beast and takes it out as they could not take a chance of it escaping into the undergrowth.
Since we were on the topic, decided to cover other incidents.
Staff spots Orang Utan conducting its own photo session by the roadside with arm over shoulders of visitors. Rather than hit the walkie talkie and alert everyone including management and screw up keeper's life, mobile phone call made to the keeper. As his team rushes foreward, the animal spots them and knows what it was doing wrong and immediately takes up submissive position by placing both hands on its head and crouching.
Next incident, 2 young orangutans decide to take stroll in the middle of the busy day holding hands and walking on the main road to the delight of the crowd. Keepers rush in and grab them.
Asked the chap, why the escapes and he said it is one of the biggest zoos in the world with enclosures designed to be natural. There are also mutiple entry and exit points unlike a staright forward cage. Human error and forgetfulness the main issues. Orang Utans are also highly intelligent and watch the keepers routine and wait for the occasional opportunity.
Thats the zoo for you. Business as usual.