There are some questions that regularly pop up during a visit to the zoo.  One of those is, “Where did that animal come from?”  As far as the individual animals are concerned, odds are they were either born or hatched here or at another zoo.  Only on rare occasions do animals come out of the wild anymore to populate zoos.  If the individual was born or hatched at another zoo, the rest of the answer is most likely that they were donated by or are on loan from the other facility.  Rarely do zoos purchase animals from each other.  If they do, the funds go to reimburse the birth zoo for the effort put into breeding the species or raising the individual.

 

There are rare occasions when zoo residents are removed from the wild.  Generally, this is done to benefit the species, such as when the last of the California condors were brought into human care so the species could be supported, reproduced, and reintroduced into the wild.

 

Some zoo residents are donated ex-pets.  There are species, such as some tortoises or macaws, that may outlive the person who acquires them as a pet.  Once the owner has passed, the animal needs a new home.  Other times, the pet has become more than the owner can handle, and the owner is now looking for someone who knows how to deal with the species appropriately.  This often happens with exotic animals that someone acquires as a pet. 

 

It’s very important to thoroughly research and make plans for any animal you are thinking of acquiring as a pet.  Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals have been a part of our lives and sharing our homes for ages.  Monkeys, apes, and wild cats (lions, bobcats, mountain lions, etc..) are not meant to live in human households.  They are wild animals with behaviors that help them survive in their world - the wild.  Rehoming an exotic animal to a zoo or sanctuary isn’t always possible as those facilities have limited space.  The ex-pet may also not behave exactly like its wild counterparts due to its years as a pet, so it may not fit in with its own species easily.  The high demand for exotic pets actually fuels the illegal capture and trade of millions of animals.  During the process, many of the animals suffer and die.  Think hard and do your research before you purchase an exotic animal as a pet.  For more information on the exotic pet trade, see notapet.net.

 

Some animals at zoos come from state or federal authorities after they have been confiscated from people who possessed them illegally or were unable to take care of them properly.   Once confiscated, these animals need to be placed at facilities that can meet the needs of the animal.

 

Some zoo residents are “rehab animals”.  When a wild animal is injured or wild young are orphaned, it isn’t always the end.  Sometimes, that animal goes on to have a life at a zoo or similar facility as an ambassador for its species.   

 

Another question some guests ask is, “Can I pet the animals?”  The residents of the zoo are here for your viewing pleasure.  Reaching through the fence or over the fence to pet a zoo resident is dangerous for both you and the animal.  While zoo residents are accustomed to people to an extent, they are not pets to be played with.  They are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild, here to give us a peek into their world. 

 

During your visit to Lee Richardson Zoo, other questions may occur to you.  The graphics at each habitat can answer a number of those questions, such as what part of the world the species is native to.  The graphics also contain the species’ conservation status, what they eat in the wild, and more.  If you have a question, please ask any of the staff you encounter.  We enjoy sharing information about the animals and the zoo.  Asking questions is a wonderful way to grow.  It shows an active and engaged mind and a desire to learn.  Understanding is a big part of making a connection, and that’s what the zoo is all about.