Boy Bitten By Sea Lion During Zoo Show

Boy Bitten By Sea Lion During Zoo Show

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arifbudimanphotos2/430202716/

The statement a from the Taronga Zoo about this incident immediately drew my attention.

'Taronga said the eight-year-old animal involved had a long history of participating in encounters with audience members and had never displayed aggressive behaviour before.'

I am sure they are right and that is the case. Apparently the boy unknowingly spooked the animal. Animals remain wild animals and we never truly know them. Taronga is a responsible collection and I am sure that they are extremely upset that this incident occurred. There will be a thorough investigation with a view to minimising the risk in the future.

Sea Lion encounter programmes and sessions take place the world over. There is even the opportunity to swim with Sea Lions in some collections. Over the years I have seen some nasty Sealion bites and all of them given unexpectedly by placid animals. It is worth bearing in mind that close contact with wild animals is an accident waiting to happen.

This 'encounter risk' is elevated vastly by those who allow close contact with any of the large carnivores such as Tigers, Lions and Bears. We even had a wolf attack in a zoo recently. The idea of letting people swim with an expressionless alligator is crazy and yet some collections allow it.

I hope that all encounters in responsible zoos today are without incident because they do offer visitors an incredible and unforgettable experience. An experience which may win them over to support that species for the rest of their lives.

Read the full story of Australian boy mauled by sea lion at zoo

***

For Books on Zoo Management and more please visit

The Zoo Professionals Book Store

***

For regular updated Zoo News, Views, Reviews and Vacancies please visit

 Zoo News Digest on

FACEBOOK

Learn More About Zoos and Aquariums by visiting

The Zoo Hubs
and subscribe to the largest and longest established zoo related ezine
by clicking

HERE

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26441428@N03/2480952986/

 

To advertise on Zoo News Digest please click

HERE 

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Pier 39 Sea Lions partly solved

Missing Pier 39 Sea Lions May Have Headed South

Scientists and tourists who have been puzzled by the recent disappearance of hundreds of sea lions at Pier 39 may be relieved to learn that at least some of those aquatic mammals have turned up at a now crowded harbor in Monterey County.

                                        Photo By: http://www.flickr.com/photos/araswami/



The moss landing harbor visitors' dock has been entertaining a good deal more foot traffic the past few days because of the arrival of scores of sea lions. While the mammals are far from an unusual sight at the dock, in the past week the sea lions have practically taken over the harbor.



"I can't believe how many there are here,” said Everett Walker who was visiting from the town of Longview in Washington state. “I started counting and I estimated there must be close to a thousand there on that thing over there."



It was an amazing sight, even for people who regularly come to moss landing mainly to see the sea otters.



"Oh we've seen them down in this area before, but not like this," said Ben Lomond resident Elaine Rhodes.



The huge community of sea lions spread out on Moss Landing’s docks and harbors
 
>>>READ FULL ARTICLE>>>