Petting zoo
Apetting zoo(also called achildren's zoo,children's farm,orpetting farm) features a combination ofdomesticated animalsand somewild speciesthat are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, many generalzooscontain a petting zoo.
Most petting zoos are designed to provide only relatively placid,herbivorousdomesticated animals, such assheep,goats,pigs,rabbitsorponies,to feed and interact physically with safety. This is in contrast to the usual zoo experience, where normally wild animals are viewed from behind safe enclosures where no contact is possible. A few provide wild species (such asPython sorbig catcubs) to interact with, but these are rare and usually found outside Western nations.
History[edit]
In 1938, theLondon Zooincluded the firstchildren's zooinEuropeand thePhiladelphia Zoowas the first inNorth Americato open a specialzoojust for children.
During the 1990s,Dutchcities began building petting zoos in many neighbourhoods, so that urban children could interact with animals.[1]
Animals and food[edit]
Petting zoos feature a variety of domestic animals. Common animals includecattle,zebu,yaks,sheep,goats,rabbits,guinea pigs,ponies,alpacas,llamas,pigs,miniaturedonkeys,miniaturehorses,ducks,geese,chickens,andturkeys.They occasionally contain a few exotic animals such askangaroos,wallabies,emus,deer,zebras,parrots,porcupines,camels,ostriches,water buffaloes,peafowl,guineafowl,antelopes,capybaras,lemurs,tortoisesand many others.
Petting zoos are popular with small children, who will often feed the animals. In order to ensure the animals' health, the food is supplied by the zoo, either fromvending machinesor akiosk.Food often fed to animals includes grass and crackers and also in selected feeding areashayis a common food. Such feeding is an exception to the usual rule aboutnot feeding animals.
Mobile petting zoos[edit]
Some petting zoos are also mobile and will travel to a home for a children's party or event. Many areas have a qualified mobile petting zoo. One of the first mobile petting zoos inAustralia(begun in 1992), was Kindifarm. As a result of its popularity, many Australians use the termkindy farmsto describe petting zoos. In Australia, mobile petting zoos are allowed in schools, child care centres and even shopping centres. For many children, a mobile petting zoo is their first opportunity to see and touch an animal. American mobile petting zoos have gained popularity in the southern states.
Health effects[edit]
Touching animals can result in thetransmission of diseasesbetween animals and humans (zoonosis) so it is recommended that people should thoroughly wash their hands before and after touching the animals.[2][3]There have been several outbreaks ofE. colietc.[4][5]Another threat is salmonella specifically from chicks handled by children. Petting zoo attendees under the age of 5 are at a higher risk of contracting these diseases and they are a major target audience of these petting zoos.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Siegal, Nina (2017-03-21)."The Dutch Way: Tulips, Windmills and Barnyard Animals".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2017-04-05.
- ^"Zoonoses associated with petting farms and open zoos".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-02-26.Retrieved2012-09-28.
- ^Beware The Fair (And Petting Zoos)
- ^Tests suggest E. coli spread through air
- ^Harper, Paul (1 May 2014)."Children win compensation after Godstone Farm E.coli outbreak".getSurrey.Retrieved1 May2014.
- ^https://thehumaneleague.org/article/animal-mothers-factory-farm#:~:text=The%20close%20proximity%20of%20a,the%20mother%20and%20the%20child
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