Unbelievable zoo situation...

[cwatkins]

I just wanted to let you all know of a very disturbing situation I came across today at a zoo...
I personally feel horrible going to them at all, but the people I was with wanted to, so I did.
While we were looking at a reptile exhibit, I noticed that there was a leopard gecko one.. To my surprise, there were two leo's in a tank much smaller then my 20 gallon, with only two hides and no humid hide, and a fluorescent light right above them.. And they were on sand, mixed with small pebbles around the edges... Also, on the info part they tried to state that geckos live naturally in sandy deserts and grass lands... And from what I have learned, this is not true... I thought that they live naturally on a rocky environment?
I was so disgusted with this, but I had not seen any zoo keepers around try and ask about the conditions they were living in, and I doubt they would listen anyways.
I just wanted to share this story with you all since it upset me so much.. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing... The geckos did seem to have fat tails which was a good sign, but not enough to make up for all the bad stuff....

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Well, sandy soil and arid grasslands would be more accurate. Their pattern is evolved to camaflogue them in grass (think of the leopards in the grass of the savannah - same basic concept). Here are some pics:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2094.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2095.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2089.jpg

~Maggot

 

[cwatkins]

Well, sandy soil and arid grasslands would be more accurate. Their pattern is evolved to camaflogue them in grass (think of the leopards in the grass of the savannah - same basic concept). Here are some pics:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2094.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2095.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff147/AlbertaBredGecko/Leopard Geckos in the wild/IMG_2089.jpg

~Maggot

I guess that does make sense.. I just thought I zoo of all places would have them in a proper tank with the proper set up to ensure their health is optimal.. especially since they have the means to do so..

 

[Aimless]

zoos are broke non-profits who have also been affected by the economy (fewer donations, fewer patrons), whose reptiles are at the mercy of the person in charge of their area. people make mistakes.

I hate to see things like that, for the animals in question and also for the poor message it sends to the public in regards to standards of care. I would also like to say that while I personally don't condone sand for Leos (my philosophy is "better safe than sorry; it's not worth it"), I do know a number of keepers who use sand for Leos or other lizards with good result. again, I don't recommend this myself, but it can be done, and there multiple "right ways" to keep a species.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I guess that does make sense.. I just thought I zoo of all places would have them in a proper tank with the proper set up to ensure their health is optimal.. especially since they have the means to do so..

I do know of one person who has argued vehemently that they can be kept just fine without humid hides. I think it's ludicrous to do such a thing, but I guess that comes down to personal preference. I'm not personally that anti-sand, as I'm of the opinion it can be done effectively.

Zoos are generally more concerned with animals being viewable and the enclosures being appealing to people who don't know anything than them having the best enclosures possible. The more difficult animals to keep are usually the worst off. Animals like elephants and reptiles are, from my understanding, at the top of the list for being poorly kept in zoos.

~Maggot