The tragic accident at the Salzburg Zoo concerns the entire country. How safe are our zoos? The “Krone” spoke with three zoo directors from Upper Austria about safety measures and investigated the question of whether an animal’s danger can be measured by its canines.
“We are all deeply affected and think of our colleagues in Hellbrunn,” said Geli Mair, owner of Waldingen Zoo, in dismay. “No one can understand how the tragic accident at the Salzburg Zoo could have happened despite strict safety measures.” She too has experienced a pachyderm up close: while transporting animals in a truck, the zoo owner noticed an elephant with its head on its legs and its hips forward. “But that was 1986, and there were far fewer rules.”
“Cows have killed people too”
Today there are six zoos and a few small private ‘petting zoos’ in Upper Austria. The “Big Three” roam the Grünau Nature Park: brown bears, wolves and lynxes. But owner Bernhard Lankmaier knows what Geli Mair and Barbara Laher from Altenfelden Zoo also confirm: “Not only predators can be dangerous – horses and cows also sometimes attack people.”
Numerous safety measures
In the nature park the animals are divided into three danger levels; Depending on the level, other safety measures apply. Almost all zoo enclosures are secured with steel struts, heavy doors, wire nets, walls or moats. There are also sliding systems: animals can be locked in a separate part while their enclosures are cleaned and maintained. “Carers should never be in the enclosure with animals; there are strict rules,” says Barbara Laher. But that’s exactly what happened in Hellbrunn.
Wild animals are not pets
All directors urge extreme caution: no matter how well you know an animal, you can never know what’s going on inside it. The founder of Grünau Zoo bred brown bears by hand until a master bit Petz’s hand in his youthful exuberance. Conclusion: The danger of animals does not only arise from their preference for meat or their aggressive nature. The sheer mass, size and unpredictability of wild animals are also often fatal to humans.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
