went to the zoo

[jeff]

HI all went to the zoo today if you can call it that,And i was shocked at what i found.I found some groups of leopard tortoises living with a group of sulcatas.They are housed in a shed with tiled floor,I was very shocked at the size of there living space.You think about the size these tortoise grow,why do some zoo house tortoise in this bad way.Just so you can work out how big there indoor houseing is take a look at the floor tiles.Then i looked in to a window and saw a concrete yard lightly coverd with sand,Now this is the end of the road for the leopards,they dont get too go on the grass because they can fit between the pillows in the fence.The biger sulcatas can go on to the grass,when the keeper lets them out.Any way after taking pics of there home i touch some of the sulcatas,I found there carapaces coated in oil to make them look nice for the public it was game over for me now.I was shocked that any zoo would be able to do this to a tortoise,puting oil on tortoise shell so they look better is very cruel indeed.Have a look at some of my pics and see for you self,And then i looked at the wall on the side of there indoor enclosure and read there sign.ive all so taken a pic off that,read the bottom about reaching maturty in 3 to 8 yrs.What makes me mad every thing eles was housed in good enclosures,and looked a picture of health.

[Becks]

omg jeff good job i never came with u can u imagine us both ay ..
thats sick .. will u be putting in a complaint m8 i would .i did to the place where i went not so long ago and seen them reds ..
makes me sick lets go get um jeff
luv becks xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

very distressing

did you speak to anybody at the zoo?

[jeff]

HI Becks yes im sure it was a good thing you was not there,It nocked me side ways mate.
HI aprillinda yes i tryed talking too 1 off the keepers but she new nothing about them,And she was picking there food.I am putting a email together to send to the zoo,It could be lack of education im hoping

[piglet]

Jeff yet again another zoo lets its self down terrible is all i can say
Darren

[Henry-flash]

it really does annoy me. As you say jeff in most zoos (and im not saying all soem are very good) all the animals exept the torotises are housed in great conditions. Waht is so different about the poor torts. Could we not as a forum organise somekind of campaign to get torts in zoos in better living conditions?

[sandy]

The worst is, elderly keepers think rehoming their tortoises to zoo's such as this one, is that
their tortoises will get the best conditions. Its such a shame.
Even worse for the zoo's trying their hardest to improve tortoises lives.

ill be up in dublin zoo in 2 weeks - must inspect their tortioses
if there doing anything like that ill seperate them my self-- no joke

[shootinglou79]

very saddening, and upsetting for you to see in person i should a magine, glad you pointed it out though jeff x

[nina]

Hi Jeff,
Those are shocking pictures. Which zoo was it?

Nina