Kids? Org.:We Too are Living Beings

Children, you must have read about the tragic incident that took place in Delhi zoo not so long ago, in the newspapers. A young boy fell into the enclosure of a white tiger. The white tiger was not a man eater but was amused by presence of the boy in his domain. The boy was eventually killed by the tiger. A simple question came to my mind – Should there be zoo etiquettes? What should be done to avoid such incidents?
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind while visiting zoos.
Adhere to Zoo Safety Rules
The zoo is the home of many wild animals. They are kept in enclosures for their safety and that of the zoo visitors. To maximise security, zoo safety rules are also clearly printed out in zoo brochures and signs placed strategically all over the zoo. In general, zoo visitors are not allowed to go near animal enclosures, put their hands into it or climb over it. Some of them warn against getting pets, climbing over barriers/trees, using skateboards and bicycles, playing with toys, such as Frisbees, and bringing alcohol etc. These rules are posted specifically for the safety of the zoo visitors. And these rules are also placed on the websites of the zoos. Adhere to these zoo safety rules at all times.
Avoid Feeding Zoo Animals
Teach children to avoid feeding zoo animals. The animals may bite and attack a child who is trying to feed them. Also, zoo animals are on special diets and should only be fed by zookeepers. Food that we consume may contain ingredients that can make them sick.
Supervise Children at Zoo
Supervise children at the zoo at all times. Don’t let children run around on their own. This is particularly important if there is a big crowd at the zoo. Children may get separated from their parents if they are not watched closely. Generally, the majority of visitors to a zoo are children. The elders accompanying the children should always keep a watchful eye over them. Children unaccompanied by elders are often susceptible to accidents in zoos while adventurous youth do not know the dangers of the unpredictable nature of wild animals. Most children have a natural connection with animals. They love to look at, touch and play with animals. That’s why the zoos make a great holiday destination. However, parents must always give priority to safety when going to the zoo with kids.

Ensure Good Hygiene After Touching Animals
Some zoos also have open play with areas where visitors can go in and play with tamed animals. While this is often exciting for kids, direct contact with these animals can also spread harmful germs to the children.
To ensure good hygiene after touching the animals, teach the kids not to touch their own face, eyes, nose and mouth while petting the animals. Never allow little children to put pacifiers in their mouth while interacting with the creatures. Get the kids to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after that. Know where the closest wash basins are even before letting the children go near the animals. A hand sanitizer will be very useful too.

Children, if you respect animals and their space, they will respect you and the incident which recently happened in Delhi zoo will not be repeated.                        —Aniket Raja