Big Cat Safety Precautions at the Binghamton Zoo
 January
3, 2008
In light of the recent tragedy involving
the tiger at the San Francisco Zoo, the Binghamton Zoo at
Ross Park would like to assure the residents of the area
that its tigers and other dangerous animals are being
securely held and maintained at their Zoo.
All exhibits containing Leopards and
Tigers are completely enclosed. There are no open, moated
exhibits used for these cats which have amazing leaping
abilities. Both the Amur Leopards and Amur Tigers are
exhibited in large glass-fronted enclosures with sturdy wire
mesh tops and concrete sides.
 The Snow Leopard is in a large
heavy-duty wire mesh enclosure that also has a mesh top. The
Snow Leopard exhibit is scheduled to be replaced in 2008 as
a part of the new Wonders of Nature Exhibit.
The holding areas for the tigers consist
of a cement building with sturdy holding cages that serve as
night-quarters for the animals. The animals are transferred
between the exhibit and their night quarters by experienced
Keepers by using slide or guillotine doors. These staff
members go through a regular seven-point safety procedure
every time they enter the building or the exhibit to be sure
the cats are where they are supposed to be. In this way, the
Keepers and the cats are never in contact with each other
and there is virtually no chance of injury to the Keeper or
escape of the animal. The cats would actually have to go
through three sets of doors to get out of their holding
area. As an added safety precaution, the entire Zoo is
surrounded by an eight-foot perimeter fence. While a large
cat could clear a fence of this height, it would be much
more likely to follow the fence line than to jump it. In
fact, usually an escaped animal tries to return to the
safety of its enclosure which is its territory.
 The Zoo staff holds regular
emergency drills, most of which focus on what to do in the
unlikely event of an escaped animal. Tranquillizer equipment
is on hand at the Zoo and staff is trained in its use.
Several staff members are also trained in the use of lethal
weapons as a last resort.
Zoo goers and residents of the area
should be secure in the knowledge that while the Zoo does
house some dangerous animals, they are being safely held by
secure enclosures and skilled and qualified staff.
The Binghamton Zoo
at Ross Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to
conservation, education, recreation and the exhibiting of
animals in a quality manner.
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