Saw Beardy's at the zoo

[Kasinda]

I took my family to the zoo today and saw a beardy display. The cage looked like 2 feet across and 3 feet high. There where 3 beardys in the same cage. NO UVB light, only an heat light. One of the beardys was so dark from stressing it was sad. The other had a black snout from hitting the glass. When we walked up to the desplay the ran up to the glass and started head bobbing and waving. I felt so bad about it. I went up to one of the zoo employees and told them the beardys are not healthy, and there should be only 1 beardy in a cage. The employee said "oh it is okay there is only one male and 2 females. I was so upset it ruined my whole day with my family. I'm going to email the zoo and ask them to actully read up on Beardy's so they stay healthy not just a show.

 

[Claudiusx]

I hate seeing beardies in places like that, especially places like petsmart

 

[Kasinda]

I've tried to look up the email on line but I'm not sure how to do it. It was Wildwood wildlife park I can find the pamplet for it but no contact info.

 

[Neromom39]

I think probably has to be more disturbing and disheartening than pet stores I have always viewed zoos as places that would take the utmost care of their animals. I thought the idea of zoos was to preserve the natural habitat of animals not retard them

In my honest opinion, animals that are territorial should not be kept in a zoo setting. There is no possible way for people to view them in their natural habitat. Having one on display is fine as that is the way they live in the wild, but to keep them so they are not thriving goes against everything those people (zoologists) went to school for.

I wonder what the Crocodile Hunter would say :?:

 

[Neromom39]

I've tried to look up the email on line but I'm not sure how to do it. It was Wildwood wildlife park I can find the pamplet for it but no contact info.

Click on the "Membership" link and you will find the email address.

 

[Kasinda]

I just called the Zoo and talked the manager he told me that when the zoo closes they put all the reptiles in there "regular cage" which he said is inback of there exhibit. I told him that there should be no more then one beardy in there at a time And he said that there are more beardys in back and that they swich them in and out of display so there is not that much stress on them. He said the ones that where in there are fine, because they don't fight with each other. I also told him about the UVB light and how close the beardys should be to it and he said that in there regular cage that is the distance they are from it. I hope he is telling me the truth.

They just looked awful. So stressed it was really sad.

 

[fresnowitte]

Our Zoo has a reptile room too. Unfortunately they don't have any luck keeping beardies alive and show no interest is learning either. Enclosure sounds much like what you have explained. When they do have them there's always 3 to 4 in the enclosure....with one way glass so they can't see the public...but can hear the constant tapping on the glass from all the kids.

Best of luck! I'll be keeping an eye out on this thread just incase you find something that works to get thru to them.