zoo beardie in bad shape

[Zoey]

My family and I visited a zoo in Palm Desert last weekend and in one of the enclosures in the reptile house was this poor little beardie. He is on what appeared to be sand or dirt, had iceburg lettuce and carrots for food. No UVB lighting. No basking area. And what's up with his back legs? MBD? How can they keep a bearded dragon like this? There is something obviously wrong with him, and apparently they have no clue how to care for him. the poor guy kept lifting his head and looking back at me but otherwise didn't move. I was very shocked and surprised at this. I'm thinking of writing an email to them to complain, but I'm not sure what good that will do.

 

[HaleyMaree]

That is horrid! Jeez thats why I just don't like Zoo's!

Well a serious complaint would be awesome! With the proper care as well.

That sucks tho! :/

~Haley

 

[bdalton]

Isn't this just horrible?!
I was in petco today just browsing and looked in the water dragon tank and there was one poor little dragon burrowed under his water bowl with his head poking out, his one eye was so infected that it was disintegrating, he had MBD so bad that he barely had the bottom part of his jaw left and it was brown, not green. I actually thought he was dead and went and got someone and they moved the water bowl and he wobbled away, scared as anything. I took pictures (I'm not home now but will post them when I get home) so that I could send them to corporate because this is the second time I've had an experience like this at petco, but the first was a baby beardie and it was actually dead. So dead that his eyeballs were gone and his head started to disintegrate. It makes me sick!
The water dragon had a UVB, but over a metal lid with little holes in it that was about 2 feet from him. When he was under the water bowl he had wood chips on top of his head, you will see in the pic.

I didn't even waste my breath complaining to anyone in store, because it will get me no where.
I don't even think its legal to treat animals this way! And right on the water dragon tank was a sign saying how every animal is guaranteed 100% healthy, yada yada yada.

I wish I knew how to stop it, but unfortunetly don't think it ever will.

 

[Zoey]

As far as the condition of some pet store reptiles goes, I'm not even surprised anymore. But this is a very nice zoo. All of the other animals, from what I could see, appeared healthy and well cared for. Why this beardie was neglected, I have no idea. If it was a giraffe or zebra or camel or whatever that was ill and wasting away, you'd better believe there would be a public out-cry. Why do people think that this little guy doesn't deserve the same amount of respect and care. It makes me sad.

 

[jjh1]

I would have totally said to them at the zoo hey this bearded dragon is sick and point stuff out they have done wrong.

Also that I would take the bearded dragon home with me since you all dont know how to take care of it.

This so saddens me

Joanne

 

[Zoey]

I would have totally said to them at the zoo hey this bearded dragon is sick and point stuff out they have done wrong.

Also that I would take the bearded dragon home with me since you all dont know how to take care of it.

This so saddens me

Joanne

Joanne, I wish I had said something. I'm so non-confrontational. I wish I wasn't. I am going to write an email to them tonight though for all the good it will do.

 

[AMHaak]

That is so sad! What you should do it give the picture to your local news media and see if they can put it in the paper or on their online site.

angie

 

[Zoey]

That is so sad! What you should do it give the picture to your local news media and see if they can put it in the paper or on their online site.

angie

That's an idea, but I'd like to at least try to deal with the zoo directly at first. I sent them an email last night. Let's see if I get a reply.

 

[dylanravenj]

Ugh disgusting, that poor baby

 

[RandyMarsh]

send them another email with this thread linked, then they can see their error