This should be a word of warning both for stand-alone petting zoos and major zoos that have petting yards… Research Confirms Petting Zoos Are Gross, Dangerous
I have always thought West Midland SP policy of allowing hand-feeding of animals from cars is a dangerous idea for this reason. Transmission of animal bacteria through saliva, people/children get it on their hands and with no facility for handwashing directly afterwards...
The highlighting of the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant pathogens is important. I wonder whether some species are more likely to carry these than others, and whether screening animals for such pathogens is advisable. Otherwise UK zoos are expected to carry out the requirements in Section 6 of these DEFRA guidelines https://assets.publishing.service.g...data/file/69596/standards-of-zoo-practice.pdf
The anti-captivity bent of the author is clear from the very first sentence, which is unnecessary and irrelevant to the discussion: "Petting zoos aren't just full of sad-looking animals." This opening sentence reduced the credibility of the entire article for me. Interestingly, the article goes on to state the positive influence of petting animals for childhood development and simply focuses on precautionary measures like hand-washing stations. Based on my travels, zoos already have this.
By sad looking animals, she meant she only goes to petting zoos at 2 PM on July afternoons. But I agree all petting situations should have hand washing stations.
