The Tama Zoo and the Ueno Zoo (both in Tokyo) perform annual training drills so that zookeepers know what to do when an animal escapes. Since they cannot use a dangerous beast, workers dress as the escapee, which gives zoo visitors and web surfers an entertaining interlude. The drill this week at the Tama Zoo featured a Siberian tiger who got out of its pen during an earthquake.

A person disguised as a Siberian tiger ran wild through Tokyo's Tama Zoo yesterday in an exercise to prepare zookeepers for dangerous situations involving escaped animals.



Yesterday's dramatic simulation involved a Siberian tiger that escaped its pen following an earthquake. The mock animal wandered freely through the park, attacking zoo workers and visitors before it was surrounded with nets, shot with a tranquilizer dart, and transported back to its cage.
Theatrical exercises involving people in animal costumes are conducted each year in Tokyo at either Tama Zoo or Ueno Zoo. In addition to providing hands-on experience with capturing escaped animals, the drills force zookeepers to administer first aid, usher visitors to safety, and coordinate with local emergency services.

Click the link to see some hilarious past Zoo drills:

__________________

thats awesome,and soooo realistic

__________________
www.jamieswordsreptiles.com

Yes, because this will prepare somebody to deal with a 500lbs cat that is all muscle, power and teeth.....with the bit of cute, fluffy fur and stripes....


Idiots!

__________________
Don't judge me by my mistakes. You don't see me judging your parents for theirs...
DISCLAIMER:"I have very limited reptile keeping experience, therefore most of the information I offer has been obtained from other sources such as Books and the internet, or other people. I do not currently keep venomous reptiles."

Idiots? I would have said it's better than no preperation... Can you suggest something alot better they could do?

I think you'll find most zoos do this to gain an idea of what the animal might do and where it may go. If you ever saw the Zoo Tiger Escape about the incident at the San Francisco Zoo it showed zoos doing this and explained why. Anyway to gain training and to prepare for the possibility of such events is far from idiotic.

__________________
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chondrobomb/

its better than letting a real tiger out, id have to agree!!
they should let a goose out and see how they cope then!!(geese sprung to mind as i was chased by them last week!!)

__________________
Too many to mention, but if you ask I'll tell ya!!!

Totally agreed!
You know the other day I was wondering why soldiers practice against paper targets when they fire their guns and not other people, how idiotic they are.
It's sometimes wise to think stuff through VL...

It's a person.

A person is NEVER going to have the mindset that a cat would, especially a cat that is confused.

Zoo keepers, in theory should already have the experience and protocol in place to deal with such an event.

__________________
Don't judge me by my mistakes. You don't see me judging your parents for theirs...
DISCLAIMER:"I have very limited reptile keeping experience, therefore most of the information I offer has been obtained from other sources such as Books and the internet, or other people. I do not currently keep venomous reptiles."

That doesn't change the fact it teaches the group, what they have to do. a) work as a team, and b) attempt to pen the animal in.

How would they have the experience if they hadn't practiced this, because they certainly shouldn't have tigers escaping all the time to gain this experience. And this is what they are doing, practicing the protocol...

When you go to post, ask yourself - "Did i actually think before typing"



For all you know this particular zoo worker might have studied the cat he was copying in detail for the last 5 years. Mimicking his behaviours, routines, likes and dislikes - establishing a deep understanding of the mindset of the creature he watches, able to switch to the mindset of this impressive beast at a moments notice!
Or not.
He might just be a regular joe who shovels sh*t and polishes glass for most of the day.
But you don't know, so don't go assuming things because that just makes an ass out of you and Ming (the Japanese zoo worker, see what i did there? )

Also worth noting that you are saying that in theory all zoo keepers should have had to deal with an escaped wild animal. I'd LOVE to be the insurance agent for that facility!!!!

One of your "best" post sets in a while James, laughed for a good 30 seconds or so.

Engage mind, THEN fingers
(Feel like i may have said that before!)

__________________