I know this is polemic, and some people may feel even offended. Well, I already let my excuses...
Recently, I was in Argentina, near a world famous petting zoo. I heard so much about this zoo, that I really wanted to go there and know the truth about it, so i spent about 35 dollars in the ticket to visit it, which is a very high amount, at least our standards.
Despite the rumours, I can say about what I saw, and I really got surprised because it was very different of what I expected.
Well, to begin, there is a rumor that them drug the animals for them allow people pet them, when I just entered in the zoo, I saw a white tiger playing very lively with one of the zoo caretakers, i could not get that moment in a photo because I was really stunned.
While i was seeing that, a loud roar echoed, it was one of their lions.
While i was tooking those pictures, one caretaker asked if i wanted to go inside and pet the lion! I was so shocked that I said ... Yes...
As you saw in first photo, the lion already were in the "table" we took the photo, in no moment during my visit in the zoo, the animais were forced to do anything. We could only pet them the way it was. I used tô pet a sleeping tiger, but just before I go there, the tiger was playing with the caretaker.
Beside being very lively, Another thing that called my attention was how clean their animals were.
Also if you note, the lion black mane, meaning he had a good diet. All animals seems well fed, except this duck that spent my entire visit there asking for the food bag i was carrying.
There is also a Cub Petting section but the cubs were so playful, that I was afraid them damaging my clothes! (Which happens sometimes there)
Well, for the infrastructure them have, at least three caretakers for each animal enclosure that we can enter, a very huge area which you can even camp there, all animals, showing them are well fed. I tough the 35 dollars (if you pay with Argentina currency is even lower) a very fair price.
I know the most correct place for animals be are in the wild, but I don't see anything wrong if the wild is not a safe place, that responsible people could keep those animals (even because require a lot of responsibility) in captivity.
Despite the polemic, it was a experience that I will never forget.
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