Edinburgh Zoo

Posted by John Blatchford Nov 4, 2007

I was visiting Edinburgh Zoo earlier in the year (2007) and spent a little time, as usual, with the lemurs. You pass through a gate system and walk along a path surrounded by natural vegetation. If the lemurs feel in the mood they come out of their warm house and muck about in the garden, right next to visitors. They are very inquisitive little creatures (lemurs not visitors) and approach very closely.

Edinburgh Zoo - Visitors and Lemurs When I was in the enclosure there were a couple of lads walking through displaying all the customary ‘urban superciliousness’ often associated with adolescent males (we call them ‘hoodies’ in England, but they are known as ‘neds’ in Scotland – neither term affectionate!). What amused me was the way that the urban swagger rapidly turned into confusion and concern as the furry little beasts came closer. The ‘neds’ ran away to recover their composure.

Edinburgh Zoo – Visitors and Penguins It was very interesting to see these two young men again outside the penguin enclosure when the penguins came out for their daily walk among the public. I think I saw genuine awe in their faces (youths not penguins). This changed me a bit and I realised that children brought up in urban environments have little chance to come into contact with animals other than cats and dogs. It is only when confronted by wild (or semi-wild) animals that people develop a full appreciation of the natural world.

Edinburgh Zoo – Education The conservation work of the zoo is obvious and well explained, but I cannot help wondering if the close exposure to unusual living things is also very important.