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Posted 1/22/2008
 The recent tragic tiger escape at the San Francisco Zoo has many people asking me about the safety of visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. "Will we be safe if we visit?" Can your tiger exhibit contain your tigers?" and many other questions of concern have been asked over the past few weeks. Here at the Pittsburgh Zoo, although an animal conservation institution, we put public safety first, even ahead of animal conservation. Our newest exhibits meet or exceed published recommendations and our oldest exhibits have stood the test of time. The design and materials used in construction are engineered to withstand the power of a polar bear or the impact of an elephant.
That doesn't mean we are complacent about how we exhibit animals or about public safety. Plane crashes and bridge collapses are evidence that things can go wrong and sometimes do. We have a plan and we practice animal escape drills to better capture or contain an escaped animal. You might think of it as a Zoo fire drill.
Our animal escape drill is initiated by our president and CEO, Dr Barbara Baker. Without staff knowledge, Dr. Baker may solicit the help of a Zoo guest to report the sighting of an escaped animal. Upon receiving information, the capture team quickly assembles as other staff members usher the public into safe areas within the Zoo. Not knowing if we are experiencing a drill or a real animal escape, our reaction is always to respond with professional urgency.
We hope that we never have to respond to an actual dangerous animal escape but by preparing and practicing in advance we aim to assure the public that they will be safe when they come to the Zoo.
No one can ever state that an animal will never escape. The Titanic sunk after being declared unsinkable. So to all the people who are seeking reassurance about their upcoming visit to the Zoo, let me do my best to offer our pledge to keep you safe above even our own safety. We at the PIttsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium are not only committed to conservation but to your having a wonderfull and safe Zoo experience.
If you have any concerns, I would like hear them. Feel free to contact me directly or post an entry on my blog.
Comments
Kathryn - Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 3:07:08 PM
I had the distinct impression that the people were taunting the tigers and had crossed into the tiger's territory. So, I am sympathetic with the tigers who attacked.
I think that it would be very difficult for a human to get inside the tigers or other enclosures. Therefore, I am not at all concerned at the Pgh zoo.
Kathryn
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