15 Things Visitors Do At Zoos (That Workers Can't Stand)

Visiting a zoo is a fantastic way to learn about the lives of animals and how we can take care of our environment to protect these creatures. Zookeepers and workers take pride in caring for these animals, but unfortunately, they have come across visitors that don't respect the animals and have even gone as far as trying to get into their enclosures.

There are specific things visitors do at zoos that workers can't stand. From throwing food and even coins into animal enclosures to banging on the glass and making annoying animal noises to get their attention, the staff has had enough of visitor's antics and their disrespect toward the animals. And, while going to the zoo is great to educate kids on animals and how they live, parents will give the wrong information on them and even act as they know more than the workers.

Here are 15 things visitors do at the zoo that are downright annoying to staff. Next time you think about visiting your local zoo, try to avoid doing these things that'll just drive the staff crazy.

12 Throwing Coins Into Animal Enclosures

It might sound strange, but workers at zoos have had to put up sign's near open animal enclosures to urge visitors not to throw coins. For some bizarre reason, visitors believe they are near a wishing well and can just throw coins in bodies of water where these animals might drink from.

11 Standing On Railings To Get A Closer View

Everyone wants to see an exotic animal up close but there are railings, glass enclosures and other safety measures put into place for a reason. There are way too many stories of small children falling into animal enclosures for standing on railings to get a better view and animals have been put down to save them because of it.

10 Throwing Food At Animals

Zookeepers know the dietary needs of each animal and they are fed well, so there is no reason to throw food at them. Feeding the animals can actually harm them and even kill them because they end up eating something that isn't meant for them.

9 Chasing Loose Birds

Many zoos have beautiful birds like the peacock freely roaming around the area, and they are known to be friendly birds. However, small children believe chasing these creatures is a good laugh, but it won't be funny when these birds chase them back and even get aggressive.

8 Making Annoying Animal Noises To Try To Get Their Attention

Many visitors like to mimic the sounds of animals to get their attention, but zookeepers are actually not too fond of it. These animals are used to seeing humans and making growling noises won't make them come any closer to you. It just gets annoying after a while for zoo workers to constantly hear visitors weird animal calls.

7 Parents Giving Their Children Wrong Information About An Animal

The zoo's workers are knowledgeable on the animals at the zoo and visitors should feel free to ask them questions. Zoo workers would really hate to hear parents giving their children false information about a certain animal and have them leave the zoo knowing these kids have the wrong facts.

6 Visitors Attempting To Touch Animals Not In Cages

At some zoos, visitors will find birds like penguins in open enclosures and it might be tempting to touch them, but visitors really should keep their hands to themselves. While it's cool to see these creatures up close, they aren't meant to be touched and visitors will get scolded at.

5 Ignoring Important Signs

See this sign that says no sitting on the fence? It was probably put up because a parent put their child on the fence only to have them fall inside of the enclosure. Hopefully, they got out safety but zoos have important signs up for visitors for a reason and they should be followed.

4 Parents Letting Their Kids Run Wild

Children love going to the zoo, but that doesn't mean parents should let them run wild. While bigger animals like tigers and gorillas can be kept in glass enclosures, other animals are not and are just as dangerous, and kids can easily fall in.

3 Using The Camera Flash In Nocturnal Exhibits

Some animals live with little to no light for their entire lives and zoos have created cool nocturnal exhibits so visitors can also learn about these amazing creatures. These exhibits are dark for a reason, so don't use flash if you are taking a photo and respect how these animals live.

2 Tapping Or Banging On The Glass

Just like making animal noises, banging on the glass won't make these animals come any closer to visitors. If anything, banging and tapping constantly on the glass when an animal wants to sleep or relax is annoying. Imagine someone knocking on your door all day or windows when you're trying to get some shuteye.

1 People Who Think They Know More About An Animal Than The Zookeeper

Of course, we had to mention those zoo visitors that think they're one with the animals and believe they know more about these creatures than the zookeepers. How irritating would it be to constantly get interrupted by a visitor who is trying to do your job?

Next: 20 Photos Of Zoos From Around The World (That Make Us Mad)