The Signs of Naples Zoo
Dec. 28th, 2013 04:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
On one morning of our trip, we went to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. And while I loved their animal and plant collections, their visible and well-organized animal training program, and the fact they use bicycles instead of golf carts for many purposes, I really liked their signage.
Most zoos can't afford to have staff in all locations, and so the signs have to do a lot of work keeping the guests safe and informed.

This is the fist time I've seen a zoo sign that is about reading the signs. I don't know if this increases the amount of attention that the zoo guests pay to the other signs, but I like it.

Before you even get into the zoo this sign warns you about the bitey turtles in the koi pond by the parking lot.

Good clear rules.

A natural history note: That silly little office ficus tree years to be an enormous monster.

Don't feed the birds and squirrels, and parents are responsible for children. Remember the "don't feed" one.

Sure the animals are dangerous, but how about the plants?

I like that this song is very explicit about what "teasing" a leopard means.

And just so you don't think it's all warnings and scolding, this sign thanks the guests for their money, and explains some of the good that money does.

This is true of all accredited zoos, but this states it nice and clearly.

Meanwhile, over at concessions--a beer list!

This boat-tailed grackle and these white ibises can't read the "fish food" sign, and I never saw any fish. When I tried to throw some (it was clearly dry cat food, by the way) into the water, the grackles were able to snatch it off the surface or even out of the air. I fed the ibises by hand, which was fun.
Most zoos can't afford to have staff in all locations, and so the signs have to do a lot of work keeping the guests safe and informed.

This is the fist time I've seen a zoo sign that is about reading the signs. I don't know if this increases the amount of attention that the zoo guests pay to the other signs, but I like it.

Before you even get into the zoo this sign warns you about the bitey turtles in the koi pond by the parking lot.

Good clear rules.

A natural history note: That silly little office ficus tree years to be an enormous monster.

Don't feed the birds and squirrels, and parents are responsible for children. Remember the "don't feed" one.

Sure the animals are dangerous, but how about the plants?

I like that this song is very explicit about what "teasing" a leopard means.

And just so you don't think it's all warnings and scolding, this sign thanks the guests for their money, and explains some of the good that money does.

This is true of all accredited zoos, but this states it nice and clearly.

Meanwhile, over at concessions--a beer list!

This boat-tailed grackle and these white ibises can't read the "fish food" sign, and I never saw any fish. When I tried to throw some (it was clearly dry cat food, by the way) into the water, the grackles were able to snatch it off the surface or even out of the air. I fed the ibises by hand, which was fun.