Capturing Memories, Not Tempers: Navigating the Zoo with Your Phone - Keeping the Baboon Gang from Getting in on the Fun
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- Animal Enclosures
- Smartphone
- Selfie Tours
- Baboons
- Recordings
- Safety
Ape Enclosure Invasion: Monkeys Seize and Film a Lost Phone - Monkey Encounter with Stolen Smartphone Leads to Surprise Recordings by the Baboons
Protecting your smartphone from ending up in a monkey enclosure during selfie tours at the zoo requires a mix of safety precautions and sensible visitor behavior. Here's how to reduce the chances of your phone becoming a snack or plaything for our primate friends:
Barriers, Signs, and Smart Visitors
- Sturdy Barriers: Ensure barriers around animal enclosures are robust and tall enough to deter careless dropping of valuables. Regular inspections can help catch any fence weaknesses.
- Clear Warnings: Hang warning signs around enclosures reminding visitors to safeguard their possessions and avoid leaning over barriers.
- Educated Visitors: Inform visitors about the hazards of dropping items into enclosures and the necessity of keeping a safe distance from creatures.
- Staff Surveillance: Deploy zoo staff or volunteers near popular selfie spots to remind visitors of the safety rules and intervene if needed.
- No Selfie Sticks: Enforce a ban on selfie sticks over barriers, as demonstrated at the San Francisco Zoo[1].
You and Your Prized Device
- Secured Possessions: Encourage visitors to secure their belongings, such as phones, with straps or lanyards to avoid accidental drops.
- Respect Barriers: Keep reminding visitors to stick to barriers and never attempt to reach over or lean over them to snap photos.
- Report Incidents: Encourage visitors to report any incidents, such as phones ending up in enclosures, promptly to zoo personnel.
By blending these steps, zoos can decrease the risk of smartphones finding their way into animal enclosures and maintain a safer environment for both guests and animals.
The Commission's communication on the European Union's role in the fight against terrorism could also emphasize the importance of responsible technology use, especially when it comes to smartphones and their integration into our lifestyle. For instance, during selfie tours at a zoo, keeping a safe distance from dangerous animals like baboons and maintaining proper gadget management can prevent accidents and protect both visitors and animals.
