This Reverse Zoo Is The Best Way To Experience Wildlife
With visitors placed in cages, this is how all zoos should be.
This is Lehe Ledu Wildlife Zoo in Chongqing, China.
We are all used to going to zoos and seeing animals in cages. At the same time, we all know that keeping exotic animals in small spaces is not actually good for them.
Keeping animals in restricted spaces and putting them in cages makes them weaker, ultimately giving them stress levels that shorten their lifespans.
This zoo has flipped the script.
Zookeepers let the animals roam around freely in the zoo, while the visitors tour around inside a caged vehicle.
The moving cage is covered in a wire mesh to protect the visitors from animals.
Zoo visitors stand inside as animals approach. The cage has meat placed around it to attract the attention of the beasts.
Visitors can also feed them through small openings at the top of the cage.
Look at the cats looking at lunch — I mean, the visitors.
The whole experience offers a close encounter with wildlife that is more favorable for the animals. On the other hand, some don't advocate for these tours because they can be very dangerous for the people involved.
The zoo spokesperson, however, said that the cage tours offer people a thrilling experience with wild cats all while keeping them safe.
In addition to the moving cages, there are also sight-seeing buses that roam the zoo.
Despite the mixed opinions on the zoo tours, people are coming in droves to see the animals up close and personal.
Most visitors love the whole experience and it looks like the animals are loving it, too.
This Chinese zoo may have found a way for people and animals to enjoy each others' company without stressing or harming either party.