People like animals. Dogs, cats and birds are common pets. But, exotic animals — the type one would find at a zoo or petting zoo — also pique our curiosity.
Such animals often are attractions that wildlife organizations and petting zoos provide to visitors or take to schools or groups to see up close. The purpose is to educate.
But in doing so, there has to be a certain amount of assurance and safety involved. Columbus is trying to exercise more caution about exotic animals that are permitted into the city.
Recently, the owners of Zoo’Opolis Exotic Petting World sought from the Columbus Board of Works a waiver that would allow the organization’s exotic animals within city limits for any event this year.
It had requested to bring several animals permitted under city ordinance, and three that were not permitted without a temporary variance (striped skunk, baby kinkajou and a timber wolf hybrid), to a planned event at Columbus Signature Academy – Fodrea campus.
Zoo’Opolis sought the waiver because of the number of requests it received, and not wanting to have to go before the board for approval each time.
However, the board didn’t issue a year-long blanket waiver to petting zoo. It wanted additional precautions in place.
It was agreed that an Animal Care officer would be present at the demonstration to Fodrea students, and in the future Animal Care officers — who have safety training and multiple certifications — would meet with the petting zoo’s representatives in the future to agree on a list of animals that could be brought safely into city limits.
The goal, according to the city, is to streamline the process on what animals are acceptable within city limits to aid in the Columbus Board of Works decisions.
While these extra steps may provide a little extra burden, when exotic animals are present at events, particularly around children, certain assurances must be in place.
