I was really lucky to spend two weeks as part of my college degree at my zoo's Outreach and Demonstration department (Kids Zoo, Education and Outreach Animals), and as such I have always loved and appreciated the work these staff members do, as one of these animal interactions is what drove my dream to be a keeper. I saw kids truly in awe being so close to these animals without a pane of glass or fence between them and I'd love to be able to "replicate" that in game. We could use some sort of staff member or "entertainer" that uses a set of selected animals and takes them out into the zoo for visitors to see "up close" then return them. There could be a small "stress" detriment for these animals preventing them from being out all the time, so they have time to recover, and one could use animals who are no longer "genetically valuable" and keep them in another part of the zoo.
Animals could include Birds of Prey, Parrots (and other appropriate birds), some "Farm animals" (donkey, alpaca, goat), large, "peaceful" reptiles (monitors, ball pythons etc) and other frequently used animals (skunks, sloths, marmots etc.).
Its a point where a lot of zoos can get education across to people that will stay with them a lot longer than signs and are more memorable than "keeper talks". I know a lot of people knock on children's zoos and similar outreach programs, but seeing it up close, and being one of those children, they do so much good it would be a shame not to replicate it.
Animals could include Birds of Prey, Parrots (and other appropriate birds), some "Farm animals" (donkey, alpaca, goat), large, "peaceful" reptiles (monitors, ball pythons etc) and other frequently used animals (skunks, sloths, marmots etc.).
Its a point where a lot of zoos can get education across to people that will stay with them a lot longer than signs and are more memorable than "keeper talks". I know a lot of people knock on children's zoos and similar outreach programs, but seeing it up close, and being one of those children, they do so much good it would be a shame not to replicate it.