Lowry Park Zoo goes cageless

Lowry Park Zoo – Hillsborough County – Tuesday, 7.30.19

In an effort to become more environmentally friendly, the Lowry Park Zoo has removed all cages, giving all animals to roam freely with the guests. Birds, monkeys, tigers, rhinos, giraffes, snakes, and more are now completely accessible at all times, offering hands on experiences to anyone lucky enough to snag a pet. 

To increase community-sourced food for the animals, guess are now allowed to feed the animals anything that they bring in. If the animal eats it, than it is agreeing to the terms and waiving liability rights. 

“By letting the animals choose what they eat and who they interact with we’re creating a very natural vibe here at the zoo, which is exactly what the animals were used to in the wild. It makes them feel more at home.” 

Said Betty Wetzel, head anthropologist for the Lowry Park Zoo and new creative director behind the environmentally conscious initiative.

“I was able to convince my boss to let me take the metaphorical reigns on this one and just get rid of all our unnecessary, unnatural structures and metals restricting our physical interactions with the animals, making everything feel open and free.”

The project has been called “wildly progressive” by Wetzel’s zoologist peers, seizing the opportunity to capitalize on a nature pun. So far the animals seem to really enjoy the new living arrangements, and everyone appears satisfied, except for the numerous people who have been bitten by the animals, however a spokesperson for the zoo has stated that, “those guests deserved it.”