Zookeeper Hacks. The weirdest items keepers use wrong.

Zookeepers often can't find something designed just for their needs. Instead they use everyday items in ways you might not expect! Lets take a look at a few of those weird uses and later, find out what part of zookeeping has really made keepers think outside the box!
Resources
All footage from "Zoo Knoxville" used under CC BY 3.0 License. I am not affiliated with, nor did I partake in any of the training in the video footage. Any use of footage is to showcase the type of training zoos in general do. Any statement from myself in regards to how "we" train, is in reference to "we" the zoo keeping industry, and is not meant to take credit for the amazing work done by the team at Zoo Knoxville. To see those videos in full:
"Bringing the Zoo to YOU! : Bat-eared foxes are really good listeners" vimeo.com/4037...
"Keeper gets creative with recycled fire hose"
vimeo.com/2327...
"Howdy Time Tigers"
vimeo.com/7967...
"Bringing the Zoo to YOU!: Working out with river otters"
vimeo.com/4014...
"Bringing the Zoo to YOU!: Morning with Mammals"
vimeo.com/4055...
"Malayan tiger blood draw"
vimeo.com/3044...
"Happy 1st birthday to Bea giraffe!"
vimeo.com/4328...
"Caring for elephants: Zoo Knoxville elephant Edie gets laser treatment"
vimeo.com/4348...
"Zoo Knoxville gorilla visits UTCVM to explore a cartilage lesion"
vimeo.com/4322...
"Hoof specialist makes house call"
vimeo.com/5759...
"Baby on the way!
vimeo.com/4523...
"Vicks VapoRub (51013600352)" by ajay_suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
openverse.org/...
"Tarwin playing about" by Chris Phutully is licensed under CC BY 2.0. www.flickr.com...
"Oxygen Masks for Pets" by Greenville, NC is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit creativecommon....
Additional footage filmed at:
Dudley Zoo: www.dudleyzoo....
Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/

[@matth55]

As someone who has worked with zoo vets, I’ve seen how important consistent training is to reduce stress and keep animals and humans safe during procedures. Keep up the great work!

[@zooblether]

Yep, I’ve both trained behaviours well, resulting in “successful” medical or management practices and trained “not well enough” to actually achieve on the day. It’s always great when all staff from the top down can see the importance and continue training long term to eventually have it work well, even if not initially!

[@LeafProductions]

finally some great zoo content. love this stuff. keep it up.

[@zooblether]

Thank you! Appreciate it! Glad you take the time to watch other content to, can’t imagine how long your work takes!

[@ZooErlebnis]

I'm really enjoying your videos! They are always very insightfull. Please keep them comming.

[@zooblether]

Thank you, nice to hear from someone like yourself!

[@savingseconds9398]

I would LOVE to learn more about habitats/exhibits and how the terrain, foliage, other obstacles, and placement of food/water/privacy/enrichment can be used to influence movement and encourage the animal to fully utilize the space they have. With horses, they naturally would travel 10 miles per day. But in pastures, they often graze around, but otherwise have worn paths to the gate, water trough, and shelter. They dont move much at all. Paddock Paradise track systems are becoming more popular to encourage movement. I am curious if we can learn something from zoos to help enrich our horse's lives and encourage more movement and usage of the space they have.

[@zooblether]

Hey thanks for reaching out! Just had to look up Paddock Paradise systems, looks like an interesting concept, one of those “yeah that makes sense” kind of things! I’m sure there’s lots that can be learnt in both directions. I’m currently working on a video about size/space/complexity of exhibits. Not sure what examples I’ll be using just yet, but will try and cover all bases including equids/hoofstock! Paddock paradise system may get a mention now too! Thanks again!

[@savingseconds9398]

@@zooblether Thanks! I am looking forward to seeing it. I think our "traditional" ways of keeping horses (big empty pastures and 12x12 stalls) are long overdue for a change. I like to think about what the "ideal" environment for our horses would be. Hearing from outside perspectives always helps ignite new ideas

[@DereksZooVideos0118]

Great video on a really interesting topic! I was lucky to be part of a few introductions as an intern, including one with African Painted Dogs, where we used fire extinguishers just like you described.

[@zooblether]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tearex2556]

Missed you! Great video!!

[@zooblether]

Thanks, glad to be back in the swing of things!