2008 Woodie Awards
Nashville Zoo has security protocols
Dan Potter
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News
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Nashville's zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which provides safety recommendations and gives on-site inspections every five years.
"Escape protocols need to be in place for AZA accreditation," said Jim Bartoo, the zoo's marketing and public relations director. These can vary from clearing an area to evacuating the entire park, as situations range from benign to worst-case scenario.
"We have people here who are trained to tranquilize animals," Bartoo said. "They're part of the escape protocol process, if it comes to that." Further, if lethal force becomes necessary, "We have a shoot team."
In addition to the AZA accreditation, the Nashville Zoo also has the approval of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Unlike the AZA, which issues recommendations, the TWRA has firm requirements - "More strict than I think you'd find in many states," Bartoo said.
Nashville has two Bengal tigers, a slightly smaller breed than San Francisco's Siberian tiger.
Nashville's tigers, sisters from the same litter, Sareeka and Mylee, were hand-raised - "raised in captivity, but also raised with very much a hands-on approach with the keepers, until they got to a point where they weren't safe to handle anymore," Bartoo said.
"Because of that, these animals are very used to seeing people - to being around people. They've never challenged the fence line or the containment process here. They seem to be pretty well adjusted into this exhibit," Bartoo said.
The tigers weigh roughly 250 pounds and are about four years old, Bartoo said.
Their diet consists of meat, mostly beef and horse, "supplemented with a canine diet mix" for nutrition.
In addition to a moat between their enclosure and the viewing area, the tigers are surrounded by a fence.
"The vertical part of that is 12 feet high, and then there's another four feet that bends in towards the exhibit," Bartoo said.
Further, the fence has electric "hot wires" to discourage the animals from attempting to climb it.
A row of electric "hot grass" also runs along the edge of the moat, as well as parts of the perimeter.
"It's developed to keep animals away from certain areas without being ugly or intrusive for visitor view," Bartoo said.
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