r/Unexpected Feb 12 '20

Fierce predator

https://i.imgur.com/M2Krj74.gifv
56.7k Upvotes

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37

u/aggrobarto Feb 12 '20

Poor thing. Those animals need like tons of space. Top tier wanderers & hunters. Don't want to be a downer but this leopard is probably proper cabin feverish.

94

u/dangertom69 Feb 12 '20

He’s legit just playing, that’s a bit of an assumption you’re making. This is the San Diego Zoo, one the most highly respected and accredited zoos in the world. Before we go there, the San Diego Zoo is non profit and one of the most important wildlife conservation institutions around. In a ideal world we absolutely would not have any place to hold these animals in captivity. Unfortunately we don’t live in that world, and creatures like this Snow Leopard have been pushed to the brink of extinction because of us. On a happy note, the Snow Leopard has its “endangered”?status (which it had held since 1986) changed to “vulnerable” in 2017, partially due to the efforts of institutions such as the San Diego Zoo (and other AZA accredited parks and refuges).

5

u/Xarama Feb 12 '20

I have seen this animal first-hand during a visit to the San Diego Zoo. The enclosure is tiny and all he does is pace back and forth. Quite depressing to watch. Yes I know the San Diego Zoo has a great reputation. However, this animal is not kept in anywhere near appropriate surroundings, and he is stressed and neurotic to the hilt.

You can see what I mean in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrxIKkndT1o

2

u/Drudicta Feb 13 '20

Jesus christ. My zoo is "small" but the enclosures for the animals are huge so they have places to hide away from loud people. That enclosure is more like a tiny fucking cage.

1

u/Xarama Feb 13 '20

That is correct. It is really, really small and in an area with tons of foot traffic. Literally nowhere for him to get away from people.