Zoo Unhappy With Some Fair Exhibits

By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa Zoo says it's outraged by the way animals are being treated at the Tulsa State Fair.  A zoo spokesperson says the animals are being exploited and fairgoers personal health and safety are being compromised.

For the average fairgoer, the monkey exhibit brings them closer than they've ever been to a real life exotic animal.  For 20 bucks, you can take a picture with a chimp sitting on your lap.

At the Tulsa Zoo, the chimps have no direct contact with humans.  In fact, zoo officials say they're outraged by the animal exhibits at this year's fair.

"That's dangerous. It's just flat out irresponsible and dangerous. We don't have that kind of contact here for a reason," said Judi Koch with the Tulsa Zoo.

The zoo's spokesperson says chimpanzees may be cute but they're strong and very dangerous.  She worries about the germs fairgoers could pass along to the chimps, not to mention the diseases chimps themselves can pass along to humans.  She says even their zookeepers have a hands off policy.

"With primates specifically, we do not handle our chimps in the same way they are handled at the fair and that's for good reasons, for the safety of our staff, for the safety of our animals and certainly for the safety of our guests," said Judi Koch with the Tulsa Zoo.

One of the exhibitors at the Tulsa State Fair feels the necessary precautions are taken.

"Well we have people sterilize their hands and it's very minimal. He sits on their lap, so.  He's had all his vaccinations," said the exhibitor.

The zoo also came out against a wild cat exhibit where people are encouraged to pet the animals and take photos with the young cats.

"They have all their teeth and all their claws. It's actually illegal to declaw them. But, we don't believe in that anyways," said Jamie Palazzo with Wild Cat Adventures.

But, what about the health and safety of the animals? Zookeepers say the exhibits are exploiting the animals. Exhibitors say their organizations are non-profits that educate the public about endangered species.

"Well that's kind of hypocritical of them," said Jamie Palazzo with Wild Cat Adventures.  "They're doing the same thing we are, educating the public about the endangered species and the animals, So maybe they're just jealous because we're making money and they're not."

The zoo spokesperson says their animals get the best care available and have permanent homes.

The fair exhibits are subject to supervision from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.