The exercise, which involved one zoo worker being attacked by the man-operated model beast; prompting his colleagues to rehearse a rescue procedure, is not a new phenomenon to this Tokyo zoo.
A video posted to 'Youtube' in October of 2008 shows a previous training exercise carried out by the zoo's staff.
The footage shows members of staff taking cover behind rope netting, armed with 6 foot metal poles forcing the rhinoceros to follow a particular route until; once struck with a tranquillizer dart, the animal is trapped under the netting which had previously protected the workers.
The rhinoceros is one of the largest remaining 'mega-fauna' (megas - meaning 'large' in Ancient Greek and fauna - meaning 'animal' in Latin) with all species having the ability to weigh up to and over 1 tonne in weight.
Their skin can be anywhere between 1.5 cm and 5 cm thick; made of layers of collagen forming a lattice structure.
 |
| Pic: Thierry (http2007) Flickr |
The large mammals have been known to attack people, especially during mating season or when they perceive a threat towards their young.
The African rhinoceros has been recorded running at speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour - the equivalent to nearly 35 miles per hour making its charge potentially fatal.
Many 'online commentators' have criticised the Uneo Zoological Garden's methods; deeming them to be severely underestimating the power and strength of a charging rhinoceros.
"Poking a confused and angry rhino with a stick will not encourage it to move" said one viewer of the 'Youtube' video. "It'll just get more [angry] and have a even better reason to [attack] you."
Despite the staff at Uneo Zoological Gardens hoping they will never have to utilise their training in a real life situation; reports show that there have been 4 instances of their animals escaping in the last 50 years.
By Benjamin Yates
Sources:
Video courtesy of 'Diagonal UK' via 'Youtube.'
Pic: Thierry (Http2007 via Flickr)
No comments:
Post a Comment