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Chessington bans 'baffling' animal print clothing | Chessington bans 'baffling' animal print clothing |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Animal print clothing has been banned from a wildlife park in Surrey because it is confusing the animals. | Animal print clothing has been banned from a wildlife park in Surrey because it is confusing the animals. |
Chessington World of Adventures Resort has hired bouncers to make sure visitors are following the new rule. | Chessington World of Adventures Resort has hired bouncers to make sure visitors are following the new rule. |
Spokeswoman Natalie Dilloway said a lot of animals were "becoming baffled" by what seemed to be zebras and giraffes on their terrain. | Spokeswoman Natalie Dilloway said a lot of animals were "becoming baffled" by what seemed to be zebras and giraffes on their terrain. |
Other zoos, including London Zoo, Longleat Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo, said animal print was not banned. | Other zoos, including London Zoo, Longleat Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo, said animal print was not banned. |
'Run away in fear' | 'Run away in fear' |
Chessington's ban follows the launch of the park's African experience Zufari, which allows guests to take an off-road "safari". | Chessington's ban follows the launch of the park's African experience Zufari, which allows guests to take an off-road "safari". |
The 22-acre trail is modelled on the Serengeti plains, enabling guests to interact more closely with the animals. | The 22-acre trail is modelled on the Serengeti plains, enabling guests to interact more closely with the animals. |
Keepers said animal prints could cause the animals to try to communicate with those wearing them, or to run away in fear. | Keepers said animal prints could cause the animals to try to communicate with those wearing them, or to run away in fear. |
It has also banned such clothing from elsewhere on the site. | It has also banned such clothing from elsewhere on the site. |
Anyone seen wearing animal print is being supplied with a grey boilers suit by the security staff. | |
'Signs of danger' | 'Signs of danger' |
Banned prints include zebra, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, tiger, spotted hyena, striped hyena and African wild dog. | Banned prints include zebra, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, tiger, spotted hyena, striped hyena and African wild dog. |
Martin Stevens, a senior research fellow at the University of Exeter who specialises in animal colouration and behaviour, said: "It's possible the animals could misinterpret the clothing if they are looking out for signs of danger. | Martin Stevens, a senior research fellow at the University of Exeter who specialises in animal colouration and behaviour, said: "It's possible the animals could misinterpret the clothing if they are looking out for signs of danger. |
"However, animals will process a whole bunch of information, including smell and how it's moving, to deduce whether it's a threat." | "However, animals will process a whole bunch of information, including smell and how it's moving, to deduce whether it's a threat." |
London Zoo, Longleat Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo said visitors had not been banned from wearing animal print clothing. | London Zoo, Longleat Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo said visitors had not been banned from wearing animal print clothing. |
A spokesman for Longleat said: "We ensure that the environment that the animals live in is safe. | A spokesman for Longleat said: "We ensure that the environment that the animals live in is safe. |
"We are comfortable that neither our animals or visitors are at risk of any harm." | "We are comfortable that neither our animals or visitors are at risk of any harm." |