Visiting Shanghai Zoo was unfortunately a disappointing experience, especially given its potential to attract both local visitors and international tourists. One would reasonably expect that a zoo located in a major international city would meet certain standards of visitor experience, animal welfare, and accessibility.
Lack of Multilingual Information: While a few animals had English names displayed, the majority of the animal descriptions and educational signage were only in Mandarin. This made it challenging for non-Mandarin-speaking visitors to learn about the animals, which is a missed opportunity for education and engagement. Providing multilingual signage, particularly in English, would significantly enhance the experience for international visitors.
Cleanliness and Animal Welfare Concerns: During my visit, I observed that some enclosures were visibly dirty, with a build-up of animal waste and unclean viewing windows. This not only made observation difficult but also raised concerns about the welfare and hygiene standards for the animals. While I understand that cleaning schedules vary, the level of neglect appeared inconsistent with modern zoo management practices.
Confusing Layout and Empty Enclosures: The directional signage around the zoo was difficult to follow, resulting in a confusing visitor experience. Several enclosures were completely empty, with no explanation or indication as to whether they were under maintenance or awaiting new animals. Clear communication in these areas would help manage visitor expectations and avoid confusion.
Staff and Visitor Services: There appeared to be a lack of staff available to assist visitors, and very few personnel could communicate in English. In an internationally recognised city such as Shanghai, basic English-language support for key visitor interactions would be reasonable to expect.
Conclusion: Overall, the visit fell short of expectations. Shanghai Zoo has significant potential to be an outstanding destination that showcases China’s commitment to wildlife education and conservation. However, improvements in cleanliness, animal welfare standards, multilingual accessibility, staff training, and visitor communication would be essential to bring it in line with international...
Read moreWARNING! Possibly the worst and saddest zoo I have ever been to. The animals are clearly stressed and anxious, their space are far too small. You always hear about how zoos are bad footage of suffering animals and this could easily be where this idea came from. So much garden space and potential for bigger spaces for the animals but they seem to choose to waste it on vast green fields that you walk by and wish was where the zebras could roam instead or any other animal. They deserve better. Do not...
Read moreWorst zoo experience ever. In the scorching heat of July, the management heartlessly kicked out a mother and her 10-month-old baby from the exhibition hall—simply because she was bottle-feeding her child. No compassion, no flexibility, and worst of all, no apology.
This kind of cold, inhumane treatment of a parent trying to care for her infant is completely unacceptable. Shame on the staff for prioritizing rules over basic decency and empathy. Families, especially those with young children,...
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