Nanjing Zoo by Timur Sumer

Timucin Sumer


10/12/2010

A Day at the Zoo

It only takes five stops by metro to get to the Nanjing Park Zoo. Trips to the zoo are fond childhood memories for many people. The chaotic zoo that is China causes concern at the zoo where animals are displayed for entertainment. Western concepts and notions are shattered even before the zoo entrance. The seven-minute walk from the metro station to the zoo entrance, results in the jumble of street vendors and hurrying crowds negotiating the conflict of western and eastern personal space rules. The smell of boiled sausage, deep fried bread, chopped up mystery meats, roasted chestnuts, and trash fill the sunny yet gloomy air. Vendors sell live miniature turtles and small goldfish in tiny plastic spheres. A young girl bumps into one of the vendor tables sending a small turtle flying down the street twisting and tumbling in its little plastic home. Images of what is to come bring a sense of uneasiness.

The Nanjing Park Zoo is cut into a side of a giant hill full of trees, grassy fields and a small man made lake. Fisherman of all ages, shapes, and sizes surround the lake hoping to catch tiny goldfish to sell. A group of flamingoes displayed on an island, balance on one leg hoping not to be mistaken for a gold fish.

Beyond the lake, stairs lead to the tiger enclosure. Nine tigers fill the six concrete floored 20 x 30 ft. cages. A massive white Siberian tiger paces along the rusted, crisscrossed bars. A sign that reads “Please do not throw objects at the animals” hangs side ways from the corner of one of the cages. The Chinese visitors throw rocks, sticks, and leaves at the tigers to get their attention for the perfect cell phone photo. How might they react if a zookeeper or child fell into the cage? Would they continue to snap pictures or run to get help?

Near the tigers sit the Asian black bear and sun bear exhibits. In two open enclosures, side-by-side, the bears rummage through piles of trash and food thrown into their cages. A young child tosses his half empty water bottle at a sun bear who picks it up, tips it to his mouth, drinking as if this was not the first bottle thrown at him.

In addition to the unique interactions between the Chinese visitors and the animals, there is a mini circus at the Nanjing zoo. In a covered outdoor theatre, a water filled moat surrounds a fenced in stage. Men dressed in tiger and bear pajamas stroll around the stage cracking make shift rope whips. A dozen bored tigers saunter on stage, climb onto stools pitifully raising their paws to the audience. A few minutes later monkeys and bears riding bicycles join the men in pajamas. Who is the fence around the stage protecting?

Visitors to China experience a combination of exotic culture clashes, unique sights and sounds, tastes and smells that can be both exciting and exhausting. But most expect a visit to the zoo to seem familiar.