A Petting Zoo????

Welcome to the Lujan Zoo on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Venezuela!  Here the zoo isn't just a full service zoo but it's a full scale PETTING ZOO.  Yes, you too can ride a lion, cuddle with a leopard or even swim with a tiger.  Think that's sounds fun,  then you might want to head over to the bear exhibit to let the grizzlies fruit you carefully place between your teeth.  Playing with elephants up close is not out of the question or even holding monkeys. The zoo opened in 1994 and yet there has been not a single accident related to animal human interactions (thinking that might be better than most zoos in the US and other countries).  The zoo is so confident with their safety that visitors aren't even required to sign a waiver and small children are welcome. No one really knows what makes these wild dangerous animals so tame around humans.  Many say the animals are sedated but from the videos I've seen, they appear quite alert.  Zoo representatives deny these accusations, citing that the these animals could not tolerate constant sedation and would eventually die.  The zoo director (Jorge Semino) claims it is his unique method of raising animals, which involves constant interaction with humans.  Apparently the training starts at birth.  Competition for the mother's teet is eliminated, making sure each cub has equal access. As the cubs age, the teach vocal commands to teach them to recognize the difference between their hands and the meat they are fed.  The also use dogs to emulate good behavior in front of the cubs.  The main focus is eliminating the competition for food. The animals are constantly fed keeping them satisfied and preventing them from eating you :).

Many of the animals in the zoo are rescued unhealthy house pets people obtain illegally.  The zoo reports rehabilitating these animals and training them to be great with humans.  The Born Free Organization, an international animal rights group, is asking authorities to investigate the practices of the zoo, stating it exploits animals for commercial gain.  They also believe visitors are at risk.