Zoo animals health called into due to enclosure concerns

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Recent reports revealed Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens onions and coins were found in the animals enclosure.

“It’s disturbing to see some of the items we find in the enclosures that present serious risks to the animals, which are like family to us,” said Mindy Runnells, the Zoo Administrator. “The issue of zoo visitors feeding animals and putting other foreign objects into their enclosures is one we frequently confront, and recently we found onions and coins in one of our primate habitats. Onions can be toxic to primates, and coins present a choking hazard and can block the digestive system. A buildup of foreign material in an animal’s gut can make them constantly feel full, causing them to stop eating.”

The staff is urging the public to not feed the animals for many reasons.

They added the animals are on a strict diet carefully designed for their species and foreign foods can cause several health problems.

For those interested in watching the zookeepers feed the animals, the zoo said the best time to visit is in the morning.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

“The Wishing Well at the front of the Zoo is a great place to deposit coins,” said Runnells. “These funds go to The Friends of the Panaʻewa Zoo and are used to support the zoo and its wonderful animals.”

For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.