Exploring Tbilisi Zoo: The real animals here were the people

I haven't been to many zoos throughout my life. I think the vast majority, if not all of the ones I have been to, have been in England. I tend to have a healthier perspective of zoos given the regulations that exist within my home country, where the animals are taken very good care of and are given quite large enclosures with both an inside and outdoor area to explore. I've often heard of the poor standards of zoos in other parts of the world, but I haven't really been to them. So I was a bit cautious when it came to attending Tbilisi's zoo. I had previously read that a flood had taken place not too long ago which resulted in the unfortunate passing of many animals as the flood both killed animals and damaged their enclosures. Zoos in this part of the world are also not entirely known for their great treatment of the animals within them as well. I wasn't sure how I'd feel previously to attending. Though I had read that the zoo, given its damage and want to increase its size, was to relocated near to Tbilisi Sea at a later date, with a new zoo slowly being developed. This zoo is located in the middle of the Saburtalo and Vake districts, which have both massively increased in development and population density in recent years, so it makes sense that the zoo would need additional space as it increasingly thins out over time. Not to forget the poor placement as it sits directly next to the river.

I went in knowing it wouldn't be the most welcoming of zoo experiences, but I think much of my surprise wasn't even really in the comfort and handling of animal comfort within the zoo. The biggest surprise was that the real zoo animals were actually the people attending it. Never before had I seen such a lack of awareness: people smoking at the zoo and around the animals, even though signs throughout the zoo reminded people to simply not smoke anywhere there. Children would run rampant with whistles blowing endlessly and creating incredible amounts of noise that to no doubt stressed out a lot of the animals. Adults weren't much better, either knocking on the glass enclosures or trying to entice animals to come to the fence so that they could be fed popcorn. Again, signs stating throughout to not feed the animals. Another surprise was that despite all of these problems, not a single worker was seen throughout the zoo. No security to enforce any of the rules. And for that reason I feel the main experience of the zoo was tarnished. I wouldn't say I recommend attending it at all, even if the fee is a mere 2 Lari which equates to around a dollar. Given the previous event that took place there, the zoo was in a bit of a poor state, it didn't feel that large. And some enclosures definitely could've been a bit bigger for the animals to feel more comfortable. 

While trying to avoid not telling people to perhaps not try to feed the animals popcorn and other various sweets purchased, I'd say some of the experience was still nice. I had fun photographing some of the animals, and with some respect to them, it was nice being able to capture some of the animals in a more personal perspective without something like glass panels causing glare in the images. I was photographing them with an 85mm focal length though so while being a portrait lens it definitely gave me a bit more closeness to the animals through the camera. In some moments it was a bit difficult, either they were a bit too far off in the distance or interiors were too dark for a decent shutter speed to capture great detail. One of my favourite things to capture were the Lemurs, beautiful animals despite an unfortunate sighting of a mother holding its dying baby. Again, no workers around and a group of people trying to entice the mother to come to the fence and eat... I tried to not focus on this experience and move on, it was a heartbreaking sight to see and I made sure that I kept my camera down. Though on the way out it did seem like some workers had finally been conjured out of thin air and were seeing if there was anything to be done; though I don't think the little one made it.

We walked through the zoo, mostly around a large enclosure of mountain goats and some deer. There was a lonesome rhinoceros which somehow didn't seem that lonely since there was some information on how it had oddly befriended  a donkey, of which was also present. They genuinely didn't seem to mind each other so I guess they had been friends for some time. It was a little harder to photograph these due to the focal length I had and how the rhino was quite close to the barrier. Though I snapped a pretty tight shot of its face before moving onward. Next up was an enclosure of peacocks. I had seen the odd wild one before but not this close, and I was surprised at the sheer noise that came from their feathers, even the size, as they put themselves on display for the females. Such beautiful creatures that were fun to capture but a little difficult. Within that enclosure was an incredibly rare type of peacock: entirely white!

Elsewhere was an enclosure of baby kangaroos with one massive adult. I had no idea the adults could be that large. Though they were more in the distance and keeping themselves far from the fence; good for them! I snapped a quick shot of them anyway from afar. And next to them were a group of herons, beautiful creatures. Though far more curious, coming up to the fence and making quite loud noises. This was a lot of fun with the focal length I had, managing to capture them in great detail.

Other parts of the zoo had larger enclosures for much bigger animals, though again no information on them. And to no surprise they too would remain a bit more central to their enclosures and rarely coming to the fence. I caught this one image of what I assume is some type of buffalo mid-eating, looking a little derpy.

Given the density of people and their behaviour, I think my favourite part of the zoo was the aquarium which had another fee to enter, the same price as the main zoo. I wouldn't say it's really worth the price as it's more like walking into a single room with a few tanks in it. A few tarantulas here and there, a few different snake species. Though in many areas of the zoo there wasn't even any information about these animals, so you sort of had to just guess or know them already. 

This little one was really fun to photograph, so slow in its movements, constantly throwing out that judgemental 'side eye' feeling. Really cute and seemed quite curious of the camera. Though I had to use quite a lot shutter speed here, many of the other images came out slightly out of focus due to that.

Lastly come the few snakes that were present. There were quite a lot of them, though they seemed to be relaxed, mostly sleeping. One of which was in the process of shedding and that was something I had never seen before. It was moving up and down the glass panel to guide the shed. Again, unfortunately no real signs to state what all of these species were. 

In general I don't recommend this zoo, mostly for the people there. And the animal enclosures to some degree are a little depressing. The animals need more space and should be kept far away from the people. I do hope that the new construction of the zoo will address this given its improved spacial location and ability to modernise the park side of things. Preferably with heightened security to keep people in check. Though I still had a lot of fun photographing things.