Maybe it’s just me, but if I’m going to a zoo and safari park where I’m able to stand out in a field with lions and tigers, unseparated by cages, I’m probably not going to choose that day to dress in the pattern of those animals’ favorite prey, such as say, a zebra. Just seems like maybe kind of a bad idea.
But apparently that’s exactly what’s happening at Chessington World of Adventures in south London.
The Guardian reports that zookeepers noticed abnormal behaviors as soon as the park opened its new section that allows visitors to drive through a safari area and interact more closely with the animals. “Keepers reported that some animals had tried to communicate with visitors, while others had run away, fearing they were predators,” reports the Guardian.
“Animals are getting confused when they see what looks like zebras and giraffes driving across the terrain in a 7.5 tonne truck,” said spokeswoman Natalie Dilloway.
As a result they’ve banned all animal-print clothing, including leopard, tiger, cheetah and giraffe. (Yes, apparently someone was rocking giraffe print.) They’re even giving grey body suits to anyone who tries to break the “no animal print” dress code, or even anyone who is dressed too colorfully—apparently it drives gorillas crazy. “Giraffes have also been putting their heads right into the trucks, and one named Kismet has really taken to the sight of different animal prints,” said Becky Elkin.
The zookeepers also shared some helpful advice for the safari section: Don’t look weak. “Big cats will start getting interested if someone limps past their enclosure because they look weak.”
Got that, Londoners? When hitting up Chessington World of Adventures dress plainly and walk all macho, and you probably won’t get eaten by a tiger.