See local zoo animals react during eclipse
CLEVELAND (WJW) — At the height of the total solar eclipse, as awestruck humans gazed at the sky, many animals were also going a little wild at local zoos.
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On Tuesday. both the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Akron Zoo released videos showing just some of the activity that took place during the eclipse.
“We saw a variety of things,” said Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. He said they always monitor all animal behavior but were particularly prepared to react to any number of scenarios that day.
“Knowing it was going to be a big day, potentially with big crowds, we were prepared,” said Dr. Kuhar.
It started Monday just after 3pm as the moon blocked out the sun and some animals suddenly became miffed.
The flamingos were caught on camera sounding off and then running away together towards the back of their enclosure.
“When flamingos get agitated they get agitated as a group and they start to vocalize and when one starts to do that the rest of them will follow because they’re flocking animals,” said Dr. Kuhar.
“We had some animals like our elephants and our lions kind of move towards their evening holding areas,” he said.
The Akron Zoo also recorded multiple species seemingly caught off guard by the sun’s sudden absence.
“I personally was standing up at the Red Wolves, and they got a lot more active running around. They seemed a little confused like what is going on? Why is it getting dark,” said Elena Bell Senior Marketing & Public Relations Manager at the Akron Zoo.
Videos of the activity were recorded by staff members and visitors as part of a project working with NASA researchers.
“We actually decided to participate in NASA’s Citizen Science Project,” she said, “There hadn’t been an official nationwide study of animal behavior during a total eclipse since 1932.”
Together they monitored the animals and their behaviors before, during and after the eclipse, which included the following incredible sights.
“We had flamingos that were all snoozing but then started getting up and walking around quickly. Our Galapagos tortoises immediately froze and went into their shells. Our Big Cats could have cared less and same with the grizzly Bears. The lions looked around like what’s going on and then they went back to sleep.”
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She said some birds also became angry and more than a few appeared confused.
“Like what, why, what is happening, this isn’t supposed to be happening,” she said.”
Ironically April 8th was National Zoo Lovers (Appreciation) Day.
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