[i_dont_chat]

I’ve often wondered why the big zoos do not keep water in the moats in those big cats and bear cages. Makes sense that the water, at least deep enough to keep the animals from touching bottom, would keep them from getting traction, to jump and climb up the wall.

Looks like carelessness on the part of the zoo management all around the country where they have stopped putting water in the moats.

[Krankor]

The moat is part of the tigers’ habitat. There’s two areas for the tigers to roam. An elevated island area surrounded by a moat. The moat is there so the tigers can’t jump across it to get to the spectator viewing area. But the tigers can also go down in the moat and walk around.

[EricT.]

I’ve often wondered why the big zoos do not keep water in the moats in those big cats and bear cages. Makes sense that the water, at least deep enough to keep the animals from touching bottom, would keep them from getting traction, to jump and climb up the wall.

Tigers are excellent swimmers, and when you have claws like that, traction probably isn't an issue.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

I’ve often wondered why the big zoos do not keep water in the moats in those big cats and bear cages.

Disease from stagnant water? I would think the cost of water purification would convince management to opt out of moats.