Human biggest threat of all Hogle's species

Screens and fences, glass walls and deep trenches — guests to the zoo might think the barriers are their protection from the wild animals. But zoo security sees it differently. The most dangerous species in the zoo has proven time and time again to be the homo sapiens.

From theft, fights, accidents and even lost kids, it's the human guests that take up the majority of security's time. And while the zoo's permanent residents have veterinary care, the animals' safety relies largely on the watchful eye of trained staff.

"Perimeter fences are federal law. But they're there, one, to keep people from getting in. That's the primary thing," said Jane Ballentine, spokesperson for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). November marked the two-year anniversary of the death of Hogle's only polar bear, Andy, after he ingested a blue fleece glove that was either intentionally or accidentally tossed into his exhibit. The still-vacant enclosure serves as a reminder to guests that even a common leaf could be a deadly snack in a wild animal's diet.

"I've seen all kinds of stuff," said Mike Johnston, head of security at Hogle Zoo. Things like a doll and a knife dropped into the hippo enclosure and kids sneaking into the big-cats building past hours. "We have to have someone here 24 hours a day."

Monitoring 720,000 guests a year on 42 acres can be quite a task. The majority of security officers at the zoo are on bikes, a program Johnston implemented about 1997.

But even with a full and mobile force, it's near impossible for security to see everything. So in each department, employees are taught how to deal with emergency situations, like problem guests, injuries, fires, evacuation, power failure, flood, animal escape and bomb threats.

"We're still working on one for an earthquake," Johnston said. "That's one of our biggest fears."

"More departments are working together to protect the safety of the animals and guests," Johnston said. "We want to protect the animals and prevent these senseless deaths."

As far as a new polar bear, the zoo plans to update the exhibit before getting a new bear. And, as zoo spokesperson Stacey Phillips says, "It's tragic because it's preventable."

"When we saw these signs and symptoms (in Andy), if someone said something or reported it, we could have saved him," Phillips said. But if there is any sort of silver lining to the tragedy, it has been increased awareness by zoo patrons. "We've seen a dramatic increase in reports now; people are reporting things like that a lot more."

Signs pointing out the dangers of feeding animals and even a posting summarizing the circumstances of Andy's death remind guests not to interact with the animals while visiting the zoo.