FYI - Ft Worth Zoo Cubs and Photog Restrictions

[RHoldenSr]

Ok to set things straight I went back to the Ft Worth Zoo this morning and used my press pass to gain additional information and got a very short ride to meet the Keeper at the Lion Exhibit.

Some notes of interest first:

I got this info during my interview with the Communications Coordinator (CC) at the Zoo.
She was a bit surprised I showed up with no prior appointment but worked with me anyhow. She had a Film crew coming in from TCU and she let me ride with them.

She also pointed out to me the following:

If you are an Amateur or Professional Photographer it is against the rules at Ft Worth Zoo to sell your images for profit

If you are an Amateur or Professional Photographer and want to shoot photos at the zoo for sale you are suppose to make an appointment and pay a $200 permit fee and be assigned an escort for the duration of your visit

If you are with a Press Agency you are suppose to call ahead to schedule your visit and you will also be assigned an escort for the duration of your visit.

The Fort Worth Zoo is private and run with the help of the Fort Worth Zoological Assoc.

Now about the Lion Cubs

The Cubs were born on Sept 7, 2005.

There were finally allowed to go outside this week.

There are 4 cubs total, 3 females and 1 male.
Names are:

Male - Luxor
The male Lion Cub did injury his paw and the medical staff did an X-Ray and found nothing wrong. It is more than likely just a bruised muscle or etc. I did discus the male Lion cub wanting to lay down all the time in the front corner and the Keeper agreed with me that it could be part of her natural instinct to try and keep him from become subject to prey and to just get him to use the injured leg.

Female - Cleo

Female - Shaini

Female - Isis

The Father's name is Tsavo

The Mother's name is Mtenzi or as they like to call her "Precious". The keeper and CC thought that Mtenzi meant "Precious" in it's native language.

They receive their vaccinations at 1 week, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks.

Neither the Keeper or CC could tell me how long they will remain at the zoo.
They basically said what I had said previously and that there are to many variables involved. The keeper said it could be as long as 1 year or even 2 years.

The Female and cubs were not out when we arrived and while the TCU film crew was doing there video interview. The keeper mentioned prior to the interview that the mother and cubs may not be out today. After the interview and while we were talking she went in the enclosure and the next thing we knew the female and one or two of the cubs came out. The TCU cameraman had already packed his gear and then scrambled to get the video camera back out and get some needed footage. I was also trying to snap some stills when the CC came up and said it was time to go. TCU had arranged another interview with one of the other Keepers and they had to go. The CC made it well known while I was using my press pass I could not be left behind without an escort

I think my next step is to try and get a copy of these Photographer restrictions in writing

Here are a couple of the images I did take this morning:

Edit: Corrected spelling error on photo

[suzyjazz]

Wow, what a ton of valuable information! Thank you for taking the time to gather and report it here. I really appreciate it. Now I have to hope that the cubs will be out when I vistti and they are not doing a special event!

[Guther]

Thanks for the information, Some of those things are good to know... let me know if you get them in writing

[zeroendless]

Thanks Rob for the extra miles, that was very kind of you.

If you are an Amateur or Professional Photographer it is against the rules at Ft Worth Zoo to sell your images for profit

If you are an Amateur or Professional Photographer and want to shoot photos at the zoo for sale you are suppose to make an appointment and pay a $200 permit fee and be assigned an escort for the duration of your visit

I always assume we could do everthing with the image we got from any zoo, may be not from private owned... but it's certainly good to know.

[srini]

Thanks Robin, lots of valuable information and something to keep in mind when we shoot there... Srini RR

[RHoldenSr]

I wish you the best of luck when you come to visit
The crowd there today was the worse I had seen in the three days I went this week
I hate to see what it is going to be like this weekend!

But I will be in a private suite at the Nascar races and with pit pass in hand

Originally Posted by suzyjazz

Wow, what a ton of valuable information! Thank you for taking the time to gather and report it here. I really appreciate it. Now I have to hope that the cubs will be out when I vistti and they are not doing a special event!

[RHoldenSr]

Guther, Zero and Srini I can not believe some of those restrictions! She kinda took the defensive when I tried ti get more info about them so I let it go.

If a Photographer from AP shows up and he uploads them to their website is he not selling the images for profit to all other news angencies?

She also took the defensive when I started asking questions about other babies in the zoo She said I thought we were here to talk about the lion cubs? Actually when we met I told her I wanted to talk about the Ft Worth Zoo and the Lion cubs but what the heck

She is suppose to email me a copy of the Press Release but I have not seen it yet.

Originally Posted by Guther

Thanks for the information, Some of those things are good to know... let me know if you get them in writing

[Guther]

Thats fairly intresting... Wonder why she's so 'closed liped'..

[bbailey]

Thanks for the info.

My guess is since the news photos are sold, they probably fall under the umbrella of editorial use, so no release would be required. If you were to sell prints, then it makes sense to need a release. I think pretty much all zoos have this policy. I know the Houston zoo has a clause printed right on the map they give you when you walk in about commercial use of images.

[CaptainTom]

So, it makes sense not to joke around about being with National Geopraphic or some other publication when people ask..... just a private citizen taking some pictures for their own personal use.....

[Jim Victory]

When I'm asked about the photography I just tell them I'm testing equipment.

[pippin]

Originally Posted by Jim Victory

When I'm asked about the photography I just tell them I'm testing equipment.

ditto.

I have had a few questions, usually my response is testing equipment, or practicing my photography on animals.

looks like i should be getting together $200 to get some shots then

[Panther]

Howdy,

Just curious why you would be asked about your Photography by Zoo Staff? or did you present a Press Pass or something to draw attention?

I have never seen them inquire of anyone why they are taking pictures.

[pippin]

never been asked by zoo staff, only visitors.

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by Panther

Howdy,

Just curious why you would be asked about your Photography by Zoo Staff? or did you present a Press Pass or something to draw attention?

I have never seen them inquire of anyone why they are taking pictures.

They usually ask if I'm a professional photographer or shooting for a publication. Maybe it is because of the equipment I use sometimes but I have been asked at both Ft.Worth and Dallas.

One time I was asked to go by the office when I left. I explained to them that from time to time I test equipment at the zoo to see how it will perform in the field.

Being a wildlife photographer the fur and feathers of zoo animals are good subjects for testing my equipment.