It’s been a busy weekend for the comms team at Chester Zoo, but probably not in the way they would have hoped after a “computer error” made the zoo the centre of attention over an advertised “Child Predator Tour” at the popular Cheshire tourist attraction.
Bosses at the zoo, the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction outside the capital, quickly changed the 90-minute bus tour’s name after it was branded “sinister” by visitors and predictably picked up traction online. They blamed a computer error for the unfortunate online naming of the tour, which takes in some of the zoo’s most popular predatory residents, including lions and tigers.
A zoo spokeswoman said the error was “due to our default naming convention in our system”, but added that it was “quickly changed.”
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The naming disaster late last week was part of the Cheshire zoo’s ticket promotion to allow visitors to go on a tour showcasing its Sumatran tigers, lions, rhinos and Komodo dragons, but quickly found itself highlighted and by the zoo’s customers in real life as well as visitors online.
One commented: “I hope this has been cleared by Cheshire Police – seems a bit dangerous.”
Another wag suggested: “There’s a scenario here where some poor ticket clerk is faced with a group of adults who’ve all bought child tickets, and wondering what the hell is going on.”
The private bus tour cost £25 for children. ‘Adult predator’ tickets were also advertised under the unfortunate automated naming convention for £30.
The zoo’s website said: “Discover the predators of the animal kingdom, and their prey in our brand new guided tour. You’ll be the first visitors in the zoo as you board our electric tour bus and enjoy 90 minutes of the zoo all to yourself.
“Come face to face with some of the zoo’s most iconic animals, away from the crowds, including our family of Sumatran tigers. Your expert tour guides will be on hand to share fascinating facts about some of nature’s most effective hunters.”
Images: Chester Zoo/LinkedIn
