Great escape

lol what would be really funny if they actually used a real tranquilizer gun to shoot that guy/zebra in the behind, thats something id pay to see!

The zoo conducted the drill to show what staff would do if a zebra escaped from its enclosure.

What about a lion?

This will come in handy if a zebra ever tries to sneak out walking on its hind legs. Honestly, is this adequate preparation for a real-world scenario? They do realize a real zebra will kick them in the face if they try to throw the net over it, right? And what?! They actually made a zebra costume just for this?!

Does Japan realize the rest of the world is laughing at them?

It will be interesting to watch them use the same net on those elephants at Ueno Zoo.

The zebra suit does add a touch of realism to the emergency response drill, (ahem) — and not to forget the hardhats meant to signal a sense of urgency and danger.

No matter how comical this looks from the outside, the people performing these sorts of drills always take it VERY seriously. Not a smirk or a giggle.

i really love watching this yearly ritual at the zoo. what i can't understand is why so many posters have to ridicule it? lighten up guys.

Is that human zebra actually wearing short person hidden insoles.?

Well, at least the zebra has net access.

Pretty funny. Nearly the same comments this thing happened last year.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/tokyo-zoo-stages-fake-snow-leopard-escape

This would be so funny if they weren't serious about this "drill."

This made my day

No matter how comical this looks from the outside, the people performing these sorts of drills always take it VERY seriously. Not a smirk or a giggle.

Precisely why it's a joke.

These drills are amusing and I'm sure they have some academic merit, but in reality, if a wild animal wants to get out there is no amount of people and net barriers going to stop it. There is a major inherent danger of standing in front of a panicked wild animal and these clowns are teaching their staff to stand in front of it? That is just ludicrous! I think it was last year they had an escaped snow leopard drill. I would really be interested in seeing how this actually worked in the face of a real escaped wild animal. People will get seriously hurt for sure!

Awesome, so when somebody dresses up in a zebra costume and tries to escape from the zoo, these guys will be ready!

Sugar lump job down, after all its just a horse with pajamas on......Luv those cool hooves ...x.

Beautiful absurdity. Made even more exquisite by the fact that those participating are unlikely to see how funny it all is - much like the Roppongi construction workers doing early morning exercises in unison that I was lucky enough to see so many years ago. I love the Japanese and hope they never change!

The man in the zebra costume somewhat reminds me of ゆるキャラ or Japanese mascot characters like Funassyi. Yes, I'm sure they can keep cool in case of emergency. I mean the staff can catch an escaped zebra and such in laid-back fashion. ;‑)

This story just made my local news in the U.S. Yup, the co-anchors were laughing as they read it.

By now, the zoo must be a bit more aware of how ridiculous this is. Perhaps it has become more of a publicity stunt to draw in customers. Many zoos are pretty nasty places and this may lead people to believe the place is just harmless fun. On the other hand, how pervious are Japanese institutions to irony? I don't want to underestimate their ability to repel irony.

This daft scenario again LOL!!! By the time they got the net out the zebra would be history........and how many times have we watched on tv while real life fools try to coral a monkey, boar, or even a cat in a tree or something...........................these capture events seldom are successful

Ueno zoo, invest in a tranquilizer gun, much better way to go about this otherwise you all look like your on the Benny Hill show!!!!

I doubt the intent is to be successful at anything in particular. But there is an immunity to looking ridiculous isn't there? I think like many other systems in Japan it is a group activity with no particular purpose beyond Gaman, minus the dignity. Humiliation/socialization never stops.

What they NEED is a penguin escape drill.

i really love watching this yearly ritual at the zoo. what i can't understand is why so many posters have to ridicule it? well for one the drill doesnt even simulate what a real zebra would react like, its most likely to try and jump through or over the next or even kick anybody who trys to net it. Zebras in the wild have know to kill fully grown lions just by kicking them in the chest/head, how do you think a hard hat would stand up! It funny because this drill doesnt even come close to the real thing

well for one the drill doesnt even simulate what a real zebra would react like

Probably true, but the funny thing is that I would trust the guys and gals in the photo to handle a real situation over your good self. I suspect they know better than us how far from the real thing the drill is. I also suspect the main purpose is to generate interest in the work of the zoo. I respect people who are willing to embarrass themselves to achieve such a goal. As nakanoguy said, lighten up.

As nakanoguy said, lighten up. I and lighten up Im laughing arnt I, lol. oh I know a thing or two about animal behaviour have hunted wild pigs, horses, donkeys. even been on horse, buffalo, cattle round ups in my younger years. and I can tell you you wont catch an animal that is stressed or aggressive the way theyre are doing it. A tranquilser gun is the best non lethal way to stop a large animal, putting up a net like that will just get you trampled/ injured or even killed. Working at a zoo can teach you many skills about animal welfare but very little about animal capture.

No matter how comical this looks from the outside, the people performing these sorts of drills always take it VERY seriously. Not a smirk or a giggle.

No, this is quite comical. Animals are dangerous (including us humans in our own ways) and run on their most basic instinct. Even a Zebra weighs well over 500~600+lbs. Best way to capture animals is to put up barriers they can't get through or over, and any net shooters and if you have 'em. Only time to toss a net on something by hand is if they're much smaller than a zebra. xD. I'm thinking marmosets...

@wtfjapan, exactly my sentiments. We often forget that cute little Fido the dog and Sassy the cat have claws and fangs. I've actually been cut open by a kitten once, nice and neat. Thank goodness it didn't hit a vein. I swear to this day that little meow mix was thinking, "I will CUT you! Hiss!"

I think the best way for them to train like this is to get some dogs (since dog's are much easier to train and would see this as a game of "run from the humans") and try and chase it down. Great danes, St Bernards, and other large breeds could help in the size department to mimic larger animals.

A tranquilser gun is the best non lethal way to stop a large animal, putting up a net like that will just get you trampled/ injured or even killed.

BINGO, we have a winner!!

I too worked on farms in my youth, bulls are extremely powerful animals, always dangerous, all cows can VERY easily cause serious injury or death, watch those hind legs the kicks are ferocious!!

Also will I don't hunt, I fished & camped a lot, bears, moose, deer, raccoons etc all very serious critters, ESPECIALLY if stressed out.

Sorry these netting displays are silly, stupid & if actually tried VERY DANGEROUS!!

Every news outlet in the world is making a joke of this... What is worse is that this is bad training, should a zebra escape staff are totally ill prepared

@GW finally somebody that has some real world experience around wild animals, ive seen a angry bull attack and nearly flip the landcruiser we used to chase them down, scary powerful animals. Ive been attacked by wild pigs, huge tusks, while hunting, but luckily there were plenty of trees to climb to escape, or when youve got time a well placed shot. But thats easier said than done when a mad boar is coming at you full speed lol I actually got kicked by a horse.... once! sent me 6ft in the air. had a bruise on my butt for a month could hardly walk for a week. Never again!