Update On The Human Zoo In London

The "human zoo" exhibit continued in London until yesterday, provoking amused comments from many visitors, including many expressing disappointment that the the homo sapiens were partly clothed and were not breeding.

The three male and five female Homo sapiens were separated from their primate cousins by an electric fence. The human zoo volunteers have diverse interests, from a chemist hoping to raise awareness about apes to a self-described actor/model and fitness enthusiast.

Chemist Tom Mahoney, 26, decided to participate after his friend sent him an e-mail about the contest as a joke. Anything that draws attention to apes, he said, has his support.

"A lot of people think humans are above other animals," he said. "When they see humans as animals, here, it kind of reminds us that we're not that special."

Actor Brendan Carr, 25, won his place by submitting a spot of anthropomorphic verse: "I'm funky like a monkey and as cool as a cat, talk more than a parrot, up all night like a bat."

"You can tell why some people came here, like the big muscly men who clearly like parading around in thongs," said Damien Largey, 23.



The human captives were kept well-fed and watered by zoo staff, who took care to ensure they did not grow bored. A supply of board games was on hand, and some said they were looking forward to tuning into the England-Australia cricket match on the radio.

Pointing at one heavily muscled and gleaming body on the ledge, a visitor joked that the zoo should consider a breeding program.

Unlike the zoo's non-human inhabitants, they are allowed to go home each night at closing time. The event runs until Monday.


Peter Bohn, 42, saw the "animals" juggling, he stopped and had a good laugh. "It's hilarious," he said. "It turns everything upside down. It makes you think about the humans in relation to the animals."

Melissa Wecker, 21, was disappointed that the humans were wearing swimsuits beneath their fig leaves. "They're not doing anything. It looked lots better on the news," she complained.
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