Chester Zoo blamed a computer error after its website advertised tickets for a “child predator tour,” an unfortunate name for a guided experience showcasing tigers, lions and other predatory animals.
The 90-minute private bus tour at the zoo in Cheshire, England, was quickly renamed after visitors spotted the wording and mocked it online.
A zoo spokeswoman said the mistake was “due to our default naming convention in our system”, but it was “quickly changed”.
The listing was intended to promote a tour featuring the zoo’s Sumatran tigers, lions, rhinos and Komodo dragons. Tickets for children were priced at £25, but appeared online as tickets for a “child predator” tour. Adult tickets, costing £30, were similarly advertised as “adult predator” tickets.
The wording quickly caught the attention of visitors online.
“I hope this has been cleared by Cheshire Police – seems a bit dangerous,” one person remarked.
Another wrote: “Staggering – how did that get approved?”
The attraction itself promises visitors an early, crowd-free look at some of the zoo’s best-known animals from an electric tour bus.
“Discover the predators of the animal kingdom, and their prey in our brand new guided tour,” the zoo’s website said.
“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.”
