The zoo had intended to promote a tour offering visitors an opportunity to see and learn about some of its large carnivores.
However, an apparent computer error changed the wording of the advertisement, resulting in the tour being labelled a “child predator tour”.
The phrase immediately stood out because, while lions and tigers are predators, “child predator” has an entirely different and disturbing meaning when applied to people.
The unusual listing attracted attention online before the zoo moved to address the error.
Zoo blames a computer mistake
The zoo explained that the wording was the result of a technical or computer-related error rather than an intentional description of the experience.
The attraction apologised for the inappropriate wording and sought to clarify what the tour was actually intended to offer.
The incident demonstrates how a seemingly minor automated or digital mistake can produce a dramatically different meaning, particularly when words with multiple interpretations are involved.
Tigers and lions were the real attraction
The tour was designed around the zoo’s big cats, including lions and tigers, allowing visitors to observe the animals and learn more about them.
In the context of wildlife, the term “predator” is perfectly ordinary. The problem arose when the computer-generated or incorrectly entered wording placed the word “child” immediately before it, producing a phrase that sounded deeply alarming.
The error has since become an unusual example of how technology and automated systems can sometimes create unintended — and embarrassing — results.
While the wording may have caused an awkward moment for the zoo, the attraction’s intended message was much simpler: visitors were being invited to learn about some of nature’s most powerful predators.