I have a wildlife zoo

As they rounded the corner, they found an open area up ahead, with a cycad growing in the center, its wide leaves spreading out like those of a banana plant. There were also some seats nearby, and the sunlight streamed down through the acrylic panels, shining on the visitors.

The reptiles and amphibians exhibit was not just a row of display cases; every so often, there would be a more open area like this where visitors could rest and animal keepers could give talks!

There was a similar design in the wolf exhibit's cave corridor. In the long passage, there were several protrusions, so that during talks, the passage wouldn't get blocked and other visitors could still look around undisturbed.

Maps and signposts were also affixed to the walls, helping visitors find their way to the exits and rest areas of the reptiles and amphibians exhibit.

Lin Hao couldn't help but glance over and noticed that the person standing in the middle was Fang Ye, wearing a headset and talking with visitors.

Fans, upon seeing their idol, immediately became incredibly excited. Turning to Daigo, they exclaimed, "Wow, Zoo Director Fang is here!"

It was Fang Ye's live broadcasts that had sparked their love for zoos, and they had specifically chosen an internship in Linhai to visit Linhai Zoo. They were undoubtedly a loyal fan of Fang Ye.

The few times they had come to the zoo before, they saw Fang Ye playing with tigers inside the tiger exhibit just once and hadn't managed to greet him up close, which was quite regrettable.

Daigo also revealed a look of surprise, "I was just looking for Zoo Director Fang to discuss something, let's hurry over!"

Lin Hao curiously asked, "What do you need from the director?"

Daigo replied, "Didn't I create the Linhai Zoo enthusiast group? I want to see if I can get Zoo Director Fang to join."

As they talked, they made their way to the edge of the crowd.

A middle-aged visitor gave a thumbs-up and lavished praise, "Director, your reptiles and amphibians exhibit is really great! It's like a little greenhouse, the environment is so beautiful. I never thought that tortoises, snakes, lizards, and such could look so good; it totally changes my previous impression."

Fang Ye nodded with a grin, "Eh, thank you for your support!"

Among the family of three who had just visited the green tree python, the mother couldn't help but speak up with a suggestion, "Director, although the exhibit is nice, could you move the snakes to a separate area? I am really afraid of snakes."

Another visitor with a grimace chimed in, "Yes, yes, I strongly agree! Just seeing snakes gives me goosebumps."

Lili muttered from the side, "Are you that afraid? I think these snakes are all quite pretty and likable."

She wasn't wrong!

Since the goal was to ensure visitors would like them, the first batch of snakes introduced all had vibrant colors and high visual appeal; there wasn't a single ugly one among them.

But, judging by the current situation, those who didn't like snakes still disliked them!

Upon seeing an enclosure with snakes, they would quickly walk away, turning their heads aside, not even bothering to appreciate them.

The snake-fearing visitor glanced at Lili incredulously, as if seeing some bizarre alien species, "If we could just separate them into their own area, like a snake exhibit or something. That way, those of us who like snakes can see snakes, and those of us who are afraid can look at other things."

Although there were demands from the visitors, Fang Ye had no intention of taking such suggestions!

One of the zoo's responsibilities is to help people understand and learn about animals, clearing up misconceptions about them, and in doing so, better protect them.

If only popular and well-liked animals were on display, it wouldn't be a zoo at all.

For misunderstood and disliked animals like snakes, visiting the reptiles and amphibians exhibit was an excellent opportunity to reacquaint themselves and dispel myths.

Fang Ye laughed, "Does everyone tend to be afraid of snakes? How about we do a quick onsite survey—those who are afraid of snakes, raise your hands!"

Instantly, "whooosh," more than a dozen hands shot into the air from among the nearby visitors.

Seeing Daigo raise his hand too, Lin Hao expressed his surprise, "Huh, you're afraid of snakes? But you seemed so happy taking pictures just now!"

Daigo said as a matter of fact, "Yeah, I'm afraid of snakes, but these snakes are all inside the display cases, properly locked up and can't bite anyone, so what's there to be afraid of?"

Fang Ye asked again, "Who likes snakes? Anyone likes snakes?"

This time, fewer people raised their hands, only six, including a little boy.

Lili raised her hand high and lifted her head, with an "I love snakes and I'm proud of it" expression.

Some visitors were originally indifferent to snakes, but they had just seen a very beautiful snake, and were instantly astonished by its beauty.

But to say they liked them?

There was a hesitant look in their eyes, and in the end, they didn't raise their hands.

Fang Ye laughed, "Alright, I think the results of this survey are quite interesting. Some people even raised their hands twice, showing that snakes are indeed a very fascinating creature, making people both love and fear them!"

He pointed and asked, "This gentleman here, can you tell us why you are afraid of snakes?"

The man with the square face who was asked looked very steady, but when it came to snakes, he suddenly shivered, "I don't know, I'm just scared!

Snakes are probably the only animals I'm afraid of. When I was working in the fields as a kid, my cousin suddenly shouted 'There's a snake!' and I ran across several fields without looking back. It turns out, he was just tricking me, and I ran so fast he couldn't even stop me.

If my friend hadn't insisted on dragging me here today, I wouldn't have come at all."

The other visitors couldn't help but laugh when they heard his story!

Fang Ye smiled as well, "It's very normal to instinctively fear snakes.

Primate animals, including us humans, all have an innate fear of snakes.

Some research suggests that one reason we evolved such multifaceted and complex vision might be to detect snakes more quickly, including an instinctive sharp reaction in the brain. As soon as we see a snake, we instantly tense up."

Hearing this, the visitors who were originally very afraid of snakes felt somewhat relieved. It's an instinctive reaction, after all!

Another visitor pondered, "No wonder, my nephew is only one year old, and when he saw a snake on TV that wasn't even that scary, he suddenly burst into tears. It's a mysterious fear indeed."

Lili, who initially looked down on some of the visitors thinking, 'I'm a girl and I'm not afraid of snakes, how embarrassing for you grown men to be afraid,' now felt a bit more understanding.

Fang Ye then pointed at Daigo, "This brother with the broad shoulders and large frame, why are you afraid of snakes?"

"Pfft!"

Lin Hao lowered his head to stifle a laugh, and Lili covered her mouth, snickering.

Zoo Director Fang, if you want to say he's fat, just say it, why be so euphemistic?

God, "broad shoulders and large frame"!

Daigo honestly answered, "The reason is simple. What if I get bitten by a venomous snake? What if I end up dead?"

The other visitors nodded in agreement, unable to help themselves.

The fear of snakes, even if influenced by genes, essentially comes down to the fear of death!
Find adventures on empire

Fang Ye pretended to hold a snake in his hands and asked, "If I had a nonvenomous snake in my hand, would you still be afraid?"

Looking around, the visitors showed thoughtful expressions.