I am attaching a query from Anne Pennington of National Museums and
Galleries on Merseyside. Anne would be grateful for any suggestions or
references.

 
"The keeper of zoology at Liverpool Museum asked me about research into
> visitors' reactions to the feeding of live prey to invertebrates.  He
> knows that in zoos live feeding of animals in front of visitors is
> carried out in exceptional circumstances but live feeding of
> invertebrates is not covered by legislation in the same way.  From his
> own experience, visitors don't appear to complain when flies are given
> to spiders but he has had a few complaints when locusts have been given
> to them - even though both the flies and locusts were bred especially to
> feed the spiders.  He would like to know why this is.  Is it to do with
> ·   the size of the prey?
> ·   commonly held attitudes toward it - how many people would say they
        liked flies?
> ·   the length of time taken to die?
> ·   or something else?
> Do visitors see live feeding of invertebrates as suffering for public
> entertainment?  Should the planned invertebrate facility at Liverpool
> Museum be setting standards on this issue by preparing a policy now?
> 
> Thank you."
> 
> 
> Harry Needham
> Special Advisor - Programme Development
> Canadian War Museum
> 330 Sussex Drive,
> Ottawa, Canada
> K1A 0M8
> Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>