Tim Osman

Review of Central Florida Zoo and Botani...

*If I could leave -5 stars I would*

*If I could leave -5 stars I would*
Dino,
We met earlier on the afternoon of 9/10/20 (I just now realized I was mainly speaking with you the entire time) and I just wanted to briefly express again my disgust in how the situation with my family was handled. To begin with, Jessica Johanson, your "Guest Services" rep, was clearly looking for a confrontation. I have zero reasons to lie at this point and I gain nothing from it. When she asked everyone to put on their masks, we put on our masks. I turned around, looking into the direction of the giraffes and when I turned back around, she was still standing there, staring at me. At this point I asked her to leave me and my family alone - this was obviously extremely triggering for her, as her next reaction was to get on her walkie-talkie for backup. She then told us we had to leave, so we proceeded to leave. As this wasn't bad enough for my 5 year old to see, apparently everyone who was working at the Zoo had to follow us out. Granted, I get it, I'm sure you have certain protocols for certain insane hypothetical situations, but this was poor discretion on everyone's part. No one was a threat and everyone was walking out, but yet 8+ people needed to be around us.

I also wanted to mention that one of the officers that spoke to me, stated that there was arguing back and forth. Yes, there was, after we were already thrown out of the Zoo. Again, this needs to be hammered in - we complied, but Jessica lingered, seemingly wanting to get into a confrontation. I wanted to be left the hell alone. I do admit, some immature words were stated (not by me or the individual who paid) and a few of us apologized on his behalf - but it needs to be noted for the record that those words were used, after we were already kicked out. Still doesn't make it right/acceptable, because it is not, but it does give the situation proper context.

Lastly, I just wanted to point out the extreme hypocrisy your staff and even yourself either stated or did while we were at the Zoo.

1). About every 10 feet or so inside the Zoo, we all are reminded to "social distance". Well, your employees didn't practice that, as I have pictures of them congregating together. Also, I found it interesting that one employee, Stephanie Williams (Zoo Director), while escorting me out, was probably no more than a foot away from me and I asked her why she wasn't social distancing from me and her reply was laughable, "Well, because I am wearing a mask". Now, obviously you are a reasonably intelligent man Dino, therefore, I don't need to flesh out as to why that statement is beyond contradictory to just about everything the Zoo and the entire World is doing right now. Maybe take down the silly signs if that is the case, people are wearing masks inside the Zoo, correct? Therefore, by this "logic" that Stephanie used, one doesn't need to "social distance". Although I greatly differ from probably everyone on your staff's outlook in regards to how Government is "handling" the Covid19 situation, I do respect consistency in logic and reason, even if I do disagree.

2). Before Jessica approached us, my family and I were actually having a conversation with one of your employees at the giraffe exhibit. The conversation was totally normal and pleasant. However, looking back...she WASN'T wearing a mask and she was helping out the giraffes. Now, I do reflect Dino that you were attempting to inform me that the mask wearing was not only protection for me and others, but for the animals. My suggestion, have your team follow the strict rules you want to enforce so badly (to the point of wasting the time of men with guns escorting us off the property) and get those giraffes tested for Covid stat. Again, I would respect the consistency.