TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A theme park is asking some foreign tourists to keep away from its animals out of fear that visitors from Europe and South America could spread foot-and-mouth disease.
A Busch Gardens official said Wednesday that visitors who have traveled from regions with foot-and-mouth disease in the past five days are being asked not to take a special tour that allows them to pet and feed the animals.
``These people are animal lovers,'' said Glenn Young, vice president for zoological operations. ``My hopes are they fully understand and are appreciative that we would go to this level of precaution.''
Busch Gardens, which along with SeaWorld Orlando is owned by Anheuser-Busch, is among the nation's busiest theme parks. The park is less than 80 miles west of Orlando, the hub of Florida's amusement park industry.
Foreign tourists make up a large portion of Busch Garden's business, although for competitive reasons the park does not release specific numbers.
Busch Gardens spokesman Gerard Hoeppner said the policy was started Friday and will continue as long as the virus remains a problem in Europe and South America.
Regular admission visits to Busch Gardens are not affected; the precautions primarily affect close-encounter tours available to tourists who pay extra.
Giraffes, antelopes, elephants and camels are among the wild animals that are susceptible to the virus. Humans are not affected, but can transmit the highly contagious virus on clothes and shoes.
Foot-and-mouth disease has not been a problem in North America, but Florida agriculture officials have warned that the state needs to take precautions because of its many ports and foreign tourists.
There are no similar restrictions at Walt Disney World, which includes the Animal Kingdom theme park, but there is no physical interaction between the animals and visitors, said Disney spokeswoman Diane Ledder.
``Our veterinary staff feels the risk of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease through the animals in our collection is extremely minimal,'' Ledder said.
