Use the 55-200 and stick it right up against the obstruction. Shoot between bars; shoot through holes in chain-link fence. Shoot at your fastest aperture. Try to shoot at maximum focal length.

Shoot where the obstructions are in the shade; sunlight on the obstruction will cause flare and make them more visible.

Also, try to shoot while the animals are well away from the obstructions. The closer they get, the more resolved the obstructions become.

If you can't get really close to the obstructions, then you need a faster lens. Shallow DOF is needed to avoid the obstructions resolving in your image. I only shoot with lenses that are f/2.8 or faster. You might try renting a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.

Finally, at some zoos I have been able to use a monopod to raise the camera above the fence. Your camera is really not suitable for this. You need a tilt screen and remote shutter control as a minimum (so you can see where your pointing and shoot when you need to). But better is a camera with wireless remote control; I have a bracket that attached to the monopod and holds my iPhone. I can see the camera view on the iPhone, focus, adjust settings, and shoot.

I would not try this with a rental; you need time to figure this out. But you can easily do this with a modern compact camera. I have a Panasonic LF1 that shoots RAW, has WiFi control. I would check first with the zoo, to see if this is allowed.

silverman, jcboy has just about covered things here... I would only add that renting a 70-200 f2.8 would be a great idea. I live about 45min north of the detroit zoo and so get there a few times each year. in May, you will find that there are a huge number of school children (several thousand each day) that will often be in your way or making it difficult to get the best angle to avoid the flare/glare/reflections of the chain and or glass. The fastest glass is at best in the detroit zoo your only real help. also, if you need additional light, make sure that your shoot at a 45 degree angle or less when ever glass is present. the closer to 90 degrees that you get the more reflection that you will have. There are several areas however that do not have any glass or fence in the way, and those should be maximized... the pond that is near to the reptiles, amphibians and the otters had several wood ducks about 1 month ago. the pond over near the polar bear will often have ducks, blue heron, and even some night heron in or around it as well as night heron in the polar bear exhibit.

one last thing, the Detroit zoo will not allow you to use a monopod or tripod... your all on your own. sorry!

I hope that this is of some help.
Kelly

I am going to take my Grand kids to the Detroit Zoo in May 2018, I want to take some quality images of the Animals, some of these will be behind some type of Screening, Fencing or Bars, So my question here is this;

How do I capture my images of these wonderful animals and not have the obstructions mentioned above in my images?

I will be shooting with my Nikon D3300 with the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens, the Nikon 35mm 1.8 lens, and the Nikon 55-200 Zoom lens.

I would prefer keeping "ONE" lens on my D3300 all day, but if another will Capture better images I will use it too.

I am a Newbie in DSLR Photography, so my Animal Photography experience is quite limited.

I will look forward to your replies.

Thanks for all of your Suggestions and Advice.