Toronto Zoo Keeper for a Day at the Toronto Zoo
- Thread starter Quartz92
- Start date
Meaghan Edwards
Well-Known Member
Looking forward to it! I'm planning on doing it for my next birthday.
To all of you who wish to do keeper for a day, I greatly recommend it. The program is an amazing experience.
To start off, I was doing the program in the Australasia Pavilion.
After dragging my self out of bed at 5:30am, I was really not in the mood to do anything. I had to be at the zoo at 6:55am. I got to the zoo and met Nicole at the Operations Complex in the Education building. She then gave me my coveralls and a program package and introduced me to the wonderful staff at the Australasia Pavilion. Heidi, Lisa, and Rebecca made this day and unforgettable experience. While I adjusted talking to the Australasian crew, more and more employees poured into the cafeteria. At around 7:10am, one of the head staff started the morning meeting. This meeting was very short; it consisted of letting staff know what has happened in the zoo the day before. Yesterday, there was a mouflon born and three cheetahs born. One of the cheetahs did not survive. They ended the morning meeting announcing the weather for the day.
After the meeting all the keepers went and did their daily routines. The Australasia Pavilion routine is very interesting because of the wonderful variety of animals they have. We left the operations complex and headed for the pavilion. It was not that far of a walk, nothing compared to the walk from the entrance. The keepers opened the doors to the Pavilion and headed for the kitchen. Here they found a tub of food for all the animals in the Pavilion. The keepers emptied the contents of the tub and sorted them out in the different piles. We got to cut up most of the food for the animals, this included lettuce, celery, other vegetables and mice! We had to insert a supplement tablet into each of the mice; these were to be given to the Tawny Frogmouths and the Kookaburras. After the food was prepared Heidi and I went to feed Chrissie the Tree Kangaroo. I got to feed and pick up a feces sample for Chrissie because she may be pregnant. After the samples were collected, we picked up any other feces and old food. Once we had finished with Chrissie we went to see her mate who has been separated from her temporarily. We feed, and cleaned up after him. Once we finished with the Tree Kangaroos we went outside to see the emus, kangaroos and wallabies. Some food was given to the Kangaroos and the rest was brought out later by the seasonal staff. As soon as all this hard work was done, Heidi and I went to have a break. Both Rebecca and Lisa joined.
The next feeding area was the birds. We changed the bird bowls and feed the birds their mice, which they seemed to have eaten very fast. We spent some time looking for the birds to make sure they were all there. Once we finished we went back and prepared the food for the reptiles. Each one had a specific diet, although it was not feeding day for most, we did has to clean, mist, and clean again each exhibit. It is very different standing on the opposite side of the viewing window in an exhibit. After we had finished cleaning the reptiles, we headed over to the Great Barrier Reef, where I saw the maintenance room, and all the behind the scene parts of this brilliant exhibit. I saw some fish in quarantine tanks and also got to feed and understand more in depth of how these amazing creatures live. The coral tank I knew much about and was talking to the keepers, who have taken the time to build such a masterpiece. This area of the zoo is very interesting full of all kinds of different animals.
Once we had finished feeding all the animals we asked permission from Lisa if we could go and see the Indian Rhinos. I got to feed Asha four apples, which she seemed to have enjoyed very much. All together this experience has been one in a lifetime. I have to give thanks to Heidi especially for giving me the most wonderful tour, to Rebecca who had shown me more than I ever new about reptiles, to Lisa who allowed me to go behind the scenes in the Pavilion and to Nicole who allowed me to participate in this wonderful event. This program is definitely one of a kind. I will come back again next year to do it in the African Savanna for sure.
To start off, I was doing the program in the Australasia Pavilion.
After dragging my self out of bed at 5:30am, I was really not in the mood to do anything. I had to be at the zoo at 6:55am. I got to the zoo and met Nicole at the Operations Complex in the Education building. She then gave me my coveralls and a program package and introduced me to the wonderful staff at the Australasia Pavilion. Heidi, Lisa, and Rebecca made this day and unforgettable experience. While I adjusted talking to the Australasian crew, more and more employees poured into the cafeteria. At around 7:10am, one of the head staff started the morning meeting. This meeting was very short; it consisted of letting staff know what has happened in the zoo the day before. Yesterday, there was a mouflon born and three cheetahs born. One of the cheetahs did not survive. They ended the morning meeting announcing the weather for the day.
After the meeting all the keepers went and did their daily routines. The Australasia Pavilion routine is very interesting because of the wonderful variety of animals they have. We left the operations complex and headed for the pavilion. It was not that far of a walk, nothing compared to the walk from the entrance. The keepers opened the doors to the Pavilion and headed for the kitchen. Here they found a tub of food for all the animals in the Pavilion. The keepers emptied the contents of the tub and sorted them out in the different piles. We got to cut up most of the food for the animals, this included lettuce, celery, other vegetables and mice! We had to insert a supplement tablet into each of the mice; these were to be given to the Tawny Frogmouths and the Kookaburras. After the food was prepared Heidi and I went to feed Chrissie the Tree Kangaroo. I got to feed and pick up a feces sample for Chrissie because she may be pregnant. After the samples were collected, we picked up any other feces and old food. Once we had finished with Chrissie we went to see her mate who has been separated from her temporarily. We feed, and cleaned up after him. Once we finished with the Tree Kangaroos we went outside to see the emus, kangaroos and wallabies. Some food was given to the Kangaroos and the rest was brought out later by the seasonal staff. As soon as all this hard work was done, Heidi and I went to have a break. Both Rebecca and Lisa joined.
The next feeding area was the birds. We changed the bird bowls and feed the birds their mice, which they seemed to have eaten very fast. We spent some time looking for the birds to make sure they were all there. Once we finished we went back and prepared the food for the reptiles. Each one had a specific diet, although it was not feeding day for most, we did has to clean, mist, and clean again each exhibit. It is very different standing on the opposite side of the viewing window in an exhibit. After we had finished cleaning the reptiles, we headed over to the Great Barrier Reef, where I saw the maintenance room, and all the behind the scene parts of this brilliant exhibit. I saw some fish in quarantine tanks and also got to feed and understand more in depth of how these amazing creatures live. The coral tank I knew much about and was talking to the keepers, who have taken the time to build such a masterpiece. This area of the zoo is very interesting full of all kinds of different animals.
Once we had finished feeding all the animals we asked permission from Lisa if we could go and see the Indian Rhinos. I got to feed Asha four apples, which she seemed to have enjoyed very much. All together this experience has been one in a lifetime. I have to give thanks to Heidi especially for giving me the most wonderful tour, to Rebecca who had shown me more than I ever new about reptiles, to Lisa who allowed me to go behind the scenes in the Pavilion and to Nicole who allowed me to participate in this wonderful event. This program is definitely one of a kind. I will come back again next year to do it in the African Savanna for sure.
Zoogoer2000
Well-Known Member
Wow,that must have been so cool.I've always wanted to go back in the holding areas.Did you get to operate one of those pully doors.I've wanted to try that for some strange reason.
Unfortanatly no, They don't have many in that pavilion I think I saw two, one for the Trees Kangaroos, the holding there they never use, and another to let the the swab wallibies and the wobat out, which they don't use because the swap wallibies can jump over the glass they have thier. The contractors did not know what they were doing when the built all of this. The keepers pointed out some really bad things they have done. The komdos I am sure have one, but they are considered dangerous animals and the participants are not allowed to go back there unfortanatly.
I also have wanted to operate one!
I also have wanted to operate one!
Zoogoer2000
Well-Known Member
if they don't use the holding,how do they seperate Harrington,Chrissie and the 2006 baby?
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
Sorry for bumping up an old thread, but today my mom told me that she would be willing to pay for me to do the Zoo Keeper for a Day program at the zoo sometime next year. She wants me to decide which area to work in sometime soon, so she can book the date as soon as possible. Where do you guys think I should work? I'm having a really tough time deciding.
Oh that its a very difficult question to ask and even harder to answer. What to do? Well first off I would eliminate what I dont want to do. Outreach is out. Not interested. Then I have to consider without primates what area interests me least... Indomalaya. Dont get me wrong I love the rhinos and tigers but theres little else there I would want to spend my day with if I cant be with the orangs and gibbons (the lion tailed macaques have never interested me). I would dump the Americas if it wasnt paired with Tundra trek... No I will dump it too. Why? I love the polar bears, wolves and jaguars but I dont find the other stuff as cool.
Lets see what does that leave me with... the African pavilion... Savanah and Australiasia... Oh it gets harder.
I love kangaroos, Wallabies, kookaburra, and wombats. I dont know if you might get to touch any but that would be amazing. Plus you could end up meeting Ungulate though you likely wont know it... Thats incredibly tempting though. I remember being in the back of Australiasia when I was a kid and the emus were back there and I felt a real bond with them. But everything else back there that they showed me wasnt as cool. Bugs and reptiles...
I do enjoy the African Pavilion though. You might get to hang with a meerkat which is awesome. They are party why I bugged my parents for a ferret when I was a kid (didnt get one) but I figured it was as close as I was going to get to having a meerkat. I love the otters. And dont get me started on my love for Harvey and Abou or the lemurs. But you wouldnt get to be near the gorillas... you might get to play in the chameleon nursery if that appeals to you.
I have always loved the savannah. Lions, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, rhinos, warthogs, ostriches, zebras, kudus, sable antelopes... no baboons but forget them theres so much more. Ok I think I've rationalized my winner. You might get to feed any of these animals and thats just amazing. Darn almost forgot the penguins! Im sold. No wasting time on anything i dont like. All fuzzies and featheries. And some of the best chances for babies. We all know their should be more penguin chicks. The zebras have had opportunities for breeding. The hyenas are trying. There seems to be a new kudu calf every year. Maybe more warthog piglets depending on if the triplets are gone. At 3 the lionesses could reproduce but Fintan might be a little young still. You might get a sneak peek at any reno being done on the elephant yard and barn for the giraffes. Yep its where I would want to go.
Now for you, I would suggest looking at it from several approaches. First see if theres anything you would just not even bother with. Then consider what types of animal you would want a chance to work with. For me it was easy mammals. For you maybe its the biggest over all blend. And make sure you take into account all primates are off limits. THat was big to me. If primates were in then I would have been very torn between the orangs and gibbons, the gorillas and the savannah. I find the orangs the most entertaining. Take into consideration the possiblity of babies you might want to see. Maybe thats not even a factor for you. Think about keepers you have met. Where there any you really liked? THought were stupid (man I could have killed the Indian rhino keepers who knew nothing about Asha and Vishnu when the kids I was with asked great questions). And if your thinking of a future in the zoo industry think about the animals you would most like to work with. What better way to decide what you would like to do than to practice with the animals you would love to spend your days with?
You are one lucky person to have your mom be so kind as to pay for a keeper for the day experience for you. I wish my mom had allowed me to do that when I was younger. You should be doing something extra nice for your mom every now and then the thank her. She sounds like a pretty nice lady.
Lets see what does that leave me with... the African pavilion... Savanah and Australiasia... Oh it gets harder.
I love kangaroos, Wallabies, kookaburra, and wombats. I dont know if you might get to touch any but that would be amazing. Plus you could end up meeting Ungulate though you likely wont know it... Thats incredibly tempting though. I remember being in the back of Australiasia when I was a kid and the emus were back there and I felt a real bond with them. But everything else back there that they showed me wasnt as cool. Bugs and reptiles...
I do enjoy the African Pavilion though. You might get to hang with a meerkat which is awesome. They are party why I bugged my parents for a ferret when I was a kid (didnt get one) but I figured it was as close as I was going to get to having a meerkat. I love the otters. And dont get me started on my love for Harvey and Abou or the lemurs. But you wouldnt get to be near the gorillas... you might get to play in the chameleon nursery if that appeals to you.
I have always loved the savannah. Lions, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, rhinos, warthogs, ostriches, zebras, kudus, sable antelopes... no baboons but forget them theres so much more. Ok I think I've rationalized my winner. You might get to feed any of these animals and thats just amazing. Darn almost forgot the penguins! Im sold. No wasting time on anything i dont like. All fuzzies and featheries. And some of the best chances for babies. We all know their should be more penguin chicks. The zebras have had opportunities for breeding. The hyenas are trying. There seems to be a new kudu calf every year. Maybe more warthog piglets depending on if the triplets are gone. At 3 the lionesses could reproduce but Fintan might be a little young still. You might get a sneak peek at any reno being done on the elephant yard and barn for the giraffes. Yep its where I would want to go.
Now for you, I would suggest looking at it from several approaches. First see if theres anything you would just not even bother with. Then consider what types of animal you would want a chance to work with. For me it was easy mammals. For you maybe its the biggest over all blend. And make sure you take into account all primates are off limits. THat was big to me. If primates were in then I would have been very torn between the orangs and gibbons, the gorillas and the savannah. I find the orangs the most entertaining. Take into consideration the possiblity of babies you might want to see. Maybe thats not even a factor for you. Think about keepers you have met. Where there any you really liked? THought were stupid (man I could have killed the Indian rhino keepers who knew nothing about Asha and Vishnu when the kids I was with asked great questions). And if your thinking of a future in the zoo industry think about the animals you would most like to work with. What better way to decide what you would like to do than to practice with the animals you would love to spend your days with?
You are one lucky person to have your mom be so kind as to pay for a keeper for the day experience for you. I wish my mom had allowed me to do that when I was younger. You should be doing something extra nice for your mom every now and then the thank her. She sounds like a pretty nice lady.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
I've been thinking a lot tonight and I think I've narrowed my options down to Australasia or the African Savannah. Like you, Indomalaya, the Americas, and Outreach are not as interesting to me. Even though I love the African Rainforest Pavilion, I personally think the other two options are better.
I think the Australasia Pavilion could be really interesting. The wombats are one of my favourite species at the zoo and I also love the echidnas and tree kangaroos. Australasia is great because in addition to working with some really unique mammals, there is a variety of other species to work with too.
Even though the African Savannah doesn't have as many species as Australasia, it includes all of the species that I dreamed of working with ever since I was a kid. Just thinking about working with giraffes, hyenas, lions, zebras, rhinos, penguins, etc. makes me excited.
Even though I still haven't officially decided, I think I'm going to go with the Savannah.
I really appreciate that my mom is allowing me to have such a great opportunity and I made sure to give her a big thank you.
I think the Australasia Pavilion could be really interesting. The wombats are one of my favourite species at the zoo and I also love the echidnas and tree kangaroos. Australasia is great because in addition to working with some really unique mammals, there is a variety of other species to work with too.
Even though the African Savannah doesn't have as many species as Australasia, it includes all of the species that I dreamed of working with ever since I was a kid. Just thinking about working with giraffes, hyenas, lions, zebras, rhinos, penguins, etc. makes me excited.
Even though I still haven't officially decided, I think I'm going to go with the Savannah.
I really appreciate that my mom is allowing me to have such a great opportunity and I made sure to give her a big thank you.
Cant blame you thats a great choice. But remember it says your top three choices. So the savannah is 1, australiasia is 2 and it sounds like rainforest is 3. Odd we would have the same choices. For me 2 and 3 could go either way. Im not sure it would matter to me once I lost out on the Savannah. Either would be a fine alternative.
A really cool option they could have included though would have been to shaddow a vet or vet tech. Now obviously if theres a surgery or an animal has to be put down they would dump you on someone else for a little but I would be cool to go out and help them check on a newborn, take a look at someone not feeling their best, help out in the nursery, clean pens in quarantine, ect. I couldnt handle surgery... Id lose my lunch. And I would ball like a pathetic baby if I had to participate in a death... so maybe Im not the best person to go on that experience but it would be cool for others who arent giant babies like me.
A really cool option they could have included though would have been to shaddow a vet or vet tech. Now obviously if theres a surgery or an animal has to be put down they would dump you on someone else for a little but I would be cool to go out and help them check on a newborn, take a look at someone not feeling their best, help out in the nursery, clean pens in quarantine, ect. I couldnt handle surgery... Id lose my lunch. And I would ball like a pathetic baby if I had to participate in a death... so maybe Im not the best person to go on that experience but it would be cool for others who arent giant babies like me.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
Today I did my zookeeper for a day experience in the African Savanna and it was amazing! I got to do so many cool things that I never thought I would be able to do.
All of the staff I met were very nice and friendly and they did a great job of making me feel welcome. They taught me a lot about animals and being a zookeeper.
Some of the highlights of my day include hand feeding a hyena, porcupine, and giraffe, petting a rhino, playing with penguins, and walking into the lion house with 5 lions roaring only inches away from me.
I highly recommend this program for anyone who loves animals and zoos and has always wanted to know what it's like being a zookeeper.
In terms of actual zoo news, I didn't learn much but I know that the giraffes are being crate trained for their move to the elephant exhibit and there are plans to breed the lions, hyenas, and marabou storks.
All of the staff I met were very nice and friendly and they did a great job of making me feel welcome. They taught me a lot about animals and being a zookeeper.
Some of the highlights of my day include hand feeding a hyena, porcupine, and giraffe, petting a rhino, playing with penguins, and walking into the lion house with 5 lions roaring only inches away from me.
I highly recommend this program for anyone who loves animals and zoos and has always wanted to know what it's like being a zookeeper.
In terms of actual zoo news, I didn't learn much but I know that the giraffes are being crate trained for their move to the elephant exhibit and there are plans to breed the lions, hyenas, and marabou storks.
You got to hand freed a hyena! A hyena! A porcupine is neat. The giraffes pretty darn cool but a hyena is freaking amazing. I never ever would have guessed that. I knew they let you feed the giraffes so I guess that doesnt blow me away as much... same with petting the rhino which is still awesome but expected. Playing with penguins is pretty cool too. Cant say that would disappoint me any either. And the lion stuff is interesting too. Hows Fintans mane coming in? Still rocking the mohawk?
Its cool you learned they are crate training the giraffes. It bothered me how they would move them. I figured that was it but seems like a lot of work for such a short distance you know what I mean. Probably seems kind of futile to them too even though its the only way to do it. Not like you can knock them out like a lion and put it in a truck drive fast and drop it off. And they arent like the caribou they can just walk there. But weeks or even months of training for a 5 minute drive has to suck. Its not like Twiga will ever leave that exhibit again and I highly doubt the zoo will give up Mstari since she is a very vaulable female.
I have high hopes for lion breeding. THey have been trying for a hyena cub for something like 2 years now so I would be surprised if we had one this year or ever. A baby marabou stork would be neat.
Thanks for your update. Im sure your exhausted after your day. When you have time I would love to hear about your day step by step. That way I can live vicariously through you.
Its cool you learned they are crate training the giraffes. It bothered me how they would move them. I figured that was it but seems like a lot of work for such a short distance you know what I mean. Probably seems kind of futile to them too even though its the only way to do it. Not like you can knock them out like a lion and put it in a truck drive fast and drop it off. And they arent like the caribou they can just walk there. But weeks or even months of training for a 5 minute drive has to suck. Its not like Twiga will ever leave that exhibit again and I highly doubt the zoo will give up Mstari since she is a very vaulable female.
I have high hopes for lion breeding. THey have been trying for a hyena cub for something like 2 years now so I would be surprised if we had one this year or ever. A baby marabou stork would be neat.
Thanks for your update. Im sure your exhausted after your day. When you have time I would love to hear about your day step by step. That way I can live vicariously through you.
azcheetah2
Well-Known Member
How cool. I would love to hear more about your day, too. More details. My local zoo has a KFAD program, too, but you no longer get to pick an area. They send you to different areas and for the amount they charge, I'd rather stick with one area, you know?
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
I'll probably post a longer report sometime this weekend. I had to wake up at 5:15 this morning so I'm really tired and I have school tests on Thursday and Friday.
azcheetah2
Well-Known Member
Cool. I look forward to it!
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
My zookeeper for a day started at 6:45, which meant I had to wake up almost 2 hours earlier than I do for a school day. Waking up was the only part of the day I didn't enjoy.
When I got to the zoo I got to meet the person in charge of the Zookeeper For A Day program and the keeper that I would be working with for most of the day. After a quick meeting with no real news, we headed off to the African Savanna.
The first section we went to was the lion house. It was really cool walking down the path in the middle of the house with 5 lions on either side staring at me like I was their next meal. I watched the zookeeper prepare the lion's breakfast and I helped her put it in the trays. I think Jerroh and Lyndy (the two older male lions) ate their meals in under a minute! After that, we had to go outside and shovel some snow so that the lions could get to their outdoor exhibit.
Our next stop was the porcupine house. We didn't do much in the porcupine house other than giving them some food. It was the first time I have ever actually seen one of the zoo's porcupines move!
The hyena house was next and again we didn't do much. Another keeper already gave them their breakfast so we just had to let them outside. Before that, I was allowed to feed them dead chicks by hand! Luckily, I didn't lose a finger.
We also had to go the ostrich/warthog house to give Norm the warthog his breakfast and do some cleaning.
We had to go back to the lion house to do some cleaning while the lions were outside. I got lucky and was on hose duty while the keeper did all the scrubbing.
The zookeeper I was with had a meeting so she sent me to another keeper who was working in the bird and hoofstock house. I got an up close look at the baby zebras and had a sable antelope try to attack me through the bars.
After cleaning the indoor zebra exhibits, we stopped for a quick lunch, where I got to talk to some of the African Savanna keepers. They were all very nice!
The zookeeper I was with didn't have anything he had to do until his meeting later in the day so for fun we went to the rhino and hoofstock building. There I got to pet the two male rhinos who were massive! I also got to see the kudus and watched a wattled crane perform a mating dance.
The highlight of the day was next when we got to go to the penguin house. The keepers used me to see if the penguins would be able to interact with a regular person that they've never met before. They brought me in a room with two of last years babies named Scooby and Sparkles and I got to pet and play with them for a while. It was really fun except for the time when Scooby bit me.
After the penguins I went back with my original keeper and we quickly visited the giraffes. The baby Mstari has grown a lot. I got to feed her mom Twiga some apples and carrots.
For the rest of the day, we went back and visited the lions, ostriches/warthog, porcupines, and hyenas again to give them their second meals and do some more cleaning. While the keeper was shovelling snow, I got to hand feed the ostriches lettuce.
After that I was done for the day. My dad picked me up from the zoo and I took a long shower to wash off the terrible smell.
When I got to the zoo I got to meet the person in charge of the Zookeeper For A Day program and the keeper that I would be working with for most of the day. After a quick meeting with no real news, we headed off to the African Savanna.
The first section we went to was the lion house. It was really cool walking down the path in the middle of the house with 5 lions on either side staring at me like I was their next meal. I watched the zookeeper prepare the lion's breakfast and I helped her put it in the trays. I think Jerroh and Lyndy (the two older male lions) ate their meals in under a minute! After that, we had to go outside and shovel some snow so that the lions could get to their outdoor exhibit.
Our next stop was the porcupine house. We didn't do much in the porcupine house other than giving them some food. It was the first time I have ever actually seen one of the zoo's porcupines move!
The hyena house was next and again we didn't do much. Another keeper already gave them their breakfast so we just had to let them outside. Before that, I was allowed to feed them dead chicks by hand! Luckily, I didn't lose a finger.
We also had to go the ostrich/warthog house to give Norm the warthog his breakfast and do some cleaning.
We had to go back to the lion house to do some cleaning while the lions were outside. I got lucky and was on hose duty while the keeper did all the scrubbing.
The zookeeper I was with had a meeting so she sent me to another keeper who was working in the bird and hoofstock house. I got an up close look at the baby zebras and had a sable antelope try to attack me through the bars.
After cleaning the indoor zebra exhibits, we stopped for a quick lunch, where I got to talk to some of the African Savanna keepers. They were all very nice!
The zookeeper I was with didn't have anything he had to do until his meeting later in the day so for fun we went to the rhino and hoofstock building. There I got to pet the two male rhinos who were massive! I also got to see the kudus and watched a wattled crane perform a mating dance.
The highlight of the day was next when we got to go to the penguin house. The keepers used me to see if the penguins would be able to interact with a regular person that they've never met before. They brought me in a room with two of last years babies named Scooby and Sparkles and I got to pet and play with them for a while. It was really fun except for the time when Scooby bit me.
After the penguins I went back with my original keeper and we quickly visited the giraffes. The baby Mstari has grown a lot. I got to feed her mom Twiga some apples and carrots.
For the rest of the day, we went back and visited the lions, ostriches/warthog, porcupines, and hyenas again to give them their second meals and do some more cleaning. While the keeper was shovelling snow, I got to hand feed the ostriches lettuce.
After that I was done for the day. My dad picked me up from the zoo and I took a long shower to wash off the terrible smell.
I loved the whole report. Just fantastic to see exactly what goes on during the day.
I'd never have thought about it before but the keepers would have to shovel out all the doors for the animals that need to go outside or want to. That would have really sucked for them when the ice storm hit in December. Getting through all the ice and snow just to get into the animals had to be a ton of hard work. Obviously that doesnt happen often but still that would be a day where the keepers think to themselves, "Why me?"
Didn't you know when you signed up that you were supposed to be the lions breakfast? I'm sure you must have signed some paperwork agreeing to it. Not only would you get to see the inside of the lion house but the inside of a lion! LOL.
Lion questions
What does it look like in the lion house? Just interested to hear what its like.
How is Fintan's mane coming in?
How big is Fintan now? Smaller than the old timers? Almost the same size? Bigger? That ones hard to guess when you don't get to see them together unless you are in the lion house.
I have seen a porcupine move before. It looked at me for a second and then turned to go back to sleep in the cave. Guess I'm just not interesting enough.
Feeding the hyenas sounds like a blast. I'm glad you kept your fingers. It would have been hard to get your finger back so they could reattach it if its been swallowed by a hyena. I would have had trouble feeding the chick to the hyenas, as cool as that is. I do not like the sight of dead animals. Forget touching a dead one whether wearing gloves or not. A once in a life time experience like that and I probably would have turned it down. I'm such a wuss.
Is Norm the only surplus warthog we have now?
Lucky you. You might be one of the few people to see at least Leia since she was born. Maybe Luke too.
What did you do to tick off one of the sable antelope? They seem so peaceful outside. Who attacked you? That must have caused some shock.
I think I would have really enjoyed the rhino and kudu barn. Getting to pet Tom and Tony would be amazing. I'm always so impressed by the size of them on exhibit but to be right beside them would just be so much more awe inspiring. Plus I really love to watch the kudus. Owen is just as impressive as a rhino but for many other reasons. I would have liked to just be near him. And is the zoo hoping that the wattled cranes will produce a chick this year? I think that would be another interesting baby to see.
It's really cool that you got to play with the penguins. Too bad Scooby decided to bite you. Wait I'm noticing a reoccuring theme. The lions want to eat you. A kudu attacks you. A penguin bites you. What are you doing to tick these animals off? LOL.
Well at least one of us has achieved our dream of feeding the giraffes. I'm going to choose to be happy for you instead of jealous. Did you get to touch her? Did you get to watch any crate training with them?
Getting to feed an ostrich is pretty cool too. I do like your previous description of our white snow covered ostriches.
Ah the terrible smell. You know what call me nuts but I kind of like that smell. The smell of the Indian Rhino house brings to mind strong, wonderful childhood memories for me. Sure it stinks and almost provokes the gag reflex but I prefer to smell it and have the memories just come flooding back. Although Im not sure I would want that smell embedded in my clothes and furniture.
Thanks for taking the time to write this all out for all of us to enjoy. Its great to hear how your day went, even if several of the animals took a disliking to you. Lol.
I'd never have thought about it before but the keepers would have to shovel out all the doors for the animals that need to go outside or want to. That would have really sucked for them when the ice storm hit in December. Getting through all the ice and snow just to get into the animals had to be a ton of hard work. Obviously that doesnt happen often but still that would be a day where the keepers think to themselves, "Why me?"
Didn't you know when you signed up that you were supposed to be the lions breakfast? I'm sure you must have signed some paperwork agreeing to it. Not only would you get to see the inside of the lion house but the inside of a lion! LOL.
Lion questions
What does it look like in the lion house? Just interested to hear what its like.
How is Fintan's mane coming in?
How big is Fintan now? Smaller than the old timers? Almost the same size? Bigger? That ones hard to guess when you don't get to see them together unless you are in the lion house.
I have seen a porcupine move before. It looked at me for a second and then turned to go back to sleep in the cave. Guess I'm just not interesting enough.
Feeding the hyenas sounds like a blast. I'm glad you kept your fingers. It would have been hard to get your finger back so they could reattach it if its been swallowed by a hyena. I would have had trouble feeding the chick to the hyenas, as cool as that is. I do not like the sight of dead animals. Forget touching a dead one whether wearing gloves or not. A once in a life time experience like that and I probably would have turned it down. I'm such a wuss.
Is Norm the only surplus warthog we have now?
Lucky you. You might be one of the few people to see at least Leia since she was born. Maybe Luke too.
What did you do to tick off one of the sable antelope? They seem so peaceful outside. Who attacked you? That must have caused some shock.
I think I would have really enjoyed the rhino and kudu barn. Getting to pet Tom and Tony would be amazing. I'm always so impressed by the size of them on exhibit but to be right beside them would just be so much more awe inspiring. Plus I really love to watch the kudus. Owen is just as impressive as a rhino but for many other reasons. I would have liked to just be near him. And is the zoo hoping that the wattled cranes will produce a chick this year? I think that would be another interesting baby to see.
It's really cool that you got to play with the penguins. Too bad Scooby decided to bite you. Wait I'm noticing a reoccuring theme. The lions want to eat you. A kudu attacks you. A penguin bites you. What are you doing to tick these animals off? LOL.
Well at least one of us has achieved our dream of feeding the giraffes. I'm going to choose to be happy for you instead of jealous. Did you get to touch her? Did you get to watch any crate training with them?
Getting to feed an ostrich is pretty cool too. I do like your previous description of our white snow covered ostriches.
Ah the terrible smell. You know what call me nuts but I kind of like that smell. The smell of the Indian Rhino house brings to mind strong, wonderful childhood memories for me. Sure it stinks and almost provokes the gag reflex but I prefer to smell it and have the memories just come flooding back. Although Im not sure I would want that smell embedded in my clothes and furniture.
Thanks for taking the time to write this all out for all of us to enjoy. Its great to hear how your day went, even if several of the animals took a disliking to you. Lol.