The San Diego Zoo does a fantastic job of teaching about the animals and plants in the park and why they're here. It almost feels like a school with wildlife in it. There's an informational sign in every exhibit explaining where the animal lives, what they eat, if they're at risk for extinction and why. Sadly, seeing it in writing makes me realize the endangered list is way longer than I thought. Learning while observing makes for a much more fulfilling visit. *pushes up nerd glasses* But, seriously...
My favorite part of the zoo is the Lost Forest - a multi-level walkway through the tree canopy and forest floor for a peek at some of the most endangered and rare monkeys in the woooooorld. I could sit and watch these funny dudes think and play all day. They're amazing! With tears in each of our eyes, we definitely shared a special moment. I just wanted to cradle my new furry BFF and soothe the worried, goobery eye-d look on his face.
“I know, lil' buddy. Everybody’s butt itches sometimes.”
“I know, lil' buddy. Everybody’s butt itches sometimes.”
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| "You gonna finish that banana?" -Baby bonobo |
Koalas are my other favorites. They’re fluffy and smell like Vicks Vapor Rub. I went to Australia in high school as part of a student ambassador group solely based on the fact that I would have the opportunity to hold a koala. And what a rare experience it was! Koalas sleep 20 hours a day so just being able to see one in their waking hours is lucky- holding one is the motherload. The San Diego Zoo actually has the largest colony of koalas outside of Australia and enough eucalyptus in the air to clear your sinuses.
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| Look at that form. |
The Elephant Odyssey appears to be the Four Seasons of zoo life. The seven elephants (six Asian, one African) have 2.5 acres to roam with several pools to sunbathe in. Since they could easily mow down a real tree, the exhibit features specially designed ‘utilitrees’ that provide shade, food, and treats for the gentle giants.
Wild Facts:
1. There are more muscles in an elephant’s trunk than in a human’s body.
2. Koalas only eat eucalyptus leaves, but there are over 600 different types to choose from.
3. There are 300 different types of bamboo that grow in China. Half of the world's population actually depends on bamboo for food, medicine, and furniture.
4. A group of birds is not always called a flock. Depending on the species, you may have a parliament of owls, an ostentation of peacocks, a murder of crows, an unkindness of ravens, or a covey of quail.
5. The average caterpillar is 10-15 calories. Diet food!
6. Rosy periwinkle (found in the rainforest) gives kids with leukemia a 90% chance of remission.
7. A baby raccoon is called a 'kit.' A litter may have 1-7 kits.
8. A huge ficus tree, nicknamed the Big Fig, is the centerpiece of the zoo's Lost Forest exhibit. She is over 50 years old and weighs 220 tons. It took four weeks (a rate of 91 inches a day) to move 214 feet from her original location in the zoo to her current home.
9. The San Diego Zoo offers sleepovers! Like, in a tent! Imagine the crazy noises you’d hear at night.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/
To donate to the San Diego Zoo or adopt an animal, check out http://www.sandiegozoo.org/
To donate to the San Diego Zoo or adopt an animal, check out http://www.sandiegozoo.org/
…Raawr!...
