2,800 animals, 84 acres, 363 days a year
When I was a kid, zoos seemed to be little more than iron cages for animals. Animals were on display solely for pure human pleasure. They never seemed to have much room; their habitats boring for both the animal and the spectator. Zoo keeping has come a long way. Although it is never a great thing for an animal to be contained, there are lots of reasons today for this. For many, it is a matter of protection of the animal. Unfortunately for many species, captivity is the one way to preserve them for future generations. Loss of habitat and human selfishness would be the reasons for this.
Another reason for confinement is that many critters have been injured in various ways and could no longer survive in the wild. This is often a win-win-win situation. The animal survives; the zoo or park is able to use it to teach; and the public gets the thrill of seeing many animals that they might not otherwise have the opportunity. Many species have revived due to good zoo keeping and careful breeding practices. Anyway, we have come a long way from seeing all the animals in their tiny ironed-barred habitats.
Today, many zoos are extremely conscious to things like “natural” habitat. Not only do many of the zoos try to replicate the home of the animal, but they are concerned about the animal being active and not “bored.” Enhancements are given to zoo animals in many ways. Food, for instance, is oft times hidden in areas of the animals’ compound. Freezing their food is another way to make animals “work” for their vittles. Balls, tires, empty boxes and various other “toys” are left for the enjoyment of the animal.
One day, while in Tulsa, and not feeling like spending the whole day at the convention, we decided to plug in Maggie Mae and find the zoo. We arrived fairly early…before much of a crowd had arrived. Seniors’ entrance fee was $6.00 each. We got out map and were off.
An overall theme for this zoo was humans living within the confines of the animals’ world. There are many interactive displays through out. Going to a zoo in Tulsa in early November probably is not the best time to go. There were several displays and habitats that were being refurbished, due to open in the spring. The sealions’ exhibit was one. Always like to see these playing. But, alas, not this year.
The housing for many of the animals was inside buildings. Living in Florida, seldom do we visit animals indoors. But the weather in Oklahoma is much harsher for some of the warm climate species.
Plants, animals, fossils, natives, and minerals of each of four regions in North America are displayed in their own building
The first building we visited was “the Arctic.” There was a great display of Eskimos—their day to day living—lots of relics. There were also a couple of snow owls. We felt kind of disappointed as these were the only animal we had seen to this point. There was a sign that indicated their very aged polar bear had recently died with no current plans to replace him.
The “lowlands” exhibit is currently closed. This is the home of alligators and sharks. Sometime later this year, it is due to re-open.
There was a building for the southwest. It looked desert”y”.
The more we wandered, the better it got.
The area from Africa included as recreation of a Maasai village with several huts and explanations. Typical African animals—cheetah, elephants, various gazelle and deer, meerkats, ostriches—in habitats that are typical of their homes.
I really loved the “Rain Forest” with its various plants and animals. We have several stag horn ferns at our house. We had a discussion with Christopher of the Rain Forest. His were small compared to ours. (One of ours measures about ten feet across). In this exhibit was everything from colorful bugs to birds flying freely within the exhibit…one that lands on spectators begging for food. A jaguar beats a regular trail throughout his jungle.
We saw snow leopards, lions (the cubs were getting big and were out), tigers, and several other big cats, ring-tailed lemurs, monkeys, apes, penguins, emus, prairie dogs, llamas, lots of fish varieties, lots of reptile varieties, insects. All sizes, shapes and colors. Critters from every continent (except, maybe Antarctica). Habitats all very creative. Lots of flora as well as fauna.
One exhibit at which we spent a long time was the chimps. There were two young “children”—one boy and one girl. The older folks mostly lay in their beds (made of mesh), swinging leisurely. But the “kids” were soooooo funny. Played with lots of empty banana boxes—piling them, taking them apart, playing a sort of hide-and-seek within them. They swung back and forth…one hand, both hands, by their feet. Really fun to watch!
There was a farmyard which housed domestic animals that are endangered. This area was a petting zoo (but not the day we were there…petting portion CLOSED). Yes, a farm animal can be considered endangered. Animals that were popular and used in our earlier time periods (various sheep, cattle, goats) are potentially in danger of being faded out for human convenience. Sheep have been bred to produce more wool or meat; cattle have lost their long horns. (An aside here, Florida has a subspecies of long-horned cattle called—Florida Cracker, Piney Woods, Florida Scrub or Florida Native Cattle. They are on the “list” as number five for domestic endangered.)
Cross breeding has come close to eliminating many of the early breeds of various domestic animals.
Play ground and learning centers. And a tortoise a volunteer was “exercising” (she would put him down, he would wander to the edge of the porch…she would pick him up once again and let him wander in another direction…always keeping an eye out for his safety). Quite frankly, I have never heard of anyone “exercising” a tortoise before. I also never realized how many species of tortoise they are.
Question: What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?
Another enjoyable day.
Answer: A tortoise is primarily a land animal; a turtle, water.
No comments:
Post a Comment