To watch this creature fair

I have a free pass to the zoo from volunteering at the biopark this past spring. If anyone remembers, I used to take a little hike with the school children every Friday down in the bosque (woods) by the river. So, yesterday, I decided to go visit the animals. I know these little guys don't seem very exotic but we have a walk-in free flight cage at the zoo that I always enjoy visiting, especially since it's on the way to the koalas.

These look more like love birds than budgies. ;) Although, aren't they the same sex?? Ibelieve the band on the nose distinguishes the sex, blue for boys and pink/tan for girls.

Doesn't he have a pretty eye?

It was feeding time for many of the animals. I laughed at this koala. They placed a big bunch of eucaliptus right in front of the sleeping koala's nose. Talking about waking up to breakfast in bed!

The big cats were fed too. This tiger is really enjoying his bone, isn't he?

Just like Fido, huh?

I was amazed how the mountain lions were right up against the glass window with their bone. I think they need another bone because they don't seem to be sharing very well.

The clouded leopard is one of the hardest for me to ever see at the zoo because he's always so hot and hidden. Not so, yesterday.

He even smiled for me. Well, sort of.
These guys must be on a different feeding schedule because the bobcat was snoozing.

So was the Lion King.
It was a really hot day! They turned on the sprinklers and a lot of the children took advantage of the cooling, wet showers.

Alas, some could only watch. :(
I noticed Mr. peacock was sighing with relief as he scurried away past the running children. He wasn't going to be chased today.The sea lions were anticipating being fed too.

This is getting to be a rather long post so I will close for now and continue another day.

To watch this creature fair - song: Lady Stardust, artist: David Bowie, album: Aladdin Sane

Joe the Lion

There is a video at youtube of a full grown wild lion meeting and greeting his former owners over a year after their separation that is so very touching and heartwarming. Originally, the two young men purchased the lion at Harrod's of London in 1969 in the exotic pets department. Their friend told the store clerk she wanted a camel. Without batting an eye, the clerk asked, "One hump or two?" The friends went to see the exotic animals and saw the tiny cub. They bought him and named him Christian. They lived in a flat on King's Road and owned the Sophisticat furniture store. The lion would often wander freely around the store and played in the churchyard nearby. He even rode in a Bentley and once swam in the English Channel during a seaside picnic outing. He grew too big though so they decided to turn him loose in the wilds with the help of George Adamson of Born Free fame. A year later they wanted to see him and were told he wouldn't remember them. But he did and he even introduced his wild mate to them. Here is a Daily Mail story from last year with some more information and pictures. If you have yet to see this amazing video, here it is, the original, entitled "Christian the Lion, at World's End". Enjoy.


here's another video with more detail, part 1

and part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoRG1esm7kc&feature=related