I once had a visiting teacher that hated zoos. I remember having a conversation with her about how she just couldn't stand to look at the poor animals in cages. She felt like they should be running free! I have to admit, her perspective changed zoos for me a little bit. I love the animals--and I love looking at the animals. Yet now I realize that it is totally selfish! I think that zoo animals have it pretty easy, and quite of few of them would have been a predator's meal if they were born in the wild. So I don't feel too bad for them. Although I have to admit, when I was little we visited the Hogle Zoo, and it was pretty bad. I don't remember much, I mostly just remember a lot of concrete. Luckily the whole zoo profession has gotten a little bit more in touch with the animals needs since I was a tyke. They really have done a lot to improve the habitats of the zoo animals. This was really the first time going with the twins, where they enjoyed looking at the animals also. It was a ton of fun! It also helped that they opened the new Rocky Shores exhibit--so we all had something new to check out!
So, these animals might not be running free. Hopefully they love their perfectly heated/cooled habitats with things to do (I think they call that enrichment), and all the food they need. Maybe life as a zoo animal wouldn't be too bad!
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Amelia loving the Elephants! |
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We love watching the now toddler elephant. It is fun to see how much like a human toddler she is in her behavior! |
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The new seal--lovin' some sun |
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watching the sea lions swim around |
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I may have a few too many of Cooper. It was just my mission all day to get one of him smiling! I don't think it happened. |
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I have to admit, with all of the viewing tanks, we kinda felt like we were at sea world! |
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Even a blurry picture can be adorable when it is of this cute girl!! |
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Loving the zoo! |
Cute! Did you do the train? Tom's niece Taylor is an engineer there most days. I love the zoo.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't do the train that day, but we normally do-we will have to keep a look out!
DeleteZoos...I don't remember loving them as a kid either, but selfishly I really love them now. What the animals are is spoiled but thats besides the point. Don't get me wrong I am super glad they get to roam more with enrichment activities. Its so fun to see my children point and get excited, and I think its interesting too. Cooper looks really cute though not smiling, and that blurry girl is adorable. Love the both smiling/one winking photo above. ;)Fun to hear you are getting into otters. Love when kids get into things like that.
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