Another Day at the Zoo

This weekend we got to spend another day at the Philadelphia Zoo.

They were having an Open House for members to see some behind-the-scenes areas. So we got to see the commissary (where they store and prepare all the animals' food), the health center, the inside of the big cat area (where they are fed, etc.). We learned about "enrichment" items they use for the animals, such as hiding different scents around their enclosure, like cinnamon or oregano. The kids even made some "toys" out of boxes, egg cartons and paper towel tubes, which the zookeepers will give to some of the smaller animals to knock around and tear apart. We got to visit up close (but still behind a half door) an Aldabra tortoise--Prickles--who was injured about 13 years ago, and is unable to walk. Zoo maintenance workers came up with a dolly for him to ride. They call hime the "skateboarding tortoise." Very interesting to see these others areas and learn more about the animals' care.

Prickles and Tweedledum

We did play in the Treehouse again, and visit the usual favorites: primates, big cats. Many animals were not out; it was really cold, only about 35 degrees, so we missed the hippos, elephants, giraffes and zebras. I think we'll wait until spring before we go again.

Playing in the Treehouse