ZOO DO YOU LOVE

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I wonder if the animals in the zoo feel like they are actually the ones viewing an exhibit.

Perhaps the flamingos are actually standing there remarking, "Oooh!! Look what the tall one's doing!"

This thought most recently popped into my head when my family and I took a day trip to the Atlanta Zoo. Actually, I suppose it goes without saying that it was a day trip. Rarely do people spend the night at the zoo. I am fairly sure the zoo staff would frown upon that.

But during our zoo visit, I found that, while the animals are in fact interesting, some of the human behavior makes for some entertaining viewing. My thoughts from my day at the zoo:

1. Illiteracy is, apparently, as widespread as general idiocy. That is the only explanation I can come up for as to why someone, while standing next to a sign that told you not to feed the animals, would throw popcorn at a monkey. I backed up a good distance for fear that the monkey would throw something back.

2. The educational purpose of zoos is lost on many parents. Rather, many see the zoo as a place to identify to children what animals should be hunted and how they should be cooked. I am quite certain that is not what Dian Fossey lived in the jungle for.

3. Adults need to adjust expectations. When you go on a train ride through the children's zoo, there is no need to complain loudly about the ride, in particular about the limited number of animals seen on said train ride. You are a big person. Walk to the lemurs.

4. Staring at an empty exhibit can be great fun. Find an exhibit that is in the middle of being cleaned and start staring intently, offering an occasional "Ooh!" and "Whoa!" In no time you will have several people seeing the same fantastic creature.

5. No one seems the least bit concerned with the placement of a hot dog stand in the middle of the petting zoo.

But despite the odd assortment of individuals roaming free at the zoo, the animals themselves were actually quite interesting. My 3-year-old daughter, Allie, certainly loved the animals. At least, some of them.

She has been around animals all of her life. She has held alligators and snakes. She loves to go out in the yard and find bugs. She has no problem mixing it up with great big dogs. When we got into the zoo, she was very excited about the tigers, the panda bears and the elephants, animals that could easily cause significant damage to a person. But then she saw the most terrifying animal in all of the land.

She saw a giraffe.

She used to like giraffes. And then she saw one up close and personal about a year ago at a zoo in Florida. The zoo had one of those stands where you can feed the giraffe. When it came up to the landing, Allie realized that the animal's head is larger then she is. This unsettled her. Since that point, giraffes have been her equivalent of the bogeyman.

When we approached the giraffe area, Allie was busy looking at some of the other animals in the same habitat. The conversation went like this:

ME: And that's a black rhino.

ALLIE: Oooohhh!!!

ME: And a zebra.

ALLIE: Wow!!!

ME: And a...

ALLIE: GIRAFFE! GET IT AWAY!

I assured Allie that the zoo went to great lengths to ensure that the animals were kept away from the people. This did little to calm her fears. She was only happy when we slowly backed away from the dreaded giraffe and eased over to the less frightening lion exhibit.

Her brother Parker had a big ol' time as well. Parker is about 5 months old, and found a zoo a fantastic place to nap in his stroller, nap in his carrier and nap in various people's arms. He was awake for a short spell when we were in the gorilla house. I was standing there holding him while we watched a short documentary on the history of the gorillas at the zoo. (Did you know Willie B was actually the second Willie B? How about that.) Anywho, Parker began laughing maniacally. I assumed he thought the playful gorillas had him tickled. I then realized he was staring about a foot above the television screen and was laughing at a wall. Perhaps I should take it in stride when he laughs at my jokes.

In all, the zoo was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to take the family back again soon. I'm sure the animals can't wait for us to return.