A Trip To The Zoo

            My first born, Sara, came into this world 41 years ago today. I was in labor for 36 hours… before during and just after Father’s Day of 1978. For many years we celebrated Sara’s birthday on Father’s Day. It was a fun gathering of several generations of family. Sadly, the patriarchs of the family passed on and eventually the tradition of celebrating Father’s Day in combination with Sara’s birthday was a thing of the past. 

          Today Sara chose to celebrate her birthday at the Lincoln Zoo. The Zoo has undergone a recent refurbishing with a new entrance and larger parking area. Our little group was impressed with the improvements.

            We enjoyed the new tiger exhibit. It would have been more fun if one of the tigers had jumped into their side of the jeep, but they were a bit sleepy and napped during our visit. The giraffes on the other hand were ready for a snack and happy to eat out of our hands. The experience of feeding the giraffes was lots of fun for the girls and I think Sam and Mac even thought it was cool. 

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            As we were wandering around the zoo, I was reminded of the time that my Great Aunt Rose had taken me to Lincoln for the weekend. We stayed in a Hotel in the downtown area. This was probably at least 60 years ago but I remember some of the details quite clearly. The visit to Mammoth Hall, touring the State Capital and riding the tiny elevator up to the top, buying a souvenir from the gift shop and going to the Lincoln Zoo.  
            The Zoo at that time was contained in a single building. The building is still there. I believe it is an indoor play area now. Six decades ago, the zoo was a large building with display cages lining the outside walls of the rectangle structure. In the middle of the large room were additional cages and displays.  The details of what was housed in the cages is fuzzy except for one display at the rear of the building.
            There was an energetic chimpanzee that was entertaining the visitors by running around his enclosure, leaping from one branch to another and swinging on ropes suspended from the ceiling.  He was calling out to the passing people – making loud screeching noises and motioning them toward the cage. He smiled and continued the silliness – coaxing the unsuspecting visitors closer and closer until they were within range.  As they laughed at his antics, the chimp reached around to his backside, grabbed some feces and hurled the unpleasant substance towards his audience. 
            My aunt and I watched the chimp’s antics unfold and the people ducking and dodging the offensive material. Aunt Rose clutched her pocket book tightly to her chest with one hand and used her other hand to grab my arm and lead me safely past the poop flinging primate…  
            I’m not going to lie… I remember thinking that the whole thing was off. I felt sorry for the chimp and the endless hours of confinement. I’m sure the animal was well cared for but I think the chimp had gone stir crazy thus lashing out at his captors with the only weapon readily available – his own fecal matter.
            The overall experience of visiting our Capital City with my Great Aunt in the 1950’s was a happy one – the memory of that poor chimp haunts me still.  At the time, it seemed like a sad sideshow. Perhaps it was more. If it was meant to educate the public on the environment or protection of wildlife, I missed that message entirely.
             The Lincoln Zoo of 2019 is much improved from my memory of the Lincoln Zoo of 1959. The educational message is so much more defined and clearly stated in the interactive videos strategically placed throughout the park like setting. There are signs placed at individual exhibits that give the reader information on the animal in residence – such as natural habitat and endangerment status.
             Zoo staffers interact with the visitors giving them the opportunity to experience some of the zoo residents first hand. Explaining the needs of the animals and the type of environment that helps them thrive. The bunnies are soft and not so creepy while the spiders made my granddaughters skin crawl…she was much relieved when the spider returned to the handler.
            The zoo is an oasis of sorts in the middle of a busy City. An opportunity for families to get out in nature and wander the trails, experiencing the beauty of Nebraska’s seasons. There are play areas where little ones can run off steam or challenge each other to climbing races. The train ride was something Gracyn insisted on doing and it was fun – twice around the park, waving at the people on the way.  
            The grounds are well kept and easy to walk for this aging Grandma. The outdoor restaurant served a very good hamburger. Sara said her grilled chicken sandwich was quite good as well. Bathrooms are placed conveniently along the trails and handwashing stations are available after interacting with the animals.  
            The zoos of today serve a valuable purpose. Breeding programs provide for future generations of endangered species. Zoos may be the only safe haven for some animals as their natural environments are being destroyed by human destruction or encroachment.  
            Nebraska is fortunate to have a zoo in Lincoln and in Omaha. The research and insights gained from both facilities will hopefully benefit wildlife near and far.  It is my opinion that people work hard to save something they love. The zoos give people the opportunity to bond with animals.  
            Who amongst us doesn’t love a mother gorilla holding her baby near her chest? Who doesn’t love watching a turtle swim in a pond?  Who doesn’t love a granddaughter who works up enough nerve to hold a spider or feed a giraffe?  The more we know, the more we see, the more we experience, the more we love. The more we love, the more we will fight to protect it.
            Much has changed from 1959 and it has changed for the better in terms of the quality of life in a zoo.  However, the overall environment has deteriorated for animals and humans in the wild.  Do you love your child?  Do you love your grandchild?  
            Of course, you do. Visit a zoo. Educate yourself and do all you are able to preserve and improve our environment for many more birthdays and generations to come…  
             Love you to pieces Sara.  Thanks for a wonderful day and a trip down memory lane.