DAY AT THE ZOO

Children, and parents of children, were the main event at the Los Angeles Zoo yesterday. In fact as we pulled up to the parking lot two yellow school busses were loading up again. Our three children, especially the youngest, Michael 3, and Patrick nearly 5, became energized by the excitement and suspense as we approached the enclosures of their favorite mammals, including the seals. Before yesterday I didn't know some seals took naps underwater, lying on the bottom. News to me.

I'd never seen a coyote up close before. The one we saw marched rapidly up and down behind the ceiling- high fence separating us. As it passed once more in front of us Michael, running, fell down, tripped, and stayed down no longer than three seconds. Yet, the instant Michael fell the coyote skidded to a halt, crouched, and eyed Michael, briefly prone and vulnerable. It was an electric moment, and illustrated in an instant why in California even suburban cats and dogs (and babies?) disappear. Only Hollywood could make of a coyote a congenial, inventive but inept gentleman: The Coyote and the Roadrunner. One of my longtime favorite cartoons.

The LA Zoo is located at the eastern end of Griffith Park, a huge, mountainous recreational area given to the city by a Mr. Griffith who made his fortune in garbage collection. Also in Griffith park is an Observatory, currently being rebuilt, and at the western end, the Hollywood sign. It is hilly, with innumeral trees; the Zoo itself is lavishly shaded by many tall Australian Eucalyptus trees. The children's enjoyment was increased by already knowing at least something about Nature from PBS and Sesame Street and Mister Rogers.

It was fun taking photos, and when I know how to get photos from a CD onto this site I will post a few.

Next we'll visit The Acquarium of the Pacific which son Vincent has already seen on a field trip from school. Vincent will serve as guide for the rest of us. We'll return to the Zoo after the current rebuilding is completed.  (Just between you and I, the Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney Australia, at least in memory from childhood, is far more richly endowed and serviced. There are almost no lions in LA, let alone the daily highlight in Sydney, the feeding of the lions.) 

Could zoos around the world be in abeyance, preempted by Television nature programming? Talk show segments on TV feature Zoo Keepers bringing on their animals, as if to say, come see us, live!

The young children were transported, from which it is easy to state that "live" is better.

Barry