URBANNA —
Who in my generation doesn’t have nightmarish memories of wild animals snarling at us in cages as we visited early zoos in this country? Those were days when it was deemed appropriate to place lions and tigers in tight enclosures for us to observe. Fortunately, most zoos today have changed.
The Naples (Fla.) Zoo must be one of the best examples of enlightened zoos in America today. It’s built amid hundreds of acres of wild jungle, lake and island areas that house its exotic collection of animals in natural habitat. The animals are healthy, active, and well cared for, with companionship with other compatible animals without constant threat of predators. The best part is being served dinner each day by a well-educated and caring staff that talks, “plays” and even “pets” them.
Oh, that humans could live such a carefree life!
Our recent walk through this exciting jungle world was a treat, starting with several beautiful species of tigers, cheetahs and panthers and to include the up-close thrill of watching a huge male lion gnawing on a massive bone. It was an incredible sight! I could have been watching one of the stray cats in Urbanna that show up at the door looking for food enjoying the treat.
Next was a 20-foot python coiled up and asleep but still managing to look evil. I was amazed at his tiny head, no bigger than my hand. But what a lethal body! Ever since Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and sent baby python eggs from a lab into the Everglades in winds more than 100 mph, Florida has had a python problem. Pythons, with no natural enemies, have destroyed raccoon, squirrel and deer populations to the point of the state having to host “python hunts” each year to cut back the population.
Five stately giraffes were next being fed by their zookeeper who was feeding them tasty large leaves of lettuce, each taking its turn and being offered one leaf one at a time. They are massive, graceful, majestic animals, yellowish and beautifully covered in large brownish spots, almost as if they were suffering from some skin disease. One giraffe was a “red head,” with reddish skin, but so shy and meek a more aggressive giraffe chased him away from the lettuce food line to get more for himself. There is always a greedy soul in every group.
The zookeeper explained how they offer each species “feeding enrichment programs,” which offers challenging ways to get their food rather than just being given food.
For example, we saw large buckets with openings filled with food hoisted high in the air that the giraffes had to work hard to reach and then get their tongues inside the buckets to get the food.
Another species, like an anteater, may have its daily food buried so it would have to use its sense of smell, paws, and tongue to get to it. The zookeeper said animals need to use their brains and natural abilities as much as possible to make their lives more interesting. I realized it was the same for humans and when there is not enough to do, boredom sets in, and drugs or other aberrant behavior can become a problem.
A couple of male antelopes put on a playful fight for us locking their horns ever so carefully to insure they didn’t harm each other. Signage told us it was father and son, which made me laugh aloud. Pops was teaching his son the basics of doing battle with another male in case he ever needed to fight over a mate, but it was obvious he didn’t want to hurt him during the lesson.
A pontoon boat trip took us out on a lake where islands housed various species of monkeys and apes. It was interesting viewing their various habitats. The primates were kept on islands because they respect water boundaries and do not swim. Large fire department sized water hoses had been stretched between islands and were “connected” during certain times of the day and monkeys could cross “arm over arm” and visit neighbors.
Their shoulder and wrist joints allow them to do stunts that humans could never do. Some primates have long tails that serve as a fifth arm and our guide said they could even peel a banana with their tail.
Observing animal behavior always causes me to reflect on human behavior.
Zoo animals that have no concerns about daily existence need planned stimulation to prevent listless boredom. The same listlessness could affect humans if they are totally cared for by “zookeepers,” something to keep in mind. Perhaps we can learn much from watching not only the kept animals, but also the zookeepers who keep them.
© 2021.
