We took three grandaughters to the Jacksonville, Florida zoo last week. Our membership got us discounted passes. The new manatee exhibit is amazing. But the thing that impressed me was the wandering zookeeper who let us know which animals were out to see.
We first walked to the tigers. One was sleeping in front of a window, the other was pacing across the way. The zookeeper pointed out the obvious: this is the male.
As we walked around the primate habitat, we saw her again, telling us, “The mandrills are out, and one of the silverback gorillas is at the base of the tree.” Sure enough, we saw all of those primates exactly where she said they would be. The silverback was only about 10 feet away. He was fascinating. He was also oblivious, chomping on some heads of lettuce.
This zoo has leveled up. Zoos are big, and you never know when your favorite animal may decide to wake up and wander close enough to see. A staff person to give you a heads up is golden. One person like that changes the whole experience.
Waite for it... 