Blogworthy: A Trip to the Zoo

caracal_01

The kids are on spring break this week & today we went to the Brookfield Zoo. In the desert house, you will find a little cat called a “caracal”. We were happy to see that there has been a full net in the caracal’s “den” {floor to ceiling to contain her} & she is back at the zoo. Seeing her reminded all of us of our crazy caracal adventure from 2012 so I thought I would share it here:

June 26, 2012

Location: Brookfield Zoo

Time: about 4:30 p.m.

The kids & I went for a short trip to the zoo as Pumpkin-Poos had been dying to go for so long. As we pass the carousel, I say to Sunshine Girl, “Hey, do you think any animals will escape the zoo today like in that book we like to read at home?”

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{a very fun book to read to your kids}

Location: the Desert House in the Brookfield Zoo

Time: about 4:45 p.m.

It is already considered a “good” zoo trip, as the jaguar is pacing back & forth, very active, the porcupine was out & about and the meerkats were on look out for anyone who may swipe their food.

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{photo copyright Martin Harvey source: gettyone.com}

We pass the porcupines and head toward a bridge that separates the caracal from some other sort of desert animals (they look similar to hedgehogs). A kind teenage zoo volunteer is on the bridge & eager to educate us about these animals.

Me: Is he (the caracal) alone down there?

Zoo volunteer: Yes, and more interesting is that he has been known to try to jump or climb the walls (it is like a fake rocky ledge) because he really likes kids… {i am thinking: “likes kids?” hmmm….}

I am holding Pumpkin-Poos as my Favorite Little Mister & I are tall enough to peek over the fence. I am looking for the caracal who has quickly moved, and glance over to see him JUMPING UP & CLIMBING THE WALL RIGHT FOR SUNSHINE GIRL who is squatting at the fence peering through the slots to see down.

{photo copyright Martin Harvey source: gettyone.com how they look in the wild}

Zoo volunteer: GET BACK & MOVE AWAY!!!!

{The caracal’s paws are over the top of the fence and he is easily climbing out!}

Me: COME HERE!!!!

{I am quickly running away with the kids carrying Pumpkin-Poos in my arms & look back to see my Favorite Little Mister turn back to see if the caracal is all the way over the fence. HE IS COMPLETELY OVER THE FENCE!}

Zoo volunteer: ANY ZOO KEEPERS??? I NEED A ZOO KEEPER!!! ANIMAL ON THE LOOSE!

{I practically run into a zoo keeper who is out & about feeding the animals & tell her the teen needs help as the caracal is on the loose}

They shove us out the door & as they lock it behind us, all 3 kids almost in unison smile excitedly & exclaim, “NOW WE HAVE A STORY FOR DADDY!” {a phrase we often use around here}

After we all stopped having our near heart attacks, we were able to laugh & think straight. I was NOT going to mess with a wild animal near my kiddos. Mama bear came out in me & then I felt so bad that I left that helpless teenager RIGHT NEXT TO THE CARACAL all by himself!

All I could picture was my Sunshine Girl being scratched to death in her beautiful face, which as you know already sports 2 scars from previous accidents. {she was VERY brave by the way… OH, she told me she looked him in the eye & when I said you know you should never look an animal straight in the eye, she changed her story to looking at his big, pointy ears}.

Well, we looked up caracals online & found out some interesting tidbits for you all:
1. They are desert animals
2. They are very well known for jumping 10 feet or more & are most known for being the only land carnivorous animal who can leap to catch a bird in flight.
3. They are excellent climbers 🙂 {ummm… you ain’t kidding!}
4. They are solitary creatures.

So, that is our big excitement for the day… heck, for the year! Here’s to many more zoo adventures! {Oh, and my Favorite Little Mister wants you to know that the lion was roaring & the sloth bears were wrestling!}

Grace & Peace,
Julie

Blogworthy: A Trip to the Zoo

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