Kids Park

Don’t feed the animals.

Last week we visited the Kids Park on a field trip. As a person who is not too fond of zoos, it was an interesting experience.

To be fair, the grounds were very clean and the staff managed our visit well (despite our showing up a day late, oops!). But… not a fan. Not recommended.

The animals are kept in extremely small enclosures and the climate may not be suitable to all of the species. I’m not an expert, but it didn’t feel right. A brief conversation with the manager confirmed my feelings. He had just imported a new species from Australia and was telling me that the “problem” was the animals like to dig. He had to put cement down in their pen to keep them from sneaking off. To me, animals engaging in their natural behavior isn’t much of a problem. It only becomes a problem when you lock them up.

It was interesting to see the wide variety of animals on display. The park has ducks, cows, goats, ibex, lions, tigers, ostriches, monkeys, zebras, peacocks, raccoons, house cats, and more. Have you ever seen a raccoon exhibit at the zoo? Or a house cat?

[Mom and those sensitive to snakes, look away now]

While the girls ate ice cream and candy (before lunch), the staff brought out a snake and a few turtles.

(Seeing the girls handle turtles while eating especially grossed me out considering turtles’ tendency to spread diseases.)

Despite all of my misgivings surrounding zoos, it was fun to see my students’ excitement. It was less fun when the girls starting buying their souvenirs…

Yep. Live fish.

I was prepared for a very interesting bus ride back. Luckily, all of the fish arrived back at school safely. It took a lot of convincing to get the girls to set their fish down on their desks and stop waving them around in the air. Poor things.

Are you curious as to what every one of my students named their new pet?

Nemo. Figures.

xo, jill