ZOO TRIPPERS 2019
If it is the Monday after Father’s Day, the Zoo Trippers must be off on their annual adventure.
For some, the adventure began at the orange cones blocking the Dury Gate. “Where is Gate 3?” “I didn’t know we had a Gate 3.” Several laps around the zoo perimeter finally bought all 29 volunteers to Safari Lot. Then it was off to rainy Pittsburgh.
Not having been to Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium since 2009, we found many changes. Exhibiting 55 species in naturalistic habitats, this zoo is sensory inclusive as is ours. The Islands, opened in 2015, features Visayan warty pigs, Philippine crocodiles, Aldabra tortoises, and clouded leopard cubs. Animals in Jungle Odyssey, new in 2017, included a family of gorillas with year-old Frankie. Founded in 1898, Pittsburgh is no longer an AZA zoo.
The Mechanicsburg, PA, Hampton Inn was a welcome sight.
Early Tuesday we were off to Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA. Several miles down a winding, narrow country road, signs about an upcoming bridge appeared—clearance 8’2”. Maybe the zoo is on this side of the bridge. Nope! Not for a huge touring bus! Turning the Croswell bus around was nothing short of a Gary Francis miracle. Because it was raining steadily, we opted to leave Lehigh Valley.
Traffic congestion grew as we traveled through New Jersey and New York, worse than Baltimore and Toronto, on our way to Bridgeport, CT. Opened in 1922, Beardsley Zoo, the state’s only AZA zoo, has ties to CREW at CZBG. In 2008 the first artificial inseminated Brazilian ocelot kitten was born to Kuma, who was unable to breed naturally. A second kitten born in 2011 was the result of an oviductal AI. Sadly she passed away in May. The two zoos continue to collaborate on small cat reproduction. Three-month-old Amur leopard cubs, one melanistic, timidly watched us three days before their public debut. What a treat from the keepers! Gray fox, golden lion tamarins, Yacare caiman and wolves—maned, red, and gray– reside there. We appreciated the staff’s hospitality, especially visiting after hours.
Wednesday we left Auburn, MA, for the Boston Harbor. While waiting on the dock, our boat was nowhere to be seen until it suddenly appeared breaking through the fog, making us wonder how much we would actually see that day. However, once out, the fog lifted and the sea was completely calm. Our uncrowded 400-passenger catamaran whisked us to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. When whales were actually seen, the excitement was intense—squeals and laughter. It was amazing! Our first sighting, albeit briefly, two minke whales. Harbor seals welcomed us. Stars of the show—three adult humpbacks doing some serious feeding! Suddenly, a calf, under six month old, joined in the fluke show. As it descended, the fluke wobbled a bit. Apparently, calves develop fluke muscle control similar to an elephant calf learning to use its trunk. With the constant sightings, most with cameras or smartphones captured some great photos. What fun! Heading back to the wharf at 37.5 mph, the weather cleared. The crew told us we had been treated to an especially good day for seeing these giants of the sea.
The New England Aquarium, our next stop, houses a spectacular Indo-Pacific coral reef exhibit—100’s of vividly colored fish in a 90,000-gallon multi-storied habitat. A 50-year-old green sea turtle glided leisurely along as a cownose ray zipped around. Atlantic harbor seals cavorted in an outdoor display. Aquatic animals from the Amazon, Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and both U.S. coasts live there. Sea dragons and jellies enchant visitors.
At Faneuil Hall Marketplace, free time to get one’s fill of fresh seafood, dine on international specialties, satisfy one’s sweet tooth, and/or shop, shop, shop! Street entertainers mingled near outdoor pushcarts and kiosks.
Some who were prone to seasickness opted to follow the Freedom Trail all the way to Bunker Hill. Searching for the Old North Church, some just walked the historic Italian section, enjoying the fragrance of garlicky tomato sauce wafting from each restaurant on the way.
Luckily, although overcast, it was a rain-free time in Boston.
Thursday we departed Franklin, MA, for Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon. Intermittent showers didn’t deter us but closed the Skyfari. Fallow deer—bucks, does, juveniles, and fawns—old and young—watched us in curiosity. As soon as the rain let up, a mandrill family strolled through their habitat, retreating quickly as the rain resumed. The 35-acre Deer Forest appeared to be deserted. Aoudads by the dozens agilely leaped from crag to crag, sampling food along the way. Males busily challenged one another. A cotton-top tamarin family took great interest in us. A chimpanzee dangled from a long white cloth. Grant’s zebras and scimitar-horned oryx stared. Patas monkeys huddled—napping. We bade farewell to a lovely private zoo founded in 1963.
Next stop—Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI. Tessa’s third baby, Cora, still little and loved by all there, was inside with the grown females. Their proud keeper enjoyed talking about those she had cared for. She pulled out a photo of Kimba’s father to show the resemblance those two had.
Founded in 1872, Roger Williams Zoo, the third oldest in the U.S., features a large natural wetland, home to native wildlife, surrounded by exhibits with plains zebra, watusi cattle, wildebeest and African elephants. Kids loved the orange Allis Chalmers tractor in the farmyard shared by a Kunekune pig, Shetland sheep, Huacaya alpacas, miniature donkeys, and Nubian goats. Red wolves, pronghorn sheep, and bald and golden eagles led to Marco Polo Plaza. Journeying, the adventurer might have encountered playful snow leopards, a lethargic moon bear, or curious red pandas. In Faces of the Rainforest, a crested tinamou guarded her clutch, river otters frolicked, and a tamandua slept at the highest point in the exhibit. Beautiful horticulture accented the paths through the 40-acre woodland.
Time for the annual trip dinner. The Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford, CT, offered eight dinner selections to the Trippers. Excellent service, outstanding food, and homemade hot fudge sundaes were the perfect complement to good friends—old and new. Coincidentally, it was Donna Mancini’s birthday.
Off to Allentown, PA–arriving after midnight weary but pleased with the trip!
Friday dawned with bright blue skies and sunshine making the whole day beautiful. Morning found us on a wildlife safari at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park where American bison, European fallow deer, Asian water buffalo, ostriches, nesting rheas, Suri alpaca, Watusis, and Texas longhorns reside in a single field. A persistent elk cow tormented our guide, demanding corn. Bison burgers were a lunch treat for many. The new Reptile and Exotic Building housed interesting reptile species as well as poison dart frogs, marmosets, and macaws. The program featured staff handling an alligator snapping turtle and an adult alligator. Of course, the star of the program was a two-week-old ostrich, a little darling—something most of us had never seen before.
At 2:30, we headed home, spotting a Statue of Liberty in the middle of the flooded Susquehanna River. We stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel and changed drivers at Grove City. Gary Francis, our friend, and driver for many years is retiring but hopes to join us as a Zoo Tripper in 2020.
Safari Lot looked so good a bit after midnight. Another exciting experience ending with “Where are we going next year?” Barb Zentgraf makes the trip arrangements. Barry Paul set up the exciting whale watch. Sandy Matlow, Dave Stentz and Ernie Martin entertained. Judy Stewart and Sandy provided quizzes–and a word search. The best Zoo Tripper prizes ever provided by Amy Fecker, Manager, and the Development Team went to quiz winners: Nancy Ahr, Gay Bullock, Jackie Dieckman, Jane Fister, Cathy King, Eileen Niedt, and Joan Wilson. Barb’s much-requested “Find It’ game ended in a tie with Nancy and Eileen sharing the prize. Karen Johnson baked cookies for us as a special treat. Bill Sohmer kept the snacks stocked and the drinks cold. Dave assisted Barb with tickets and room keys at various venues.
Special thanks to each and everyone who made this trip another huge success.
Where are we going next year?????
Article was written by Judy Stewart