Critter Keeper.....

New program,- one of many- at the Phoenix Zoo. Kids ages 6-10 can spend a few hours with various zookeepers "helping" them feed the animals, clean cages (which we didn't do), learn about the animals. and see what it's like to be a zookeeper. Class size is limited to 6 kids.. which was really great. Today the class was on "Endangered Species". The first animal they visited was the flamingos. The kids were able to feed them up close with the "keeper". (I wasn't aware that flamingos are endangered- I really don't think they are.) Next, off to the bird sanctuary where they all fed meal worms to the exotic birds. I didn't think that Jasmine would grab a handful of meal worms with her hands, but she did. Next, they each colored a small box with various paints, put meat into the box, and threw the boxes over the fence for the African Spotted Dogs who ripped up the boxes and devoured the meat. The class went overtime by 15-20 minutes. I was supposed to go to my Sunday afternoon meditation class which I keep missing, but by the time we would have made it back to the car, I would have already been hopelessly late to my class:( I don't even think they know I'm in the class anymore:( So, we just stayed at the zoo, had a late lunch, walked around, and rode the safari train. The Phoenix Zoo is just way too big to see in one day. There are many more classes in the Critter Keeper series, so we will be going back multiple times. In the flamingo pen with the "flamingo keeper", standing on one leg like the flamingos do.

Feeding the flamingos.

Making observations about the aviary. They had to check off a list of items about the birds, count the birds to make sure they were all accounted for, check to make sure they all looked healthy, then feed them the worms.

Holding the worms...

If I was a Hornbill:

Painting boxes for the meat to give to the African Spotted Dogs.

Learning about the Desert Tortoise: We actually saw a Gallapegos turtle. I have never seen a turtle so big in my life! Massive! They say he is over 100 years old, and has been at the Phoenix Zoo for 50 years since they opened this week, 1962.

Eating lunch after class. Oh yes, Dora the Explorer was there so we had to go meet her, and then drive one of the Barbie cars around for awhile. It was a long fun day. One of these days, I'll be able to go back to my class!