Trip to the zoo

In the approximately ten years that I lived in Johannesburg prior to having a child, I think I took the total of one trip to the city's zoo. 

Since having had our son, we have had two visits to the zoo. A year ago, we had a short visit before it was nap time and time to rush home. We visited again this Sunday with friends whose son is friends with our son.  The boys are two and a half plus years old and it seemed like they were the perfect age to enjoy the experience.

We arrived at around 09h30, and found a little converted truck taking people for R5 fare to the far end of the property. It was well worth it. The boys really enjoyed the "bus" trip.

On arriving at the lion enclosure at the far end, there was a nice play area and space to have the picnic brunch we had packed with us. The play area had modern safe playground equipment and nice rubber flooring all around. 

From there, we walked past the Polar bear enclosure. Someone told us that the Polar bear was sad as his or her mate had passed away. This stuck with my son, who is now a bit worried about this and keeps checking with each of us whether we are happy or sad.

We walked from there past enclosures with buck, storks and wild cats. The highlight of the elephant enclosure was certainly not the elephants themselves but rather the very big half tractor tyre in its enclosure to provide, I imagine, a scatching post / entertainment.  The bodily functions of the ellie came a close second in the wow stakes. Similarly, the rhino himself was not nearly as exciting as the shower in his enclosure.

I am not a fan of seeing wild animals in cages, but being around for example the polar bear made me think how times have changed and how hopefully we won't see new polar bears coming into a smallish enclosure with concrete and some water and no ice for a few thousand kilometers.  I grew up in Port Elizabeth with the oceanarium on our doorstep. There, the remaining dolphins were sent off to Hong Kong a few years ago and the facility now has a few seals and rescued penguins. There won't be more dolphins coming I am sure in the foreseeable future. 

When we visited the zoo last year, I think the majority of the time was spent in the "farmyard" section and the highlight was the "tractor" constructed from wooden poles. I am almost sure that our son remembered it from that visit!

It just shows how simple things can be exciting when you are small. A ride in a "bus", some tyres planted in the ground and something with a steering wheel that resembles a tractor to drive. And the joy of walking alongside your friend chatting away when you are only just both really starting to speak in full sentences. 

Being around my child teaches me what's important in life.

ps Don't forget to bring your pushchair... Even if it's just to provide wheels for your picnic basket!