A new philosophy on Children’s Zoos popped up in 2001 .  Since then, several zoos have created their own version of an interactive play filled space for kids to learn and have fun at the same time.  Nature’s Neighborhood, opened June 19th is Toledo Zoo’s answer to building a strong connection between next generation’s adults and the natural world.

Dr. Anne Baker, executive director of the Ohio institution answered a few questions about Neighborhood and everything else going on at Toledo this year.  As always, I ask about her favorite animal currently at the zoo and on the wish list and Dr. Baker had an interesting take on the question.  Don’t miss her intriguing answer.

Male bustard strutting his stuff

Is there a more recognizable individual rhino in America? Hard to miss that horn.

Kids can strap these on and make animal tracks in the sand

Underwater viewing allows for great views of these skilled swimmers

Kids can put on costumes and pretend to be bees in Nature's Neighborhood

Mike Crowther, CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo is my latest interview guest.  Komodo dragons dominate the zoo news in Indy, as a pair of the giant lizards are the newest residents, so we talk about the intended visitor impact.  As always we delve into the personal journey to zoo head, and other happenings around Indianapolis including:

• Artificial insemination with African elephants
• Opening of cheetah exhibit next year
• Conservation programs in which Indianapolis participates
• the Indianapolis Prize….and more!

One more thing – maybe it’s because I live 15 minutes from the zoo, but Mike and I went a little longer than normal (55 minutes) with the interview.   That should make up for going 2 weeks without posting an interview.

One of two grizzly cubs orphaned in Alaska now living at Indy

These noisy birds were moved to make room for cheetahs.

Summer time brings three daily opportunities to feed sweet potatoes to giraffes

Lemurs are a conservation focus at Indy

In addition to Brookfield, I had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful St. Louis Zoo last week as well. I went on a photographic safari with a good friend, and we had success – over 1,500 shots between us! It had been 3 years since my last visit, and it was great to be back. St. Louis has an intimate charm around the grounds, mixing the creative architectural structures of Historic Hill with cutting edge habitats like River’s Edge and Penguin/Puffin Coast. The collection is tough to beat, with only an extensive aquarium missing. We had heard about a few zoo babies and weren’t disappointed. Most, like the kudu, takin, and camel were in the Red Rocks area, but the otter, sifaka, prairie dog, and penguin youngsters were just as cute.

Even better was the opportunity to see both of the zoo’s elephant calves – Maliha and Jade. Both contracted the deadly EEHV virus, a mysterious disease of which the origins are unknown and survival rates are dismal. Amazingly, despite past minimal success in zoos, through intense care and antibiotics, both elephants recovered.

Jade has an especially difficult early life, as first time mom Rani refused nursing. Jade is now growing up with grandma Ellie and her daughter Maliha. When the zoo opened, the elephant area of River’s Edge was off limits, so Jade could be re-introduced to the herd. Keepers had set aside 2 hours for them to once again settle together. It took less than 45 minutes for caretakers to allow visitors to view the re-united pair.

No new exhibits opening this year, but a seasonal stingray touch pool is set near the zoo’s center.  These touch areas have been a temporary treat at many zoos around the country, but not all offer feeding.  Stingrays of Caribbean Cove at St. Louis presents that opportunity and no matter how many times I do it, having a stingray gently suck a shrimp from between my fingers is always exhilarating.  Don’t pass it up if you get the chance!

A few photos from the safari:

River's Edge starts off with an energetic quartet of rarely seen bush dogs

Maliha, Jade, and Ellie in the herd yard

The smallest species of bear, the sun bear

The famous 1904 Flight Cage has been renovated into a lush Cypress swamp

Underwater viewing at Hippo Harbor presents intense photographic opportunities

A huge Reticulated python resides in the Reptile House

We caught feeding time for the penguins!

Monsanto Insectarium has one of the best collections of insects and arachnids around.

Every spring or fall, Brookfield Zoo hosts a series of lectures. The latest series: Making Natural Connections perked my interest, so I purchased a ticket to each of the three talks. The connections in question where those of children, and each speaker discussed at length the importance of children developing a healthy and consistent relationship with nature.

The first lecture was by Richard Louv, whose book, Last Child in the Woods uses the phrase “nature deficit disorder” to characterize the drastic shift of nature’s presence in young children. Last Child is a wonderful read, even if you don’t have children. I highly recommend picking it up.

In April, Dr. Ruth Wilson addressed how the aforementioned “disorder” adversely affects kids and ultimately our planet. Her research made it abundantly clear the importance of creating a strong ecological identity at a very young age.

Finally, Dr. Robin Moore and Dr. Nilda Cosco, co-founders of North Carolina State University’s Natural Learning Initiative spoke on creating child friendly nature spaces. Citing several case studies, including Brookfield’s own Hamill Family Play Zoo (a stunning, revolutionary idea), Dr’s. Moore and Cosco identified the aspects of public spaces which help create the natural sense of wonder in kids.

Even though the series focus was not directly on zoos, there is a direct connection to why zoos are so important. Education is at the forefront of a zoos purpose, and not just teaching about animals, but all facets of nature. Quite a bit of perspective gained from three angles of the same issue.

After the final lecture, I had the great honor of presenting a book to Dr. George Rabb. As longtime head, Dr. Rabb brought Brookfield into prominence as one of the world’s foremost conservation organizations. Despite knowing him personally only through a couple brief encounters, it is amazing how much he has impacted my life.

As for the actual visit to my beloved Brookfield, it was partly saddened by the loss of Affie. Brookfield certainly has a history of iconic animals – Ziggy the elephant, Samson the gorilla, Cookie the cockatoo, and Olga the walrus – and Affie belongs near the top of that list. Just one month shy of her annual public birthday celebration, Affie passed away. It comes at an unfortunate time since the zoo is nearly finished with an expanded outdoor elephant yard, serving as the new space until the completion of the future Elephant Trails project. Nevertheless, Brookfield remains a magical place for any visitor and a leader in conservation education in world zoos.

Here are a few photos from the day!