I went to the London Zoo yesterday. It’s a small zoo, not half as big as many of the Indian Zoos that I have been to. Yet, we had incredible fun. Going to a zoo is always tricky. At one level, you genuinely feel sorry for all these animals in enclosures, unable to hop all the distances that they should be hopping, unable to migrate to wherever it is that they want to spend the winters in, chewing on canned food. But, you still marvel at their plumage, paws and features. You wish to reach out and hold that little monkey in yours arms.
For one thing, almost every animal we wanted to see – we could see. My Indian Zoo memories are full of mild disappointments. The lions and the tigers always hiding in the make-believe caves. The hippos submerged in water. The heat and the walk draining out people’s energy. The adults annoyed with the kids who want to go and peek into every possible corner. But at the London Zoo, the animals seemed to be so – what’s the word – blasé. Almost like “Fine, come look at me. I’ll even jump for you. Only don’t wake me up for the next ten minutes.”.
I was most excited about the penguins. I think this is probably the first time I have ever seen them. There was one with looked like a rockstar. I think he was called Roxie. With yellow highlights on his head, he really stood apart from the rest of the crowd. One of my other favourite stops was having a look at some really nutty pelicans make a dash for the food thrown in by the keeper.
The tigers at the Zoo were almost cuddly. The note by the enclosure said that the tigers liked sleeping in the afternoons – close to the window. So there was this huge catface that yawned and rolled eyes – just three feet away – separated only glass. We also got our fair share of hogs – African ones, bearded pigs etc. Being a big fan of Meercat Manor, watching those lovely furry creatures dig furiously, while one kept watch was incredible.
I felt somewhat like a six year old. But all worth it.
—-
I’m scared of stepping in a zoo for the fear that they might put me in one of their empty cages… (even worse, make me share it with one of the “inmates”) … reason I skipped the Berlin Zoo multiple times though they have the white panda – what’s the word? – “zooed” there.
… also, never get cuddly with a tiger…. next thing you know, you’re making stencils of his intestines – the insider view.
What if everyone stops going to the zoo? Will they release the captives?
A trip to the zoo and not *one* photo of a monkey?
You’ve just insulted all of humanity, Neha.
tinkertoon: You know – I don’t quite mind the idea of becoming a stencil artist inside a tiger’s tummy. If everyone stops going to the zoo… They’ll just the animals for the parades.
km: How DARE you! I have marmosets!
Please please tell me that this is not your first trip to see London zoo?! Have you been to the London aquarium?
Penguins are magical, especially in their natural habitat. I had great fun seeing them in Chile a few months ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97438398@N00/425673739/in/set-72157600007812207/
Love the pictures!! I can’t even remember when was the last I’ve been to one..but inspired by your post, will defi go one of these wkends.. :)
athavathu, neengellam exotic.
In regression lies sanity :)
Did you get your icecream? Great to keep the child inside alive and kicking! Sounds like a great trip!
30in2005: Oh dear. It is my first indeed. And no – the London Aquarium hasn’t been graced with a visit yet. *shamefaced*
Mary: Wow! I can imagine. There’s always something a little sad about Zoos. You just feel like running to them (obviously scaring them in the process) and giving them a tight hug.
perspective inc: Go go woman! And get us some pictures too. It’s worth it. And I am guessing the weather permits it too!
Nilu: Correct. 100 points to you.
Anil: Wise words. Now, this, is a Zen comment!
dipali: Yeah! I got my ice cream and Sri his ice lolly. I wish we hadn’t waited this long to go!