I always enjoy working in our Admissions as I really appreciate talking with our visitors, learning where they are from, sharing stories of our animals, watching the excitement in each child and adult’s face as they walk with anticipation into Pine Grove Zoo and hearing what their favorite animal was when they are heading back to their car.
One frequent visitor wanted to know why our animals were resting in the afternoons when she had previously visited yet when she visited that day in the morning, they were more active. I shared with her that our animals are fed in the mornings before we are open for visitors, so they tend to be more active after a meal. They are also generally more active in the mornings and when it’s cooler. I continued to tell her that this is the animal’s home. In their home, just like us, they are going to play, sleep, eat, nap, play some more and sometimes lazily watch the world around them. That’s kinda what we do at home right? Animals, just like people, are not always playing. The visitor smiled and nodded her head in agreement and said, “Well that makes sense, they are not always going to be active, I’m not.”
Sometimes, we forget the value in seeing someone or something at rest. Watching a child resting peacefully or having your pet at home lazily resting on your lap means they are comfortable, happy and at peace, which is a good thing! Our Director always mentions how wonderful it is to see our animals so at ease and relaxed in their home. There is truly something to be said for the statement. Being able to watch these beautiful animals lazily enjoying the warm sun or relishing the gentle breeze as they listen to the nature around them…that’s awesome to witness. That’s exactly what I want to do when I’m at home … rest and enjoy the world around me…don’t you?
We encourage you to come to Pine Grove Zoo and Explore, Encounter and Rediscover the wonders of the wild and enjoy watching these beautiful animals play or rest. Either way they are amazing creatures, don’t you agree?
