African lion

A WILD Day at African Lion Safari

Looking for a WILD day?  Look no further then Cambridge, Ontario’s African Lion Safari for a WILD time! African Lion Safari opened in 1969 and is now home to over 1000 exotic birds and animals of over 100 different species.  African Lion Safari offers a unique experience for visitors with the ability to drive through…

Oliver Graham-Jones

His mother wanted him to be a dentist but thankfully Oliver Graham-Jones, with his interest and passion for caring for animals and wildlife at a young age, chose a career as a vet that would end up changing the face of veterinary techniques at zoos.  After owning and running his own veterinary clinic, landed a job…

The Evolution of Zoos

In the Beginning Zoo:  an institution in which living animals are exhibited in captivity. How did we get to today’s modern zoo?  It all began thousands of years ago.  Ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and China all obtained collections of wild animals.  Egypt’s first zoo was established in Thebes around 1490BC by Queen Hatshepsut.  Medieval Europe…

My Top 10 Favourite Exhibits

To me the best and most effective exhibits are ones that both totally immerse you in the exhibit/landscape, making you feel like you’re in the animal’s native habitat, and exhibits that expand your senses and enrich your understanding of what the particular species is all about.  For instance an exhibit for a snow leopard that resembles…

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: 600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,500 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 4 years to get…

Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden

Exiting from one of the oldest subway systems in the world, you enter Budapest’s City Park.  Home to the world’s third oldest zoo, and Europe’s second oldest, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden.  Founded in 1866, the Budapest Zoo’s 11 hectares is littered with majestic, award-winning Art Nouveau designed buildings such as their newly renovated Elephant House and the…