The Zoo Experience Day Four


I HAVE TO RAKE???

Have you ever been excited to rake stuff up or collect tree branches? Well I never thought I would answer yes to that question but today changed my mind. I was able to help collect branches for the grizzly bears' enrichment along with gathering rocks where we could hide their food. This allows them to use their problem-solving skills to sniff out and find their food. 
Cascade the mountain lion was rescued
at 4-weeks-old with her sister Canyon
 after their mother was sadly killed.
 Photo by Melissa Ellis

I also was able to rake inside of the bear den and bobcat habitat, while the animals were safely in their holding areas. It was very interesting to help the animals in this way and clean up their habitats. I also enjoyed being close enough to the mountain lions to hear them meow and purr just like a domestic house cat. It was incredible to see how docile Bailey the mule deer was and how curious he is. 

Aurora Borealis is an arctic fox who was rescued in 2012.
Photo by Melissa Ellis














I can’t believe I was so happy to be working and raking but my love for the animals and being able to improve their habitats in this way made it completely worth it to me.
Melissa Ellis



WHAT IS MY FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Ever since I first came to the zoo I’ve always loved the snowy owl, Cyrus. I remember the first time I saw him...I immediately fell in love. It was my freshmen year in high school, and I decided to do a research paper on snowy owls. I came to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo to find more information about this type of owl. Every since that first visit, the zoo has just been getting better and better for me.
Tutu is a grizzly bear that ave birth to Ayla and Harley.
She was born in 1984 and rescued in 1996.
Photo by Kelly Mount

By participating in The Zoo Experience, I’ve learned how the zookeepers care for Cyrus along with the other animals. The zookeepers clean, feed, and enrich the animals' senses. The zookeepers make boxes and other things filled with treats for the animals to problem-solve. They also play different sounds and give them things that normally wouldn’t be in their diets or natural habitats to see how they will react and nurture their natural curiosity.
Kelly Mount

Pippin is a male red fox born in 2007.
Photo by Kelly Mount.











Thank you to the Clubhouse Grill for providing lunch to our students, mentors and staff.
at

1 comment:

Jan☺ Bryant said...

So excited for Melissa and Kelly! Wow it’s been a great week of learning and hearing about all the interesting activities that happen behind the scenes, and so awesome to know the animals are learning too.

July 19, 2018 at 9:55 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Day 5 - The Zoo Experience

The Last Day Today was the last day of the week-long Zoo Experience camp at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. After a morning spent with the zookeep...

  • The Zoo Experience Day Five
    Jill Myers, The Zoo Experience Director, Melissa Ellis, Bob Cisneros, Zoo Curator, Kelly Mount, and Christie Walker, The Zoo Experience A...
  • Day 3 - The Zoo Experience
    Day Three at the Zoo Experience Coyotes Lytic (rescued in 2005) and Simba (rescued in 2013). Zoo Through Translation As always, thi...
  • The Zoo Experience Day One
    Day One of the Zoo Experience Melissa, Kelly, and their afternoon mentors, Karen and Melinda. DID YOU KNOW THAT BEARS CAN GET ART...