Today, to celebrate my birthday, Christopher Robin arranged a surprise: he took me to the zoo for a “Grizzly Bear Encounter.”   [...]]]> Anyone who has read here for any length of time knows that I have bear worries when I hike.  I even have dreams about them sometimes, but I’m not willing to give up hiking. 

Today, to celebrate my birthday, Christopher Robin arranged a surprise: he took me to the zoo for a “Grizzly Bear Encounter.”   We went behind the scenes, into the back rooms, and even into the enclosure to learn more about grizzlies. 

The best part was feeding a grizzly bear through a grate, looking at his giant head and incredible paws and realizing they’re like dogs, kind of.  Savage dogs. Dogs that weigh 600 pounds, but definitely dog-like in aspect and attitudes.  They’re curious. They’re smart.  They’re not particularly friendly if they don’t feel like it and they will definitely kill you for food if they are hungry, but for some reason, looking into those giant faces made me GET it on some deep level.  

I also realized it is completely silly NOT to carry bear spray when I hike in the deep woods by myself.  The trainers told me that. And they never, ever go into the enclosures with the bears. That says something, don’t you think?

It’s equally silly to demonize wildlife and make it into something Disney-esque.  I can be at peace with bears if I know and understand what they are.  Can we have a cheer for CR for understanding that and giving me such a cool birthday present?  For a YouTube video, check this out: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLRW3wGs4v0

Yesterday, CR and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to see the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. This is a zoo worth visiting, truly–not large, but built along the mountain overlooking Colorado Springs, and the exhibits are more and more animal friendly.   We were anxious to see the baby tiger that was [...]]]>

Yesterday, CR and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to see the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. This is a zoo worth visiting, truly–not large, but built along the mountain overlooking Colorado Springs, and the exhibits are more and more animal friendly.   We were anxious to see the baby tiger that was partly nutured by a dog (studies have shown cubs thrive more complelely when fostered by dogs), and he was fast asleep on the keeper’s lap.  Tough job, that one, letting a tiger cub sleep on your legs.

The main goal was to see the bears, up close, in my quest to understand and be peaceful with them.  And I have to say, it worked.  There were two grizzlies tussling together, making me think of seven year old boys, and their “river” was filled with rainbow trout, swimming around unaware they were doomed.  It was strangely thrilling to see them in the greenish water, silvery and tinged with rose and green.  We visited the mountain lions and saw the lynx, who was quite annoyed with a mapie teasing him.   I always think it would be great to have a pet who was a small wildcat–a lynx or a snow leopard or the like.  I bet the coyotes wouldn’t tangle with him!  

This zoo is known for its giraffes, and I have loved their calm eyes since I was a small child.  They are gentel creatures.  Right after I took this shot, the skies opened and drowned us thoroughly, including hail.

My next post will be from Oz.