“99% of currently threatened species are at risk from human activities, primarily those driving habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, and global warming.”- DoSomething.org

Last month Wonder Boy and I toured the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens and were able to get up close with some animals whose species are endangered. Specifically, we met a camel, a red panda and a Sumatran rhinoceros.

The experience was pretty unbelievable. I was struck by a few thing in particular:

  • The work of a good zoo is so important. They help build up a body of research that is used to help support species in the wild. Often, the animals at zoos have been born in captivity, which means they would likely not survive in the wild. Zoos can provide good homes and care for the animals. (I know that there are plenty of sad zoos out there, where this is not the case. I am speaking specifically to good zoo programs.) Animals at zoos have the opportunity to serve a very important role. They can expose the public to different species and foster interest in and love for all animals.
  • We humans are sort of assholes. Seriously, We kill animals for food, sport, medicine, decor, clothing and more. With the possible exception of the food (which I’ll grant, but only with also pointing out that you don’t need to eat meat to survive), those reasons don’t cut it. In most cases, it’s just cruel and the end effect is that we’re losing animal populations that cannot be replaced.
  • Animals are awesome. That sounds trite, but animals really are awesome. Seeing them up close always reiterates that fact for me.

The Bactrian Camel we met, Humphrey, was a little disgusting. He was experiencing rut, which is sort of like going into heat. TO make himself attractive to lady camels, he was constantly covering himself with urine and was slobbering all over. Despite being gross, he was still so sweet. He was way more interested in male humans then female ones, but both Wonder Boy and I got to give him some pets.

Bactrian camels are listed as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Fewer than 1,000 Bactrian Camels survive in the wild.


The red panda we visited looks like a creature from a George Lucas or Jim Henson movie. She peeked down at us from inside a little doghouse-like structure and lowly made her way down to the ground for the promise of grapes. While she was distracted by the grapes, Wonder Boy and I both were able to pet the red panda. (Have to avoid jaws and claws!) Not the cuddly teddy bears they look like on YouTube videos, red panda were still about as awesome as I’d hoped.

Red Pandas are classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN list. It is estimated there are fewer than 10,000 left in the wild.

 
The highlight of the Cincinnati Zoo tour, for me, was Haripan, the Sumatran rhinoceros.  He seemed as big as a dinosaur but so excited for the company (which meant food for him). I only ever saw four teeth in Haripan’s mouth – all on the sides, so when he picked up food from my hands, it was like he was gumming me and it was slobbery and cute. It was easy to forget that my fingers could have been trapped in between some powerful jaws. And just to reiterate what I sort of just said in passing there, I hand fed Haripan! I got to pet him and feel his weight against me when he leaned in for more food or just touch.  Hairpan is thought to be one of less than 100 Sumatran rhinos left on earth. That is so massive a thing – that I got to see something of which there are so few left – that it’s hard for me to wrap my brain around it.In a short while he was will be going to Sumatra to join other rhinos and hopefully breed. The zookeeper on our tour said that predictions are that Sumatran rhinos will be extinct by the end of our lifetime.

Sumatran Rhinoceroses are classified as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN list. They are estimated to number fewer than 100. Total numbers today may be as low as 80.


I left the Cincinnati Zoo feeling fortunate for the experiences but also motivated to expose myself to more of mother nature and to take better care of our limited resources. That, I think, is what the purpose of a zoo should be all about.