After Africa, a Zoo????

The zoo didn't sound like a great idea after our African safaris.

 First we saw three very 'un-African' animals.  This polar bear was having a little snooze while his partner paced around and around the enclosure in the exact same pattern.  It was almost as if his steps were choreographed....five steps backwards, turn, five steps forward, turn....polar bears in captivity frequently engage in this 'pacing' behavior. He must have kept it up for at least 15 minutes while we were there and there were no signs he was tiring.  Our Oregon bears are in a study right now to try and figure out why they do this and if it is harmful.  Interesting! Look at the size of his paws!

 

The night before the zoo we watched "The Life of Pi" so it was interesting to see Richard Parker.  

                      

And Orange Juice!  If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, then I recommend them both.  The movie is visually stunning and the book made me think.  

I have to admit that I was tempted to add this photo to my post about lions and say that he was the next one we were able to pet.  But that would have been untrue.  I am pretty sure this fellow was looking at me in a 'naughty manner' and I'm quite sure the little stick they gave us at the lion encounter would make him hysterical with laughter!

The claim to fame at the Oregon Zoo right now is Lily.  She was born on November 30th at 2:17 a.m.; weighing-in at a hefty 300 pounds - a sweet little (or not so little, depending on how you look at it) Asian elephant.   All reports have been that mom RoseTu and baby Lily are doing great.  Lilly is, according to her keepers, a real spit fire! Don't know exactly what that means when used to describe a baby elephant! But she really is a cutie!

 Another fun day with the boys!