Funny story.... A few weeks ago I went to the Zoo to see about doing some volunteering work. We were taken around in a small group by a docent (volunteer) of much experience, having been there for ten years. She had many amusing anecdotes to tell, the one that sticks in my mind is the one about the father standing with his son complaining that it was 'a little bit sad that this zoo didn't have a mud pool for the hippo to roll about in' . They were standing looking at a rhino at the time, probably this big bad boy above. She quietly said 'isn't it good that the rhinoceros has clean water to drink and trees to scratch his back on'. Thankfully the little boy was absorbed in the sight, so dad was saved the embarrassment of not knowing his hippos from his rhinos!! Haha! I would like to say 'oh well anyone can make a mistake' but hey.. come on!!! p.s. just so you're sure this was not a tall tale, we don't actually have any hippos at our zoo.
I imagine if he had ever been charged by a rhino, he would not soon forget the distinction - hah! I bet that it was the man's first child because by the time you get to the second or third, they will set you straight! Great story and I hope that you will get to volunteer there... lots of photo ops!
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Great story and this big rhino looks very content - The volunteering job sounds most interesting.
ReplyDeleteHaha! you're right Genie, an older or second child could have made things tricky for him!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely do it next year Dianne, I love the Zoo especially when all the new babies are born.
What percentage of Australians/Americans/you-name-it could distinguish between a hippo and a rhino? My wife and I once actually came around a bend in a trail and found a sleeping rhino blocking the way. We didn't care about the genus and species - just tiptoed backwards very quietly.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's what zoos are for, huh?!
ReplyDeleteAs they get older, it's NOT as easy. Kids question EVERYTHING!
ReplyDeleteThis animal looks very content! Volunteering at a zoo would be so satisfying!
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence! Check my 'in the wild' blog! :-)))
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike hey JM haha! Your rhino looks a little more scary than mine as there is always the possibility he just might charge!! Did you go on Safari in South Africa?
ReplyDeleteLittle anecdote that happened here 2 months ago. 2 wolves jumped a very high fence, and escaped, during the zoo's opening time, with 20 schools on the grounds, hundreds of kids and adults. Fortunately, nothing happened, they were recaptured 2 hours later, after the police evacuated everybody. But since then, the legend started... Did you see this very large growling dog last night???
ReplyDeleteHi Rob and Mandy, I don't think I'd like to live too close to a Zoo, just in case.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a zoo in many years and rarely watch TV but I have no difficulty telling these 2 apart. In truth I would give them both a wide berth having once heard story of a guy killed by a hippo! Great place to volunteer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul, yeh I'm really looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at how ignorant humans can be - especially today when there is so much on tv and the internet.
ReplyDelete