The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

It’s a zoo out there

Its+a+zoo+out+there

Feeding time

With a cold sweat clinging to the back of my neck and a slight tautness in my calf muscles, I finally reach my favorite path of the zoo: the elephant trail.
The powerful pachyderm ambles around its exhibit, trunk proudly swaying back and forth.
The elephant’s personality immediately shines through as she turns her trunk into a fountain, spraying water in the air, almost as if she knew that tourists were about to snap photos of her.
Deemed Kamala, the creature playfully pushes her child, and squirts some more water her way.
The almost human interaction between the pair captivates zoo goers age three to 83, despite the strong smell of manure and the whipping wind.
Children run up to the fence with their parents lagging behind, giddily pointing at the animals. Their chatter fills the air as the tots surround me, struggling to gain a better view. They stare in awe at the tall creatures that tower over their tiny stature.
A zoo keeper appears from a small doorway, decorated to mimic the grasslands these Asian elephants are native to. Carrying a white bucket of feed, distinctly not a part of the natural terrain the zoo so carefully crafts, the zoo keeper approaches the elephants.
Acting as if they hadn’t eaten in days, the pampered elephants surround the worker, excitedly raising their swinging trunks in anticipation.
I hear a child whisper, “Mommy, I’m hungry.” as he watches the scene unfold, and the mother steers the child away to buy some overpriced food.
And as soon as the moment of joy came to the child witnessing the elephants, it ends. But I linger longer, still entranced by the remarkable resemblance between man and beast.
By Abby Kempf
Video by Renata Williams

More than a century later, National Zoo provides education, entertainment for children

For 125 years, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. has offered visitors countless encounters with unique animals. In 1889, the Zoo was created by the government and, just one year later, became a part of the Smithsonian. The first animals housed in the newly-founded preserve were bison, transported there a few years earlier, according to nationalzoo.si.edu. In honor of the anniversary, two bison once again reside at the zoo.
However, one of the biggest attractions today are the giant pandas. Ben Weiland, a biology teacher from New Jersey, attend the National Zoo Friday, Nov. 7, with his wife and two daughters – two panda enthusiasts.
“[We came for] the pandas, more than anything,” Weiland said. “My daughters love pandas, especially my third grader, Nina.”
Weiland said that while he didn’t go to the zoo often as a child, he’s loved nature from a young age. He believes that zoos are a vital opportunity for young people to learn about nature.
“It’s about awareness,” Weiland said. “Just for people to understand conservation and really how important animals are.

infographic by Renata Williams
infographic by Renata Williams
infographic by Renata Williams
infographic by Renata Williams
.I think [the problem is] the ignorance of it, just not knowing what’s going on out there and how important the ecology is towards even the urban areas.”
Dina Badalamenti and her young daughter, Amanda, also visited the National Zoo on Friday.
“It’s my life dream, I’ve been waiting forever to see a panda,” Amanda said. “We live in Florida and we’ve never seen one.”
Badalamenti’s family didn’t have financial means to take her to a zoo when she was younger, so she appreciates the National Zoo’s lack of any admittance fees.
“First of all, it’s a national treasure,” Badalamenti said. “I think it opens up the opportunity for many kids and families that may not be able to afford a 15, 20 or 30 dollar-per-person admission. Second of all, I think [the zoo] sets an excellent example with the heights of the railings so that even kids in strollers can participate.”
Dozens of strollers rolled up and down the main route through the zoo, weavingthrough crowds of pre- and elementary-schoolers. Despite the steadily dropping temperatures and occasional wind gusts, groups of children clumped near the enclosures, staring wide-eyed at the wildlife just yards away. The young children, along with many others every year, take advantage of these natural preserves nestled in heavily urban areas.
“I think everything about the zoo is important,” Dina said. “To learn about ecology, preserving endangered species [and] the importance that just something like recycling makes a difference.”
From its founding 125 years ago to its modern state, the National Zoo has both entertained and enlightened visitors. It’s mission, according to the Act of Congress that created it, is “the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people.” These lofty ambitions are still present in the enclosures of the zoo and the awestruck gazes of the multitudes of children who flow through its gates each year.
“Kids don’t get to see animals in nature that much anymore, depending on where they live,” Weiland said. “They need to make the connection between the health of animals and nature, and the health of the human race.”
By Brett Stoverquiz[vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/111245614″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/111245613″]
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  • G

    Grace DorseyNov 9, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    This is an excellent collaboration, I learned a lot.

    Reply
  • M

    Madelyn TylerNov 7, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    I loved the zoo so much as a kid, the zebras are the best!

    Reply