I didn't want to go to work today. I wasn't going to take my camera with me either. I'm so glad I did both.
The crowd for the 2 p.m. enrichment demo dispersed more quickly than usual. Tina, the keeper, asked me what my next assignment was. "Baboons," I told her.
"Well, some day when you don't have to rush off you'll have to come in and meet the boys."
She could quickly see that I was ready now.
"Well, you'll have to bring your camera..."
I slapped my pocket right front pocket and pulled out the camera that I almost left home.
Surprised, she paused for a minute and then said, "do you have time today?" I believe I shook my head like Scooby Doo waiting for a treat and said "uh huh!" In my head I was thinking "Screw the baboons! I'm not missing this for the world."
In case you haven't seen a picture yet...today was enrichment day for the Rhinos.
Bill and Roscoe (Roscoe is wrinklier on his forehead) like bananas. I got to place the bananas in their mouths and pat their crazy skin. If you want a Rhino to feel it, you can't pat gently.
Just as Tina described so many times, the skin on their backs felt like pavement, the skin in the wrinkles and folds was surprisingly soft, and the skin on their sides (according to Tina, I have no reference) feels like elephant skin.
Roscoe gets a banana and a pat.
Bill gets his, too.
Best Day Ever.
