Friday, March 17, 2006

My Tucson: Thanks to zoo's signs, my visit was guilt-free

AMY LYNN GLOR

Tucson Citizen

As of late, Connie and Shaba, the sweethearts of Reid Park Zoo, have been drawing more speculation than a pregnant cheerleader.

Zoo officials want the city to spend $8.5 million to expand the elephants' current enclosure so they can breed Shaba. Critics of the plan think the zoo lacks adequate space for the elephants it already has and that the pair should instead be retired to a sanctuary in Tennessee.

Always the diligent journalist, I slathered on some SPF 30 and headed off to the zoo to get the story. I know, my work is so demanding. It was a beautiful spring day. All the little critters were alert and full of vigor. They ran. They jumped. They called out in wild abandon!

Oh, no, not the animals. I meant the children. They were having a grand ol' time climbing out of their strollers and scurrying around on the zoo's copious, winding footpaths. The animals were mostly sleeping or pacing along the edges of their enclosures. Even the tortoises looked like they were trying to make a break for it. I began to think. Maybe the entire zoo is too small?

Luckily, before full cogitation reared its ugly head, I noticed a number of signs posted around the zoo grounds. They explained to me that the animals were not, in fact, unhappy in their tiny exhibits, but rather that I was "misinterpreting" the behavior of zoo animals by confusing their actions with my own feelings.

For example, one sign informed me that an elephant compulsively swinging her head isn't necessarily anxious. Another explained that polar bears are actually quite comfortable in 110-degree heat.

Wow. My instincts about animal behavior obviously can't be trusted! Maybe I shouldn't feel bad that the tiger enclosure was no bigger than my backyard. They must not mind. And they apparently love to swim in a pool the size of a Jacuzzi. Live and learn.

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