Back in November, I had a day off from work, so I decided to swing by Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo.
I’m a fan of this zoo and I usually go at least a few times a year. I love going in the late fall not only because it is free, but because a lot of the animals are more active due to the colder weather (I usually throw a couple bucks in the donation box even when it is free, and I’ve adopted animals in the past).
I went into the “cat house,” where the lions and tigers are kept–and I happened to be there around feeding time (I saw a few of the smaller animals being fed). I approached the lion exhibit and saw one of the lions (a lioness, I’m pretty sure) pacing back and forth.
She knew it was feeding time and she began roaring.
I gotta say, having only a few inches of glass (OK, maybe more) separating me from a hungry, roaring lion was quite the experience.
It made me think a bit too, just how we kind of take this stuff for granted. Here is an amazing animal that I would never see in Michigan under normal circumstances, mere inches from me. I watched the lion continue its pacing and its roaring, and took it all in–what an amazing creature. Nature is awesome and scary.
And as it tends to do, my imagination began to drift to thoughts of this animal chasing after prey in the wild. Then I thought of it (or any lion really) chasing after me and how helpless I would be.
I know a lot of people don’t take the time to savor the sights of animals at a zoo, I’ll watch people stop for a second and then move on to the next exhibit. I try to be good about stopping to study the animal and watch it for a little while. I like watching how the larger animals move–it is great research for writing and other creative outlets.
I certainly recommend spending time at a zoo if you ever write about animals, made up or real. Sure, you can find a zillion and a half videos of animals on YouTube, but some times you need to see an animal eye to eye.
Potter Park Zoo is a great resource and I’m glad it is here in Lansing.
