The Junior Zoo Crew got several special treats this year!! One was a personal tour and demonstration of Kimba the elephant. She is a 19 year old African Elephant with a great disposition. She likes to eat lots of hay and play with her toys. She can push a 2 ton tree with her trunk up and over the wall of her pen. Kimba and her trainers like to go on walks throughout the zoo every day for exercise, and sometimes some of the Zoo Crew get a special chance to go on the walk with them.
One of the many stations Jr. Zoo Crew works at is Face Painting. It is located near Wolf Woods. The interaction with the kids is interesting, and occasionally enlightening. We use a special paint kit with lots of colors. This service is free but donations are excepted. We can paint most of the animals in the zoo, some of the most popular being: Tigers and Koalas, we also do special request like: blue zebras, pink and blue koalas and we even had a green face with a purple nose and green feathers.
Another station the Jr. Zoo Crew works at is Button making. At button making we let people choose what design they want on their button. People can also color their own koala or hippo buttons . We have different types of animals people can choose from like tigers, lions, snakes, penguins, gorillas, hippos, rhinos, wolves and bees. Sometimes we run out of certain animals sorry. The people can watch their buttons being made and can sometimes help.
Another station the Junior Zoo Crew works is the Tot Train. The tot train is a train ride for the youngsters. It's only fifty cents to ride it. The Junior Zoo Crew helps out by fastening the kids seat belt, collecting money, giving tickets, and convincing the parents it's totally safe. The tot train is really cool because it can go up to 30 mph (just joking :) ). It is located behind the new carousel pavilion near Colobus Cafe.
The Jr. Zoo Crew enjoys working as animal mascots. We have a giraffe and a koala. This job can be very hot in the summer. Fortunately there is an ice vest and fan to help. The munchkins always swarm you because they want to hug you and shake your hand. You cannot go in buildings or you will spook the animals.
