And the Okavango?  That’s a challenge to talk about.  Here’s an old photo of Dad there:

The reason that the Okavango is a challenge to talk about is that, of course, nobody knows whether it’s a real delta.  It’s located and named in the land of the Foreigns, whom–as we know from previous posts–are not quite ready to be viewed as fully human.  BUT (and here’s the problem) the image and rhetoric of the Noble Savage remains alive and well in pseudo-liberal American culture.  The Noble Savage (in this case, The Foreigns) are all in tune with nature and stuff, so they sometimes know what they’re talking about.  In the hierarchy of knowledge, Noble Savage can find a place above Southerner, but Foreign can go either way. So you see how it’s difficult to sort out.

I don’t know whether the Okavango is a delta or not, just because people who call themselves biologists say it’s the largest in the world, and I don’t have a ton of personal experience in that area, save for some trips to northern Botswana when I was but a wee lass.  There’s one thing I do know about the region, though, and that is that there’s an undeniable presence of elephants–or, as I termed them as a beyond-brilliant two-year-old, “muddy elephants and tiny elephants.”

That’s right, some elephants are muddy, and some are tiny.  There may even be muddy, tiny elephants; I don’t know.  But I learned all about them on a trip to nearby Chobe and (long before Heather started collecting elephants or confusing them with springbok, let the record clearly show!) became enamored.  Here are some elephants.  They are adorable, but they are not from the Okavango, and therefore are neither muddy nor tiny:

The cuter side of a tiny elephant and a dusty one

Heather, here’s a quick quiz: Which of these animals is an elephant, which is a springbok, and which is human? If you can’t tell the difference, then I’m calling Tufts IMMEDIATELY!

Rock dassies, aka flying rats with invisible wings. Their closest living relative is the elephant. I don’t know why they are sideways. I rotated them about ten times.

A meerkat. In no way germane to the discussion, but still cute.

Aren’t they wonderful creatures?  Meanwhile, here’s another photo from the general region.  Actually, I think this is on the Zimbabwe side of The Falls rather than in Botswana, but since I’m terrible at geography, who can tell the difference?

Wearing matching dresses to Vic Falls. File under “stuff white people like.”

Needless to say, despite knowing little about the Delta region that they sometimes inhabit, I decided that elephants were awesome.  I even got to see some on TV!  Well, not TV per se, but sort of.  At the time we were living in a primitive land where you couldn’t live-stream videos from the Interwebs, because 1980s, so my grandparents used to set the timer on their VHS recording machine in Iowa, put cartoons onto a tape, put it in a box, and mail it to us.  Six weeks later I’d have something delightful to watch.  My favorite video by far?  Muddy elephants, of course!  Or at least wet elephants at the Bronx Zoo.  I basically wore that Sesame Street episode out.

And guess what?  Thanks to YouTube, you can watch the totes adorbs ‘phants, because I found them (disclaimer:  yes, these are Asian elephants and not real ones, but they are still cute).  Yay!  Click here (those of you with kids can even watch this under the guise of showing it to them)!

Speaking of cute cartoons from the ’80s that used to be available on VHS but are now on YouTube, here’s the theme song for “Gummi Bears.”  People with good taste will remember it.  Jason will claim that it’s a weird rip-off of “Care Bears” that nobody should be watching.  I will post a link to “Los Osos Gummi” on Jason’s Facebook wall.  He will then think it’s a real cartoon, just because there’s a Spanish version.  No matter what #JasonSays, the high number of digitally-remastered full episodes on YouTube points to the fact that a lot of people with too much time on their hands  also remember the GBs.  It also points to the fact that the Walt Disney Corporation’s lawyers will be working hard in the new year.

All in all, I really don’t know what this post has to do with the Okavango Delta, or with anything at all, but you read it anyway, so the wasted time is now on you.  Sorry, folks.

Anywho, I hope that those of you who believe in deltas and those of you who don’t will still remember to respect differing viewpoints and opinions–even if they belong to people who are from the South and are therefore practically cave people.  After all, it’s almost Christmas, so we have to maintain the spirit of friendliness in order for The Foreigns and The Other Others who don’t have snow to learn what it’s all about.

So, yeah, the Okavango Delta.

Five Chinese yellow-headed box turtles — considered to be one of the 25 most endangered turtles in the world – were hatched at the zoo’s Reptile House.

There are fewer than 150 Chinese yellow-headed box turtles left in the wild, which is why the zoo’s work is so important.

“The success we are seeing in the early stages of this program is encouraging,” Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said in a statement. “Over time, we hope to expand our turtle propagation work to extend to many of the most endangered species of turtles and tortoises.”

A Chinese Yellow-headed box turtle. (Credit: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS)

The turtle once thrived in streams of the Anhui Province of eastern China, but its population dwindled due to pollution, habitat loss and human consumption, zoo officials said.

For more information, visit www.bronxzoo.com.

A baby rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) plays with a tiger cub at a zoo in Hefei, Anhui province, August 2, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer

I love to watch animals playing and being friends with other animals.

I think people must learn from animals and stop fighting with each other

Even animals can make friends with other animals, so it is very sad to see humans hurting and killing each other everyday.

I know one cat who loves to ‘talk’ with crows.

It’s name is Primiligh and it’ll make birdlike meows when it meows to the birds (that’s what my sister always says).

So here are cute pictures of animals being friends with other animals.

(Please click the photos for bigger images.)

Related post:

1. Amazing Animals Photos.

2. Photos: Among World’s Most Endangered Animals.

3. Pictures Of Cute Animals.

4. Beautiful & Cute Animals Pictures.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect earlier Sunday.

The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30 – a day after Superstorm Sandy struck the Tri-State Area – in an apartment in the 2400 block of Crotona Avenue just a few blocks from the Bronx Zoo. The 41-year-old victim allowed the suspect to enter his apartment, thinking he knew the man, police said.

[worldnow id=8022654 width=500 height=332 type=video]

One the man entered, he flashed a police badge and a silver gun and demanded money. The victim refused to give the man anything and tried to run away, police said.

The suspect then fired a shot and struck the victim in the left thigh, before running off, police said.

The victim was taken to St. Barnabus Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic between 30 and 35 years old, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. Police have released a surveillance video of the crime scene.

Please leave your comments below…

NEW YORK CITY– A rat scurrying across the subway tracks in New York City was mistaken for a lion on Friday, causing widespread panic. Witnesses reported seeing the rat on the tracks at West 4th Street. Alan Trucy, 31, was waiting for the Brooklyn bound F train when he spotted the rat. “Out of the corner of my eye, I saw this enormous thing moving below me,” said Treacy. “There are always rats on the tracks, but this was the biggest God damn animal I’ve ever seen.” African tourist Shaka Moguto also spotted the animal, and he swore that it was a lion. “I was born and raised in the Congo,” said Moguto. “I’ve spent my entire life running away from lions, so I can say with absolute authority that that was what was on those tracks.” Moguto, who had been carrying a spear at the time, threw it at the rat, narrowly missing it. He then ran up the stairs and out onto West 4th Street.

But despite Moguto’s firsthand knowledge of lions, according to animal control expert Kieron Slattery, the animal that had caused such panic was nothing more than a humongous rat. Slattery, who had been called upon by the NYPD to help resolve the crisis, requested that the MTA temporarily suspend all Brooklyn bound F trains–as well as downtown V trains, which run on the same track–until order could be restored. Minutes later, Slattery shot the rat with seven tranquilizer darts, finally causing it to collapse. “It was a close call,” said Slattery. “Despite the fact that I kept shooting it, the rat continued to charge towards me. And I only had seven tranquilizer darts in my gun.” The rat, which weighed more than 400 pounds was removed from the tracks and later placed in the Bronx Zoo. When asked whether or not he’s ever seen a rat of that size, Slattery responded, “No, but you have to remember that West 4th Street is where that rat infested Taco Bell is located, so I’m not surprised.”

April 30, 2007

The Bronx Zoo is truly an impressive place to visit. Throughout the 265 acres of exhibits and wildlife habitats, you will be pleased to see that Zoo is clean and well maintained and that the animals are well cared for.

I, and one-hundred twenty students, visited the park on a school field trip. Warning – even the most energetic of visitors will find a day at the Bronx Zoo exhausting — there are just so many exhibits to see and so much ground to cover. Spend some time on  The Bronx Zoo Website before going.

Our trip was focused on the sea lions and the southern part of the park.

This blog has a guest photographer my grandson Daniel who, to my delight, photographed all of the following:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Some Facts

The Zoo is surprisingly easy to get to by express bus from Manhattan.

• Bronx Zoo Buses/Subways: BxM11 express bus stops along Madison Avenue, between 26th and 99th Streets, then travels directly to the Zoo’s Bronx River entrance (Gate B); 2 or 5 subway to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square
• Bronx Zoo Directions: Bus, Subway, MetroNorth and Driving Directions

Bronx Zoo Admission:

• $16 for Adults
• $12 for Children 3-12
• $14 for Seniors (65+)
• Free for Children under 3
• Free for Members
• Pay-What-You-Wish Admission on Wednesdays
• There are additional $3-5 charges for “Special Rides and Attractions,” though you can purchase a Total Experience ticket for $29.95 Adult/$19.95 Child/$24.95 Senior which includes unlimited access to these add-ons.
• Special Rides & Attractions include: 4-D Theater, Bug Carousel, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Zoo, Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, Wild Asia Monorail, and the Zoo Shuttle.

Bronx Zoo Hours:

• Summer Hours: (April 3 – November 1) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays
• Winter Hours: (November 2 – April 2) 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Martin Luther King Day.
• Last admission sold 30 minutes before closing
• Because of its size, the Bronx Zoo has several “main” entrances — if you’re meeting friends or family at the zoo, confirm ahead of time which entrance you’ll be using.

Sunday November 11th, 2012

“THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS IN NEW YORK YANKEES HISTORY” –  BY ROBERT W. COHEN

The Scarecrow Press, Inc.:  2012

Jonathan Hacohen:  I’m going to start off this review with a little disclaimer. Despite the similarities of our last names, there is no relation between myself and author Robert W. Cohen. He is a Cohen, I am Ha-Cohen. Fortunately, our surnames is not the only thing that links myself to Robert. After reading his prized book “The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History” (or as I shall call the “50 Greatest Yankees” for the rest of this review), we have a common admiration for the team in pinstripes. Truth be known, for a person loves baseball- they can’t help but respect and follow the Yankees. The history, traditions and of course, the superstars that have played in the Bronx over the years. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you can’t stop talking about the Yankees when a baseball history conversation is in play. 

With the final pitch of the 2012 World Series having recently been thrown (and watched for a called third strike to end the game…and season), I found myself with the opportunity to complete the 50 Greatest Yankees. We were fortunate to have Robert W. Cohen appear on MLB reports back in July with a Guest MLB Blog to discuss the book. Now it was time for me to complete the book and discuss it with you, the readers. The timing couldn’t be better, considering that the Christmas holiday shopping season is around the corner. If you want to really impress the baseball fan in your life with a great gift, the 50 Greatest Yankees will certainly be a home run for you. A detailed history of the 50 greatest players to ever put on a Yankees uniform? This is a subject that every baseball fan will want to cover in great detail.

There were several items that deeply impressed me about this book. Firstly, Cohen approached the subject matter very fairly. This was not a book about the 50 greatest players who happened to wear a Yankees uniform. This was a recount of the 50 greatest players who PERFORMED in a Yankees uniform. A big warning before someone blows up at Reggie Jackson (25) or Mike Mussina (49). The nature of the game is that players tend to change addresses more than once in their careers. Some many times (Jackson) and some not as frequently (Jeter). Cohen further used very strong scales in evaluating players. I won’t give away all the secrets of his book, but the evaluation was not based on traditional statistics alone. Considering different eras and the nature of contributions that a player could have on his team, Cohen used a balanced scale to prepare his list. Let’s be fair- this was not a simple undertaking by the author. The merits of Yankee players throughout the years is one of the most debated baseball topics going. No matter what forms of evaluations are used to rank the players, it will be impossible to find a room full of baseball fans (let alone baseball fans that will disagree). When I heard about this book, I only had one comment: “Babe Ruth better be first”. Guess what? He was. 

With Babe Ruth listed as the top player in New York Yankees history, Cohen already had my respect. I know…I know…there have been countless of great Yankees players over the years. Joe DiMaggio, Mickey, Mantle, Yogi Berra, Derek Jeter, Lou Gehrig- we can list off the names all day. But Babe Ruth was special, a true one of a kind talent. Baseball had never seen before a larger than life personality like Ruth’s that changed the game so drastically. After his retirement, another Ruth has never appeared in the game since. I may not agree with Derek Jeter (6) or Bernie Williams (11). But that doesn’t bother me, as I can see a case can be making for/against those types of selections. It is Ruth that must be crowned the king, as he was properly endorsed by Cohen. A great quote was inserted by Cohen on the subject, “Sportswriter Tommy Holmes said on the day of Ruth’s funeral, “Some 20 years ago I stopped talking about the Babe for the simple reason that I realized that those who had never seen him didn’t believe me.”" Books such as the 50 Greatest Yankees keep baseball memories, like those of Babe Ruth, alive in the minds of baseball fans. They introduce great players of all generations to new fans. To love baseball is to appreciate its history, as much as it is about watching it in the present and projecting its future. Cohen clearly captured that idea in laying out this book. He started it off with a bang and continued strong from there.

A Stephen King novel this is not. The 50 Greatest Yankees does not have twist and turns out of nowhere. This is not a horror novel. It is a baseball book with many components. The way each player’s analysis is laid out is the foundation of the body of work. A summary on the career of the player, a summary of their career highlights- including best season and memorable moments/greatest performances, with a summary of notable career achievements. A small snippet on each player, learning who they are and what they accomplished. Keeping each chapter short with the ranked players listed in orders was Cohen’s best bet in getting- and keeping each reader’s attention. In this modern-day of iPads and technology gone wild, there is something timeless about sitting down with a book that just flows naturally.

You miss baseball. We all do. Until players start reporting to spring training, it is important to keep occupied and get your much-needed baseball-fix. Baseball books is an excellent place to begin this offseason. You can’t go wrong with the 50 Greatest Yankees. You will enjoy the stories and statistics. The book will make you think and love baseball. I guarantee that you will learn countless baseball facts that you never knew before. Given the tradition of the New York Yankees, it would be impossible to include their entire history in under 300 pages. 50+ great stories though, now that is feasible. A great job by Robert Cohen in adding another great volume to legacy of the New York Yankees. From Ruth to Righetti, and everyone in-between, The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History is simply a must read. It’s not complicated. It’s just a great old fashioned baseball read. And that works for me just fine.

(*The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com*)

Jonathan Hacohen is the Founder & Lead Baseball Columnist for MLB reports:  You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

Please e-mail us at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback.  You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.  To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

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Photographer: KelsAMed

English: White tiger (Panthera tigris) at the Touroparc zoological garden in Romanèche-Thorins (France). Français : Tigre blanc royal (Panthera tigris) au parc zoologique Touroparc de Romanèche-Thorins (France). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After the initial excitement settled, we started wondering how animals found it- would a polar bear be able to deal with the four seasons in New York city? How does a zebra that runs across miles and miles adjust to such a small area? How are the chimpanzees acting so human like, even posing for cameras? Can the animals see the people staring at them, how do they deal with being watched and sometimes mocked?

After I came back home, I searched online for articles and I found this one from PETA that broke my heart: http://www.peta.org/living/animal-friendly-fun/the-reality-of-zoos.aspx

The article made me realize we have kept animals away from their natural surroundings for our own selfish amusement. Animals are bored and lonely even depressed away from their homes and natural habitats. They develop a disease ‘zoochosis’ and even show signs of insanity.

Zoos can justify it as wildlife conservation-with the rampant deforestation, the animals are losing their natural habitat and this is an attempt to protect the species. But then again, can’t we preserve the animals in a more natural setting- maybe have a wildlife conservatory? Can’t we can look at them by being a part of their world, instead of trying to make them a part of ours?

I went to the zoo with excitement on the prospect of looking at animals up close, but looking at the animals and reading the articles made a deep impact on my mind- I feel guilty for depriving the animals of their freedom for a closer look for us.

Here are some pictures of the animals- take a look, and let me know if you think they look happy?

Tiger

Polar Bear

Polar Bear 2

Red Panda

Deer

Monkeys

The chimpanzee that posed for the camera

Chimpanzee

I love the Bronx Zoo. It never fails to make my heart palpitate with joyful vibes. Why? Because every time I’ve been there I’ve had great memories. I rocked my cool shades there when I was younger, I went there with the Honors Club back in my community college days (saw a non-smoking sign, pictured Mandy smoking underneath it… Oh Mandy…), and now I have returned! With my man.

What’s not to like about the zoo! It’s the closest thing I can get to Disney, I can walk around with a map, hang in a butterfly garden and live out my dreams- duh, becoming Snow White with her animal communication skills. I got to see the red panda that I love so much and I found out that I want a fossa as a pet even though they look a bit rat-ish. Ironic. They hunt mice so I’m pretty sure I need this species in my life. Actually, one thing I don’t like about the zoo. Gorillas and monkeys. I’m actually offended that Darwin thought I developed from an ape. Grody.

We saw everythingggg. We pretty much owned the park and every attraction there and yes, we participated in Dora’s 4D adventure. It was a perfect day off, with perfect weather, and the most perfect partner. It was exactly what I needed at the right time. There is no one else who can reel me in, keep me level headed and ease me into enjoying the day to the fullest other than Matt. It may sound small and simple but I love nerding out with Matthew. I love how we planned the day and how he took control of the map, I love how he wanted to go to every attraction, and I love how he stopped with me to read little facts. I know the food sucked but I love how we sat outside and spent time talking. I love that he got overly excited about the bison exhibit, how we chased our peacock friend, and that we were the first to stand in line for Dora and not care how dumb we looked. All in the name of light hearted fun!  I love that we laugh at the same things and that he tells me how beautiful I am at the most random moments. I  am very thankful and blessed. I’ve officially met/found my match. My nerd match, my simplistic-living match, my fun match, my good ‘ol quality time match.

“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” 

                                                               - Pythagoras, Greek philosopher

ALDS GAME 3: KEY MOMENT

In the pivotal game of the Yankees-Orioles division series, manager Joe Girardi made one the boldest and ballsiest calls in major-league postseason history.

With his big power-hitter Alex Rodriguez 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the game and 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts in the series, Girardi elected to sit the most dangerous home run hitter of this generation and replace him with a 40-year-old left-handed hitter to face the American League’s best closer this season in right-hander Jim Johnson.

The Yankees were down 2-1 and they were two outs away from being left down in the playoff series 2-1 to the upstart Orioles.

But Girardi was resolute in his decision. He told Rodriguez to sit and Ibanez to grab a bat.

Think of the blowback if Ibanez had failed. The New York scribes would have had a foot race to the clubhouse for reaction from A-Rod. Headlines would have blared “Joe Loses Cool By Subbing Raul” or “Joe Panics; Yanks Fall.”

That, of course, is the nature of the New York media. They are with you until you fail and then you are left out to dry. Billy Martin, Yogi Berra Dick Howser were folded spindled and mutilated by the headline hungry denizens in  the Bronx Zoo.

But after Johnson had retired Ichiro Suzuki, the crowd on the one hand stunned and, on the other hand, hopeful with fingers and toes crossed routed on Ibnez as he lumbered to the plate.

“Raul had to come through,” Girardi said. “Raul had some kind of day for us today, and you have to make decisions sometimes that are tough decisions. But I just had a gut feeling.”

Ibanez had his share of travails this season, too.

In spring training, Ibanez hit in the first three weeks of spring training as if he just picked up a bat at age 40 and was giving the major leagues a try. It was if he could not hit a ball off a tee he was so bad. But Girardi told the press that Ibanez was a professional hitter his entire career and that he had faith he would turn it around soon.

Sure enough, Ibanez starting roping line drives all over the place at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL, and the wolves (the writers) were forced to stop baying at the moon.

Ibanez then became an integral part of the Yankees success this season. Forced into playing more outfield than he had expected in the absence of starting left-fielder Brett Gardner, Ibanez hit 19 home runs, drove in 62 runs and batted .240 in 340 at-bats this season for the Yankees.

Of course, Ibanez also fell into a severe slump in late August that bled into September. Once again, Girardi kept faith with his veteran outfielder/designated hitter. And again Ibanez rewarded the skipper.

Beginning with a Sept. 22 game against Oakland in which Ibanez entered the game as pinch-hitter in the fifth inning and he ended up hitting two game-tying homers, he went on a full-fledged tear in the final two weeks of the season. Ibanez went 15-for-37  (.405) with five home runs and nine RBIs down the stretch.

He also punctuated his hot streak with a game-tying two-run pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the ninth and a game-winning RBI single in the 12th in a must-win 4-3 victory the Red Sox on Oct. 2.

But those heroics on Sept. 22 and Oct. 2 were but a dress rehearsal for what he was being asked to do on Wednesday. It is one thing to pinch-hit for Casey McGehee (as he did on Sept. 22) or Eduardo Nunez (as he did on Oct. 2). It is quite another to pinch-hit for A-Rod.

That is pressure.

But Ibanez was able to cast it aside enough to concentrate on what he wanted to do: Get a Johnson sinker up enough so that he could launch it into the seats. Johnson provided it on the very first pitch and Ibanez took care of it.

The subdued but hopeful crowd of 50,497 seemed to rise as one while the baseball traveled on a low, line-drive trajectory towards the straightaway right-field. It rose well over the head of Oriole defensive replacement Endy Chavez and some five rows into the bleachers.

On the top step of the dugout cheering loudly was A-Rod.

“Maybe 10 years ago, I’d react a much different way. But I’m at a place in my career right now where team means everything,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think there was anybody in the ballpark more excited for Raul than me.”

That home run, harkening Yankee fans back to the days of Bucky Dent, Reggie Jackson and Aaron Boone, allowed the Yankees to stave off what would have been a saddening blow to their playoff hopes. But Ibanez wasn’t having it.

The game remained tied until Ibanez’s next at-bat leading off the bottom of the 12th. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had opted to leave in left-hander Brian Matusz to face him.

Again, Ibanez was looking for a pitch up to drive. Matusz threw a chest high fastball but it was in the middle of the plate. Ibanez was ready and the sound so familiar to the fans rang out all over Yankee Stadium.

Ibanez, knew, Matusz knew and the fans there and those watching at home knew where it was going.

In one mere stretch of just two swings in two at-bats, Ibanez – should the Yankees advance to their 28th world championship – will be remembered in Yankee lore for what he did this evening.

While they are at it, they should also remember the guts it took for Girardi to push the correct button. Managers seem to get little of the credit and most of the blame in baseball.

This is not one of those instances. Girardi played his roster like a maestro and the music hit a real high note in the Bronx.

I’ve been going to the Bronx Zoo since I was a little girl but I never went during the Halloween season until yesterday (Oct. 6).  It was my sister, Ashley’s birthday and so my family and I decided to go to the zoo since she loves animals.  Ashley, as you know from my previous blog, is special needs and loves animals so the zoo was the perfect choice for her birthday.

If you’re looking for a place to take a little one for fun during the Halloween season then the Bronx Zoo is the perfect choice!  They were running their “Boo at the Zoo” celebration which runs through October.  Everyone was dressed up in costumes and they were giving out free candy at all of the exhibits.  I’m a fool for a free Toblerone… or five.  They have puppet shows, hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and a haunted house, which in my opinion, wasn’t very scary but I bet they got a kid or two pretty scared.  I especially enjoyed the s”mores station.  You could make your own s’mores by roasting your own marshmallows.

My sister and I loved seeing the Gorilla’s and polar bears, they’re our favorite.  When we finally saw all of the animals we went to Arthur Avenue to stuff our faces with Italian seafood and baked goods. All in all it was a great day in the Bronx and it really put me in the Halloween spirit.  I highly recommend taking kids there or even just you adults!

Do you know of any other great Halloween attractions going on?

I have to say that the zoo is quite spectacular and the Boy was in awe in front of every animal he saw.

Our super smart boy successfully reproduced all the animal sounds we had taught him, up to the deers who now apparently say “moooh”. We’ve been working on that since and I think we got it right now.

My first giraffe (the ones in the Buffalo zoo had been too far by a cold January day to walk all the way to them)

Discovering the aquatic life:

They really have some strange creatures here:

A romantic break with the girlfriend (supervised, she is still a minor)

Waiting for the monorail, for a tour above the  jungle:

Taking it in:

With a glance at another pretty creature on my left:

a more attractive one:

We went home after a fun-filled day… to find the newpaper’s headline:

The day before, a guy had jumped from the monorail into the tigers’ pit and after a (I presume) short battle, had lost his foot to one of them.

I guess we picked the more kid-friendly day of the WE for a visit at the Zoo.

*Be Sure To “LIKE” SocialEyesNYC.com on Facebook*

Kids Cooking Classes: See link http://wp.me/P248Xv-2qJ

MANHATTAN

Yak Packers Early Childhood Art Making, Ages 2-4  October 3, 2012  10:30am-11:30am
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

Learn about Native American Indian Crafts   October 3, 4, 5, 2012  2pm  **FREE**
National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green
http://nmai.si.edu/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20121003#/?i=1

Youth Soccer Clinic, Ages 6-9  October 4, 2012 4pm-5pm
North Meadow Soccer Fields, Central Park
http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/recreation/youth-soccer-clinics.html

Yak Packers Early Childhood Art Making, Ages 2-4  October 4, 2012  10:30am-11:30am
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

Challah Baking Ages 6 and Under  October 5, 2012 10am
JCC Manhattan, 344 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th St
http://www.jccmanhattan.org/programs.aspx?catid=2778

Target Free First Friday Night October 5, 2012 All Ages  **FREE**
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street
http://www.cmom.org/visit/calendar?date=2012-09-30&age=

After School Drop-In Design  October 5, 2012  4pm-6pm Ages 5+
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Open House NY Weekend Family Festival: Center For Architecture Foundation  October 6-7, 2012
Center For Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place
http://www.cfafoundation.org/index.php?section=events&evtid=880

Affordable Art Fair: Children’s Tours and Art Workshops  October 6 and 7, 2012
The Tunnel, 11th Avenue at 28th St
http://affordableartfair.com/newyork/at-the-fair/kids-creche/

MOMA Tour For Fours- Making Faces: People and Portraits  October 6, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

MOMA, A Closer Look For Kids-Off the Wall: Art and Design, Ages 5-10  October 6, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Wild Beasts of the Medival World  October 6, 2012  1pm-2pm
The Cloisters  99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Fort Tryon Park: Broadway and Dyckman St
http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/family-programs/family-programs-at-the-cloisters/family-workshops-at-the-cloisters/wild-beasts?eid=A002_%7BB94ABB0F-A2A4-42

Youth Basketball Clinic  October 6, 2012  12pm-2pm
North Meadow Rec Center, Central Park
http://www.centralpark.com/events/show/926/youth-basketball-clinic

Meet the Scientist in the Discovery Room Ages 7+ October 6, 2012  2:15pm, 3pm and 3:45pm **FREE** passes are available on day of program at the Discovery Room entrance
American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street entrance Grand Gallery 1st Floor 
http://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/families/discovery-room/meet-the-scientist-in-the-discovery-room

Suzi Shelton  October 6, 2012 11am
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St
https://www.symphonyspace.org/genre/family

Sci-Tech Workshop: Creepy Critters  October 6, 2012 11am-1pm Ages 8 and up
Sonywonder Technology Lab Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue
http://sonywondertechlab.com/pe-events_workshops.html#critters

Families and Folk Art  October 6, 2012 1pm  **FREE**
American Folk Art Museum, Columbus Avenue at 66th Street
http://www.folkartmuseum.org/index.php?p=folk&rd=10401&id=5073

Family Concert of Fiddlin’ Fledgelin’ Fidgety Fun October 6, 2012  5:30pm
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7720-family-concert-of-fiddlin-fledgelin-fidgety-fun-

2012 Little Red Lighthouse Festival  October 6, 2012  12pm-4pm
Hudson River Parkway to West 179th Street
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fortwashingtonpark/events/2012/10/06/little-red-lighthouse-festival

Spooktacular Pumpkin Party October 6, 2012, October 7, 2012 and October 8, 2012  12pm-5:30pm
The New York Botantial Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd
http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2012/halloween/index.php

Butterfly Conservatory  October 6, 2012-May 28, 2013
American Museum of Natural History
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/the-butterfly-conservatory

Birding For Families, Ages 5+  October 7, 2012  10am-11am
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues)
http://support.centralparknyc.org/site/Calendar/486110976?view=Detail&id=117021

Dogs!  October  7, 2012  1pm-2pm
The Cloisters  99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Fort Tryon Park: Broadway and Dyckman St
http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/family-programs/family-programs-at-the-cloisters/family-workshops-at-the-cloisters/dogs?eid=A

A Clearing in the Forest: Dance-Caribbean, Brazilian Capoeira, Maculele and Afoxe  October 7, 2012  12pm-1pm
Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade, Central Park
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2012/09/23/a-clearing-in-a-forest-dance-in-central-park

MOMA Tour For Fours- Making Faces: People and Portraits  October 7, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

MOMA, A Closer Look For Kids-Off the Wall: Art and Design, Ages 5-10  October 7, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Hot Peas ‘n Butter October 7, 2012  11:30am
The Jewish Museum, Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street
http://www.hotpeasnbutter.com/event/the-jewish-museum/

Randy Kaplan “Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie” October 7, 2012  11am
92yTribeca, 200 Hudson Street
http://www.92y.org/Tribeca/Event/BYOK–Randy-Kaplan–Mr-Diddie.aspx?utm_source=92YTri_MightLike&utm_medium=BYOK–R

Books and Authors, Kids with Kwame Alexander October 7, 2012 2pm-4pm
Studio Museum Harlem, 144 West 125th Street
http://www.studiomuseum.org/event-calendar/event/books-authors-kids-2012-10-07

EcoFest  October 7, 2012 11am-6pm
Solar 1 Space, 23rd St and the East River
http://www.ecofest.com/home.html

After School Drop-In Design  October 8, 2012  4pm-6pm Ages 5+
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Charles H. Tally Holiday Monday Family Programs: Sketching for 5-12 Years  Monday October 8, 2012  11pm-12pm,  12pm-1pm, 1:15pm-2:15pm, 2:30pm-3:30pm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 5th Avenue and 82nd St
http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/family-programs/charles-h-tally-holiday-monday-family-programs/charles-h-tally-holiday-monday-family-programs?eid=A033_%7b821618AB-3FEE-450D-996D-E

Design Tales present Jonathan Kruk  October 9, 2012 10am-11am  Toddler Program
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

A Celebration: The Wiggles Live In Concert   October 10, 2012  2:30pm and 6:30pm
The Town Hall 43rd St between 6th and 7th Ave
http://the-townhall-nyc.org/events/10/October

Yak Packers Early Childhood Art Making, Ages 2-4  October 10, 2012  10:30am-11:30am
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

The McGraw-Hill Companies CarnegieKids: Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower  October 10, 2012  10:30am
Hudson Guild, 441 West 26th Street (At 10th Avenue)
http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2012/10/10/1030/AM/McGraw-Hill-CarnegieKids-Elizabeth-Mitchell-You-Are-My-Flower/

Learn about Native American Indian Crafts   October 10, 11, 12, 2012  2pm  **FREE**
National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green
http://nmai.si.edu/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20121002#/?i=4

Yak Packers Early Childhood Art Making, Ages 2-4  October 11, 2012  10:30am-11:30am
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

Youth Soccer Clinic, Ages 6-9  October 11, 2012 4pm-5pm
North Meadow Soccer Fields, Central Park
http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/recreation/youth-soccer-clinics.html

Tech for Tots: Painting with Computers  October 11, 2012  11am-12pm
Sonywonder Technology Lab, Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue
http://sonywondertechlab.com/pe-events_workshops.html#painting

Design Tales  October 11, 2012 10am-11am Ages 2-5
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 11 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Art Explore-Still-Life Painting  October 12, 2012  4:30pm-6pm  Ages 11-14
** FREE**- Registration Required
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
http://metmuseum.org/events/find-events?rpp=10&st=All&sd=20120927T143215&ed=99991231T235959&pg=1&oprog=Teen+Programs+(Ages+11%E2%80%9318)

Urban  October 12, 2012  7pm Ages 8+
The New Victory Theater, Northside of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
http://www.newvictory.org/Show-Detail.aspx?ProductionId=4075

After School Drop-in Design  October 12, 2012   4pm-6pm Ages 5+
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

MOMA Tour For Fours- Making Faces: People and Portraits  October 13, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Youth Basketball Clinic  October 13, 2012  12pm-2pm
North Meadow Rec Center, Central Park
http://www.centralpark.com/events/show/926/youth-basketball-clinic

Saturday Sketching- Ancient Near East   Ages 11-18  October 13, 2012 1pm-4pm 
**FREE** Registration Required
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
http://metmuseum.org/events/find-events?rpp=10&st=All&sd=20120927T143215&ed=99991231T235959&pg=1&oprog=Teen+Programs+(Ages+11%E2%80%9318)

MOMA, A Closer Look For Kids-Off the Wall: Art and Design, Ages 5-10  October 13, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Target Design Kids: Kid made Modern with Todd Oldham October 13, 2012 Sessions 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

MOMA Tours For Tweens-What Makes Them Modern? Paintings from the Collection  Ages 11-14  October 13, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Exit, Stage Left   October 13, 2012 11am
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St
https://www.symphonyspace.org/genre/family

Urban  October 13, 2012  2pm and 7pm Ages 8+
The New Victory Theater, Northside of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
http://www.newvictory.org/Show-Detail.aspx?ProductionId=4075

Family Day: Amazing Animal Adventure Ages 3-10 October 13, 2012  12pm-5pm
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

Family Astronomy: Creatures In The Sky  October 13, 2012  6pm
American Museum of Natural History, Hayden Planetarium Space heater at 81st Street entrance
http://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/families/monthly-family-series/family-astronomy-creatures-in-the-sky

Fall Kids Fest  October 13, 2012  11am-2pm **FREE**
Madison Square Park, 23rd Street at Madison Avenue
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/madisonsquarepark/events/2012/10/13/fall-kids-fest

Art School: Printmaking  October 13, 2012,   1:30pm-3:30pm Ages 8-12
Whitney Museum, Madison at 75th Street
http://whitney.org/Events/ArtSchoolOctober2012

Whitney Wees: Shapes, Lines and Symbols  October 13, 2012 10:30-11:30am Ages 4-5
Whitney Museum, Madison at 75th Street
http://whitney.org/Events/WhitneyWeesOctober2012

MOMA Tour For Fours- Making Faces: People and Portraits  October 14, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

Birding For Families, Ages 5+  October 14, 2012  10am-11am
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues)
http://support.centralparknyc.org/site/Calendar/486110976?view=Detail&id=117021

MOMA, A Closer Look For Kids-Off the Wall: Art and Design, Ages 5-10  October 14, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

MOMA Tours For Tweens-What Makes Them Modern? Paintings from the Collection  Ages 11-14  October 14, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
http://www.moma.org/learn/kids_families/gallery_talks#course1

 Drop-in Design  October 15, 2012 4pm-6pm  Ages 5+
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Autograss for Kids  October 14, 2012  11am
92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street
http://www.92y.org/Tribeca/Event/Astrograss-for-Kids.aspx?utm_source=92YTri_MightLike&utm_medium=Astrograss-for-Kids&ut

Urban  October 14, 2012 12pm and 5pm Ages 8+
The New Victory Theater, Northside of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
http://www.newvictory.org/Show-Detail.aspx?ProductionId=4075

NY Comic Con Kids Day  October 14, 2012  10:30am-5pm
Jacob Javits Center
http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/Whats-Happening/Events-I-Q/Kids-Day/

Design Tales  October 16, 2012  10am-11am  Ages 2-5
Cooper Hewittr Design Center, 111  Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Drop-in Design  October 16, 2012 4pm-6pm  Ages 5+
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

Yak Packers Early Childhood Art Making, Ages 2-4  October 17, 2012  10:30am-11:30am
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St
http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/68#Family Workshops

Learn about Native American Indian Crafts   October 17, 18, 19, 2012 2pm  **FREE**
National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green
http://nmai.si.edu/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20121002#/?i=4

Ring A Ding Ding  October 17, 2012  10:30am  Ages 3-5
New 42nd Street Studios, 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
http://www.newvictory.org/Show-Detail.aspx?ProductionId=4089

Drop-in Design  October 17, 2012 4pm-6pm  Ages 5+
Cooper Hewitt Design Center, 111 Central Park North
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/learning/family-programs

BROOKLYN

WCS Run For The Wild  October 6, 2012
New York Aquarium, Surf Avenue and West 8th St
http://www.nyaquarium.com/

Pumpkin Day   October 6, 2012
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
http://www.townsquareinc.com/

Conroy Warren October 6, 2012  1pm  **FREE**
Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/culture-arts/

Weekend Family Programs: Make Art Out of Our Favorite Foods October 6 and 7, 2012  12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 and Main St
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/calendar/weekend-family-programs

Arty Facts: Imagine, Create   October 7, 2012  11am-12:30pm  1:30pm-3pm
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/index.php?event_type=For%20Kids%20and%20Families

“Music in Motion” Neighborhood Family Concerts  October 13, 2012 3pm  *FREE*
Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge
http://bargemusic.org/calendar.html

Roulette Kids: Tatyana Tenenbum and Brandon Steffensen October 13, 2012  1pm
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
http://roulette.org/events/roulette-kids-tatyana-tenenbaum-and-brandin-steffensen/

Weekend Family Programs: Make Butterfly Crafts  October 13 and 14, 2012 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 and Main St
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/calendar/weekend-family-programs

Arty Facts: Imagine, Create   October 14, 2012  11am-12:30pm  1:30pm-3pm
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/index.php?event_type=For%20Kids%20and%20Families

QUEENS

Workshop: Drop-in Moving Image Studio October 13, 2012 12pm-5pm Ages 7+
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria
http://www.movingimage.us/visit/calendar/2012/10/13/detail/drop-in-moving-image-studio

The McGraw-Hill Companies CarnegieKids: Polygraph Lounge  October 16, 2012  10:00am and 11:30am
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, LaGuardia Community College Mainstage Theater
31-10 Thomson Avenue 
http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2012/10/16/1000/AM/McGraw-Hill-CarnegieKids-Polygraph-Lounge/

BRONX

Boo At The Zoo Weekends: Haunted Mansion, Costume Parade, Magic Shows and much more!
Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard
http://apps.bronxzoo.com/boo/?__utma=1.57983290.1349281492.1349281492.1349281578.2&__utmb=1.3.9.1349281593811&__utmc=1&__utm

Family Affair – Wild Style October 6, 2012  1pm-4pm
Bronx Museum of the Arts, Grand Concourse at 165th Street
http://bronxmuseum.org/events.php

The Haunted Pumpkin Garden  October 6, 2012-October 31, 2012 , Weekdays 1:30pm-5:30pm  Weekends 10:00am-5:30pm
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden – New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd
http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2012/halloween/index.php

Spooktacular Pumpkin Party  October 6, 2012 -October 8, 2012  12:00pm-5:30pm
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd.
http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2012/halloween/index.php

Family Art Project:Sailing in the Sky/Navegando el cielo October 6 and October 7, 2012 10am
Gardens of Wave Hill, Ecology Building, 675 W.252nd Street
http://www.wavehill.org/events/categories/family/

Wave Hill: Raptor Day Storytelling  October 8, 2012 10am-1pm, Raptor Day Family Birding Walk 10:30am and 12:30pm, Raptor Day Live Raptor Show 11am and 1pm, Raptor Day Shadow-Puppet Workshop
Gardens at Wave Hill, Ecology Building, 675 West 252nd Street
http://www.wavehill.org/events/2012/10/08/

Wave Hill: Family Gallery Tour  October 13, 2012 1pm Ages 4+
Gardens at Wave Hill, Glyndor Gallery, 675 Wst 252nd Street
http://www.wavehill.org/events/family-gallery-tour-5/

STATEN ISLAND

Annual Soap Box Derby  October 6, 2012  10am
Westerleigh Park, Neal Dow Ave
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/westerleighpark/events/2012/10/06/annual-soap-box-derby

These kinds:

This little guy was born in 2012. By 2013, he will be able to eat your face.

Speaking of faces, I want to kiss his. My need to touch animals is pathological.

Kinda bored. Nothing a Coke won’t fix!

Fun fact: animals lack modesty.

“So I’ve been thinking a lot about how we poop where we sleep.”

“Hi! Hey! Hello! I can sing! Wanna hear me?”

This is a butterfly, not an alien. Or is it?

“You must be tired because you’ve been flying through my head all night.”

“Cool story, bro.”

Get a room already.

“The doctor is trying to figure out my back problems.”

“What do you mean you’ve never seen Downton Abbey?”

“I mean, WTF?”

This guy had no friends. They said he had rage issues.

Tired….

Curious…

Smug.

“What? This old thing? I only wear it when I don’t care what I look like!”

Jabba the Hutt’s younger brother, Mo.

“No, my name is not Sam. Why does everyone ask that?”

And on a serious note: not all zoos are built equally. Check out your local zoo to make sure it has accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. If it’s tied to a conservation society or conservation efforts, all the better.

By Todd Heisler

Visiting the zoo is like stepping into another world. It’s a world where lions live next door to macaws, who both have ostriches as neighbors. It is a place to learn, a place to admire, and a place to be inspired. But is that all zoos are for? Recently, zoos have becomes less a source for our entertainment an more a place for conservation. Captive breeding programs work to restore populations of endangered species with the hope of returning them to the wild. The Wildlife Conservation Society which runs the famous Bronx Zoo has conservation programs all over the globe.

But not everyone can be saved. To really make a difference, zoos must channel their resources into the saving of just a few species deemed the most crucial. Others, sadly, must fall by the wayside. This decision is by no means an easy one, since zoos must sometimes abandon a species they have worked with for years but whose outlook is grim. These will be replaced with more promising candidates. According to the article, “some days, the burden feels less like Noah building an ark and more like Schindler making a list.”

By Todd Heisler

One criticism from conservationists is that the change from entertainment source to conservation center isn’t happening fast enough. Most zoos are home to popular, crowd-pleasing animals that face little to no threat in the wild. These animals take up space and resources that could be applied to rehabilitating a struggling species. A push for more spacious, natural exhibits increases the spaces of zoo habitats, the number of species a zoo can house is decreasing. With less space, the zoo must then make a critical decision in which animals it decides to bring in. They are given a list of possible species, which are listed according to several criteria including uniqueness, the extent of their endangerment, the importance of their ecological role, and how many there are in captivity to breed. Based on these factors, zoos much pick and choose which animals are the ones they want to try to save. Regarding this difficult decision, Bob Merz of the St. Louis zoo said, “It is like looking out the window of an airplane and seeing the rivets in the wing. You can probably lose a few, but you don’t know how many, and you really don’t want to find out.”

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/28/science/zoos-bitter-choice-to-save-some-species-letting-others-die.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all&

Images by Todd Heisler for The New York Times

Taxidermy exhibit portraying a Siberian tiger chasing a deer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nature

like chameleon

some times appears 

like very cute and innocent kitten

some times appears

like very cruel and wild Siberian tiger 

Nature jaws left with scars on the lives

no one was scared  with out any scar

scars of the life – awards of the Nature