Cincinnati Zoo & Family Program!

We recently went back to the Cincinnati Zoo for a family program called Summer Safari: Up in a Tree or Under the Sea. It was geared toward children between the ages of 18 - 36 months. The class gave L and her friends the opportunity to see some animals up close and personal. We got to meet a snake and a turtle. The instruction told us some basic information and taught the kids how to touch the animals the right way. L loved it. She was so excited and kept trying to run toward the snake especially. It really surprised me that she really liked the snake. I thought for sure she would be afraid of it. 

After the classroom part we were able to go into the zoo and see some other animals that live in trees and water. We went to the Wetland Trails & Swan Lake to see ducks and swans. We also went to Gibbon Island and saw the very active Buff-Cheeked Gibbons. They were swinging around and making noises. It was pretty cool to see how the kids reacted to them. The last animals we saw were the Red Pandas. They were just kinda hanging out in the trees and we were told this is very normal for them in the summer. I also learned that there were the first species of Panda discovered and that the Giant Panda just happen to gain more popularly then the Red Pandas. The class was only 35 minutes, but perfect for active toddlers.

After the program we were invited to stay in the Zoo and explore!!! Our first stop was the Spaulding Children's Zoo! When you first enter you are greeted by Penguins, Little Penguins and African Penguins to be exact. L and her friend L loved getting up close to the fence. One even came up close so they could see it. The instructor of our class happened to stop by on her way back to the education center and was talking to the girls about the Penguins. 

L got bored with the Penguins pretty quickly compared to her friends so we walked over to see the Bearcat. L then spotted the playground and took off for it. She got to play for a little while her friends visited looking at the Penguins and Bearcat. We rejoined the group and headed over to the petting zoo. L and daddy went into the petting zoo and checked out the baby pygmy goats and Nigerian dwarf goats. L took a bit to warm up, but once she did she didn't want to leave or stop touching them. 

Once we were able to get all the kiddo's out of the petting zoo we headed toward Manatee Springs. Along the way we saw a few different Crains who were not doing much that interested the kids. 

My husband decided that he had to put L into the alligators mouth because it would be a good photo op. Well he was right and she found it hilarious. We walked through and quickly looked at the alligators, crocodile, and we even saw a turtle. L beelined for the Manatee tank and was fascinated for a few seconds. We spent quite a bit of time in Manatee Springs letting the kiddos explore the various exhibits. L even made a postcard that we could send via email to people. L got to touch another snake. This time a Brazilian Rainbow Boa. She again loved it and didn't want to stop touching it. 

The zoo journey continued with a trip to see the White Tigers, who were not out. They did have two other type of tigers or lions there instead. Next up were the Black Rhinos. L had really no interest until he started pacing back and forth, but she was still more interested in the snake that was being shown right by the exhibit. Go figure.

After a quick bathroom and snack break we went over to see if the Polar Bears were out. Just our luck one happened to be walking around. L was very interested in the Polar Bear. We spent a good few minutes watching him. Once he decided to go into the other side of the exhibit again we starting walking into the Jungle Trials. Unfortunately the Bonobos were not out. The White-Handed Gibbon was out, but behind bushes. L couldn't really see what it was to be interested. There was one Orangutan out eating what looked like an Apple or Potato to our group. I think it was probably an Apple, I did some research and found they mostly eat fruit. 

The next few animals we saw were the Speckled Bear and American Black Bear. Most of them were sleeping, but one of the American Black Bears was just lounging in his pool. By this point the kiddos and parents were getting hungry so we stopped for lunch at Base Camp Cafe. Food prices were as expected for the zoo. I will say I was impressed with the french fries and thought they were really good. Once we were done with lunch, we split up into smaller groups or by ourselves to do what we wanted. 

L loved the Otter's last year and last time we had been at the zoo they were not out so I wanted her to check them out this time. That lead us in the direction of the California Sea Lion and back toward the Mexican Wolf. Unfortunately nothing was out again, but the Grey Fox who was just pacing back and forth until he found a comfortable spot to lay down. From there we headed back up toward the African exhibit.

The Cheetah was hanging out in the shade so L couldn't see it. She did like seeing the Pink-Backed Pelican and vultures. There was an Ostrich out as well, but it was too far back for L to see. I will say that I am really impressed with this area as the last time I was at the zoo it was empty. They have done a really great job getting animals into the exhibit. It's also a very beautiful exhibit just to look at. There was some zookeepers standing next to us and I had mentioned out loud that I didn't know what one of the animals was. He kindly told me and Crane. He also mentioned they used to be back in his area the Jungle Trails, but just got moved out here. He also told me that in the next few months and next year they are going to many more animals added to the exhibit. 

We check to see if the African Lion was out, but he was hiding behind trees and up against a rock. On the way to see the Giraffes the zoo had out a Pancake Tortoise that they were letting crawl around. L loved seeing the tortoise and kept trying to climb the rocks to go into where he was. After getting her to sit down and watch for a little bit I finally was able to take her away without a fight. Our last stop ended up being the Giraffes. L loved them last time we were at the zoo because they were very close to the viewing platform and moving around because they were eating. She looked at them, but wasn't nearly excited as before. 

With a very tired little girl we decided to head home and not finish the other half of the zoo. L was exhausted and needed some sleep. Overall it was a really great day with our friends! I am getting very impressed with the Cincinnati Zoo and all the improvements they are making. I definitely enjoy going here and will continue trying to visit more in the future. I would highly recommend looking into a family or kids class. It was highly enjoyable and really informative. 

Amanda