Well, I've gotten through my first week and a bit here and I absolutely love it! The animals are amazing and the people are pretty great, too. We're split into groups and assigned animals to feed and clean. When we're done our chores we can spend time with any animals we want or just hang out. My group is responsible for two cheetahs named Cleo and Pride, some baboons (eeek!!), mice (they're fed to an owl), a wildcat, six bat-eared foxes, a parrot and some domestic cats. My favourite animals so far are Cleo and Pride and a giraffe named Klippie. Klippie is still quite young. The other day I got to give her her bottle, which was quite an experience. She's about twice my height and I had to stand on a bench and reach waaaaay up. I ended up covered in giraffe slobber.
I spend a lot of my time lying around with Cleo and Pride. Pride is friendlier and likes to climb all over me and lick my face. It can be a bit of a painful experience -- her tongue is like sandpaper. Still, it's not every day I get to cuddle with a cheetah, so I can handle a bit of discomfort. I have some really great pictures but I'm not sure when I'll get to post them.
Today I went out with a couple members of my group to check on the meerkats. They're so adorable. The mom was hand raised, so she's really friendly. The dad's a bit crazy and kept trying to kill the mom, so they have to stay separated for now. The babies are very sweet and like to try to put their heads in our mouths and climb up our pants and down our shirts.
It's very dusty here and unbelievable cold at night. I use all my warm clothes plus a sleeping bag and two blankets. On Thursday I'm going to spend the night in Cleo and Pride's enclosure with a Danish volunteer, Louise.
I've seen some of the lions but I haven't gone in with any yet. I'm hoping to go on a lion walk in the next week or so. There are a number of leopards as well but the only one we can interact with is a young one named Lost. She's beautiful and very strong. Harnas also has a pack of wild dogs. As part of a Fear Factor challenge (more about that another time), we had to go through their enclosure to retrieve a shoe. They surrounded us but didn't really try anything. There were people on hand, so it was quite safe, I promise.
Anyway, I'm out of time. I'm not homesick yet but I miss everyone. I hope Daisy, Jasmine and Misty are doing well!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Sounds like you are having more fun than work. Tina's blog sounds like they are WORKING a lot.
You didn't say how old Cleo and Pride are. Will they be introduced back into the wild?
REMEMBER - these are all wild animals, right??
Keep writing when you get the chance. We are all living vicariously through you!
Take care and be safe! Love, A. Joanne
Well I'm officialy jealous!
Glad to hear you are having fun though!
Wow Becky that sounds amazing!!
Hi Becky:
It's the old battleaxe writing. I am so glad you
are safe and enjoying your experience. Just be really careful because we want you back! Sara says hi! Lisa wants pictures, as we all do. I will write
you a little longer letter next time, as I have to do my bids now. All your animals are fine, but they do look for you, especially Daisy. Love you lots. Take care.
great to hear all is well in your world. I am so proud of you please exercise some care but enjoy it all Love Dad
Hurray, I'm glad you're doing so well! :D But you haven't answered the most important question -- what have you been eating?
Hi Beck!!
Can't wait to see some pics! When are you leaving for australia?? what are you eating!?
Love you!!
xoxox theresa
Hey Becky - glad to hear you are having such a great time - what an amazing experience! Take care.
holy guacamole! sounds like the experiences are growing faster than your giraffe! enjoy it to the max...love ya' lots, auntie nj
PICTURES!!!
Post a Comment