Zoo behind the scenes

Jeff's work gives each employee $1000 to donate to charity and since Jeff donates to the zoo, we get some pretty neat perks. One of them is a behind the scenes tour of some of the animals. Last year it was the reptiles and big cats and it was amazing so we sure didn't want to miss it this year. This time it was the pachyderm building and giraffes/okapi. When you get there, they feed you a snack and even wine if you want it then you split into two groups to get on the tram. They do it after the zoo closes and there is no kids allowed for safety reason.

Our first stop was the pachyderm building. Normally, elephants would be in there but our two females are in Tulsa to try to breed with their bull Sneezy. We saw the pygmy hippos up close and they make me laugh because they remind me of giant poop ha ha! Then we got to go to the back of the rhino pens to see them up close. We even got to feed fruit to two of them. We didn't know we would get to do that and it was so neat.....slobbery but cool. They were so gentle and nice

One of the rhinos with the zookeeper Jeff feeding the female
Me pettying/feeding the large male rhino

Next our group went to the giraffe barn. It was dark in there and we had to be quiet but it was so neat standing next to these tall animals. Every time I see them they fascinate me more!

This is the 18ft tall male Bogey

These are the 3 female. The one on the left is Bogey's mom. They are hoping Bogey decides to mate with the one in the middle named Ellie

Next we went in the Okapi barn. They are related to giraffes and have a rear that is striped like a zebra. There was a baby born just two months ago so that was neat to see him. Since he's so young and we don't want to scare him, they wouldn't let us take pictures.