America's Favorite Zoo
By gantwick
@gantwick (849)
United States
June 7, 2008 10:42am CST
Well, that's what the guy told us yesterday.
Every year, the company I work for (this is nationwide) takes a day away from the office to do volunteer work for organizations in local communities. This year, the two Tulsa offices combined and volunteered to help out the Tulsa Zoo. We were assigned to several projects throughout the day, and completed all of them.
In the morning, I got to work in the elephant "show" pen sanding, painting, and laying sod. The elephants were on the other side, since they didn't know us and the male is unpredictable (and weighs 12,000 lbs!).
When we were finished, we got to meet the two female elephants and feed them snacks. An elephant tongue is huge, pink, and slimy!In the afternoon, I got to work behind the sea lions' area and help demolish a fence with a sledge hammer. Boy, are my arms tired!
Do you do volunteer work? Do you work for a company that encourages these things?
2 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
7 Jun 08
I like animals but not at the zoo...
My employer (read myself) is not pushing me to do anything I don't want to do. She wants me to work 24/7, but I am escaping sometimes for volunteer work at animals shelter....
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
7 Jun 08
Oh, I just noticed your new email Avatar from mylot...
It looks like this:
1 person likes this
@gantwick (849)
• United States
8 Jun 08
You must have a mean employer if she expects that much out of you. 
Actually, I think your employer probably has a beautiful soul. It is sad that animals have to live in zoos. But for some, that is the only chance they have for survival.
At one time, the American bison was on the verge of extinction, and most of the ones that were around were in zoos or in protected areas. The largest natural herd was in Oklahoma. But they have made a comeback, and they are thriving again. Human beings hunted them to the brink of extinction, but humans also were instrumental in their comeback.
There is a small herd that mingles with cattle on some land between Stillwater and Tulsa. Every time they are close to the road, I don't have my camera. And when I do have my camera, they are about a half a mile or so away in the pasture. But one of these days I'm going to get a good picture of one. They are really beautiful, and have a look of nobility in their eyes.
Actually, I think your employer probably has a beautiful soul. It is sad that animals have to live in zoos. But for some, that is the only chance they have for survival.
At one time, the American bison was on the verge of extinction, and most of the ones that were around were in zoos or in protected areas. The largest natural herd was in Oklahoma. But they have made a comeback, and they are thriving again. Human beings hunted them to the brink of extinction, but humans also were instrumental in their comeback.
There is a small herd that mingles with cattle on some land between Stillwater and Tulsa. Every time they are close to the road, I don't have my camera. And when I do have my camera, they are about a half a mile or so away in the pasture. But one of these days I'm going to get a good picture of one. They are really beautiful, and have a look of nobility in their eyes.@polachicago (18716)
• United States
8 Jun 08
yes, my employer is very demanding...
yes, for some animals is better to be in the zoo...
yes, for some animals is better to be in the zoo...1 person likes this
@kaleegirl45 (1515)
• United States
8 Jun 08
gantwick,
that sounds like a lot of fun. All companies should do that. Are female elephant easier to be around? I love animals and I love to be able to do what you did.
@gantwick (849)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Apparently, the females are much easier to be around. The male elephant is the one who gets the mood swings. If there are two (or more) males present, they compete to become the alpha male. If there isn't another male around (as is the case right now at the Tulsa zoo), when the mood swing hits, they compete against whatever they see fit - logs, walls, etc.
It was fun work Friday. We hope to go back next year.
