Friday, June 10, 2005
Zoos
The Paris zoo, known as 'Zoo de Vincennes' is in the 12th arrondisement near the Bois de Vincennes. Whatever else may be true of the French, an amazing two hundred and twelve years ago they opened the first public zoo and I, for one, am eternally grateful. In the last few years I have visited zoos in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo Ueno, Paris, New York, Washington DC, Buffalo, Boston and San Francisco (in no particular order). These are all wonderful places to share time and space with spectactular creatures. In Paris, they have 1200 animals (600 birds of 82 species and 535 mammals of 85 species, including a giant panda). The other zoos I've visited have equally impressive numbers. Some are known for special moments like San Francisco's penguins and big cat feedings, and the National (Washington DC)'s pandas. Some are known for research or saving a particular species or developing techniques around one or another species. They are all beautiful and fun.
P.S. I've linked to each zoo's website on the city names above. Check them all out since the websites are absolutely delightful. And if you have time only to visit one, you must go to the Edinburgh Zoo front page to see the walking elephant!
P.S. I've linked to each zoo's website on the city names above. Check them all out since the websites are absolutely delightful. And if you have time only to visit one, you must go to the Edinburgh Zoo front page to see the walking elephant!
Labels: about me, children, france, places, things to do
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