The introduction of Satka and Oskar went very well as first dates go! They were given access to come and go between each other’s exhibits over multiple days, and most of the time, Satka chose to join Oskar in his. She was adorably flirtatious, making her intentions clear through her playful movements. He seemed a bit unsure at first, but she definitely had his attention. She approached him now and then, vocalizing with low growls that might have been taken differently if it weren’t for the body language. Satka is a charmer, for sure, and after a few days Oskar was giving her a bit of affection and showing more confidence. Sometimes the strongest relationships start slow and easy, and this pair is looking like they have what it takes for future breeding! Oskar was doing a bit of head rubbing against the rock after the two were separated again, so maybe he was missing his girl. They’ll have lots of opportunities to get to know each other since Amur leopards can potentially breed all year round. Here’s to hoping they’ll fall in leopard love!
The first time I saw a jaguar, I felt a deep sense of awe. Such amazing and gorgeous creatures they are! And then there’s Valerio. He’s got all the stuff that makes jaguars, well, jaguars, but he’s also got the most expressive face I’ve ever seen on a big cat! The boy has personality, plus! And his eyes have an animated quality, wide and bright. If the eyes are windows to the soul, I've gotten a glimpse at a very joyful soul. He’s good at sharing that joy, with more social skills than most jags - he has a way of connecting with visitors, and especially his keepers, that's quite endearing. He still calls out to his mom now and then, too, and seems ever hopeful that she might change her mind, and come back out and play with him. Valerio seems to wear his heart on his sleeve, expressing himself freely for all to see. It’s a quality I admire, and it looks adorable on him!
I always enjoy seeing Bakka, the male cheetah, and Miley, the female husky-mix, together when they’re spending some time in the Animal Ambassador Area at the San Diego Zoo. I can’t tell you how many visitors I met who expressed their surprise that a cheetah and a dog would be together. It is truly a remarkable relationship, and one that warms my heart! The SD Zoo has been pairing dogs with cheetahs since 1981, and it works beautifully. The cheetah, who would normally be more skittish in new situations, looks to the leadership of the dog for behavioral cues. The dog’s eagerness to be with people, and calm acceptance of new environments gives the cheetah confidence. Most dog and cheetah pairs are introduced when they are both about 3 months old, but Bakka was already a year old and Miley was 2 when they met. Here’s a blog written shortly after they were put together: http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2009/10/09/cheetah-and-dog-pals/ They’ve been companions for about 6 years now, and have a strong bond.Their friendship is pretty special!
What could be better than a happy hippo greeting first thing in the morning? I was the first visitor to arrive at their pool, and Devi, the six month old hippo calf spotted me right away. To my surprise, she pushed off a rock and moved gracefully through the water right over to the window where I stood! Momma Funani was right behind her, and they both stayed near, moving slowly one way and then the other, giving me a chance to admire them close up and personal. And since no one else was around, I was able to tell them just how wonderful I think they are…without anyone questioning my sanity! That’s a happy hippo way to start the day!
I couldn’t resist getting a few photos of this adorable kitty. I was a guest at my friend, Susan’s, housewarming and got my heart warmed by her lovely Harriet. I met her years ago when she was a rowdy little kitten and fell in love with her then. She has grown into a quite a gorgeous creature, and was kind enough to let me capture her beauty with my trusty camera. It just so happened that I had a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens with me that I had rented to try it out. Yep, I love this lens…and I love this girl!
Koalas are such kute and kuddly kreatures, eliciting plenty of “awes” even when they’re asleep and perfectly still - which is often the case! But I was lucky enough to catch this male marsupial in motion, and it put me in a merry mood! His name is Chuckles, and I found him to be quite irresistible! Full of charisma, he posed in one adorable position after another. He seemed to be mildly aware of how good he was at amusing his fans, but kept his expression dignified and humble. His name sure fits him - I couldn’t help but laugh in his lovable presence!