Off we go to the zoo.

Alec, Christopher, David, Ludo, Tonya

When visiting any zoo

 I always feel a conflict between

amazement at being in
the presence of these
magnificent wild animals
and  sadness in seeing the fences

and cages which enclose them.

When in conflict, gain knowledge.

The Zoo at Amnéville,
http://www.zoo-amneville.com
about 45 minutes from us,
is home to 2,000 animals
from five continents.

A quick search of the Zoo's
website informs us that
a modern, zoological park
                             has three functions;

Pedagogy:  the zoo is a place to get to know, love
                  and respect animals and to learn about
                 environmental issues, what we as humans do,
                 and how this affects these animals.
                  .   

Conservation of endangered species,  breeding plan;
This zoo is a member of WAZA, World Association
of Zoos and Aquariums whose motto is
"United for Conservation"
http://www.waza.org/en/site/home

The Amnéville Zoo participates in 60 Eoruopean
breeding plans;  Humbold penguin, hyacinth maca,
orangutan, African wild dog, snow leopard,
panther of Persia, Siberian tiger,
African Elephant, giraffe and more

.

The zoo's 3rd role is
Development of  Scientific Knowledge;
research is done in areas of reproduction,
diseases, and ethology.


Speaking of reproduction, each year at
the zoo 150 to 200 babies are born!

               While we didn't see many babies during our visit
                we did see and hear a nursing hippo loudy
                slurping and splattering milk from her
                 momma;  the three "momma's" in our
                 group groaned at the site!  Actually it
                 wasn't so much the nursing that illicited
                  the groans;  it was the thought of the
                  birthing of the baby hippo.

Swahili name:  Kiboko

Did you know that the hippopotamus is the third largest

living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos?

After a gestation period of 240 days,

 newborn hippos weigh in  from 

55 to 120 lbs.  (ouch!)  The hippo's

predators?'  humans, lions, crocodiles

Inspired Art 

                   

   

 And the winner is?

       

The potamochère, a much more elegant name than

 "bush pig," is a mammal of the subfamily

Sunaie and is found in Africa and Madagascar

Does form truly follow function, 

As American architect Louis Sullivan decreed?;

Is is the pervading law of all things

organic and non organic.

Of all things physical and metaphysical.

Of all things human 

and all things super-human.

Of all true manifestations 

of the head,

of the heart

of the soul.

That the life is recognizable 

in its expression.

That form ever follows function.

This is the law."

Or does form follow inspiration?

Finally,  this photo illicits discussions of evolution, 

n'est pas?

.

King of the Jungle, he sleeps.

Puma, my totem animal