Michael and I with the donkey
After getting our picture taken they led us to a meeting area where the lead instructor told us about the animals we were going to be seeing and some of the rules in dealing with they different types of animals we were going to meet.
Meet Wendy and her macaw
Next they brought this guy out. I can't remember what exactly he was. I know he is obviously a large rodent. He was so cute. He just sat there so nice and ate his banana.
Next they brought out 2 serval brothers. They were beautiful cats. They were telling us that they are hunted fort their pelts and people try to pass them off as leopards, but because they have stripes and spots you can tell the difference. It was funny to watch them play around just like you would see a house cat play.
Beautiful serval brothers
Sitting pretty
Frisky feline!
Next they brought out an artic wolf named Kenai. He was a beautiful white wolf. They brought out an orange with some spices on it to show us what would happen and it was so funny. He flopped down and rubbed himself all over it. She said that is what they do in the wild to wipe their scent to mark territory. It was pretty funny!
Rub, rub, rub
Smile!
Before Kenai left we all got to howl with him. Everyone would howl and then Kenai would howl back. It was awesome. They were telling us how every wolf in the pack has a different tone in their howl so that they can all communicate with each other and distinguish who is howling.
Awoooooooooo!
After the artic wolf, they told us they were going to get a chance to go interact with the rhinos. We would be able to touch and rub one of them and then feed another rhino. I was so excited! The rhinos were so cool and soo big! They were two brothers. They said that normally males don't live together because they get too aggressive but because they've been together since birth they get along well.
Look at that face!
Rhino rub time!
Michael
Dad
Feeding time!
Michael
Mom
Dad
After our time with the rhinos, they took us into a back area behind some exhibits. We were all waiting in anticipation to see what they were going to bring out next. I was so excited to see what was coming our way!
A zebra!
Michael and I
Mom and Dad
After the zebra, they brought out an emu. She was over 45 years old and has been on tv and in the movies hundreds of times.
After meeting the zebra and emu we headed back to the main arena for the grand finale, the cheetah! They have an amazing program for cheetahs at the zoo. When baby cheetahs are born in the zoo, they pair them up with a golden retriever puppy. They have found by pairing the cheetah with a dog helps domesticate the cheetah in its behaviors so they are easier to handle. The dog and cheetah are best friends; they live together, play together, sleep together. They also have very similar life spans so they will spend their whole life together.
Best friends
Beautiful cheetah
He loved his trainer, he was pretty much giving her a bath with his kisses!
Michael and I
Mom and Dad
We had such an amazing time at the Backstage Pass tour. It was well worth the money we paid for it. It was such a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with all of these amazing animals. I think what I loved too was seeing the trainers work with the animals. The animals are totally in love with the trainers and vice versa. It was really nice to see. I was totally impressed with the San Diego Zoo and can't wait to visit again!
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