February 25, 2015
MYSORE ZOO DAY

 
 Popular Zoo in India
 
The popular Mysore zoo conforms to much higher standards than the typical zoo in India, according to our guidebook. Normally, we shy away from zoos but we wanted to see one of the tigers that have eluded us during our two excursions into the wildlife reserves. That, along with the LP endorsement, we decided to make a quick walk through. We stayed way longer than we had planned because of unexpected delights!

Zoo Factoids:

•  10 acre Palace Zoo was created 122 years ago (1892) and was steadily expanded over the years to 157 acres.
• The zoo webpage claims they have 168 species 
• The zoo is now run by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (since 1979)
• Entry fee: $1.

The main circulation path led us to an aviary with colorful tropical birds inside fenced enclosures. We were disappointed because the fencing and dirty glass wall blocked the view. We decided to zip directly to the tiger enclosure.

 
Big Cats

They have a handful of tigers from which they put one out on display in shifts. The one we saw was enormous and gorgeous. The poor skinny little farmers that occasionally get eaten by these powerful looking creatures don't stand a chance. It was a pity that we could only observe them from afar. The neighboring lare was occupied by a lazy leopard basking in the sun on a rock.
 


Almost Human Guru

We followed the path toward the exit. Then we came upon the "hairless apeman" stomping around with a carrot shaped hard-on and gesticulating angrily. We were taken aback by this human looking lonely man. Our negative feelings regarding zoos came to the surface. This situation shouldn't be, we thought. But his tragic story has context.

His name is Guru. He is a 24 year old chimpanzee. He is hairless due to alopecia. He was rescued from a circus and the zoo has been taking care of him for years. They have not been successful at treating his hair loss. Guru has a reputation for throwing sticks and feces at zoo visitors. Children seem to irritate him the most. The zoo is making the best of an unfortunate circumstance.

 
Other Mammals
 
Zebras, Black Buck Antelope, Asiatic Lions, baboons, rhino, and others were visible in expansive enclosures. A cheetah paced along his fence line. At the otter enclosure, it was feeding time. The otter, in order to get food, had to stand on his hind legs and salute the keeper with his left webbed paw. When he stood at attention long enough, the keeper tossed ahem a morsel.
 

Better Home for Birds

Near the end, we came to a different aviary area. We entered inside the enclosures covered by netting to prevent their escape. We were able to get closer to these exotic fowl including the colorful mandarin ducks, American great pelicans, storks, black swans and more.
  
We had been on our tired feet for hours. The sun was going down. We still had enough energy to walk to Papa John's for BBQ chicken wings, salad, and a cheesy pizza!