Seoul Zoo

In high school, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was always that I either wanted to major in American history and work in a museum or that I'd major in zoology and work in a zoo. Obviously, I went with option #1. History, writing papers, reading, etc. has always come easily and naturally to me. And I enjoy it immensely. While I really like the sciences (no really, I do) it simply does not come easily to me. I have to work very hard to understand even basic scientific principles though zoology/anatomy are much easier for me. Still, I chose the path that I loved and knew I could excel at, rather than the path that I loved and knew I would struggle at. But there are brief moments when I wish I'd picked the harder path. Generally, that feeling most frequently rears its head when I visit a zoo, go to the vet's office, or see a sick or stray animal wandering around. I love animals (okay, so insects and spiders aren't high on my list) but I have a great amount of love and compassion for most of God's creatures. Growing up, we always had memberships to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and I've always loved going to zoos. (And no zoo I've been to has ever come close to matching San Diego's.)

Wednesday, I went to the Seoul Zoo with some friends. A women in our ward issued an open invitation to visit the Seoul Zoo on Wednesday, so I made plans to go with my friend and her two children. I thought a few other women with their kids might show up but it actually turned out to be a huge group of women, all with multiple children and their strollers. We were quite a sight. Korean people tend to freak out over foreign children, especially if they have blonde hair and we got quite a few stares.

This tiger greeted us at the entrance of the zoo. The zoo is part of what is called Seoul Grand Park which includes several other attractions including a museum, rose garden, and an amusement park. Admission into the zoo was ridiculously cheap (only 3,000 won or less than $3) and we paid an extra 2,000 won to see the dolphin and sea lion show. I wasn't expecting much from the zoo but it was actually a rather decent-sized zoo though some of their enclosures could use a little expanding and updating. Luckily, the zoo was pretty empty so we didn't have to compete with a lot of other people to see the animals.

Ostriches are such socially awkward, funny looking birds. I think that may be why I feel a certain bit of kinship to them. Sometimes you just have to love the ugly animals as much as you love the cute ones.

Like baboons. Sure they look all cute and furry but then they turn around. Seriously, what is up with their butts?

The younger baboons were just as fascinated by the children as the children were with them. It was really fun to watch the baboons jump at and stare at all the kids as if they were the attractions.

I can't remember what kind of monkey this is, but look at the little baby monkey! So cute. There was also a nursery where some zookeepers were feeding baby gorillas bananas with a spoon. I'd love that job. (Though if I had become a zookeeper, I'd definitely be working with the big cats...shocking, I know.)

Seriously, how can you not love cats of all sizes? I love just watching them sleep....they seem to get just enjoyment out of it. Look at the smile on the male's face. Pure bliss.

I interrupt the cat photos to bring you a common sight in Korea: the artistic use of kimchi pots. They do make a great fountain. I'd rather they were used this way rather than storing vile, frementing cabbage. But that's just me.....


So back to the cats. How about this snow leopard? So beautiful. I just think that cats are such graceful creatures. Unfortunately, too many zoos (and Seoul Zoo was no exception) stick their cats (and many other animals) in enclosures that are just way too small. The lions and tigers often get better accomodations, but still no where large enough for such active, powerful beasts. It always makes me sad. Even Suyom has more space to run around and play in than some of these beasts who are 20 times her size. (That's why I love the San Diego Wild Animal Park....most of the animals are given wide open spaces to roam around in which more closely mirror their natural habitats.)

This beautiful white tiger was quite entertaining. He kept straddling this tree branch and rubbing his face all over the bark. When you've got an itch....

Most of the cats were sleeping (since it is what they do best and it was insanely hot out....I don't blame them for wanting to just sleep through that). A friend asked which animal we'd prefer to come upon in the wild: a bear, a lion, or a tiger. She meant which animal we'd feel would be easier to escape from and most people were very logical in their responses and chose the bear because they believed bears were easier to scare away and run away from. But my rationality escapes me when comfronted with either lions or tigers. I'd totally forget to run. I'd probably just want to call them a pretty kitty and pet them, completely forgetting the fact that they could rip my face off.

After two or so hours of walking around the zoo, we went to the dolphin and sea lion show. It seemed a little weird for there to be such entertainment at a zoo in a city 30 miles away from the ocean (since I associate dolphin shows with places like Sea World and aquariums) but it was an amusing diversion, though nothing terribly spectacular. Plus it was all in Korean so I didn't really get anything educational out of the program. It only re-confirmed to me that Koreans have very different entertainment standards than Americans.

We decided to head home after the dolphin show because it was just too hot and humid to continue to spend much more time in the sun. On our way out, we passed the Stork Village and of course, I couldn't resist getting a picture taken. Where did we ever get the notion that storks deliver babies? From a fairy tale? I wonder if Asians have the same myths.

We also passed some meerkats on our way out. There's just no helping it....these creatures are just adorable and hilarious to watch.

And we passed the majestic giraffes. I loved how their necks were all intertwined as they reach around each other for food.

The Seoul Zoo was definitely worth a visit but I'm glad we left when we did. Not only did it start to rain just as we reached the car, but I was exhausted and had to sit on the couch for the rest of the day. I always seem to forget that my body has very different limitations now and just doesn't want to move as much as it used to. Baby, however, enjoys kicking and twirling and bumping into me every chance it gets. I am quite afraid that with our combined genetics and history of being very active children, David and I will have a little monkey on our hands in no time.

Well, I did always want to work in a zoo. I guess this is my chance. :-)