America's Teaching Zoo

Elite '09

163

442

Brandon S.

Olympia, WA

3/25/2008

Have you ever seen an 85 year-old Galapagos Tortoise up close and personal?  They are absolutely amazing creatures.  And Clarence, America's Teachings Zoo's Galapagos, is so big and so full of character that it's hard not to love and respect the old guy.  

Clarence is but one of around 200 animals that are housed at this small zoo that is only open on Saturdays and Sundays and is run by the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College.  This very unique two year program's students are responsible for the entire zoo and they do a very nice job with very limited community college resources.  

You won't find many typical zoo enclosures and many of the zoo's animals are housed in less than ideal pens that aren't in view of the main public thoroughfare. But there are still a lot of great animals on display including Clarence, a bunch of exotic birds, the cougars, their very cool hyena (I love hyenas!), a huge water buffalo, and best of all, the primates.

The primates have the best and most typical zoo-like enclosures and seem to really love their surroundings.  In particular, while we were there, the siamang was very active, as were the Capuchin monkeys and the lemurs and we spent a very long time just watching them swinging around and playing.

The students also do animal presentations and this is the best opportunity for you or your kids to get a good view of all that this zoo has to offer.  We caught a very quick glimpse of their beautiful Bengal tiger when one of the presentations was wrapping up.  I'd imagine that he's a very popular and regular feature of the presentations and the feedings.  

If you come expecting a big, lush environment, you will be disappointed.  I love zoos but I'm usually kind of sensitive to the conditions of zoo enclosures.  But even though a lot of the animals are kept in rather small pens, I didn't really have any problem with their environment .  Keep in mind that most of these animals have been rescued or have been brought up in captivity and they receive a lot of attention and are treated very well.  

But if you remember that this is, first and foremost, a teaching environment and that the staff and students work very hard to keep the zoo maintained and running, I think that you'll really come to respect what they are doing and you'll have a great time.  

Personally, I think Clarence and the primates are worth the $5 price of admission ($4 for the kids) alone and are easily enough to win anybody over.

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