A Day at the San Diego Zoo

Even in adulthood, some experiences never fail to make you feel like a wide-eyed kid again. Going to the zoo is like that for me.

When Luke and I visited the San Diego Zoo last weekend, just like my parents had to pull me away when I was young, Luke had to drag me from exhibit to exhibit because I was perfectly content to gaze at each animal for far longer than most.

Say what you will about zoos, but I steadfastly stand behind them. As someone from the middle of nowhere, Ohio, where wildlife consists of deer, raccoons, and the occasional coyote, there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to see these animals in the wild.

I hope that one day I get to see some of these animals in their natural habitats. I hope that we, as the caretakers of this world, are able to preserve their habitats and save endangered species from disappearing entirely.

I feel that way largely in part to the fact that I’ve been able to watch some of these incredible animals with my own eyes.

Because I’ve stood in wonder at animals big and small; spotted, striped, feathered, furred; endangered, threatened, and safe, I have a greater appreciation for the world we share. That’s because of the existence of zoos.