On the way to Zoosiana in Broussard, La., near Lafayette, I was told we'd be spending a few hours with the owner of the zoo. Owner of a zoo? A private citizen can own a zoo? That can't be right. But, oh, it is! George Oldenburg is the owner and director of Zoosiana and if there's one person I've ever met who loves animals, it's George.
As George escorted me from exhibit to exhibit he spoke to the animals -- sometimes they even talked back. They appear to wait for him and view him as a friend when he approaches their respective enclosures.
Going beyond the barricades of the displays while chatting with George I experienced his true affection for the animals -- and they for him. In fact, one of his giraffe friends decided to come say hi as we were talking.
As George showed us around the zoo, he was constantly stopping to mingle with guests and introduced them to the animals on display, offering up tidbits of information to educate everyone. Zoosiana is home to upwards of 750 animals and while I didn't get a chance to meet all, George had a story for each. I learned very quickly that each one of them has a name!
George said I'd feed a tiger. I was a little unsure about that happening. (Come on, wouldn't you be?)
We met my new tiger friend. George handed me a bottle of milk and he went around the enclosure to coax out his big-pawed companion. And she's amazing!
I stayed back as George took a bottle of blood to feed the lions. I had my excitement for the day with the tiger. And excuse me, is that lion sticking its tongue out at us? Phuff. I don't want to pick a fight with the big animal so I'll let it slide this time.
When I saw that I would be using a baby bottle I figured it had to be, well, a baby tiger. Not necessarily. This four-year-old beauty wasn't looking for a meaty meal. She just wanted some milk.
I really can spend an entire day at a zoo. I've been to many zoos in my time but never have I experienced such an up-close and hands-on encounter than I have at Zoosiana. It's remarkable how friendly the animals are. As George continues our tour, we stop at a live show and get a chance to touch and hold some of the four-legged residents.
George gave us unprecedented access behind the scenes and I can tell you that animals are well cared for and, to be honest, they eat better than I do. I saw where their meals are prepared.
An accredited member of the Zoological Association of America, Zoosiana is the little zoo that could -- and does! Covering as much ground as we did while walking for a couple of hours, I was surprised to learn how small a staff Zoosiana has. In fact, there are usually more people on a city bus than work at the zoo. Seriously. The staff does it all and it's a little over two dozen people.
I hadn't told George that birds creep me out but I'm a trooper so when he handed me some sticks with bird seed stuck to them and told me to get into the bird enclosure I went along with it. Very soon it was like that scene in Home Alone when the birds flock to food. It was pretty wild.
George noted that Zoosiana is a popular destination for schools and countless field trips bring students throughout the year. The kids are in luck because there is so much to see and learn while at the zoo. And if anybody is a fan of reptiles, I can confirm you will enjoy the displays at Zoosiana.
I'm told there is a great Christmas light display during the holidays. Hopefully I'll get a chance to experience it soon.
