Margie Hawkins, a docent volunteer for the Los Angeles Zoo, was kind enough to talk to our group today. Many thanks to Bob Hoffman for showing up in his finest suit to introduce her. I would bet that nearly everyone present who grew up in Los Angeles has fond memories of the Los Angeles Zoo. Apparently, Ms. Hawkins has fond memories of Rotary as she was a member of Van Nuys Rotary for quite some time and is a long-time friend of Kathy Ellison. *Seems like Jim Pontello needs to work his recruiting magic, but I digress.

Ms. Hawkins gave us a colorful presentation from entrance to exit at the Los Angeles Zoo. One is first greeted by Reggie the alligator, who is now affectionately spending his days with Tina the alligator and they are often seen holding paws and claws. Upon entering the Children’s Zoo, be wary of the sleeping sloth who only comes down once a week for a certain activity that shall remain nameless to protect the innocent. There are goats, sheep, potbellied pigs, and a watcher Meerkat in this area. He is a “watcher” because red tailed hawks circle around the Zoo looking for treats.

Then, there is Jim Helms’ favorite, the Lair, where one can inundate themselves with pleasantries like lizards, rattle snakes, tarantulas and the like. This area ends with a gathering of “peaceful” crocodiles called Tomistomas. I certainly won’t ask them why they are peaceful, but you can. The difference between an alligator and a crocodile is alligators have rounded snouts and crocodiles have pointed snouts, which I am sure makes little difference if one bites you.

There is a lovely Komodo dragon on display who is ten feet long and weighs a mere 400lbs on a skinny day. Then we have Gorillas, who, contrary to popular belief, prefer to nosh on veggies and fruit. We learned that Zebra’s have dark brown or black skin, which visiting Rotarian Chris Haddow found interesting as well as learning that there is a male tiger and female tiger now at the Zoo. Chris was particularly struck by the fact that, as a result, magically, there may be more tigers in the future.

Ms. Hawkins also shared that chimpanzees have 98% human DNA and that there are three elephants who respond to the names of “Billy,” “Tina” and “Jewel” accordingly. The svelte hippopotamus is often out and about with her daughter and can be seen basking in the sunlight of Los Angeles.

Finally, there is a new area called the Rainforest of Americas where you are first greeted with meat eating piranhas. When I asked what they eat, I got a flippant “meat” from many of our fine members, but Ms. Hawkins was kind enough to inform me that it is likely a mix of rats and mice. There are also Jaguars on the premises, which are truly breathtaking.

All revealed a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo is likely a treat for everyone involved.