Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Field Trip!

One of the really great things about my job is it’s pretty flexible. When there are things going on at school, including field trips, I’m typically available to go. I hope that, in the teacher’s minds, I’m helpful. I know many of the kids, thanks to my time in the library, and they know me. They know I’m a pretty no-nonsense kind of gal, so they don’t try to pull anything over on me. And, I’ve been accused of being kind of loud, which has it’s benefits when trying to corral 40 or 50 kids.

Tuesday, J’s class, as well as the other two third grade classes from his school, visited the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. Less than an hour from our house, I wasn’t even aware this existed. Now, I’m completely entranced. We saw a number of beautiful animals, and heard stories ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking on how they came to live at the Center.

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The Center currently houses over two hundred big cats from 9 different species. Many of them are rescues from unfit situations. Others have been handed over by owners unable to provide the proper care for the animals.

 

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We saw dozens of animals- lions, tigers, bobcats, mountain lions. We heard the “chucking noise” tigers make, and the purr of a mountain lion. We avoided the spray of a rather territorial tiger.

 

DSC03195   We were astounded by the thought of the 3,000-3,500 pounds of meat distributed each day amongst these creatures. We were just in awe of the beauty of these creatures.

 

We spent about two hours touring the grounds, and then wrapped up our adventures with a picnic and some play time at a nearby park. I am planning a return visit with my husband and all three kids sometime this summer, and if you are anywhere in the south-central Indiana area, I have to highly recommend the Exotic Feline Rescue Center as a stop!

I shot a few video clips, you’ll have to forgive the shakiness, random people passing, etc, but until you see these animals moving, you just can’t understand the beauty!

 

This last guy is Raja. He’s a sprayer. As in, seriously hung out on that platform waiting for the unsuspecting to pass by so he could get ‘em. Across the path from Raja was a family of lions – father, mother and daughter. The daughter likes to hang out by the fence watching Raja so she can play at chasing the people running from the spray. It’s quite the devious little plan they have!

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3 comments:

  1. That is a cool field trip! I don't remember going to cool places like that when I was a kid, but I sure hope my kids do so I can tag along ;)

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  2. I know the kids had a great time but to hear this rescue center has rescuted over 200 of these big cats from, I'm assuming, people's homes who were trying to keep and maintain them is downright scarey! Their food bill alone would cause some nut case to release it I hate to think where if they were afraid to called the authorities. I'm glad there's rescue center is all I can say. Great pictures btw.

    Haupi
    http://hauplight.blogspot.com/

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