Separation Anxiety

On a recent trip to Fargo, North Dakota, we drove through a small town in Minnesota called Little Falls and decided to stop when we saw they had a zoo. The Pine Grove Zoo is small ~ big enough for a small town but still a little disappointing although from reading their history it seems like they’ve come a long way. (Donations are always appreciated.)

The animals appeared lethargic and listless.  I felt really sorry for a couple of them.  From what I recall, some of the areas for the animals to wander in didn’t give them much space.  Perhaps that’s part of the problem ~ although I’m not a zookeeper so it’s speculation on my part.

Let’s start with the cheerful part of this trip ~ the happier looking animals.

This alpaca was friendly.  He was donated to the zoo because he didn’t have goodly fur to donate anymore.

The Yaks weren’t overly friendly ~ staying at a distance.

The zebras looked healthy and were moving around ~ wandering wandering.  Can you tell if they are twins by their stripes?

There were so many black tailed prairie dogs burrowing around in a field of dirt. I wondered out loud “Why can’t they burrow themselves out of here?”  Right?

These two donkeys, although in a small pen, looked happy as a lark.  Can you see the smile on the one on the left?

Now for the not so cheerful part of this trip …

Although this arctic wolf looks like he’s smiling (now, how would I know that?), he was pacing back and forth, and back and forth.  To me, he appeared anxious and his coat seemed unkept, scraggly.

Click here for some facts on this wolf.  They are adaptable to extreme cold so, unlike me, Minnesota winters wouldn’t bother them.

Next was the cougar who totally ignored me. Well, except for when he did his business right in front of me. I wonder … maybe he did it on purpose so I’d get out of his area.  Hmmmm …  The cougar was also listless and lethargic. Not much room for him to run around in, in my humble opinion.

Lastly, and this really broke my heart ~ the bears.

This bear stayed next to the wall the whole time I watched him which was quite awhile.

I just couldn’t figure out why he stayed in this spot.

Then he did this …

Hmmm … I walked a little ways to the right to see what was on the other side.  And now it made sense.  He is a she and this must be her cub ~ by why are they separated?  This bear appeared to be suffering from separation anxiety. I’m not sure why they would be separated like this.

And look who came to console Mama Bear …

It was a touching scene that took awhile to transpire and to understand.

My heart goes out to these caged animals ~ one day the animals will be able to roam free …  in heaven.