June is for Father’s Day, the sold out ZOOGALA raising funds for the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, blossoms and buds awakening, and babies arriving. With the flora and fauna at the Zoo, spring is a great time to visit.
I discovered, and in some cases rediscovered, a few things in my last visit to the Saskatoon Zoo and Forestry Farm Park. First, did you know that there is a white bison at the Zoo? Actually, Dante has been there since 2013. I don’t know how I missed this in past visits. I mean, it’s a big giant white thing, in a habitat with two other giant brown things!
I was reading some news stories about Dante from when he arrived at the Zoo, and they mention that white coloured bison are fairly rare in nature, with about one in every 10 million born, but the white colour has become more common when bison are cross-bred with domestic cattle. There are two other bison with Dante – Maude and Red20. I wonder why Red20 never got a “human” name? Poor Red20.
And now a rediscovery. The Saskatoon Zoo is gorgeous in the spring! It’s actually picturesque in every season, but I think after winter, we are more appreciative when seeing the trees budding and the blossoms flaunting their colours. If you look around, there are benches with views, picnic tables, trails to follow, and for a limited time each spring, pink and white blossoms on the trees. Don’t ask me what these trees are. I’m sure I have been told a bazillion times because they are all over the city, but alas, my brain doesn’t work that way. Also, the blossoms don’t last long because of our prairie wind.
My next discovery is a marsh that I have since found out received a new pier last year. It’s at the back of the Zoo, east of the bison and other habitats in that area. This prairie marsh is a natural beauty.
And let’s not forget the Forestry Farm Park. It’s blossoming, too! There’s also a fish pond, plenty of spaces to gather with picnic tables and barbecues available, a playground and scads of open space for family outdoor games.
Have a great June everyone and don’t forget, if you appreciate the Zoo, donations can be made to the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, which raises funds for capital projects at the Saskatoon Zoo.
Your Zoo Foundation blogger,
Carol Thomson
