Essay #2

Welcome to The Steel Jungle

Beginning at childhood the minds of human beings have been captivated and fascinated by wild animals. Man’s intellect has been girded by thoughts of the feral beasts whom roam the myriad of biomes throughout the world for years. In Washington, DC a practical way to quench this desire to experience these animals first hand is to visit the resplendent, National Zoo. The National Zoo is the epitome of human fascination and the inclination to learn about the world.

The dual stone lions are lay at the entrance of this steel jungle parallel to one another on either side of the massive concrete letters which spell out Zoo. (SP5) This is where families and friends, teachers and classes, teams and organizations, pour in and out all day yearning to feed their compulsion to be in touch with the wild. The mellifluous sound of laughter circulates throughout the air. (SP20) Whereas tears of despair riddle the the pavement as other children leave. Friends come and go for a jovial day into what for them, is as untamed as their worlds will get.

Venturing deeper into the Zoo, it’s winding concrete paths lead inquisitive guests on a plethora of different animal based adventures. The asian trail, as its known, takes visitors into a slab of Eastern Asia where gigantic and round, black and white, silly and lazy, Panda bears lie contently on their behinds. The Pandas slowly chew bamboo between their teeth. (SP1) The smaller red pandas, which almost resemble a fatter shorter fox or orange raccoon, scurry across their exhibits after one another; their small ears perk up as they freeze after every click of a camera. (SP1) The Elephant  outpost is next; the scent from their enormous excrement suddenly wafs throughout the air as these massive grey titans walk sedately among their dry habitats. Make your way past the elephants and you’ll find yourself lost in a world of flight. The bird house contains a myriad of species of feathered beasts. (SP2) From the owls whose heads turn in 180 degree patterns, to the Hawks and cranes of the great flight exhibit; the avian animals preen their feathers and take flight. Flamingos are perched on one leg in shallow murky pools, their feathers are as pink as petals, their beaks hooked, you can feel their elegance can be felt from a mile away.  The American trail comes next with an onslaught of woodland creatures and North American animals. Starting with the majestic bald eagle whose wingspan is the size of a full grown man, its beak has been bronzed by the sun's rays, his eyes are piercing blue, feathers snow white and autumn brown, the Bald Eagle reigns supreme over the bird exhibit. Further down the trail visitors see frolicsome sean lions and seals. Their smooth blubbery grey bodies are sliding in and out of pools. Their marbly black eyes stare at the visitors whose breath fogs glass, noses and hands alike pressed tightly to the tanks. Although all the animals get plenty of attention, the Great Apes seem to dominate the show as everyone crowds together to look at the jet black, muscular, and shaggy Gorillas. They walk on their feet and fists but at times rise up with their brows furrowed as they beat upon their wide chest to show their dominance. Towards the back of the Zoo you have the slithering reptiles. Snakes ranging in all sizes, such as the anaconda whose body is as thick as a tire to the copperhead who is as thin as a ruler. Their forked tongues popping in and out between their curved mouths tasting the air.  Monitor lizards move cautiously along the ground as they take each step, their long tails dragging behind them.  Last but not least guests follow this winding path to the kings of this steel jungle, the big cats. Lions and tigers roam their mountainous terrain wrestling one another as others lounge in the warmth of the sun. The big cats’  feet overhang edges as they lay on their sides. The tigers black stripes and orange fur is brownish because of the dirt he lies in. Licking her lips the lioness watches her cub vigilantly as they play near water. There is no show today, only relaxation as the big cat family plays and lays as they watch visitors snap photos on their phones or with their cameras. The flash does not bother them, this is routine.

As the day comes to a close and the animals go to rest, visitors make their way back to the dual stone lions and leave the park before closing. (SP10) Everyone loves the zoo for two primary reasons: the animals and memories. The visitor’s fascinations have been fed and their minds are content, the National Zoo in Washington,DC has quenched the human thirst for a wilder more natural world. (SP4) Visitors have been educated and awestruck and mesmerized. This mecca of learning and adventure has once again educated the masses from all over the Metro area.