Follow the Clues

I'll try something a little different this time. I will give clues, and see if you can figure out where I was yesterday.

Clue # 1: I didn't go for a hike, but was on my feet for 5.5 hours, and walked many miles - although at a much slower pace than my normal walking pace. At the end of this, my legs and feet felt as though I had done at least a half marathon.

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Clue # 2: I spied this extremely endangered Cuban crocodile, but I wasn't in Cuba. Close but no cigar.

Clue #3: I watched golden lion tamarins at play for about a half hour, but I wasn't in the Atlantic Coastal forests of Brazil.

Clue #4: I saw a giant anteater and her six month old baby, but I wasn't in Central or South America.

Clue #5: I explored the rain forest and saw many facinating creatures and plants on the land and in water, but I wasn't in the Amazon watershed. In fact, I was only about 110 miles from Richmond.

Clue #6: I saw three giant pandas, but I wasn't in China.

I'm sure by now you have figured out that I was at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. I have not been at this excellent zoo in over three years, and enjoyed seeing it again. For one thing, I have never seen the beautiful Asian Trail exhibit that opened in the fall of 2006. It has amazing and roomy habitats for a number of Asian animals, all of which are endangered or vulnerable. These include giant and red pandas, Asian small claw otters, clouded leopards, fishing cats, and sloth bears.

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Zoos are somewhat controversial. I have read articles very critical of them and of their conservation mission. But I think they have come a long way since the days of warehousing as many animals as possible into dank and small concrete cages. This zoo has a lot of habitats are are spacious enough and with enough natural features that many times, the animal inside is not visible. It also seems to do a lot with endangered species, including research, captive breeding, and reintroduction. It contains at least two species that are extinct in the wild - if zoos didn't exist, these species would be totally extinct. And for many people, the only wildlife that they will see - much less the exotic species from foreign lands - will be in a zoo. Maybe this will give people the sense of wonder at the tremendous and amazing diversity of nature, and an appreciation for the natural world that they would not otherwise have.

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I also just enjoyed the atmosphere of Washington, my favorite city (other than the slimy and destructive politics). In particular, I loved seeing so many people out for walks and runs along the Potomac River. It is a wonderful city for this type of activity, and has so many beautiful sights and views. In a week, I have several Team in Training friends who will be participating in the Nation's Triathlon here. GO TEAM!