Touching stingrays!

[eroomlorac]

Yesterday was my granddaughter's second birthday and I took her to the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. I pulled her all over the zoo in a wagon. She had never seen a live elephant before, or a giraffe, hippo, etc. She stared and stared because I don't think she knew animals could be that big. We watched the dolphins and seals swim. But I thought of you all when we entered "Stingray Bay" and the stingrays swim in this HUGE pond and sometimes they come close and put a wing in the air and you can touch them. I touched them but my granddaughter was afraid. Olivia particularly liked the Children's zoo where she brushed a goat for about 20 minutes. We rode the tram all around the zoo and she rode a very large carousel (she rode a tiger). It was a great day, sunny, cool and breezy. My daughter couldn't come with us because she (and my two sons) are at their grandpa's funeral (my ex-FIL) about three hours away. I get to play with my granddaughter for two days!! It was my granddaughter's first trip to a zoo. I LOVE being a grandma!!!

[j_chicago]

Yeah, the "stringray bay" was on the news yesterday. Guess they just added some sharks that tend to hide out near the waterfall there. Didn't get to see the full story, my son wouldn't let me.

[The Zigman]

here's a link to the zoo's stingray bay page..
http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Exhibit-and-Animal-Guide/Stingray-Bay

[legendaryfrog]

Thats pretty sweet. It seems that brookfield zoo has changed a lot over the years.

[Artemis JT]

Kewl.

I've swam with, fed, and touched SW rays. It's just awesome.

[125gJoe]

I love all the information and learning experiences that zoos offer - it's a great
educational tool.

The one major thing missing in this Thread is that "Stingrays" are dangerous.
I don't mean to be a downer on this topic, but kids should not be told it's OK to "pet" the stingrays. In fact, they should be taught "distance and respect" of the creature.

I have not been to that zoo. But, they do say the 'barbs' are clipped.
Even so, it's not good to encourage people to 'pet' them.

Look at how large than can get - 200lbs. ...

http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Exhibit-and-Animal-Guide/Stingray-Bay/Southern-Stingray


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[j_chicago]

FYI: for those who live near Chicago, and visit Shedd several times a year, like my wife, son and I, and those who are planning trips here, Shedd is closing the Oceanarium for 9 mos. in the fall-spring.

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/Oceanarium_Renovation_left_nav.html

[eroomlorac]

Yeah, I heard that about the Oceanarium. I haven't been there for about three years now. What an awesome place, though. Maybe after the Oceanarium opens again, I'll take my granddaughter.