El Jaguar Zoo de Oaxaca

Yay, I finally made it to El Jaguar Zoo in Oaxaca - for several years I've meant to get out there. A couple of years ago, when we got our car, I told Elo, our former caretaker that I would take her and now its too late, she cannot go and I have regrets.

I took myself out there early one morning this week and walked the paths of the rather impoverished effort alone but with Elo in mind. I know she would have loved to see the animals, especially the Jaguars - a pair so plump and lovely that they look like large pampered pets. The endangered species on display in this zoo are grand and can be seen without bars for the most part - some of the smaller animals are in cages with cyclone fencing.

As always, I felt sad for the bison - and the irony did not escape me that the sponser's sign in front of their pen was for McDonalds. And, oh, the surprise of seeing a grizzly bear, all golden and sweltering in her thick fur coat, stopped me in my tracks. I watched her bathe in her shallow pool, rejoicing in the cold water - I hope she dreams of salmon coursing up brilliant streams in the land from which she came.

When I left the zoo a small family begged a ride to the highway. I asked them what was their favorite animal and she said the giraffe, which I also loved. The gentleman said "El elefante, tan grandote". I was so surprised - I never saw an elephant in that zoo - where is it and how did I miss it? I have a reason to return.