Thursday for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

We became acquainted with this as the Wild Animal Park, but that is apparently not sufficient branding for these times. It is now a safari park and every attraction or closer observation of its residents is termed a safari, including the tethered balloon ascension ride.  First off was the Africa tram ride, a 30 minute ride around the Africa section of the park including giraffes, rhinos, buffalo, and other large animals to be observed from a safe distance and with a telephoto lens rather than an iPad. Then hike back to catch some lunch (good for theme park food!), and pick up an elecric scooter for Paula, whose foot has been vigorously protesting the previous day’s hike around SeaWorld. Happily, the premier feature of the park for Paula, the elephants, can be observed more closely.  A mother-son family was brought into the elephant stadium while the son (11 years old) was being treated in a small holding area for some ear problems. We were told that the smell of the medication on the son’s ear sets the mother to worrying and fussing, so they appease her with treats while he is being treated. 

Tret for the day was witnessing the cheetah run.  They have set up a 100 meter course to allow a chhetah to demonstrate its running prowess.  Its constant companion is a Belgian Malinois dog, raised together with the cheetah, to poject confidence and calm  to the chetah in the presence of crowds and to encourage running.  Preceded by the dog, the cheetah cases a lure on a winched line, runnng at about 55 mph, which is not top speed but the distance is about maximum. For its high speeds. So enthralled was Baron, that he required a cheetah (plush) to take home.