baZOOnu and Toast from the Host

I love looking back on how I have chronicled some of my college years. One HUGE goal (still is) to visit all of the zoos. I have been keeping track and needless to say I have been sidetracked. This summer I plan to start back up. I have a few zoos lined up but I must make it a point to visit one of my favorite animals, the Giant Panda. Yes, I have already been looking for trips to get to China to see them there.

On another note, I haven't stopped blogging - I just transitioned and started my business with event styling, party inspiration and all things entertaining, Toast from the Host. I keep that up to date and it's mostly business but will definitely start to merge some of my "baZOOnu" love over there too.

This post was long overdue but I am happy to be able to connect back with you all, especially on this #NationalZooDay.

I will be on here periodically but I hope to see you all over on Toast from the Host.

Chat soon!

Hiatus...but not really

It is amazing how life moves on no matter how fast you try to slow it down. I haven't been able to update my wonderful blog. Luckily, I have some free time in the near future that will result in picking back up my hobby of visiting every zoo....yay!! Stay posted!

Animal Abuse at the Indonesia Zoo

Recently read a story by the Huffington post that is circulating around the internet about the recent death of 30 year giraffe named Kliwon who died of having consumed a 40 pound(!!!) ball of plastic. what the?!?!? my emotions exacly..."where they do that at??...INDONESIA!" This is just one of the many unfortunate stories coming out about the neglect & mistreatment & possibly wildlife trafficking coming from the Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia.
I can't do the article justice, so I decided to post the news. Click the link below & prepare to enlighten yourself on the "zoo life" outside of the US.

Huffington Post on Surabaya Zoo

It's amazing that you can do jail time for animal abuse in the US but elsewhere, who knows how they handle that situation. Unfortunately because of this event, it might open up some eyes & ears of authorities.

Los Angeles Zoo

I finally started my journey to travel to every single zoo. First on the list was not planned but an opportunity presented itself and i took it! My first zoo trip was to the Los Angeles zoo! Let me first start off by saying the presentation of this zoo was great.(I expected it...it's LA!!) I got excited as I kept getting closer to the entrance. (peep the pic below)

I went on an early Saturday morning, which I felt was going to be a packed day but luckily, it wasn't. That day was a "zoo-wide" enrichment to where the animals received goodies such as popsicles, icesicles, and snow in their exhibit. Most of the animals could care less of what the substance was but a few seemed to enjoy the treat (was it rice?!). The tiger, had a snow man in his exhibit with vegetables for facial features. I truly enjoyed seeing the tiger question this structure in his space while he attempted to swat at the snowman's head. With ease, he succeeded.

One of the most intriguing creatures to me happens to be the silverback gorilla. I urge you to visit a zoological facility to see these beautiful animals up close. Their intellect is evident when you look into their eyes. I wanted to observe them for hours but I had to move on. I definitely needed to get the full zoo experience.




I must say that the Los Angeles zoo was beautiful. The scenery and landscaping was the perfect place for a fall morning. Mountains as a background added to the moment. However, the layout was pretty hard for me to navigate through. I got turned around a couple of times but eventually decided to "chunk" the map and just walk around. I'm excited to see the new exhibits they are building, as they continue to add on to this exceptional facility. I plan on re-visiting when their bug/reptile exhibit is complete (bugs lauren?!?...yea i know..crazy right?). I commend the Los Angeles zoo on their care-giving efforts to the animals in their "health/hospital" ward, the Winnick Family Animal Care Center. They have their own section where visitors can get a glimpse of behind the scenes of how they care for their sick or young animals. It reminded me of a pediatric ward where you can look at the newborn babies through the window, it was similar to that. Also, when you do go, most zoos have volunteer chats where they'll bring out a handling animal, for example a hedgehog or snake, so you can get some up close and personal action. When is the next time you are going to say you touched a chinchilla or alligator?

Overall, the Los Angeles zoo was the perfect way to start my journey. I highly encourage you to visit as they have something for everyone!(great souvenirs!!) I've added a link below to the main website. If you have any additional questions regarding my visit to the Los Angeles zoo, feel free to leave a comment and I'll definitely get back to you. Until next time...Happy traveling!



Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Time: Monday - Sunday 10am -5pm
Price: Adult 13+ $16
          Child  2-12 $11
Parking: FREE!!
Fun: Priceless!

DON'T FORGET!!!!
Be sure to get a schedule and flier upon entrance to time your tour around the hilly park. You don't want to miss keeper talks (zookeepers interact with the animals, i.e. enrichment, feeding, checkups). Lastly, visit the Children's Zoo area, you'll have a great chance of touching an animal you wouldn't normally...(ooohhh scary!)

Bootylicious Bug

If Ms. Beyonce doesn't get enough of the spotlight, scientists recently have named a horsefly after the diva. The horsefly was first discovered in Australia in 1981, ironically Queen B's birthyear. The scientific name being Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae was named in honor of the insect having a rather large golden derriere. It is considered the "diva" of the insect world. Bryan Lessard, whose work was recently published stated that he hopes she takes the naming as a compliment and shed light in to entomology(the study of insects) and taxonomy(the classification of organisms). Take a look at that bum below...just this one time!

Scaptia (plinthina) beyonceae

Happy New Year!!

Hello everyone! I apologize for the hiatus...alot has been going on. Coming VERY soon(this weekend) I will be posting about my incredible trip to the Los Angeles zoo. You definitely should look forward to that!

Just for your quick viewing pleasure I have posted some "did you know?!? questions" Take a peak!

DID YOU KNOW??!?!?

1. Approximately 5000-7000 tigers are kept as "pets"-more than that exist in the wild! A tiger can be purchased for as little as $300, less than a purebred dog. (WHOA!...exotic/illegalpet trade)

2. Tarantulas are one of the top most exotic animals to own.

3. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (also a top exotic pet to own) are clean, odorless, harmless and can live for up to 1-3years. Some have been known to live up to 5! (yea....i don't do ANYTHING "cockroachy")

4. Chimpanzees have 7-10 times more strength than humans.

5. I stopped at 4 because that is my favorite number =)

Catch ya next post!

World's largest insect

Don't mind snakes too much, but roaches are my fear (especially flying ones) but this might be added to my list of phobias! The world's largest insect found in New Zealand called the Weta bug. What the weta! This insect has a wingspan of 7 inches and has the weight of 3 mice. Weta bugs are said to have been around for millions of years. Take a peak at how big this bug is! I also added a video clip of a man enjoying a Weta bug as a snack...they should add that to the X factor season or perhaps offer if to Andew Zimmerman (google it ppl...travel channel...great show!)


* you are not mistaken, it is nibbling on a carrot!

That's a big ole octopus!

The National Zoo located in DC is the new home to a giant Pacific Octopus, the largest species of it's kind. They can grow to be 600 pounds - Imagine seeing that swimming towards you in the water, pretty scary! Octopuses/octopi/octopodes (whichever plural form you prefer) are some of the smartest creatures in the world. Take a peak at some pics below...enjoy!

**Currently the size of the new octopus at the National Zoo is the size of a grapefruit.

How much did that cost?!

I know you all have seen the billboards around town publicizing the upcoming movie, "We bought a Zoo". Of course, it caught my eye...how great would that be to have your own zoo?! Based on a true story, the movie was shot in Thousand Oaks, CA. I've attached a link below so you all can watch the trailer to see if it's something you might want to go see. (seems like one of those "home-y" warm movies...kind of like Homeward Bound...remember that? good ole Shadow and Chance)

Comes out: December 23rd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUdX47LtXpw

Pig out on Pumpkins!

I'm not into all that scary Halloween stuff, but I figured I would post some cute pics of zoo animals celebrating this Fall season. Enjoy!

Have you heard?? It's a jungle out there in Ohio!

Recently Yahoo news posted an interesting article about some escaped animals in Ohio. The story suggests that the owner of an animal preserve set the wild animals free and then eventually committed suicide. Attached is the article and I urge you to check it out!

http://gma.yahoo.com/last-escaped-animals-being-hunted-down-zanesville-ohio-074109844.html

After reading the article, I realized they were killing these animals for the community protection but, my first thought was "why are they killing the animals?!" Why can't they tranquilize them and later relocate them? It later stated that the animals were "mad and aggressive" so ammunition had to be used to control the situation. (Wouldn't you be mad and aggressive if you got shot?..comes along with it...the medication doesn't affect the animal instantaneously)

It's unfortunate that such beautiful creatures had to be killed, but the safety of the community was priority. The man that owned this animal/nature preserve had these animals in unbearable conditions. My question is, if the community knew about these conditions, why did this event have to occur before they decided to do something about it? We need to be proactive with situations such as this.

Lastly, my favorite quote from the article, "'These are wild animals, wild animals that you would see on TV in Africa,' Lutz said at a news conference Tuesday evening." <----really? wild animals you see on TV in Africa...ignorance...so I had to chuckle. 

I bet you didn't know...

Most animals seen at the zoo aren't the most exotic in the world. I was curious to find some interesting facts about exotic and even domestic animals...so here we go!

Some of the most popular animals in the world are the "ugliest" ones...check these out!

Proboscis monkey


Bald Uakari


Naked Mole Rat


Blob fish


Philippine Tarsier


Aye Aye


Doesn't get any uglier than that! Which one is your favorite??

My favorite? Pandas!

So if you don't know, my FAVORITE animal is a panda. They are ADORABLE! These endangered animals can only be found at four zoos in the United States - San Diego Zoo, Atlanta Zoo, Memphis Zoo and National Zoo. I can't wait to visit these zoos! All pandas here in the US are on loan from China for specific research programs. Pandas are threatened of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching and poor breeding abilities. A dream come true would be to visit Chengdu Panda Research Facility, the Bifengxia Panda Reserve, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center,and of course the Beijing Zoo in China. 

First Stop...Houston Zoo

Greetings everyone! I have been on a mini hiatus, only because I'm trying to get my ducks lined up in a row...and stay there! The first stop on my zoo journey has to be the Houston Zoo. I have been there numerous of times, but this time it will be different; there is ALWAYS something new to learn and brand new openings. (Plus it is a good starting point) I like to think that everyone has been to there "home zoo", if not, what are you waiting for?!? The zoo is an oasis in amidst chaos. P.s. Hopefully I get to see this cutie below, her name is Aurora and she is the newest addition to the Orangutan family at the zoo 

Happy Friday!

You made it to the end of the week! Congrats....although, we should treat each day like it's Friday. No discriminating!(poor Monday) I wonder what you are going to do this weekend? You know what I'll suggest for you to do, head to the ZOO! (you saw that coming right?) Might be a little crowded but if you get there early, the animals will be up being very active before the heat sets in. If you happen to be in Houston, check out the Houston Zoo's upcoming event,  "Get Out and Play"  on Sept. 17 or if you happen to be looking for a quick weekend trip check out Chimp Haven. I personally can't wait to visit these locations! Have a wonderful weekend!

So...why are you doing this?

A question I have received from others, but something I ask myself too. What is my purpose of traveling to EVERY zoo in the US? What is the benefit? I have many passions in life, and animals are definitely one of them. How they communicate within their own kind is fascinating. It also amazes me, the things humans do, and what animals do are extremely similar. Something I'm sure people have said and you might have been guilty of saying...or thinking is, "They look so sad...why do they keep them LOCKED UP in cages? Why are they taking the animals from their natural habitat if they are suppose to be helping them?"
I then realize people aren't fully aware of the purpose of zoos. The purpose of most zoos, is to benefit the animals. Zoos acquire most of their animals because the lack of their natural habitats, they might be sick/injured, they are rescued from an illegal pet trade or sometimes they happen to be someone's pet. Zoos are beneficial to us because they educate us on the animals, their habitats, how we can preserve them and protect them. Personally, zoos bring a sense of peace and amazement to my life. To peek into the world of an animal that I would have never seen in the wild is rewarding and encourages me to do all I can to preserve them so the momentous feeling I have, my friends and family can also experience.

Camp Zoofari

This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at the Houston Zoo within the education department at Camp Zoofari. This was a stepping stone(one of many) to my "dream job" of becoming a President & CEO of a zoological facility. The zoo is the ultimate office, something new everyday! When I would get their early, I would take a morning walk to see how active the animals were. Lets just say, seeing the lions play with each other and the chimps running their exhibit was priceless. This past summer was hands down one of my most memorable. I figured I should take my love on the road. My goal is to visit ALL the zoos in the US...yes I said all (crazy right?!). I figured I would start small and see where I go...follow my blog and follow me on my journey. It'll be a fun ride...who knows what else I might post on here. :-)