It is always difficult to capture wild animal intelligence on film or in actual observation, but it is not impossible nor is it to be consider non-existent. Many times wild animals are caught and nurtured back to health when injured by humans and then set back free, during the minor periods of captivity they are taught new skills. Yet so often once back in the wild they do not teach their local grouping the skill or even their offspring. It does happen and has been documented, but still it is rare.Much therefore is often hidden from view. And my point being that we do not see this in animals as it is hidden from view as well; Never the less, a study of them up close in the wild is of value. And if an animal is taught a skill by lets say a higher order mammal or being and they have little need for it having evolutionarily already solved that problem in their current living environment or habitat they will lose it if they do not use it and fail to teach it to their offspring as it is not needed.But if the animal is creative it will take that skill and modify it for some other purpose and that is the point at which you could really say that that Wild Animal Intelligence is more than we think, as they will use the new skill if needed and it comes in handy for a particular purpose and will not use the new learned skill if it is not. And wouldn’t that be the smartest thing to do? Interesting indeed, now let’s take a potential scenario of a new learned skill of a wild animal in captivity.For instance lets say you teach a Chimpanzee how to mow the lawn, well pretty cool and the Chimpanzee is intrigued by this and gets a kick out of it really, thinking it is funny and laughing at the process, while he or she gets a free banana. When you put them back into the wild let’s say, well there are no CCRs or neighbors telling them to cut the grass.But perhaps they find a sharp object and think well, there are snakes down there and if we cut the grass back we can see them if they try to sneak up on us. So they cut the grass back. Now to some this may seem like a so what? Yet, in reality it shows quite a bit of planning and adaptation and this is a skill that would be passed on and not the skill of the operation of a modern day lawn mower or push mower, as there are no gasoline stations they can use, no electrical plug ins, no lawnmowers either. So in that regard although perhaps un-noteworthy to some, it is a sign of higher level thought, strategizing and planning, reasoning and creativity to problem solve. Interesting indeed, so consider this in 2006.

This subject can be exciting, have an element of danger and be very time consuming but, if done right, can also be very rewarding. To be in the right place at the right time and under the perfect circumstances will mean a priceless group of pictures of wild animals.The first thing that must be said is use caution! We have to remember above all else that these critters are wild animals, no matter how beautiful that fox is or how cuddly that baby bear looks. They do get very cranky when they discover us in their world. But if you are careful, quiet and patient, you can get the shot.While hiking through your favorite trail, keep an eye and an ear at full alert. The tiniest movement must be checked out quietly because it could be the perfect opportunity for the wildlife picture you have been dreaming of. I sometimes pick a spot that has lots of animal tracks and rustled leaves to sit and watch for awhile. I hide a short distance away and sit quietly, waiting to see just which critter has been there. It does not take long before you are suddenly in luck.In preparation for your wildlife picture taking frenzy, here are a few things to consider:
You will want to get your camera and maybe even your tripod out and ready for the critter.
Make sure you have the zoom lens ready in case you need it. You do not want to be moving around a lot when the critter is visible.
Check your lighting and where you will need to be for the perfect backdrop.
You will not want to sit in the woods with a thermos of your favorite coffee. These critters have a keen sense of smell and will spot you before you even get that thermos out of your backpack.

When I take pictures of wild animals, I try to catch them in their element. It is easy to take pictures of them while they are running up the path but a great picture is evident when you are taking the photograph with them in their hidden world. Also, I try to capture their eyes.It is best when you can get this shot when they do not know you are there because they are relaxed and going about their own business. If they see you, you will capture that wild, frightened look that is not always what you want. With a little patience and a little luck, these tips will bring you a memorable experience and a treasured collection of wild life photos.

Caring pet owners will go to great lengths to ensure that their pets are well taken care of. They will buy only the best, non-additive food; shower it in all sorts of toys; provide it with the softest bedding; give it as much attention as possible; all to make sure that it is happy. But sometimes even the most well intentioned owners will fall behind on the things that are truly important when it comes to their animals. Your dog can own a million outfits and drink from a crystal glass, but if you do not go to your vet for routine vaccinations and heartworm testing, it can die unexpectedly. One of the things that vaccinations helps keep your pets safe from is disease caused by bites from wild animals.Dogs and cats are very susceptible to bites from animals. Even if you live in the city, there are many critters such as raccoons, opossums, squirrels and rats that can attack your pet. It is also not enough to keep your animal indoors and assume that you do not have to get it vaccinated because it will not be exposed to these animals. The issue here is that if your pet ever runs away or is unaccompanied even for a small amount of time while it is outdoors, it can be bitten. And if you failed to vaccinate your pet and this occurs, it will be too late if the animal that bit it had a disease.Diseases that are Transmitted by Animal BitesBy far the most serious disease that your dog or cat can contract from other animal is rabies. Rabies will eventually kill your pet, but it also causes them to become aggressive and bite. If it bites a person, that person can get rabies.Other common diseases that can be contracted from wild animal bites include:• Parvo• Distemper• Leukemia• Feline Immunodeficiency DisorderAnother issues that can arise from these animal bites, even if your animal was vaccinated, is infection. Wild animals have very dirty mouths which contain hundreds of different forms of bacterial. It is vital that if your pet is bitten, you take it to the vet even if the wound does not seem to be too deep.

One of the most popular and well known tourist attractions in Southern California is the San Diego Zoo. Most people outside of California, however, aren’t aware of an even better wildlife experience which is just a short drive from the Zoo, in the northern part of San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Like the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and education of endangered species and their habitats. I’ve been to the Park many times while growing up in Southern California, but my last visit was special because it was with my five year old daughter who has never been there before. It was an experience that yielded many cool pictures and a great time that I won’t soon forget.The San Diego Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, and many of the attractions that were there for the opening are still around today. The Park is not set up like a traditional zoo because most of the exhibits are in an open area on acres of land. This allows the Park to keep herds of different species that interact with each other in an environment that simulates their natural habitat. Because of this, the animals display many of their natural behaviors, providing Park visitors with a better understanding of how they live.The Wild Animal Park’s most popular attraction is the Wgasa Bush Line Railway which takes visitors on a 3 mile, 40 minute journey through most of the Park’s main areas and then into the San Pasqual Valley. The valley is divided into different areas, each representing different regions such as North Africa, South Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Mongolian Steppe. The tour also offers a live narration by the tram driver which really succeeds in educating the riders about each species on display. For instance, I never knew that a herd of rhinos is known as a crash. This attraction is perfect for older kids and adults, but younger children may become a little restless due to the ride’s length of time. In the spring of 2007, the old railway is going to be replaced by a new and more modern transportation system.Much of the Wild Animal Park’s charm comes from the over 3,500 plant species on display along with the Nairobi Village theme. Our visit was on a somewhat dreary day which made the Park seem like a rainforest with babbling brooks and misty walkways. The one exhibit that my daughter couldn’t get enough of was Lorikeet Landing. For two dollars, you can buy lorikeet food (nectar) and the colorful birds will actually land on you when you enter the atrium. From there, we saw another one of my daughter’s favorites, Lion Camp. This new attraction lets you see the lions from several different angles and also provides an up-close view when you approach the glass barrier, which is the only thing separating you from the king of beasts. I’m a big fan of carousels and the Conservation Carousel was one of the most unique that I’ve ever seen. Instead of horses, it featured many of the endangered animals that can be seen throughout the park. Our final attraction of the day was an Animal Encounter, where we got to experience a Caracal Cat up-close along with its trainer.For a little bit more than the price of a one-day ticket, you can purchase one of several packages that allow you to become a member of the Zoological Society of San Diego. As a member, you get such benefits as unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park for one year, a ZOONOOZ magazine subscription, a membership card, and monthly member specials featuring discounts on food and merchandise. Since The Wild Animal Park is operated by a non-profit organization, a visit to the gift store not only gets you some really cool stuff, but also allows you to contribute to a worthwhile cause. This was the first of many visits that my daughter and I intend on making to the Park over the next year. Hopefully, on your next trek through Southern California, you take the time to experience the San Diego Wild Animal Park for yourself.

Have you ever caught an animal in the wild? Save it from utter destruction only to find out that it’s a baby? Many people, especially animal lovers, get drawn in by the inherent cuteness of an animal and decide that it would be a good idea to take it home, care for it, and turn it into a pet. No. It is often forgotten that these animals are born wild. Wild animals have certain predispositions for specific behaviors, special needs that may not be accessible through conventional means, and an inherent fear of human beings. Over time, these attributes can become quite dangerous.Bringing wild animals into the home is against the law in many different states. Various different species are protected by both state and federal law. Statutes have been passed primarily to protect the animals from inadequate care and unnecessary death. There are several things that cause these deaths, and they are also very compelling reasons why wild animals do not make good pets. Here are just a few:1. Ignorance of Proper CareBelieve it or not, many wild animals held in captivity die, due to the fact that their caregivers do not know how to give proper car. Many of the wild animals held in captivity have special needs that are not the same as domesticated animals. Eventually, these animals develop a deficiency in their diet, causing them to become ill.2. Lack of Proper SocializationWild animals require an ability to associate with their own kind. Through this process the animal is able to develop the skill sets necessary to survive on his or her own out in the wild. If the animal has not learned these skills, it must either stay in captivity or die. This is especially unfortunate for animal that are much larger than usual or more aggressive that what humans are used to.3. Lack of Fear of Human BeingsWild animals are generally scared of human beings, especially if they have never encountered them before. This fear generally keeps them safe from hostile humans, and other unintentional harms.No matter how cute the animal might be, keeping a wild animal is not a good idea, not only for your health, but also for the health of the animal. The best thing to do when you encounter a wild animal is the report the sighting to the proper authorities, who have the experience and knowledge to deal with the situation appropriately.

On a whim a friend and I decided to take our kids to the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California. We had never been there before, but how hard could it be? We both had our double jogger strollers and we are both fit. Besides, isn’t the Wild Animal Park just a glorified zoo?How quickly we learned how wrong we were – on everything! Have you ever been to the San Diego Wild Animal Park? Well, this is not some overdone zoo! The park is one of the most amazing wild life refuges around. Animals are not merely in cages, waiting for you to come and gawk at them, no they are in their ‘natural’ habitat where they can be themselves.The Kilimanjaro Safari Walk is not to be missed, but be prepared it is a 2 mile path that takes you through great vistas and wonderful animals. Make sure you bring along your camera and water. You may want to bring along a snack or picnic and enjoy lunch in the African themed area.The Journey into Africa tour is another fun way to see the park. You will board a tram called the African Express and begin your journey into the heart of the Wild Animal Park. As the tram moves among the animals you will get to see just how big the animals are as you see them eye to eye. The Journey to Africa tour is not part of the regular admission so be prepared to pay an extra $10, $7 for kids 3-11.The San Diego Wild Animal Park was a fun place to visit. It was fun to see the lions lounging about in a safari type atmosphere, one was even lying on an abandoned LandRover – very unique! The older toddlers recognized several animals from movies like The Lion King and Madagascar, which made things even more fun for them. Getting to see Timon and Pumba up close was great fun!The park is built into a very hilly terrain and the animals are all situated rather far from each other. This is not a place you want to wear uncomfortable shoes! We went uphill and downhill quite a bit – and these were very steep hills. Not an easy route while pushing a double stroller with 50 pounds of baby weight.When all was said and done, the Wild Animal Park was a fun place to visit and it turns out a great place for a great workout. Visit the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park website before you go and plan your trip before you go. Plan to walk a lot and be amazed by the great exhibits!

An awesome destination in Georgia is the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain. The 500-acre wildlife preserve is an amazing place where you can spend a couple hours or the whole day. There are so many different types of animals to visit that inhabit the mountains, swamps, deserts, plains, and forests that represent different habitats worldwide. Wild Animal Safari has animals from more than six continents. You will never be able to see so many animals from different places worldwide than at the Wild Animal Safari. You may think that when you are in Georgia that the best place to visit is the Atlanta Zoo. But, the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain actually has twice the animals so it is worth your time!In fact, when you visit you will be able to see a large population of Ligers, which are half tiger half lion. You will also enjoy riding through the park either in your own vehicle or in a Zebra van. You will be able to feed animals and take as many pictures as you want to help you remember your experience.Thousands of guests visit the Wild Animal Safari Pine Mountain each year with more visiting each and every year. If you are in the Pine Mountain area in Georgia then you will definitely want to visit the Wild Animal Safari. You will have the experience of a lifetime so make sure to make plans to take advantage of this once in a lifetime experience!When you visit the park you can buy tickets. Tickets for adults cost $16.95, seniors 60+ and kids 3-12 cost $13.95 and toddlers two and under are free. This is a great place to visit as a family, as friends, and especially for school groups!There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this URL: http://www.seasonalvacationspots.comBy Robert W. BenjaminYou may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

The paradise wild animal park in Hertfordshire, England is a surprisingly good zoo. It doesn’t get the media attention of its neighbour London zoo (which is just a short drive away). In fact very few people know about this undiscovered gem – until now.It’s not a large zoo so there’s no room for bigger animals like elephants or giraffes, but they have got plenty of great animals and they really take care of them well. The enclosures are, for the most part, nice and large. None of the animals seem depressed to be there, and many have viewing platforms where you can look down at them, unobstructed by bars.One of the most popular exhibits is the snow leopards. These beautiful creatures have plenty of room, and you can get really close to them. There’s a large glass wall so you can see their beautiful markings up close in complete safety, or you can pop up to the viewing platform and watch them from above.The animal park is famous for its other large cats too, with lions, cheetahs and jaguars all seemingly happy to be there. They’re some spectacular animals, but what about the smaller animals? At the Paradise wild animal park, the real difference is in the smaller animals, and they have all sorts like gibbons, coatis and red pandas, as well as wolves, tapirs and zebras. There’s even a small hothouse with a sloth in!Animal experience days
The paradise wild animal park is the leading provider of animal experience days in the UK. They do everything from feeding the big cats, to tickling a tapir and feeding red pandas. You can even be a zookeeper for a day! For the best deals, book through their website.Their policy is to have one person for each experience – this is far better than grouping random people together for awkward sessions where people don’t know each other.This means that if no-one has booked a particular experience for that day, you can sometimes pay on the door at a discount. Don’t rely on doing this though because they are very popular.There’s a nice café and kid’s playground, but the best thing about this zoo is its size. Walk around Chester zoo or London zoo all day and you’ll be exhausted, but spend a few hours here and you’ll see everything, and even get the chance to tickle a tapir. What more could you want from a zoo?