2005~ September 23 Tupelo MS
Friday, September 23, 2005
I went on a class field trip with my granddaughter from Mars Hill Bible School to The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo in Tupelo, MS.
All the school children had to ride the school bus.
My daughter and I rode with some of the other parents that drove.
All the school children wore red shirts with the words Panthers Mars Hill Bible School Florence, Alabama printed on the front of them.
We first walked through the petting zoo were we saw rabbits, turkeys, pigmy goats, potbelly pigs, Lucy the miniature cow, goats, miniature ponies, deer, cows, buffalo, (the kids fed some of these animals).
We also saw the colorful, large, long tail Macaw, and we saw the Leadbetter’s Cockatoo or Pink Cockatoo from Australia.
Some of the animals that cannot be touched are the bandit the black bear, Kiki the African Lion, Ozzie the BAL Python, Oliver the Monkey, and Gypsy the cougar.
We also saw Joe the camel, big john the buffalo, tallboy and patches the giraffe, Zeke, and Zelda the Zebras.
We saw the North American Black Bear and a sign in front of his cage that read.
Heigh:t on all fours 3-4ft - standing 4-7 ft.
Length: 4-6ft
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
Weight: Male 425 lb..-Female, 200 lb.
Mating: late June and early July
Gestation: about 7 months
Diet: fruits, nuts, veggies, bread, meat
Colors: Pure black, Cinnamon, blond.
The Black bear’s name is deceptive: It is a species name only and does not refer to color. Black bears have a highly developed sense of smell. Exceptional hearing average eyesight. Their mood is indicated by the position of their head: Walking with their head below their shoulders is a sign of aggression.
Another sign about Coatimundi:
Weight:17-12 lb.
Length: Head & body 16-26 inches — tail 12-27 inches
Range: Arizona to Argentina
The Coatimundi has short forelegs and long hinges, it walks with a bear-like gait and uses its nose to investigate crevices.
The teachers lead the children to the bleachers where they were seated to watch the Chickasaw Indians perform.
The Chickasaw Indians were dressed in vivid colors, painted faces, and with head-dress of many colorful feathers.
There were three Chickasaw Indians dancing and playing drums and were wearing exquisite Pheasant feathers headdress.
After their performance, the school children were invited to join in the dancing.
Some of the school children and parents got their pictures made with the colorful dressed Chickasaw Indians.
There were many vendor tents set up where the children could buy souvenirs. My granddaughter bought a flute, a rabbit's foot and he cousin bought a slushy.
We walked up to the electric fence where we saw the bison and the great white buffalo, “TUKATO,”. There were also giraffes wander in the woods behind the electric fence.
The school children ate lunch after they used the restrooms and washing our hands in the large outdoor sink.
When the school children finished eating lunch they played on the playground.
After the kids ate lunch and saw all the animals they were headed back to the school buses and the parents loaded into personal vehicles.
We headed home.
Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo 2272 North Coley Road Tupelo, MS 38803 662-844-870, or info@tupelobuffalopark.com
Rates are Adults $10.00
Children under twelve was $8.00
Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo
Family rate two parents and up to four children $29.95
