One of the many great things about living in Hampton Roads is the incredible number of things to do and see. A favorite place for my family is the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. This year, I received a birthday surprise present of a "Behind the Scenes Tour" of the lion exhibit. For this tour, we were allowed to go into the back area of the lion habitat, speak with the lion keeper and watch the one-year old lion cubs enjoy their morning meal.
We entered the zoo at 9:30 am and were escorted via electric golf cart to the lion habitat. What I was not prepared for was the pure rush of adrenaline which coursed through my veins when we were led into the lion enclosure. These cats were bigger and more powerful than I could have imagined. We were about two feet away from these magnificent creatures, and stood mesmerized as they paced back and forth in anticipation of feeding time. The sounds that they made took my breath away. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I never knew you could do this sort of thing in Norfolk, Virginia. We stayed in the enclosure for about 30 minutes and were treated to tales of the differences in their personalities and their escapades during their first year of life.
These behind the scenes encounters are available for experiences with lions, elephants, giraffes, red river pigs and kangaroos. Prices depend on the size of your group and discounts apply if you are a member of the Virginia Zoo. For more information, you can visit the zoo's website at www.virginiazoo.org.
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