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Micaela Bretey
Professor Polking
Comp II
19 May 2016
A Trip to the Outback

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I cant help but to feel joyous and carefree. I take long, deep breaths as I know I am in for a
splendid day. I can just feel that I am a part of a clean, safe, and welcoming environment and that is
part of what makes this such a great experience. There seems to be a place to sit whenever my legs

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begin to fatigue, no garbage on the ground, and it smells fresh. There are shops slightly overpriced everywhere I look. The shops stand out like a bright star in the dead of night. They have
giant, colorful signs to make sure the visitors know that there are places to shop. Whether you are
looking to buy a souvenir, a snack, or an ice-cold drink, theyve got it. The Henry Doorly Zoo brings
happiness as I stroll down the wide, winding sidewalks, just waiting to examine what is going to
come next.
Pulling into the parking lot, I can already feel that I am in for a long and weary but exciting
day. I feel blissful and triumphant as I am ready to see the variety of animals. It seems as though
every parking spot is taken and I begin wondering why I didnt come earlier in the day. Knowing
from experience, the zoo is always packed full of excited visitors. But this does not stop anyone
from enjoying a beautiful day around smiling faces and wild animals. The bright, blue sky with rays
of sun beaming down on me only makes this experience better. Looking at the vast array of color
surrounding the zoo urges me to get inside quickly. When I stroll in, I expected to smell contrasting
scents, but I smell nothing but the pure air, until later on. I also heard various languages talking
and kids screaming, but no animals yet.

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Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo is more than just a

place to observe wild animals; it is a place to connect
with people, have an amazing time, and even be educated
on wildlife. This historic facility offers much more than
any definition could say. On May 13, 1986, the elements
of the Zoos mission were established, which include:
Promote and encourage recreational activities for the
public in the context of wild animals and their habitats. Promote, establish, and maintain
educational activities and programs to enhance the knowledge of the general public and the
Zoological staff in all areas relating to the natural world. Promote conservation of rare and
endangered species of plants, animals and their natural ecological systems. Promote and undertake
research programs related to the goals of zoos ("Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium").
After visiting this breathtaking zoo, it is no wonder that their mission has been accomplished. And
already succeeding in their mission, they still continue to excel and enhance the quality of the zoo.
Each time I have visited the zoo, there has been loud, distracting construction going on. The
continuous construction goes to show that this establishment is astonishing and many peoples
favorite zoo in the United States. These construction sites are filled with machines that range from
giant, driveable bulldozers to small, hand-operated shovels. The sites also hold numerous,
dedicated workers. I see yellow hard hats and men wearing neon orange vests, reminding me of the
men and women I saw on my way to Omaha in the road construction. I hear deafening radio music
playing for the hard workers. The sound of rap beats and singing is much different than what I had
expected to hear this afternoon. After interviewing Dustin Olson, one of the zoos managers, I
realized why they were always doing such an extravagant amount of construction. When I asked
him what his view of the constant construction was, he told me:
Well, it is challenging to improve while still serving the needs of our guests. The
construction and everything we do is amazing and we have a lot of great doings. It is

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difficult to balance offering an amazing experience and maintaining or improving the

conditions for the animals.

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The construction is also making it possible for the Henry Doorly Zoo to hold and examine more
animals and generate even more exhibits. In 1898, the zoo had an animal population of about 120
animals, which included; deer, a grizzly bear, and two bison on loan from Colonel William F. Cody
along with 120 other animals ("Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium"). After numerous years
of hard work and determination, it is not hard to believe the zoo has seen over twenty-five million
visitors over the past forty years ("Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium").
I approached an elderly man, wearing plaid shorts and a white shirt. He didnt have much
hair and he seemed to be alone. When telling him about how many visitors that came to this zoo
and asking him why he chooses to come to this zoo, he told me, There is always so much. I feel like
I never see everything because I am constantly learning, mingling with the friendly pedestrians and
workers, and they are constantly adding. I have traveled a lot and this is the best zoo in the United
States.
When entering the zoo, your sight is filled with smiling faces, bright, beautifully cut grass,
and gorgeous flowers and decorations.

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I would recommend visiting the zoo on any occasion. There were so many beautiful sights
and so many different smells. The visitors can touch the soft or rough skin of the animals. Some
animals had fur as soft as a fuzzy blanket, such as; polar bears, monkeys, and baby cubs. Other
animals have rough skin lizards, elephants, and alligators that is like handling a whole
pineapple with the rough, prickly exterior. There were also all types of smells throughout the zoo.
While going through the desert dome, you could smell the sweat from other visitors. It was as if I
was walking through a room full of sticky odor. This grotesque atmosphere did not last long as I
hurried through the dome. As I was continuing my journey through the wildlife, a tremendous
scent of roses and fresh air was brought upon me. This soothing smell gave me ample opportunity
to take a deep breath and think about how lucky I am that I am able to visit such a place at ease.
No matter the occasion, Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo is an exceptional place to be. There are
interactive games that can be played for the impatient children. About fifteen minutes into my
journey around the zoo, I noticed a smiling and cheerful new mother breastfeeding her beautiful
baby at one of the many round tables. This just goes to show how welcoming and accepting this
facility really is. It is not hard to believe that this is so many peoples favorite zoo or that people
come here multiple times throughout the year, each and every year. There were so many benches
and places to sit for parents and kids. I also felt comfortable with going up to strangers and asking

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them questions about the place or to take pictures of for me. This could be because each person I
passed had a smiling face or was releasing tremendous laughter.

In many places where you see families with small children, you will more than likely see the
guardian right next to the children to ensure their safety, just as I did. This zoo offers many areas
for kids to play and adults to sit down and relax. I saw a lot of kids running around and walking by
themselves with the adults chatting and checking up on their kids every so often. This zoo not only
provides a safe environment, but also a learning environment. As I approached one group of moms
to ask them about the zoo, one of the little boys ran up to his mother and told her all about the new
animals he has seen. Being in the cat complex, he went on about the ferocious tiger that swayed
back and forth in the cage. He continued to explain to her that they only live in a certain
environment that contains grasslands and much area to roam. He knew that they only lived in
places that they could survive. Its not hard to believe that the mothers answered my question of
what their favorite part of the zoo is with, this is a great place for us moms to relax and chit-chat
and our kids to learn and tire themselves out. As I was asking this family questions, we were
watching the sea lions. They were a lighter brown color, much like milk chocolate, and they looked

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dry. The water had been drained out earlier in the day and the workers were cleaning the pool.
These whiskered animals wobbled around the droughted area and all around the employees
cleaning. The sea lions looked as if they were begging for water. They used their big flippers to
maneuver around the long hose and workers around. You could tell they had been sitting in the
blazing, hot sun for some time. Their fur looked like it was quenched for water.
With holding over 17,000 animals (Delana), it is difficult to get prepared for a lot of walking
and being able to push myself through this hot day. As I pushed forward up one of the small hills to
see the butterflies, I felt like one of the kids tiring myself out! I was hot and exhausted, but I kept
moving because I did not want to miss out on anything. I always make sure to bring a pen with me
to check off where I have been on the map the zoo provides. Without a map and the many signs
pointing out directions, I would be extremely confused and definitely lost. Almost every group of
people I saw had a map in their hands. When looking at the map in a huddled group, there are
many different facial expressions showing. Wearing shorts and t shirts, the group looks content
although they each seem to be exhausted from an event filled afternoon. In one moment, they all
might look confused, trying to figure out where they are at this moment. The next, they are smiling
and heading off in another direction. The map had many colors and pictures on it. It was very
appealing to the eye and it made the zoo experience that much better.

This extraordinary establishment holds multiple places in the record book, its not hard to
believe how many people need to use a map in order to get around. The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo

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has the largest glazed geodesic dome in the world, indoor desert in the world, nocturnal exhibit in
the world, indoor swamp in the world, cat complex in North America, and the second largest freeflight aviary in the world (Delana). But this very large and beautifully constructed facility is not
only about providing a fun attraction for its visitors. The first test-tube tiger was born right here in
Omaha, Nebraska. Could there possibly be more that this already astonishing place can do? Of
course! The first test-tube gorilla was born here and is still living here (Delana).
Although my adventure at the beautiful Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo is now over, I will never
forget the unsightly, elegant, and contrasting looking animals. I will never forget the way their
luscious fur felt underneath my already warm hand and the way the flowers appeared when
walking through the immense zoo. Remembering all the people and how friendly everyone was,
will be easy. Especially referring back to the old summer days when my family and I would go to
visit these fascinating animals. The excitement on my little siblings faces as we passed the
humongous dome filled with all kinds of desert creatures would make my parent's heart fill with
joy. I always adored seeing the other children dance around their parents, ready to get a start on
the adventure for the day. Even though it was extremely hot, the sweat dripping down my face, and
I was panting up all the hills, it is still an amazing zoo. My experience at the zoo was an incredible
one and I cant wait to go back.

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Works Cited
Delana. "15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Henry Doorly Zoo and
Aquarium In Nebraska." OnlyInYourState. Only In Your State, 21 Mar. 2016. Web. 17 May
2016.
"Google." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2016.
"Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium." Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Omaha
Henry Doorly Zoo & Lozier IMAX Theater, n.d. Web. 17 May 2016.