Attribution: Hywel Williams
Image: Family of Giraffes at a Wildlife Park (here)
Set to be on the go up high in the sky
Sitting pretty by the snow
up Mount Kilimanjaro
Gleefully to spy
On the vast hinterland
of game animals roaming
in their natural habitat
That was the feeling for a start
Through the game reserve, driving
all from safety of their cars
Watching and feeding
Zebras,deer, elk, bison giraffes and llamas
Just as well as each car was well placed
with animal food before proceeding
to explore the Safari at a leisurely pace
As if that was not enough they could then
breeze through the Safari Junction
meant for walking at another section
Breeding and conservation efforts
focused on white zebra and giant eland
as well as other rare species selected
To be ogled at by later generations
to wonder at near extinct species and they
were not even on the African Continent!
Note:The African Safari Wildlife Park is in Port Clinton, Ohio
Visitors can drive through the 100-acre (40 ha) preserve and
watch and feed the animals from their cars. before proceeding
to walk through part of the park, called Safari Junction.
For Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #305
Would sure be quite the experience indeed as one drives on through with plenty of animals to view
ReplyDeleteThis was pure magic to read Hank, wonderful write.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I have mixed feelings about these parks, but the way you describe this one makes me want to be there.
ReplyDeleteThere is a wonderful flow to this poem Hank - very glad to join you on safari!
ReplyDeleteWildlife parks such as this may be the only hope for rare species unless killing and poaching can stopped. In South Australia there is one huge park of 1500 hectares that is considering accommodating large numbers Rhino before they are wiped out in Africa by hunters. However once in a park the chance of them ever being truly wild again is doubtful.
ReplyDeleteSafari parks that focus on conservation are definitely needed to counter poaching and environmental destruction. But I agree with Robin, getting them into the wild again is a huge question. But better to have massive parks where the animals are free than zoos where they are caged.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had not realized Ohio had a wildlife park. Hopefully their breeding and conservation efforts will be successful. An informative poem here, Hank.
ReplyDeleteMust be wonderful to be able to see these animals – and without having to travel to Africa!
ReplyDeleteIt must be so adventurous to be among this incredible creatures :D Excellent write Hank.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience! I've always wanted to go on such a African safari!
ReplyDeletelovely scene Hank...helping grow is a much better option anyway...
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the animals feel about it, especially the ones being bred to be the object of tomorrow's ogling.
ReplyDeleteTo save a genetic pool somewhere in the world is basically good, the ogling at wildlife is something that feels a little weird, but it does make sense to support the saving I guess.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how it would feel like if we were trapped in the human safari and the animals ogled us...I am sure it was an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteOh Hank, how I would love to slowly through that park. You took me there with your words.
ReplyDeleteMy son visited such a place when he was in Zambia and has described it to me as a watershed moment in his life. I enjoyed reading this, Hank. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLoved that ending... that none of this is actually in Africa. A nice surprise.
ReplyDelete