CLEVELAND ZOO

The Scouts and their families left Niles on Nov. 18th around 4 p.m., arriving at the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo, they were greeted by the Zoo Educational Department. The children were then split into two groups while utilizing telemetry and night vision goggles to track down a bear. Along the way, our Scouting families seen reindeer, polar bears, cranes, condors and the American Bald Eagle. "The children were amazed at how large the talons were on the Eagle," stated Cubmaster Jim Alexi, while adding, "This was a great educational event, conducted through our Committee. Children normally do not get to utilize this type of equipment, let alone a hands-on experience, as this group did tonight!" With their night vision goggles, the bear was tracked successfully, then the Scouts headed back to the wolf cabin for hot chocolate. Arriving at the wolf cabin the Scouts did activities consisting of: learning about pelts of different animals, such as wolves, bison and rabbits to name a few. They then went to a rubber stamp station. Our Scouting families were taught various ways in which Naturalists track animals. They saw a barn owl, then met "Ken" a three ringed armadillo and a snake named "Louisa." The families got to touch the armadillo and snake! The night ended at 12:00 a.m. The early morning wake up was at 7 a.m. breakfast. They then met back at the educational building where the Scouts were taught about ways in which to utilize a compass. This time, the Scouts had to track down the wolf, by using their new compass and pacing skills. Along the way, the children found evidence of the wolf, from scat, a paw print, reindeer antlers and skull. In the wild, wolves can actually eat every part of the reindeer, including the antlers and skull, however, they cannot eat the jaw bone, it is too hard for them to chew. After tracking down the wolf, the Scouts went to visit the Lorikeets and fed them nectar from little cups. The Scouts made their way back to the wolf den, to see the wolves wake up for the morning. All the Scouts participating in this educational event were all given a Cleveland Metro Park Zoo patch.