Bear Hollow Zoo celebrates annual Zoo Day
By Vaughan Stout
Multimedia (video, story)
(Photo Courtesy/Vaughan Stout)
Zoo Day, an annual educational and interactive event held in Memorial Park’s Bear Hollow Zoo, drew Athens residents to learn about the non-releasable animals that reside there. The event brought artists, vendors, passionate staff and curious citizens together to spread awareness, inform and inspire each other regarding the Georgia wildlife vital to the Athens environment.
Bear Hollow Zoo, located in Memorial Park, is one of the many attractions Athens has to offer. According to the Bear Hollow Zoo Program Guide, the zoo houses around 30 animals deemed non-releasable by a veterinarian or the Department of Natural Resources. The guide states these animals are to serve as “ambassadors for their species,” meaning the zoo not only takes care of their fundamental needs and enrichment, but also uses them as learning opportunities for the public.
(Photo courtesy/Vaughan Stout)
Zoo Day, held March 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a key example of how these ambassador species benefit the public in a way that also benefits themselves. The zoo staff go out of their way to enrich and enhance the livelihoods of the animals while simultaneously providing visitors with knowledge about the importance of wildlife, its preservation and its rehabilitation.
“It is pretty much shining a light on our animals, on habitat. We pick the themes and we have enrichment made for all the animals that go with the theme,” said the Memorial Park program leader, Alyssa Vinson.
Vinson said the theme for this Zoo Day was artists, which allowed staff and visitors to admire local art in a way that also celebrates the zoo and its animals. The staff, invited guests and artists all displayed a depth of knowledge and passion for native Georgian species and were happy to pass it on to zoo-goers in easily digestible ways.
Suzie DeGrasse, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, was one of the many featured guests present at the event. She works closely with Bear Hollow Zoo and provided them with their ambassador opossums, Tater and Tot. Degrasse is very passionate about helping injured wildlife, making her a great representative for the mindset this event hopes to instill in zoo visitors .
DeGrasse said, “That there is help available. That there are people out there who are dedicated to helping injured and orphaned wildlife.”
“You don’t have to just sit back and let nature take its course,” said DeGrasse.
Why I Wrote the Story:
Writing this story allowed me to experience the reality of event coverage and on-the-spot interviewing, two very difficult yet vital aspects of my future vocation. The story also gave me the opportunity to cover not only the lovely wildlife our state has to offer, but also the exemplary caretakers that have the privilege of overlooking their wellbeing.