Experiencing Animals Up-close and Personal by Carrie Krickbaum

Butterflies are pretty cool! Anna Krickbaum is fascinated by an owl butterfly whose color resemble the camouflage colors of a great horned owl  (Photo Courtesy: Carrie Krickbaum)

Animals are fascinating creatures that easily capture the attention of children and adults! Most children learn about animals from storybooks, cartoons, and shows but an up-close encounter is another story!  A trip to the zoo, a wildlife sanctuary, an animal farm, a horse therapy session, or even a butterfly exhibit is a chance to give life to their imagination and help them build an emotional connection with animals.

How cool is it to see a child’s eyes light up in amusement every time they see the “King of the Jungle” prancing around, or giraffes reaching up to nibble leaves from the high tree branches. Even babies screech in excitement when they look into the eyes of a baby goat or pet the soft velvety muzzle of a curious pony. To watch a butterfly open its wings for the first time after emerging from a chrysalis is nature's gift to our sense of wonder. Wildlife encounters provided by zoos and other animal sanctuaries enable children to learn about animals effectively, promote empathy and compassion for living creatures, and foster cognitive development, which helps a child think about and understand the world around them. Observing and discussing animals with young ones stimulates their interest, curiosity and their realization that animals have feelings and emotions too! These encounters are planting the seeds of conservation as they begin to show concern for our natural resources. A natural resource is something that exists in nature, such as soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy.

What a surprise when your child realizes their special animal does exist for real!  Most kids can't stop talking about the first real bear they see, which until then existed only as their stuffed teddy bear. A zoo or aquarium can be the scene of such exciting discoveries when wild creatures from around the world are brought together in one place.  You don’t have to travel far and wide to see them and they are right there within reachable distance. It is like having their make-believe world come true.

Observing behaviors and learning about animals helps children develop a sensitivity to animals as living beings. Children can learn that animals have moods, emotions and needs just like they do.  Empathizing with animals gives your child a sensitive mindset for other fellow creatures. Even taking your child to a humane society shelter to play with cats can teach kids’ compassion towards animals.  Animal connection can help your child grow up to be more aware and responsible towards nature, the environment and its conservation.   

Learning to respect animals is an important lesson.  Even in a zoo, aquarium, ranch, pond, wildlife park or national park, these places provide habitats and homes for animals.  It is important to respect an animal's space and not disturb them. Children need to learn early to comply with rules for watching animals for their safety as well as the animal's safety.

It is intriguing to watch lions roaring and monkeys scratching their heads, otters swimming or a beautiful peacock displaying its tail feathers!  Visits to the zoo may help children understand animal behavior and characteristics. Even though some animals are confined in cages, their setting provides a semblance of their natural habitat. Observing animals being their natural selves in their almost natural environment is an immense learning experience for children. Who doesn’t remember relating to a sleeping lion or a penguin joyfully diving into the water?

While observing animals, focus on your child's senses- visual, auditory, and kinesthetic! Children's learning experiences are enhanced when they employ their senses. If they can see, hear and touch animals, they will remember more than just hearing about them. Auditory learners find it fascinating to listen to animal sounds while visual learners enjoy watching animal antics.

For some people, it is difficult to see animals in settings like zoos. However, many zoos are doing great conservation research with other countries to protect or re-establish species.  Wildlife sanctuaries are an important refuge for wild animals that can no longer survive in the wild.  
 
There are many places in Colorado where you can take your children to safely experience animals up close and personal. Summer is a great time to go on a family field trip to observe and learn about animals:  hear a chorus of native frogs at the Denver Zoo, touch the smooth, shimmering back of a stingray at the Denver Aquarium or experience the magic of metamorphosis at the Butterfly Pavilion. Check out some of our suggestions for summer animal learning adventures below.
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Wild Animal Sanctuary (https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/) is an educational facility (located near Keenesburg, - eastern Colorado) built on 1,300 acres of beautiful open grassland, the kind typically found on the plains of Colorado.  The wild animal sanctuary is the largest carnivore sanctuary in the work not only by the number of animals rescued and currently cared for, but also through the size and scope of operations. This site currently hosts over 550 lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other rescued animals and is open to the public for educational purposes
 
 
The Wild Mustang Sanctuary Herd (https://www.greatescapemustangs.org/sanctuary) is composed of mustangs who have journeyed through various chapters – from the wild to captivity but are strongly wired with their wild instincts and have proven themselves happier with minimal human interactions. Here, they are granted the freedom to live out their life grazing and roaming, forming bonds within a natural environment that mirrors their native habitats.

The Denver Zoo (https://denverzoo.org/) programs are rooted in age-appropriate experiences that connect all learners to the natural world through cultivation of empathy and self-driven exploration that builds knowledge and ultimately empowers learners to take action for wildlife.

Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO (https://butterflies.org/) is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world and a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.

Metaphorse Equine Therapy and Riding Instruction (https://www.metaphorse.com/) offers a uniquely designed equine activity for children and adults. Each session with the therapy horses can truly be a profound experience, is a more powerful way to learn and is proven to cause a lasting change.

Western Colorado Botanic Gardens: Butterflies (https://wcbotanic.org/butterflies/  promotes the responsible conservation of precious natural resources in Western, Colorado by providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages, while offering an aesthetic setting for cultural and community events.”

Moon Farm Petting Zoo (Moon Farm Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo - Moon Farm)

Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning (www.gvequineassistedlearningcenter.org) provides horse-based therapies for children, adults, veterans and public servants including police and fire personnel to facilitate growth, learning and healing to people of all abilities including the disabled, disadvantaged and special needs.