Behind the Scenes

The Uganda Wildlife Education Center was originally founded to accommodate confiscated and injured wildlife and to look after orphan animals which have been taken away from smugglers.  While they do reintegrate some of the animals, it is basically a zoo.  As part of their education program, we went on a behind the scenes tour, which is a two-hour tour that starts before the park opens so you get to hold, pet, and feed some of the animals.

We started out with the snakes and got the chance to hold an African Rock Python.  Thankfully Dad went first because Mr. Snake decided to poop on him, gross.  The snake was rather large and we both required help holding it.

I guess everyone poops, even snakes.

He was heavy!

Next stop, the giraffes.  We were driven around the Education Center in the back of a pickup truck.  As we pulled into their enclosure, you could tell they knew what time it was as they were lined up waiting for their morning treat.  We pulled the car in and the giraffes, along with an eland, marched in a line after our car.  They got a nice treat of carrots and eggplants.  Feeding them was quite entertaining, and even though we were in the truck they still towered over us.

Soo much fun!

The eland really wanted snacks too.

Got any food left?

After stopping by a few other animals (chimps, rhinos, and hyenas), we were headed to the big cats (my favorite)!  They recently got a new male lion since the one they had passed away last year from old age.  He was being held separately so they could slowly introduce all of the females to him.  Zara, the head female lion was extra friendly and we got to pet her.  The guide literally said, “You can pet her just don’t put your fingers by her mouth.”  Not sure why he needed to add that, because would most people really try to put their fingers in a lions mouth?

The lone male.

Just like any cat, she kept rubbing up against the cage and seemed to like being pet.

We got to feed her some meat, look at those paws.

After the lions, we were off to the leopard.  After just seeing two in a tree, I honestly didn’t realize how large they were up close.  He was slightly aggressive and I definitely would not want to mess with one in the wild.  We also had meat for him and he literally pulled this frozen hunk of meat through the tiny holes in the fence.  It was intense, to say the least.

He was a big boy.

He devoured the frozen meat.

Last, but definitely not least, was Charlie the elephant.  Unfortunately, he is the only elephant at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, but he didn’t seem to mind.  At just 4 years old he’s already as tall as me.  We got to give him some treats and in return got to give him a hug.  It was love!

Afterward, we got to do the zoo at our own pace and then headed out for a nice lunch to reflect on all our travels.  Three weeks is going by so quick!

Hugging Charlie.

We had to give the command, "Charlie, up" as an exercise.

My new buddy, Charlie.

:)