Rain, rain - don't go away!

Norbert (left) and Purdue enjoy wallowing in big mud puddles .

Like the song says, most of us prefer rainy days to stay away.  But recent rainstorms have been pure bliss for Norbert and Purdue, our Aldabra giant tortoises.

"They love the rain," said Zoo Keeper Missy North. She explains that during rainstorms, the tortoises stand on all fours with their necks outstretched. "They look just like the statue," she said, referring to the bronze likeness of a tortoise located next to the exhibit.

With rain comes an added bonus for the tortoises - mud puddles.  "They never go into their pond," North said.  "They'd rather wallow in the mud."

During Monday's rainstorms, Norbert and Purdue plopped down in a soupy brown puddle and stayed there the whole day.  "I can tell you," North said as she looked at the placid pair, "those tortoises are in heaven right now."

And the answer is...Yes!

Heather Humbert said yes to Andrew Edwards' unique proposal.

Many of our guests have seen the Recognition Tile in the African Journey tunnel that says "Heather, will you marry me?" and wondered: who is Heather, and what did she say?

Andrew Edwards, 25, and Heather Humbert, 24, met in photography class at Homestead High School and got to know each other on frequent school trips to the zoo to photograph animals.  When they reconnected a few years ago, their first date was at the zoo.  "We brought our cameras to take pictures that day, too," explained Edwards.

Andrew Edwards used a zoo Recognition Tile to propose to Heather Humbert.

When Edwards decided to pop the question, he wanted to make it memorable.  So this spring, he ordered a zoo Recognition Tile engraved with his proposal.  The only problem was the wait.  "I had my sister, who has a Membership, watch for it to go up," he said.  After about six weeks, the tile was finally installed in the African Journey tunnel and Edwards arranged for Humbert to visit the zoo.

"When Heather first saw [the tile], she didn't know it was for her," Edwards said.  "So I got down on one knee and took the ring out of my pocket."  Through her tears, Humbert said "Yes" to the proposal.  The crowd that had gathered burst into applause to celebrate the moment.

Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple - we're glad the zoo could play a role in your engagement!

Register now for Fall Zoo School

Explore the zoo in-depth at Fall Zoo School.

Horses, lions, and more await in our exciting series of Fall Zoo School programs.  We've got classes for kids age 3-12 and unique programs for families, too:

• Horse Sense 101 - learn how to care for horses
• King of the Jungle - get the scoop on the zoo's coolest cats
• What's Cooking - help prepare a meal for zoo animals
• Giraffes Galore - meet a giraffe keeper
• And more!

Click here to see a complete class schedule and register online today.
Questions?  Call 260-427-6808 or e-mail education@kidszoo.org.

Hours and Prices

The zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 11, 2009. 
The African Journey exhibit is NOW OPEN!

Admission is $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for children age 2-14 and $10.00 for seniors age 60 and over. Babies age one and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.

For more information visit our web site.

Helpful Links

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This newsletter is produced by

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808 phone:(260) 427-6800
visit our web site at www.kidszoo.org

Copyright © 2009 Fort Wayne Zoological Society. All Rights Reserved.