Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Oregon Zoo

Happy Valentine’s Day From The Oregon Zoo Lion Cubs!

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Happy Quirky Friday Valentine’s Day! Know how the best plans run amuck? So went my morning, so finally getting around to Happy Valentine’s Day greetings. Since we all survived snow and ice-ageddon last weekend, found this great video from the Oregon Zoo showing what the lion cubs were up to over the snowy long weekend. Seems even lion moms were having to deal with cabin-crazed cubs!

So in the great Winter Olympic spirit, watch these kids go for the gold in the snow. They even end up on the podium! Have a great Valentine’s Day and remember, no chocolate calories today. Happy Quirky Friday!

Back To Neka And Her Girls!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

It’s no secret I adore cats and especially big cats. So it must be time to get back to the nursery and check in on Neka and her three daughters at the Oregon Zoo.

All are doing well and they surprised unsuspecting visitors with a Halloween treat last week when they made their first frolic outside in their public area. A nice sunny day, the little ones can only be out when the temperature is above 55, so check out how much they’ve grown!

Happy Quirky Friday!

Back To Neka’s Cubs

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Time for Quirky Friday and we survived last weekends big storm and the monsoons. My alpaca socks came in very handy. Sun is out and there is good news at the Oregon Zoo. The youngest cub has been in the nursery hospital for nine days, but got put back in with her siblings this week. Mom Neka started cleaning her right away, so all fingers are crossed the little furry one will continue to make progress against her chubby sisters.

Seems these kits haven’t quite found their roars yet, so pretty silent video, but how cute are these babies? Have a great weekend and enjoy Quirky Friday!

P.S. Sir Stuffington, the pirate cat, has gathered $3,000 from around the globe in donation booty for the Multnomah County’s Animal Services since his Internet stardom. He is also going to get some surgery for his jaw injury. They are using the donated money to create care kits for foster feline parents. Cats rule!

Are You Ready For The Polar Bear Swim Cam?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Seems one of our polar bears at the Oregon Zoo, Tasul, is sporting a new fashion accessory. Even the zoo animals have jobs here in the great state of Oregon. Tasul is helping scientists study polar bear behavior. Such a good girl!

Not only is she wearing a fancy motion detector collar, but the zoo staff added a camera, so we have polar bear swim cam! Go for a dive with Tasul without getting wet. Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Who Gets Your Vote For Mom Of The Year?

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Mother’s Day is just over a week away. The Oregon Zoo picked three of their recent Mothers to decide who earns the Mom of the Year title. The keepers are trash talking each other about the merits of these great Moms. I think they all win.

With the sun blazing away here in Oregon this weekend it’s a good time to get ready for the upcoming holiday. Whether you recall fond memories, put on a big meal or celebrate those of us who have furry kids, everybody is a Mom to someone!

Enjoy your weekend and have a great Quirky Friday!

Giving Dwarf Pygmy Rabbits A Foot Up!

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

This Sunday many folks will be celebrating Easter. But almost everyone can use it as a great excuse to eat chocolate. I am a huge rabbit fan and the Easter Bunny and I go way back. Growing up my neighbors had a pet rabbit and we had a wild rabbit show up in our backyard. Love those bunnies!

This fixation of mine created some interesting moments while traveling in Istanbul, Turkey in 1983. I was collecting a rabbit figurine in each of the 16 countries on our organized camping tour.  My 27 camper buds were always on the lookout for rabbits for me even though one former Australian sailor referred to it as “Bunny Hell.” I think he was kidding.

Needless to say, at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul the whole “bunny rabbit” concept was not getting across. I was making ear signs and hopping and doing all sorts of things to try to get my message across. The vendors kept shoving camel and cat figurines at me. No bunnies. It wasn’t until later we thought maybe there are no rabbits in Turkey. Who knows?

But we have very special rabbits here in Oregon as part of the Endangered Species Program. Along with the Oregon Zoo’s work breeding California Condors we have the mighty Dwarf Pygmy Rabbits. They have returned bunnies to the wild since this video, but here is an intro on Dwarf Pygmy Rabbits 101. Happy Quirky Friday. Go bunnies!