Coke With The Primates.

An excursion it was to the Songhai Zoological Garden, Owerri. The weather was cool with a mild sun. Our vehicle rode through the dusty hills leading to the garden sending straying asps and scorpions scuttling for safety. These hills stood ageless like a wallpaper surrounded by green flourishing forests. On the entrance to the garden I could hear the growls and cries of different animals. A friendly ranger picked us from the truck as we alighted. With few words he narrated the history of the garden and the various schemes which were undertaken in the farms and gardens. I had little attention in the farms, the wild calls me! I could hear the cries, whimps, shrieks, calling from the neighboring fencing. I was glad when the ranger took us to the first animal pen. There I saw the Hyena, also called Crocuta Crocuta. Very strange, huh? 'That is the zoological name.' the ranger said. I won't be tutored much about this exotic creature. I could see for myself. It seemed it was shy or angry or scared or the combination of the three, anyway it looked ferocious. With its eyes glowing red and those fierce tatoo-like looks it could pass for a demon. On the next cage was an African Civet, reputed to be a dangerous animal. We moved on to the next pen and there stood some fine peacocks. Each trying to show off its feathers. I noticed that they never cooed all the time I was fixated on them. There were various birds which I wont be able to list out. The next pen held an African python. The skin polished with black, red and white stripes. It was a very strange mix of hue. It was fearless or should I say confident; it allowed us come closer but it was hissing. I had a quick thought, perhaps it was warning us not to come any closer. We saw wild pigs, playing with their young feeding from the debris, some Nile crocodiles, all yawning and proudly displaying their dental cavity. The sight that amazed me most was the different species of monkeys that the garden kept. Baboons, Chimps and other smaller monkeys. I had my first acquaintance with a Rhesus, I believe they are good pets. They were playful and were funny. It even allowed me to scratch its back! It was a place to be and I enjoyed the coke at the local visitors place.