Ahanu Zoo has been closed until further notice.

Written by Matthew Robins, Summer 2024 Intern – June 18, 2024

COMMENTS ARE TURNED OFF FOR THIS POST

06/18/24

We’ve got snakes!

Don’t worry though. They’re not scary, just misunderstood! Most of them just want to lie around all day and stay up all night instead! Brendon, our Bredl’s Python (Morelia bredli) is from Australia and enjoys hunting birds, rabbits, and even domestic cats! Phillip, our Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucas) is from right here in the United States. His favorite food is eggs. He likes to eat them whole! This snake can even climb up trees! Our Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus) is named Rebecca, and she’s from Southeast Asia! She’s our biggest reptile at the zoo by far and loves swim. She can’t see very well but uses smell (through her tongue!) to sense her surroundings, slithering through the grass of her enclosure, flicking her tongue out to taste the air, to begin to hunt. To be a snake is not to be nefarious as your ecclesiastical sources would tell you, but to be forward-thinking. Bending one’s body – not to conform – but to stretch beyond the limits of previous days, of previous lives. Rebecca’s belly glides through the dirt and the muck that stands in her way. She opens her maw like the gates of hell that we have banished her to; she rises up to consume the lowest urchins of the Earth; she gently nips at the ankles of her keepers, playing with the ready hands that feed her; she commands her visitors with her swaying form, and they should listen closer.

Written by Jeffrey Holmes, MFA – June 15, 2024

Did Ahanu’s animals always have names?

Quinn Johnson 06/15/24

How is Ahanu addressing the recent outbreaks?

Katie Court, Fairless Times 06/15/24

How will your animals remain safe? Could they be already infected?

Katie Court, Fairless Times 06/15/24

My son and I liked the other stories better. This is inappropriate for children.

Delia Manson 06/16/24

😂

Brian Vincent 06/17/24

How do you do the smiley faces? Thanks in advance!

Delia Manson 06/17/24

Regarding the recent outbreaks in the area, I implore Ahanu visitors to remain calm. The so-called infection is still being studied. It has not yet been named. Remember to follow the local warnings about hand-washing and keeping children away from domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. Here at Ahanu, our animals come from zoological institutions all over the world, but they do not come in direct contact with humans. The infection has only been known to pass from animals to humans. Our employees do not handle most of our animals by hand. And, thanks to annual vaccinations and checkups for our employees, our staff remains healthy.

Written by Dr. Rose Hanson-Holmes, Director – June 7, 2024

The government wants us to believe it’s animals, but this disease has actually been in our food this WHOLE TIME.

undergroundddddd 06/07/24

Are ya’ll still open on Saturday? My kid has his birthday.

Mason Durn 06/07/24

Yes, we are open Saturday for our regular hours.

Dr. Rose Hanson-Holmes, Director 06/07/24

What about the petting zoo?

Cindy Thompson 06/07/24

Yes, the petting zoo will also be open during our regular hours.

Dr. Rose Hanson-Holmes, Director 06/07/24

Rose, can you call me back?

Lily Hanson 06/08/24

Just as soon as I have time.

Dr. Rose Hanson-Holmes, Director 06/11/24

Remember to fill out the AHANU ZOO SURVEY for a chance at an annual pass for you and a loved one! Surveys are available to the entrance gate from June 1st to June 31st!

Written by Matthew Robins, Summer 2024 Intern – June 3, 2024

I bought an annual pass last year why isn’t it working

Billy Potter 06/03/24

Do you recall when it was purchased?

Matthew Robins, Summer 2024 Intern 06/03/24

Last year

Billy Potter 06/03/24

Do you happen to know in what month? Annual passes last for 12 months. The purchase date should be in the upper righthand corner.

Matthew Robins, Summer 2024 Intern 06/03/24

It says june

Billy Potter 06/03/24

If the pass was purchased in June 2023, then it would last through May 2024. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Matthew Robins, Summer 2024 Intern 06/03/24

Can I get a refund then

Billy Potter 06/04/24

No.

Dr. Rose Hanson-Holmes, Director 06/04/24

Our zoo contains two kinds of leopards! Samat is a Snow leopard (Uncia uncia) which means he comes from Central Asia. Snow leopards are considered endangered and like to keep to themselves, except during breeding season! When it comes to food, these big cats will eat anything they come across in the vast, snowy lands where they live! Snow leopards will often mark their territory by clawing at trees or even urinating! Watch out when you pass Samat’s enclosure or he may urinate on you too!

Tatyana is an Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) which means she comes from Far South and East Russia. Tatyana and her kin are critically endangered! Very few still live in Russia, which is why Ahanu is so lucky to have Tatyana here in Fairless Hills, Iowa! Amur leopards like to hunt at night, especially deer and boar, which is a kind of pig! Tatyana likes bacon just like you!

Samat and Tatyana live just next door to each other and can often be seen stalking the fences and making noises at one another! They coordinated an attack on a mouse once. Taunted it, herded it between one another’s cages until Tatyana reached a claw out and snatched it. A little mid-day snack.

Lately, they have been pacing more than usual. Restless. Don’t let this dissuade you from visiting though! They’re always happy to see us!

Written by Jeffrey Holmes, MFA – June 1, 2024

My son loves these little stories! We’re going to see Samat this weekend!

Delia Manson 06/01/24

Keep up the good work, Jeff!

Tamara Lyons 06/01/24

Wow. Can’t believe you finally got published. Real sophisticated stuff.

Brian Vincent 06/03/24
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