Bird bash
Feathered fundraiser highlighted at Little Ponderosa Zoo event
Erica Harness of Jacksboro visits with parrot Rosie at the LIttle Ponderosa Zoo and Wildlife Rescue during last Saturday’s bird fundraising event. Looking on is Harness’ daughter, Luna, 21 months, and Anthony Estrada. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Natalie Yeiser, the lead zookeeper for the birds, staffed a table just inside Little Ponderosa’s entrance, where she had several parrots and other exotic birds on display.
She was there to talk about her feathered friends to zoo guests, and conduct activities designed to help raise awareness of and money for the bird program at Little Ponderosa.
Activities included coloring of bird drawings by kids for inclusion on the zoo’s Facebook page and for display in the bird area.
There was a steady stream of visitors stopping by to visit with Natalie and the birds she had in cages around her table, including parrots, cockatoos, zebra finches and parakeets.
The zoo even has parakeets available for adoption.
In her job, Yeiser works “to provide enrichment” for the zoo’s rescued and surrendered birds, including the “daily entertainment and appropriate foods needed to keep them happy and healthy,” the zoo’s Facebook page notes.
Little Ponderosa is at 629 Granite Road, in the Dutch Valley community near Clinton.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, call 865-457-5536, or visit the website littleponderosazoo.com.