COUGAR
DAY AT THE TURTLE BACK ZOO
COUGAR
DAY AT THE TURTLE BACK ZOO
On an absolutely beautiful Sunday afternoon, a rarity for early November, more than 200 members of the Kean community, including family and friends, gathered at Turtle Back Zoo for Sage's first public appearance. But before the crowd could meet this vivacious member of the Kean family, visitors convened in the zoo Food Court for a presentation on the wonderful partnership that Kean University and Turtle Back Zoo share. An enthusiastic Janice Murray-Laury began by thanking all who help to create, expand and maintain this relationship and added "a special thank you to Tara Higgins for helping to keep the tradition moving on." In addition to the new staff, seasoned staff, faculty, students, alumni, administration and friends, trustee Linda Lewis was in attendance and happily declared "I am overwhelmed and very pleased with the partnership we have with Turtle Back Zoo. I am also impressed with Kean's efforts internally on campus and externally as well."
The many groups and individuals who worked hard to establish this event, including the tremendous support of the Greek Organizations, were thoroughly thanked for all of their efforts by Kean's Administration and representatives of Turtle Back Zoo. Members of several groups presented the zoo and the Zoological Society with gifts and symbols of Kean's appreciation. The Council for Part Time Students and the Graduate School Government Association presented a check for 50% of Kean's obligation to Connie Williams of the Zoological Society, while Student Organization of Kean University, Inc. and the Alumni Association presented a check for the adoption of Sage. The AIMS Club presented chew toys for our rambunctious cougar cub and children from the Child Care Center presented their gift, a piggy bank filled with pennies, to the zoo staff. And upon learning that Sage's favorite toy is a soccer ball, Student Organization President and soccer great, Chimaobi Odumuko, representing the soccer team, presented a bag full of soccer balls to warm the heart of our young mascot.
With the presentations drawing to an end, eager visitors began to vacate the food court and walk to the zoo's Cougar Exhibit for Sage's unveiling. Wide-eyed children, and adults alike, leaned against the fence to get an up-close look at Kean's mascots. Scout, lying in the shade of the first exhibit area, slowly rose and sauntered to the fence to see what all the fuss was about. And then, as if on cue, Sage came running and bouncing out of the shadows of the second exhibit. (The cougars are placed in separate exhibits until they get acquainted with each other, as Scout is much larger and older than Sage.) Everyone watched as our spirited new addition ran, jumped and bounced herself right into the small pond in her exhibit area. Soaked, shaken, and probably a little embarrassed as well, Sage ran and scurried up the rock wall as the crowd laughed, and sighed, at her misfortune.
The day came to a close with a raffle for Kean "Wake Up" coffee mugs filled with candy and a basket full of Kean t-shirts, baseball caps and other promotional items. But, no worries, no one left empty handed, as many Kean visitors were presented with a framed picture of our energetic, young cub to display in their office or home.
