Gary Clarke of Cowabunga Safaris (and director emeritus of the world famous Topeka Zoo) has been asked to speak to a group of "Hippo Enthusiasts" and requests that hippo stories be sent to him - not so much natural history as stories about hippo personalities, behaviors, unusual incidents etc., both in Zoos and in Africa.
Snail mail:
Gary K Clarke
Cowabunga Safaris
P.O. Box 4863
Topeka, KS 66604
Email: cowasafaris@aol.com (please include your snail mail address as Gary CAN NOT answer emails.
I don't think there is an zoo/animal professional in the United States who does not know Mr. Clarke. When the greats of modern time like Perkins, Conway, Fisher are referenced Gary is surely in that list. He started his career as a zoo keeper and finished as the Director of the World Famous Topeka Zoo, with stops along the way at Detroit and Kansas City to name a few. He is a past President of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, as well as noted author of I'D RATHER BE ON SAFARI and coming out in August, HEY MISTER--YOUR ALLIGATORS LOOSE, published by Baranski Publishing Company. I had the honor of meeting Gary in 1992, when he came to the Greatest Show on Earth as my guest, and I spent one of the greatest zoo day's of my life touring the Topeka Zoo with Gary, and he gifted me with some of my most cherished zoo paper material. He is probably best known for have the world's finest, most complete photographic documentation of "Cowabunga" ever assembled by any scholar. He also operates Cowabunga Safaris, and offers fabulous "photo safari's" to Africa.
I would like to request all zoo/animal professionals who honor us with their knowledge on this blog, Jim C., Jim S., Jamie C, Joey R, Jim A., Don and his mates, Toby S., Rob, RJR, Barb C. and all the rest, contact Gary. If you don't already know him, introduce yourself. You will not regret it, and you will have met a true,colorful, story telling fool of this crazy, crazy, animal fraternity.
I don't think there is an zoo/animal professional in the United States who does not know Mr. Clarke. When the greats of modern time like Perkins, Conway, Fisher are referenced Gary is surely in that list. He started his career as a zoo keeper and finished as the Director of the World Famous Topeka Zoo, with stops along the way at Detroit and Kansas City to name a few. He is a past President of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, as well as noted author of I'D RATHER BE ON SAFARI and coming out in August, HEY MISTER--YOUR ALLIGATORS LOOSE, published by Baranski Publishing Company. I had the honor of meeting Gary in 1992, when he came to the Greatest Show on Earth as my guest, and I spent one of the greatest zoo day's of my life touring the Topeka Zoo with Gary, and he gifted me with some of my most cherished zoo paper material. He is probably best known for have the world's finest, most complete photographic documentation of "Cowabunga" ever assembled by any scholar. He also operates Cowabunga Safaris, and offers fabulous "photo safari's" to Africa.
I would like to request all zoo/animal professionals who honor us with their knowledge on this blog, Jim C., Jim S., Jamie C, Joey R, Jim A., Don and his mates, Toby S., Rob, RJR, Barb C. and all the rest, contact Gary. If you don't already know him, introduce yourself. You will not regret it, and you will have met a true,colorful, story telling fool of this crazy, crazy, animal fraternity.
Above and below is Gary K Clarke in the early 70's, with Peka Sue, Topeka Zoo's Nile River Hippopotamos, who died Feb. 24 at the age of 47, 43 of those years living at the Topeka Zoo.
It is with great sadness that Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ) announces the passing of Peka Sue, one of our Nile River Hippopotomus. Peka Sue passed away late Sunday afternoon. The normal life span of hippos in captivity is 45-50 years. She would have celebrated her 48th birthday in June and was the longest living resident of the Topeka Zoo.
Peka Sue was born in 1961 at the Kansas City Zoo. She arrived at the Topeka Zoological Park in 1966 and was the first large animal on exhibit in the new Animals and Man Building, as well as the first hippo in Kansas. She was well cared for by her keepers and they provided various daily animal enrichment activities.
In 2004, Peka Sue was introduced to the outdoors for the first time with the addition of our outdoor hippo exhibit. She quickly adapted and enjoyed sunning and swimming in her outdoor pool.
Peka Sue was a favorite of many visitors who came to the zoo, but she held a special place in the hearts of children. It was a treat to see her walk down her ramp and gracefully glide into her pool. She would hold her breath up to five minutes and then upon coming up for air, children would squeal in delight.
Peka Sue was born in 1961 at the Kansas City Zoo. She arrived at the Topeka Zoological Park in 1966 and was the first large animal on exhibit in the new Animals and Man Building, as well as the first hippo in Kansas. She was well cared for by her keepers and they provided various daily animal enrichment activities.
In 2004, Peka Sue was introduced to the outdoors for the first time with the addition of our outdoor hippo exhibit. She quickly adapted and enjoyed sunning and swimming in her outdoor pool.
Peka Sue was a favorite of many visitors who came to the zoo, but she held a special place in the hearts of children. It was a treat to see her walk down her ramp and gracefully glide into her pool. She would hold her breath up to five minutes and then upon coming up for air, children would squeal in delight.
As we mourn the loss of Peka Sue, we also take this time to celebrate her life and all of the wonderful memories she brought to our zoo for over 40 years.
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