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Viewfinder: Easter Bunny Visits Lowry Park Orangutans

As part of the zoo's enrichment program, five orangutans were treated to Easter baskets of eggs, fruit, veggies, chalk and clothing.

The Easter Bunny stopped by Lowry Park Zoo Friday morning to visit the park's five orangutans

Though the enclosure was surrounded by rows of excited visitors and volunteers, not everyone was so happy.

One ungrateful primate, Josie, hurled a basket 50 feet back at the unsuspecting bunny. No one was hit or hurt. Just amused. 

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The treats were part of the primates' enrichment program, coordinated by Pamela Noel.

In the spirit of the holiday, here's a bit of verse about the morning"

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Twas the Good Friday 'fore Easter
And in Lowry Park Zoo,
The creatures were stirring
From sting ray to ‘roo.

While the orangutans nestled
All snug in their beds,
Visions of Easter eggs
Danced in their heads.

The baskets were hung
In the exhibit with care.
In hope that these apes
Would go on a tear.

Then over by the cage door,
There arose such a clatter.
Kids hoped it was the baby,
But this first one was fatter.

These 300 pounds o’ fur all aglow
Caused a kids’ chorus to shout out a

“Whooooaaaa!”

His cheeks like a leathery mane-
Reddish brown with some mango,
He is the baby daddy,
A beast they call Rango.

He strolled out all majestic and plump,
The body of Meatloaf with the hair of a Trump.

Over to the window,
He flew like a flash.
He grabbed some dyed eggs
From a zoo-keeper’s stash.

Then climbing and clinging,
The star of the show
Peered from his perch
At the baskets below.

Then Deedee and Hadiah,
And lil RanDee, who’s 2
Came out to join him.
Their party just grew.

Momma Deedee set down
Her cute little squirt,
And picked up a hat,
And grabbed a brown shirt.

Then Josie stumbled out-
She has her own pace.
She quickly found Rango
Licking egg off his face.

Then...

What to their orangutan eyes did appear?

The Easter Bunny hopped over,
And kids, they did cheer!

But not everyone’s outlook on rabbits is rosie,
Certainly not a Grinch who goes by Miss Josie.

Whether she was hopping mad
Or just thought it funny,
She grabbed a basket
And went hunting for bunny.

Now, this is against all the rules,
It's virtually zoo treason:
It’s just an Easter Bunny...
And it's not even in season!

With aim like Josie's,
She can throw like Tom Brady,
And she has strong arms,
Not unlike our first lady.

Zoo visitors ducked,
With gasps and with flinches,
But the orangutan’s curve ball
Was outside by inches.

“I banish that rabbit!”
This orange Grinch hath decreed it.
And lo and behold,
That hare...he receded.

But I heard him exclaim
As he hugged a first-grader
“I wish you a Happy Easter
...and to some a great seder.”

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