Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Apples and Ostriches don't mix! (and the giveaway!)

Our family has a NC Zoo Society membership, and we like to take frequent trips to the NC Zoo in Asheboro,NC - if you haven't been yet, you should check it out! The Watani Grasslands Reserve has recently opened and that was our first stop this past weekend. We loved the way we could get pretty close to the animals, and they were all able to roam over such a large area. Visitors could actually get an idea of how the animals live in the wild.

One of their Ostriches was quite friendly and stayed close to the visitors for the entire time we were at that viewing area. We talked to it, and it showed off it's plumage, and munched on the grass close by. As we were walking to the next exhibit, we overheard one of the Rangers talking about needing to check on an ostrich who had an apple stuck in her throat. (All of the Ostriches in the Zoo are female) Apparently one of the other visitors thought this friendly ostrich would like an apple to try, and threw it into the exhibit. The ostrich ate it whole and unfortunately the apple got stuck in her throat. This was a very dangerous situation and the visitor should have known better as there are signs at nearly every exhibit stating not to throw anything into the animal's area
The Zoo makes sure the animals are on a healthy diet of foods that are normal for each animal. The zoo animals aren't smart enough to know when they're not supposed to eat certain things, and they might get very ill or die if they eat the wrong things. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to give the ostrich a 'treat' should be ashamed, and hopefully learned a lesson this weekend in respecting the wild animals.

Once my family heard about this dangerous situation, we kept a lookout for the imperiled ostrich. We spotted her, and sure enough, there was an apple-sized bulge in her throat, about 8 inches down. The ostrich was no longer strutting around showing off her plumage, she was walking rather aimlessly around, opening her beak as wide as it could go(pretty large mouth!) My Mom and I watched as the poor animal kept trying to get the apple out, and I got out my camera (actually my Mom's that day! - thanks Mom!) to see if I could get a better look with the zoom lens. I took some pictures of the poor girl. She started throwing her head forward and down, with her beak wide open. She did this several times, and once a lot of phlegm came out. About 3 tries later, the apple was finally dislodged and it came flying out of her mouth. We were so relieved. She was so lucky to get that out of her throat. I'm not sure what the rangers at the Zoo would have had to do, but I'm sure it was a tense situation for a while for them. A few minutes after the ostrich got rid of the apple, a Zoo ranger truck came by and checked her to make sure she was OK. She approached the truck and fluffed up her feathers, then proceeded to show off for them. She seemed to be OK.

Let this be a lesson to all of the visitors to ANY Zoo, please don't try to feed the animals!
The giveaway details: I will make for you either a blue/green batik Emmeline apron, a black/white patchwork purse, or a clothespin holder in your choice of colors (the fabrics would be my choice!). All you have to do is send traffic to my site before 10pm eastern time on May 31st. This gives you 10 days to tell all of your friends, leave a comment on THIS posting, post about this giveaway on your blog (and send me a link), and/or put a new link in your sidebar for my site. You will get an entry for doing each of these things. I will randomly select the winner on June 1st, and let you know who you are so you can chose your prize!
Who's game?

28 comments:

Jenny said...

Ooh! I am your first commenter - I feel so cool! I will definitely post your giveaway on my site and hopefully you'll get more traffic. I can't wait to see the Emmeline apron. I have that pattern on my wishlist.

Your zoo looks like so much fun but that's the problem with so much openness - people can throw their garbage and snacks inside. Hopefully that was an extremely isolated incident.

Good luck with the giveaway!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Great zoo, and great storytelling drama... poor ostrich! Thank goodness for happy endings.
Your giveaway is too tempting to resist... so let's see if I can send traffic your way! All good blogs deserve more traffic.

Anonymous said...

I've been going to add you to my new sidebar-so I guess now is the time to get it done!

SewAmy said...

Hey Em, I have you on my sidebar already. :o). Love reading your blog.

SewAmy said...

I have no idea what 'noreply' is. But my addy is hazydaisy01 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Anonymous said...

That poor ostrich, I'm glad she was ok.

I posted about your giveaway today.

Frank said...

Oh man! I started throwing my head forward and expunging phlegm! Poor thing!

(And I'm SUCH a dweeb (more 80s lingo!) I thought you were in my Reader! Must go check out what I've been missing!)

xo
Frank

Bobbi said...

I was pointed to your site from AJ Quilts and On the Creative Path

I love that apron... it makes me excited for the apron swap I am participating in!

Jenny said...

Okay, Em. I've posted about your contest. I hope there are many names in your drawing jar!

Anonymous said...

I just sent a link to my yahoogroup and I cc

dolls123[at]gmail[dot]com

bethany said...

I'm about to put a link on my sidebar-I love your aprons!! I hope I win one!!

Di~ said...

I am game, I've entered numerous giveaways, but to no avail, have never won!!! I'll put you on my blog post. Came to you from AJ Quilts. Thanks for the giveaway!

Kris said...

Hi Em! I'll add you to my sidebar :) So sad abut Colby - I know what you guys are going through... hugs! PS: Great shot of the apple in the ostrich! Poor thing! ~ Kris

Anonymous said...

Love the story about the zoo.
Tipper at blind pig and the acorn sent me to your site. Please enter her in your contest!

The Stitching Surgeon said...

love your blog! sorry to hear about colby. loosing a pet is always very hard...i don't know what I would do with my chloe! i'm adding you to my blog sidebar and will post about your fantastic giveaway! can't wait to see your emmeline!

familyofmgms said...

While I don't think I should be entered in your contest because I'm your sister- and I ALREADY benefit from your crafty sewing skills.....I just wanted to say that I am your number ONE fan no matter what anyone else says in your comment section! HAHAha!

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

That poor ostrich! Can't wait to see how your giveaway goes! I tagged you on my blog!

Pam said...

LOVE the art deco layout...didn't even know such things were available for blogger!

~Niki~ said...

I'm linking you now. Thanks for entering me.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Hello!
I thought I would let you know that I mentioned you and your blog in a recent post (http://www.chickenblog.com/2008/05/enough-about-me.html)
Not sure my blog is the kind of blog that has a big following, but I do hope some will come and find yours.

Cheryl Arkison said...

I saw that polka dot apron on the Tie One On flickr group a while back. It was one of my favourites - I think anything that makes the girls look that good is awesome!

Alice Grace said...

Hi, Em,
I am a frequent visitor to your blog, as a matter of fact, you are listed as one of my favorites. But I was reminded to check into your giveaway by AJ Quilts. I would like to be included in your giveaway. I will put a special note on my sidebar to remind others to come here. It is a great place to visit!

Angela said...

Went to the zoo today - all ostriches were ok! Enjoy your giveaway - I know you've been excited to do this!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Glad the ostrich was OK! Your giveaway sounds like fun - hope you get truck loaads of traffic!

jmb_craftypickle said...

I am shocked about the things that people will do to animals at zoos...I do like zoos because you can learn so much, but people...sometimes they needed to be caged themselves! Funny thing I was just coming by to get your address for my blog anyway...and a giveaway??? How exciting!!! I am having one too!

Val said...

I added you to my sidebar for the giveaway! I am so excited! This is great. I love your blog!

~Niki~ said...

The aprons are adorable. Added you go my sidebar for the giveaway!

Midlife Mom said...

Oh my! I just discovered your give away and it is 9:45 PM Eastern Standard Time on the 31st! Hope I'm not too late! Do you sell the clothes pin holders?