By Paul Thompson
Northeast News

Northeast residents received a visit from the Kansas City Zoomobile on Friday, July 6 at the North-East branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

A large group of children and adults alike sat at rapt attention at Kansas City Zoo education instructors Alex Council and Kelly Schouten introduced animals during the roughly hour-long event.

“We have one of our managers at the zoo that’s in charge of our education animals; we have about 40 different species that we use for programs like this,” Council said. “She kind of looks at all the different programs that are going out for that week – some of them have different themes that certain animals fit better for. She tries to make sure that animals don’t get out too often, or if an animal hasn’t been out in a while, we try to get that animal out.”

First up was Walter, a radiated tortoise. Schouten and Council allowed attendees to pet his large protective shell.

Up second was Licorice, a black-furred rex rabbit who Schouten brought around the room to allow attendees a closer look.

Next was Bentley, a young Brazilian Rainbow Boa Constrictor who could grow up to six feet long when he’s fully matured.

Finally, attendees were introduced to Buddy, a green and blue double yellow-headed Amazon parrot who munched on sunflower seeds in the library’s community room.

In addition to meeting people from all over Kansas City, Schouten said that the best part of her job is the ever-changing nature of it.

“The variety; there are no two days that are exactly the same,” Schouten said. “It’s always something different.”