How The ZooMobile Changes Lives

The Oakland Zoo has an amazing fleet of vehicles that crisscross the Bay Area in an effort to get out the message about their wonderful animals. Felicia Walker, a Program Animal Specialist at the Zoo, says the Zoo’s fleet of two Priuses and a sleek zoo van are used to bring educators and animals to schools, nursing homes, and community events to teach people about our animals.

“A lot of people can’t get to the zoo,” explains Felicia. “So we bring the zoo to them.” Not all animals get to go on tour, however. Have you ever tried to get a giraffe into a prius? Even with the sunroof open, that doesn’t work. But snakes, ferrets, parrots, hedgehogs, and other creepy critters go on tour.

Children learn how the animals differ from each other, and specific features of each kind of animal. Audiences are also taught about conservation, the pet trade, pollution, habitat destruction, and the Oakland Zoo.

“When children see animals, they are sometimes scared,” said Felicia. She says that cockroaches are good, friendly introduction animals. They can have a powerful impact on children, inspiring some to give up birthday presents and instead ask people to donate money to rainforests. Animals can also have a tremendous affect on the elderly. Sometimes animals can be the source of a breakthrough, persuading seniors who haven’t spoken in years to start talking again, like Robert De Niro in the movie Awakenings.