After a very cool and rainy spring, we expected unbearable heat during the summer months and prepared accordingly. New sprinklers were installed and rookie keepers received the "check them constantly, keep water running in the pools, all sprinklers on and do not leave the area until someone relieves you" lecture.

Happily, it has been a very pleasant summer so far, and the animals are usually lying in the cool grass under a sprinkler or sitting in a pool. Nicholas, our young bull elephant has a daily ritual of playing in his fountain, then sliding into his pond to dunk logs and bob in the water.

The other elephants roam around the habitats early in the morning, then congregate around the mud holes later in the day. They are all curious about the new construction on bull mountain and wander up the hill to watch the workmen building the new pool for the second bull habitat. The second bull barn, Ned's Barn, is finished and waiting for occupancy.

The huge habitat for the eight Galt bears is going up quickly and we expect to have all the bears moved to ARK 2000 before The Grape Stomp on October 16.

Alexander, our magnificent black leopard, and Nelson, the tiger, nap on the cool grass unaware that they will be moving to ARK 2000 soon after the bears.

The oryx, eland, fallow deer and emus at the Amanda Blake Sanctuary stand in the shade of the eucalyptus trees, secure in the habitat that has protected them for more than a decade. Some of the oryx and the deer are quite old now, enjoying the peace and tranquility of their beautiful area.

The Bolivia lions and Sheba are thriving at ARK 2000, and their neighbors, the Colton tigers, no longer watch them constantly. The stalking game has been replaced by naps in the shade under the sprinklers and an occasional sparring match with companions.