Our hobby as zoo photographers started when we were younger, and would mostly visit zoos as a family. Photographing the animals was just a way of capturing memories, no more.
We'd visit with good weather mostly, or just postpone. When our older sister moved away, we often had to play for a full family outing. I can say this became a bit more inconvenient as our love for zoo photography grew. Our parents and sister just wanted a family outing, the way we used to do, but we wanted to photograph certain baby animals or species of animals. I can tell you the heat of summer of pouring rain aren't the most conducive to making that happen.
But even now, as we visit zoos a lot less with the rest of the family, we end up planning and still visiting even when the weather is less than ideal. Predicted heat wave? If the baby animal is worth it, we'll bring sun screen and lather it on every two hours just for a chance at a glimpse of the baby. Promised downpour? We'll bring umbrellas, wear a scarf and sturdy shoes to protect us against the chill of the wet and cold.
After all, there's never any guarantee the animals will behave this day the same they will on other days. Whether that's to our advantage, or not.
But it was May, and Jungle Cat kittens were born - we were going to visit in hopes of seeing the quintuplets no matter the kind of weather.
It was promised to rain off and on all day, and during our drive we already had to face the truth: The promise was kept by the weather gods, which was only too bad as we were going to see young Cats. And Cats, rumor has it, don't particularly like water or rain.
And indeed, the young kittens were not too eager to show themselves - they'd stick their head out, feel the rain and pull a "nope", heading straight back inside. We quickly realized our umbrellas weren't helping. They may keep us dry, but the sight and the sound of droplets hitting the fabric wasn't something the Cats enjoyed. So down the umbrellas went.
We weren't getting wet (indeed, soaked through by the end of the day) for no good reason, as our patience and effort were rewarded. The kittens ventured outside their indoor habitat and tested their bravery. There were only three people watching - us, and another zoo photographer - and I think the lack of a crowd may have helped.
From a drizzle of rain to a watery sun and a small downpour, the kittens wavered and waffled. Replace the warm and cozy indoors with the great wide open of outdoors? We did not blame them for having their doubts. After all, it was our decision to visit the zoo that day. A day which is just another ordinary day in their lives.
Their mother did not take as long to make a decision. She stepped out into the rain quite often; patrolling the perimeter and protecting her family. But we realized soon it wasn't just her being a good parent, keeping watch and choosing to stay outside and watch us from a a barrel with it's opening facing towards the visitors.
We were able to watch her interact with her kittens, and it was unlike anything we'd seen so far with a litter this age. They were only six-eight weeks old, but she was already done with being a mother, at least for that day. They were getting on her last nerve, and she needed some serious time alone.
The kittens were still at an age where they quite depended on their mother to teach them the ways of the world, and how to be a Jungle Cat, and you can imagine her disappearing act did not go over well. One after the other, the kittens left their indoor habitat as well, wanting to join their mother in the barrel.
Her animosity towards her kittens was something else. They had only just started eating solid food, were young enough to still be close to Mom, and certainly not yet an age to be evicted.
And yet... Their mother growled and swatted, trying to keep her children from jumping into the barrel with her. The kittens were determined however; it took some a few attempts but they each achieved their goal, one a little more unnoticed than the next.
Their mother wasn't exactly happy to have company, but she resigned herself to it. It's part of being a mother, I suppose.
Not for too long, though - she soon started back on her patrol, but this time the kittens didn't hesitate for too long and joined in, mimicking her behavior. They left the barrel, and explored their habitat. At last, they finally moved to the front of the habitat instead of solely staying in the back.
How glorious it is, to see young animals test the feel of grass on their feet and moving against their bodies. The sounds and smells of the outdoors, the little insects flying around.
In the months after, we were able to watch them grow up a bit and move to a different, newly built habitat just for them. Watching their faces growing into adult shapes, witnessing those lanky legs grow to fit their bodies and enjoying their new living arrangements.
All the kittens found a good new home. Sadly, the mother passed away during the off season of 2021-2022, for reasons yet unknown. One of the daughters remains, and keeps her father company.
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