Where the wild ones are

I receved a request to discuss what animals that we find in the jungles of Tappita.  I will take you on a photographic tour.  Many of the animals that you can find near the hospital are ones that you might guess.  

There are lions.

 

and elephants, 

and tigers.

We even have panda bears

and dalmations!

These are just some of the offerings at a whimsical 'petting zoo' that was created by a refugee two years ago.  He was a regionally famous artist and he was allowed to remain on the hospital grounds.  To show his gratitude, he created these sculptures for the children.  They are made of a heavily plastered paper mache and are really fun.  I am surprised that they have lasted so long given the conditions.  But there is a 'park ranger' who helps maintain the area and protect the statues.  It really demonstrates that the animals that we think of as 'African' are mostly confined to game reserves in an attempt to stop the poaching.  There really aren't that many exotic animals that we have run into around the hospital, that is except the green mambas.  That is another story.