Holiday shopping tip: Adopt an Animal at Ijams

Dr. Louise Conrad is in charge of all animal care at Ijams including the great horned owl

Turkey Vulture

Here's an idea for a gift for someone that has everything and needs nothing. Adopt one of the education animals at Ijams for a year. 

No, the animal doesn't come home with you, although having supper with a turkey vulture would be most entertaining. She's a very fastidious eater; always cleans her  carcass. 

What you do provide are the funds for veterinary care and food for an animal for a year. Prices vary. Care for a darter is less than care for a great horned owl. Our albino box turtle eats less than the red-tailed hawk. And, although it's the larger of the two, our mudpuppy eats less than the screech-owl, as does the painted turtle. Oh, the advantages of being cold-blooded.

Albino box turtle

Adopters get a certificate. And when they visit Ijams the satisfaction of knowing they have helped care for a captive animal. 

For more information call Sarah at (865) 577-4717, ext. 124.

- Stephen Lyn Bales 

Painted turtle