Hi everyone! As my first blog from the Highland Stables I decided it was perfect to fill you in on our new arrivals this spring. If you’ve ever walked past the stables it’s hard to miss our flock of Scottish Blackface Sheep as they graze on the grass or greet guests in the hallway. At the Highland Stables, we mimic a traditional Scottish farm from our majestic Clydesdales and ever learning Border Collies to welcoming new lambs in the spring.

Before I came to the park, I was lucky enough to train and care for a colony of African Black-footed penguins at another zoo. It was there that I caught the penguin bug and have loved them ever since.

Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration is one of my favorite times at our park because not only does it mean peppermint fudge hot chocolate, but it means the penguins come to visit. I am really excited for our visitors to see the penguin exhibit this year because we will be featuring two different species.

It’s finally time … our 2nd annual Spare Wolves Bowling Fundraiser is here. Come out for a night of bowling, animal ambassador interactions and a silent auction. Last year this event was wildly successful and we were able to raise more than $2,500 for wolf conservation projects supported by the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. We want to top that number this year and we need your help. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

Well, the secret is out. Our new presentation is in full swing and the wolves are sharing the stage with a few other predators that are ready to teach you some cool lessons about the environment we share. I know that you’ve been waiting to hear more about it and see it in person.

I was able to think about the questions about wolves we most frequently are asked and it made me realize, there are a lot of misconceptions. Some of you probably know a great deal about wolves and some of you might just think you know. During this revelation, it also occurred to me that one of the most important things I do is to move others to feel as passionate about animals and conservation as I do. And if there are many misunderstandings about our animals, then I’m not doing my job.

You don't often hear the words cute and alligator in the same sentence, but our newest Water Country USA residents are definitely an exception. I want to introduce you to our new American alligators - Elvis, Horatio, Crocket and Tubbs. These little guys or girls (they are too young to tell) are only two months old and already have me wrapped around their little webbed toes, especially Tubbs. Currently they are about ten inches long, but as adults can reach up to 15 feet … at which point I will not be holding them.