National Zoo Landscaping - Sept. 21, 2002

	Volunteers set to work replacing the soil in the flamingo pen (above), though the birds preferred to watch from afar (below). Photos by Bruce Baldwin

On Saturday, September 21st 22 volunteers from Notre Dame and NC State joined forces in a service project at the National Zoo. The volunteers split up into two groups for the morning's work.

One group worked in the flamingo exhibit, under the watchful albeit distant gaze of the current tenants, removing rocks and soil and prepare for the laying of sod. Standing water and drainage problems in the flamingo area had been a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This work was done to protect the baby flamingos from West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

While the beautiful flamingos are a treat for the eyes, the aroma in their exhibit was definitely a challenge to the nose on a hot sunny day!

Left: Front-loaders save a lot of work, but it still takes a few strong backs to get all that dirt into the Great Ape House.

Another group worked in the Great Ape House improving several large planters. The volunteers removed dirt and diseased trees from the planters then replanted healthy trees.

The orangutans watched the volunteers very carefully, but thankfully kept their hands to themselves!

Wait, these folks are waaay too clean for this to be an "after" shot...