Animal care specialist Jennifer Dickey smiles at Mack, a sea lion, in the back part of the sea lion habitat, while dozens of children (not pictured) watch the sea lions perform. Dickey makes Mack stay on "target," which in this case is her hand, to train him to stay out of the water for vet check-ups. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

A rare glimpse into the animal life of Micke Grove Zoo

Dozens of parents and children gathered around the sea lion tank at the Micke Grove Park Zoo on a typical weekday afternoon.

Children, with their legs up on the side bars of the sea-like habitat, waited with anticipation. They were there to see the two roughly 700-pound California sea lions, Mack and Buster, begin their routine of clapping and jumping out of the water.

When Mack made the jump to the waterside desk, animal specialist Jennifer Dickey offered praise.

"Good boy, good boy, see it's not scary up here," she told Mack.

In another part of the zoo, a cold metal operating table awaited the geriatric check up for a 20-year-old ring-tailed lemur named Duke.

"My first love is with free-ranging animals and captive wildlife," said Dr Jackie Gai.

Gai has been an animal vet for six years and has been working with the Micke Grove Zoo for five. Gai's duties at the zoo include weekly check-ups, which become more frequent if there are more serious problems.

The zoo will be celebrating its 50-year anniversary Aug. 4. The park contains over 130 animals on a five-acre plot, and according to zoo director Ken Nieland, there will be special guests, of the animal variety, for the celebration.

What's rarely seen is the other side of the zoo, where animal specialists work with, train and maintain the animals.

Contact photograpgher Brian Feulner at brianf@lodinews.com.