Animals Help Teach Conservation

Some of Lauren Hagwood’s colleagues are prickly, slippery and real climbers.

Hagwood, an employee with Wild Wonders animal shows, works with porcupines, snakes and kinkajous, South American cousins of the raccoon, to teach environmental conservation.

Hagwood’s show will be available to visitors countywide today, Sunday and next Saturday and Sunday as part of a special program at the Santa Ana Zoo.

“If [the children] see the animals, they’ll realize who they’re helping,” she said.

The half-dozen animals in the 20-minute show vary each week. They may include Linus, the slim, 9-inch-long kinkajou known for his climbing ability. Also part of the show is Willow, a pug-nosed porcupine who doesn’t do any tricks but is a sort of goodwill ambassador.

“These are kind of our work partners,” Hagwood said. “They understand, in their own way, they’re making a big difference.”

Many animals in the Wild Wonders show, such as the kinkajou, are not found at the local zoo. The Carlsbad-based organization contracts with organizations such as the zoo for its shows.

Visitors can touch many of the animals, which also may include snakes, wolves and insects.

With paid admission to the zoo, visitors can see the Wild Wonders show for an additional $1. Show times may vary but are typically at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Today, the zoo will close at 3 p.m., one hour early.

The zoo web site is at https://www.santaanazoo.org

Information: (714) 953-8555.