by Carla Caruso

New York’s Central Park has its zoo - and Park 11 of your Adelaide Park Lands contains the Adelaide Zoo.

For many locals, visiting our city’s zoo is something that they might do a few times a year, if they’re lucky.

For others, however, rarely a week goes by without a detour there.

We were curious to know what draws the devotees back to the spot time and time again. Is it the love of animals, without the vet bills? The picturesque park setting? Something else?

We spoke to one zoo lover to find out – 29-year-old library assistant Brooklyn Saliba, who’s behind the blog, Brooklyn the Bookworm. (She’s also known as ‘Bookish Brooklyn’ on Instagram, with over 5,400 followers.) Here’s what we learned…

Hi, Brooklyn. How long have you been an Adelaide Zoo member?

Since November/December 2021 roughly – I can’t quite remember. But as soon as I joined, I remember thinking, “Why haven’t I joined sooner?”

It was mid-2021 when I really started visiting the zoo regularly. It definitely became a happy place for me, and this has only heightened more and more.

How often do you visit the zoo?

I visit three times a fortnight, if I’m able to. But I usually will always try to visit on my day off, during the week.

It’s always beautiful going [then]; it’s just a bit more of a calmer and quieter vibe. Though, it’s always sweet seeing excited groups of schoolkids come through on excursions.

Why I go there is because I love visiting the gorgeous animals and getting to soak up the beautiful, serene nature atmosphere. Where else, too, can you feed a giraffe so regularly?

Also, I’m an aspiring writer and poet, and nature and animals are among my favourite source of inspiration. So, I love writing poetry about the animals at the zoo. 

If you had to pick a favourite zoo animal, which would you choose and why?

This is such a tricky one. [But] Delilah, the female Sumatran tiger, is honestly such a superstar. She’s a mum now, which is just super wholesome, [after giving] birth to three beautiful cubs last December – two girls and a boy!

She’s always such a beautiful creature to observe. Though, as you may know, she’s not been regularly on exhibit as she’s been in the cubbing den with the babies.

But we’re all so super-enthused for the cubbies and Mum to come on exhibit.

Kembali, Delilah’s male Sumatran tiger counterpart, is absolutely exquisite too.

Their eyes just feel like they could gaze right into our souls.

I must also mention the regal African Lions, Mujambi and Amani. They’re the best of friends now. It’s so enriching seeing them interact.

Amani definitely rules their enclosure, but it’s always super-beautiful seeing them groom and headbutt one another, then seeing them squabble and growl at one another.

I also love Mishry and Ravi, the red pandas. Their little, furry faces are so precious. [Ed’s note: Ravi’s the panda who famously escaped for two days and was found in the Adelaide Botanic Garden next door.]

And the beautiful giraffes – just, I love all the animals there!

Please tell us about any unique zoo experiences you’ve done.

I love doing the giraffe feed. I’ve done it more times than I can count. [I enjoy] getting so close to the regal, gentle giants, Nolean and Kimya.

They’re so beautiful and it’s so much fun feeding them celery and carrots. Plus, the giraffe keepers are always amazing and are always happy to chat.

I’ve also done the giraffe face-to-face, where you feed Nolean from a bit of a platform, and you’re more at eye-level, and it’s all kinds of amazing.

The meerkat encounter was [an experience] too, having those cheeky little creatures run all over you whilst they eat mealworms from your lap. It was just super-hard not to move. But definitely one [encounter] I’d do again.

You’re also a book blogger. What genre do you love and who’s your favourite author?

I have a large amount of favourite authors, from Casey McQuiston to Agatha Christie, V.E. Schwab, Alice Oseman, Jay Kristoff, Sarah J. Maas, and Leigh Bardugo. I’m probably missing a couple – definitely a hard question, haha.

I love anything and everything young-adult [genre-wise], but I also love thrillers, romances, mysteries, LGBTQIA+ – you name it, I'll read it.

You’re also proudly ‘AroAce’ (aromantic, asexual) and pan-oriented. Can you explain this a little more to us?

Hmmm, to talk about the pan-oriented part of my sexuality, that’s a bit harder to explain. But I feel like [the character] Henry Strauss from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E Schwab, has captured it perfectly: “Person first, gender second.”

Being asexual too just means that I have a lack of sexual attraction, and no, I’m not broken, haha. But, yeah, it’s definitely been a journey, figuring out more about myself.

What keeps you busy when you’re not hanging out in Park 11?

I’m usually at work. I love my job. I’m an outreach library assistant and I feel so very fortunate that I get to do what I do, selecting books for readers who can’t visit the library. It’s such a joy.

I also love reading and writing, as I mentioned, and fawning over my beautiful black cat, Peppy.

As well, I love journalling, catching up with friends, gaming, watching movies, and bingeing Friends.

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For other zoo-inspired stories on our blog, check out these articles:

·      From Adelaide Zoo to Ukraine

·      Star backing for a cause

·      Pleased to meet you, Cris

·      Pleased to meet you, Fran