We asked our staff, “What was your favorite animal encounter?” Find out what scaly, feathered and furry friends we enjoyed meeting in this month’s Staff Sound-Off.
My uncle woke me and my brother up early one morning at the beach and took us to see the world-record tiger shark that had just been caught off a pier nearby. I believe it is still the record. It weighed almost 1,800 pounds.
— Mac Lacy, Publisher
Holding baby Koala bears
— Telisa Rech, Advertising Sales Manager
The orcas at Sea World
— Sarah Sechrist, Controller
Meeting the lemurs at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita is something I will always remember. They’re surprisingly well-mannered and will pose for photos with you.
— Rachel Crick, Associate Editor & Project Manager
The majestic buffalo that was standing in the middle of the road on our trip to the Badlands. The sun was setting, and his face was literally inches away from my window as we passed by.
— Donia Simmons, Creative Director
During our honeymoon, Graham and I enjoyed a penguin meet and greet. It was absolutely adorable!
— Ashley Ricks, Print & Digital Publishing Manager
I always enjoy getting to see alligators on swamp tours in Louisiana. One time, one jumped the front half of his body into our boat to grab a piece of chicken a guide was feeding. Needless to say, I pulled my feet up into my seat.
— Brian Jewell, VP & Executive Editor
While on a guided wilderness hike through Taman Negara in Malaysia, we stumbled upon a family of wild boars. They appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and their posture reflected the mentality that they owned the jungle, and we were merely tourists crashing their backyard party. There was a tense moment of mutual assessment: Us, clutching water bottles and camera phones; them, with tusks and absolutely no desire to mingle. It was thrilling, humbling, and a sharp reminder that in the wild, we are the guests.
Also: wild boars are surprisingly secretive and wary… until they decide they’re done with your presence and thunder off like a four-legged stampede. 10/10, would nervously admire again.
