Andrew and the Midnight Ape

Andrew and the Midnight Ape — page 7 — Same as usual Alex said Andrew's dad He was a manager at a factory in town he worked in the shipping department making sure the goods were sent out to customers While the adults were talking the kids could hear squawks and hoots and other animalistic sounds coming from the back garden Grandad's Menagerie Grandad have you got any new animals in your Menagerie asked Andrew Grandad often added new animals to his collection usually when one of his animals died of old age and had to be replaced with a new young animal sometimes a different species of animal Well young man said Grandad as it happens I do have a new addition or two Can we see them Grandad asked Gemma excitedly Okay then why not I need to check on them anyway replied Grandad Gemma and Andrew looked at their mother who nodded in agreement Grandad opened the back doors that lead into the back garden and the children rushed past him in a hurry Yippee shouted Andrew Yeah shouted Gemma Play carefully said their father While Grandad went to get the keys to the enclosures the children ran around the garden enjoying themselves then they ran up to the fences of the enclosures and looked at the exotic animals that Grandad had in his collection Some of the animals in there the children had already seen on previous visits to their grandparent's home but there were one or two new additions The animals that Grandad kept included A big bright Parrot with red blue and yellow feathers which the children knew was a Scarlet Macaw who was called Captain Cook Hello Captain said Andrew to the colourful Parrot and the Parrot squawked back in reply as if understanding that Andrew had said hello to him Gemma and Andrew both laughed at that I see you're talking to old Captain Cook again said their grandad jangling his keys in his hands Here Captain I've got some little treats for you with that Grandad poked some large peanuts through the narrow gaps in the cage The Parrot spread his colourful wings and with a few flaps flew over to the fence

Andrew and the Midnight Ape — page 8 — The Scarlet Macaw held on to the fence with his large clawed feet and took the peanuts in his massive hooked bill and cracked open the shell of the peanut easily and then tossed the nut into his open bill The colourful Parrot squawked in what seemed like enjoyment as he took more peanuts and swallowed them down his large bill Next door to the Scarlet Macaw's enclosure was the Monkey enclosure This is where Grandad kept a small group of Marmoset Monkeys These monkeys were small funny looking creatures that one looks like a furry little punk said Andrew He does doesn't he said Grandad laughing I could give you a haircut like that if you want Andrew said Grandad Gemma laughed and said it would suit you so much The Marmoset onkeys had lots of wooden climbing frames to climb inside their enclosure Where are these monkeys from Grandad I mean in the wild asked Gemma This species comes from the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil young Gemma said Grandad Although these monkeys were raised in captivity they're usually found in large tropical rainforests The monkeys jumped about a lot and climbed up and down their wooden framed playground Maybe I should put you two in there hey said Grandad You two are little monkeys sometimes Gemma laughed but Andrew looked a little bemused then the children walked along to the next enclosure which housed a female Brazilian Tapir The children's grandad poured some chopped up vegetables into a tray at the bottom of the door to the Tapir's enclosure This mammal always amazed the kids because she was quite large dark brown in colour with a snorkel like nose The Tapir had a deep pool in her enclosure for her to submerge and bathe in This little beauty costs me a lot of money in food but she's worth every penny chuckled Grandad I raised her from a baby when a local zoo didn't have any more room for another Tapir I love her big strange nose said Gemma Tapirs come from the Amazon too little Gemma said Grandad What do they eat in the wild asked Gemma with keen interest

Andrew and the Midnight Ape — page 9 — They eat a broad range of vegetation So that makes them vegetarians doesn't it Grandad said Andrew It does but the word biologists use is a herbivore answered their grandad Does that mean they only eat herbs enquired Andrew Grandad laughed at this they eat lots of different plants young man Then Grandad suddenly remembered that he had to feed the young Black Caiman which he kept in the enclosure next door Hey you two do you want to watch me feed the little Crocodile that I have in the next enclosure Yes Yes the children said excitedly Come on then said Grandad Grandad's enclosure occupied a large U shape at the bottom of the garden Grandad and the kids walked from one side of the U shape to the other You're gonna like this kids said Grandad and with that Grandad took a bamboo stick which he kept by the Caiman enclosure he then opened a bucket which contained cut up bits of chicken Next Grandad took a small piece of chicken and stuck it on the end of the bamboo stick Then he stuck the stick through the fence and held it above the small pool of water Suddenly the little Black Caiman leapt out of the water and grabbed the piece of chicken with its mouth then it pulled the meat down under the water and disappeared in a large splash Wow said Andrew That was amazing Grandad looked at the children seriously and said that thing would take your finger off given half the chance How often do you feed the Caiman asked Gemma Oh I would say about once a week young lady replied Grandad Do you only feed it chicken Grandad enquired Andrew No no Andrew I like to give it a variety of food that way it keeps it more interesting for the Caiman In fact if you're too naughty I will feed you to the Croc like Captain Hook and Peter Pan chuckled Grandad In the enclosure next to the Black Caiman there lived a Great Grey Owl The Owl was watching the family and the commotion going on in the Caiman pool as the Caiman splashed about trying to swallow the piece of chicken that Grandad had fed it

Andrew and the Midnight Ape — page 10 — Your Great Grey Owl is amazing Grandad said Gemma he always sits there so still and silent Yes he does he's just watching and listening to everything said Grandad yawning and stretching I feed him mice that he swallows down whole Did you know that when Owl's fly they're as silent as the night Just then there was a short drumming sound a short deep rhythm what was that Grandad asked Andrew The children's grandad fumbled for an answer for a second or two then replied Oh oh that was probably the Tapir knocking against something in her enclosure said Grandad quickly Changing the subject he said have you seen the Red River Hog which I have lately Let's go and see how he's getting on I didn't know Tapirs could make that sound Grandad said Andrew Neither did I chuckled Grandad The family walked along to the next enclosure which housed a Red River Hog named Bruce The children had seen him a number of times He was one of their favourites Are you going to feed Bruce the family leftovers again Grandad asked Gemma Yes I am petal Replied Grandad then he opened up a large plastic container which contained food waste Then Grandad took a plastic scoop and scooped up the food waste then he dropped it through a hole in the door of the Red River Hog's enclosure Go on boy get your dinner said Grandad then Grandad turned to Andrew and said do you remember where these animals come from in the wild South America answered Andrew excitedly No they don't young Andrew I know Grandad interjected Gemma they're from central and west Africa you told us before Well remembered little Gemma they are indeed don't you love their Reddish colour The Red River Hog rushed over to the food always hungry and eager for a meal his big snout moved up and down like a big organic suction hose gobbling up the food He'd eat me out of house and home that big ol boy said Grandad but he's worth every penny anything your grandma

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