'Wild At Heart' Brings in Animal Lovers

How do porcupines make love?

Very carefully.

That lighthearted joke was among several Lowry Park Zoo staff told couples taking a walk on the wild side and celebrating Valentine's Day early during "Wild at Heart," the zoo's annual event for couples. The second round of the sold-out event continues tonight.

Several who attended Friday night's love fest were repeat customers. For Ted Schofner, this year's event offered different facts and a lively way to celebrate romance.

"It's unique and fun," he said. "It's one of the amazingly different things to do in Tampa for Valentine's Day."

This year, Schofner and his wife brought another couple to the event. The foursome chuckled as zoo employees offered racy and lively anecdotes about animal mating rituals and what comes naturally to feathered, furry and fanged animals.

Now in its sixth year, the three-hour program includes a tram ride with stops at various animal habitats.  Along the way, appetizers, salad, the main course, wine and beer pours and dessert were served. The salad course was served as animals were presented, and dinner included a harpist plucking romantic music. The evening included both indoor and outdoor talks.

"It's been a huge hit," zoo spokeswoman, Rachel Nelson said. "Each year we change the facts we offer, the animals we showcase and vary the routine."

Animals from the zoo's outreach collection included an African crowned crane, a bald eagle, and a gopher tortoise. The crane, named Chanel, was cited for her elaborate mating ritual that includes head bobbing, jumping, wing flapping and dancing in a circle. Friday night's guests were treated to her melodious honking.  

A black Emperor Scorpion was introduced as the Fred Astaire of the animal kingdom because his species is known for an involved dance ritual where the male grasps the female's pinchers, while searching for a suitable location for  his sperm sack.

From song and dance to more racy facts about procreation, the festivities highlighted the intersection of biology and frivolity.  

"You definitely have to have a sense of humor," Nelson said.

Melinda Mendolusky, the zoo's animal ambassador manager acted as guide for much of the evening.

"Humans are not the only species that will go all out to find that 'special someone,'" she said. "And courtship comes in many forms." 

At the elephant compound, guests spent a good amount of time watching Sdudla, a 20-year-old elephant from Swaziland. While there, guests learned elephants have the largest appendage of any land animal and males undergo a periodic condition typified by a 50 percent increase in testosterone levels.

"The evening was fun and it's been very charismatic," said Caitlyn Mitryk of New Tampa.

As dessert was served and guests drizzled chocolate raspberry and caramel sauces on their plates, they were treated to a few last factoids about animal mating rituals.

"It's a great evening filled with quirky, fun and odd stuff," said Odessa resident John Tate, who has attended Wild at Heart for four years. "It's a  good time and they do a great job."