Chapter 264 Carslan Big Eyes
The alpaca enclosure has also undergone some changes. Originally, there was a fence around it, allowing visitors to see the alpacas moving around the outer field directly from outside the fence, but they had to go through the shed to get inside.
This design was mainly because they were worried about what to do if an alpaca became angry and kicked someone during close contact, especially since there are quite a few children who visit the zoo.
So, those who wanted to feed or take photos with the alpacas could do so inside the shed, separated by the fence. When visiting the outer field, they couldn't be so close and had to maintain a distance to enjoy the view.
But now, after several months of adaptation, the alpacas see many visitors every day and have gradually become accustomed to their presence.
The animal keepers also have a better grasp of the alpacas' personalities, knowing that they are generally docile and won't attack people, at most spitting at them when they are annoyed.
Another thing is that, because of the zoo's habitat restoration areas, various educational and warning signs, and the persuasion of animal keepers, the overall visiting atmosphere in the zoo is quite good now.
Visitors have learned what rules to follow when visiting the zoo, and generally don't do terrible things like throwing stones at animals for no reason.
With this atmosphere, the alpaca area has become accessible through a small entrance pavilion leading directly to the outer field, while the shed has become an area generally not open for visitors. If an alpaca is in a bad mood or irritable, it can stay in the shed undisturbed, quietly on its own.
"Hello, can we feed them now?" Daigo looked at Meng Shi with some envy. Both heavyweights, one all muscles and the other all fat, there was such a big difference between people.
"Of course, you've come at just the right time! Remember not to do anything that might upset the alpacas when you go in."
Meng Shi smiled, took a few small plastic basins from the food basket next to him, and distributed some different kinds of food to everyone's basin.
In Daigo's basin was dry grass for sheep, Lin Hao got carrots, Lili and her boyfriend got corn kernels, and adults with children or couples only received one portion.
Lili shook her basin, and the corn kernels rustled, she said with some dissatisfaction, "Is that all, just enough to cover the bottom? I've wanted to feed the alpacas for a long time, and I didn't get to feed them on my previous visits."
"Sorry about that." Meng Shi, who often faced this question, apologized and then patiently explained, "Alpacas have a limited diet, and if they are fed too much, they become too full.
Because today is Sunday and there are more visitors, each person gets a smaller portion, but if you come on a weekday, you can feed them more."
Lili pouted, but she understood: "Okay then."
However, this little dissatisfaction vanished as soon as they saw the adorable alpacas!
The alpacas were scattered throughout the outer field, leisurely strolling on the lawn or sand, with groups of visitors following alongside them like starstruck fans, all smiling broadly.
Some raised their phones in front, slightly crouched, pointing the camera directly at the alpaca's face, snapping pictures with a happy grin.
Others walked alongside the alpacas, continuously stroking their smooth fur, happily sharing their feelings with companions: "Wow, this alpaca is so gentle!"
As alpacas that interact with visitors, they are also periodically given quarantine baths to eliminate worries about parasites.
Daigo pointed to a pristine white alpaca, excitedly saying, "Hey, isn't that Carslan?"
"Carslan?"
Lin Hao, having not paid much attention to the alpacas on his previous visits, asked curiously.
Daigo explained with a smile: "Oh, because this alpaca has big, shiny eyes, and they're very pretty, like Carslan's big eyes, so we call her Carslan.
Look at the other alpacas, they all have squinty eyes, eh, this one looks like it's bearing a deep grudge."
Lin Hao looked towards Carslan, her eyes indeed seem larger than the others', and her white fleece was quite beautiful, giving the impression of a beauty queen among alpacas.
At the moment, she was surrounded by seven or eight visitors, appearing very popular as they all vied to offer her food.
In another corner, a lone, dark brown alpaca stood by itself. Its naturally dark fur and pronounced brow bones, coupled with the heavy shadows around its eyes, looked like two dark holes, giving it a brooding appearance, with a face full of gruffness.
It's just like a gangster on the street getting ready to extort money from elementary school kids!
Of course, that's just their human aesthetic perception.
Another soft and fluffy alpaca came over and joined the delinquent alpaca, and the two of them quietly stayed together, leisurely strolling side by side as if they were friends.
Daigo said, "Besides, Carslan just happens to be a female alpaca. Isn't the name quite fitting?"
Lin Hao made a weird face. "How do you know it's a female alpaca? You didn't actually lift her up and check, did you?"
Daigo laughed heartily, playfully patting him on the shoulder. "Of course I asked the animal keeper! Actually, among these alpacas, only Brother Aotian has a name because of his weird personality and quirky look. The other alpacas are just called whatever by the visitors, but the keepers started to use the names too after hearing them so much."
Lili had already made her way in front of Carslan!
She offered the small basin in her hand with a smile, eagerly saying, "Hey, beauty, have some corn!"
Carslan was chewing on a straw, continuing to walk slowly forward without giving Lili a proper glance, as if she didn't give a hoot about her or her corn.
Lili's boyfriend couldn't help but comment, "Woah, this alpaca is pretty aloof."
Carslan wasn't actually that cold, but because she stood out among the alpacas, she was pursued by a crowd of visitors every day, all competing to feed her and take pictures with her. As a result, she gradually became less responsive than she was at first.
All thanks to her training!
"Wuu wuu wuu, the alpaca is ignoring me!" Lili pouted to her boyfriend.
Upon hearing this, her boyfriend couldn't stand it.
He stepped right in front of Carslan, crossing his arms over his chest with a mischievous smile blocking the way!
Carslan raised her head, somewhat puzzled, "Hmm? Hm?"
Her soft, melodious call sounded like a polite young girl asking, "Hello, why are you blocking my way?"
When questioned like that, Lili's boyfriend subconsciously wanted to step aside.
But he didn't move and pointed to the corn in Lili's hand instead, "Here, eat this and then you can go."
Lili tugged at him, trying to persuade him, "It's okay, let's go feed another alpaca."
But Lili's boyfriend wanted to show off in front of his girlfriend and boldly declared, "No worries, watch me make her eat!"
Carslan tilted her head to the side, "Hmm?"
She gently bit the corner of his shirt, raising her head, while Lili's boyfriend still refused to budge!
Then Carslan raised her head a little higher, gazing affectionately into Lili's boyfriend's eyes, her mouth suddenly starting to move rapidly.
Some of the regular visitors who were well-versed in alpaca behavior discreetly took a couple of steps back, sporting expectant looks, while Lili's boyfriend, not knowing why, suddenly had a bad feeling. Enjoy new tales from empire
Pff!
Carslan opened her mouth and a spray of pale green mist, like a fountain, burst forth, drenching his face.
She called softly again, "Hmm?"