Oddballs of the jack pine forest
Kangaroo, wallaby and giant African tortoise visit KW Fest

 
By STEPHANIE SPENCER

Back by popular demand, the Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom is returning to KCC’s annual Warbler Festival. Pogo the kangaroo, Tia the cougar and Willie the monkey are making encore performances after a stunning debut at last year’s Festival

Why is Whispering Pines returning to the Warbler Festival? Maybe because it was such a hit last year or maybe there is something unique about this area and its people, whose warmth made an impression on Kirk and Christina Elya, owners of the animal attraction.

“We enjoy coming to the Warbler Festival because the entire event surrounds the Warbler and is very animal/nature related,” Kirk Elya said. “The event is located in such a beautiful area and the staff is wonderful to work with as well. Our exhibit seems to fit the theme nicely.”

Festival committee chairman Jim Enger concurred. He acknowledged, however, some concern among wildlife biologists connected with the festival because most of the animals in the Elyas’ collection have little to do with the jack pine ecosystem where the Kirtland’s warbler makes its summer home.

“Despite controversy about sticking strictly to the jack pine ecosystem theme, Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom has blown away any doubt about fitting in,” Enger said. “The owners approach is to interact, and the animals were very unique. This made them a big success. Whispering Pines made people aware of endangered species and animals of the world. My favorite animal was the cougar.”

Perhaps no one among the throngs of visitors to the attraction was more enchanted than Dorothy Morse, assistant to the KWF committee.

“From the moment the Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom truck pulled into Kirtland’s driveway until it left, it was my favorite place to be,” Morse said. “The animals were not only beautiful, but beautifully taken care of. They invited me into their living area to meet and fall in love with a seven-month-old Wallaby.

“He had his own pouch-sleeping bag that they let me tuck him in and carry around with me. I think the success of the show is how Kurt and Christina relate to the public in general. I can’t wait for them to pull in this year; I’ll be waiting to greet them.”