Valentine's Day At The Zoo Too

Humans aren't the only species observing Valentine's Day. Spangles and Cisco, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Queens Zoo's playful pair of spectacled bears, are often seen cuddling together in their outdoor habitat or play-fighting after a light snowfall. As with most couples, the bears aren't without their occasional quarrel. But luckily Spangles, the female, is pretty good at keeping her male counterpart in line. Weighing in at a modest 150 lbs., it's clear she's in command over 400-lb. Cisco. At the Queens Zoo, many of the animals have established their own bonds and relationships.

Other animals at the Queens Zoo also live in pairs and are often seen showing signs of affection similar to the way humans do. Anyone walking through the Zoo's land marsh trails might catch a glimpse of a pair of elegant cranes standing side by side and two beautiful, coupled swans floating through the pond together. Cranes and swans choose their mates for life and never tire of doing elaborate and graceful mating dances for each other. If they're "in the mood", a visitor may get a chance to see the birds engage in their mating dance. Not only are cranes dedicated mates, but the males also often sit on their nesting eggs to keep them warm when their female partners need a break.

Some of the Queens Zoo animals are equally happy living the single life. In the Zoo's farm area, Artie, a male bison, shares his space with four females and is clearly a very happy bachelor at the Zoo.

The Queens Zoo, a Wildlife Conservation Society park, is located at 53-51 111th St. in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Admission is $6 for adults, $2.25 for seniors 65 and older, $2 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.