THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501200481
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: GUY FRIDDELL
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
That vibrant band of volunteers, the Virginia Zoological Society, has been honored with a $110,000 grant for its work in boosting the Virginia Zoo to national prominence.
The grant from the Institute of Museum Services will enable the society to heighten its efforts by hiring an executive director.
Most of the 300 awards went to art museums. Of more than 130 accredited zoos, only 12 won grants.
It is a richly deserved accolade for the zoo staff and for the society headed by Margaret Falkiner.
As the society's president, Falkiner greets each challenge with a laugh and a burst of energy.
Buoying her is the fervor of her conviction in helping shape in Norfolk a zoo as a humane haven for the animals and a relaxing place for visitors.
Zoos have found a mission as Arks for rare species of animals.
And then there are Falkiner's natural heartiness and zestful curiosity about the world around her.
Her laughter is such that people find it well-nigh impossible to turn down a plea for help. Why, even the animals perk up in her presence.
Here comes Margaret. Look up!
The other day she was exulting that the building of the tiger habitat for the two Siberian sisters is coming along at such a rate as to welcome them before April 1.
At 8,000 square feet, it is a third larger than are most habitats for big cats. ``We made it that way because that's how the zoo of the future is going to look,'' she said.
And always a new feature is beckoning in the recently approved master plan.
Next for enlarging is the area for African exhibits. Space for the two elephants, Mona and Lisa - all right, let's pause here. Her name was meant to be Mona, but somehow it became Monica, a less desirable moniker. Henceforth, I will address her by the name she deserves. One can do no less for a lady, specially one weighing tons.
Anyway, there'll be enough room for a third elephant.
A herd in the zoo, by Zeus!
In the offing is a lion, maned, magnificent, lying around looking noble, insufferably male. Its great coughing roar at mealtimes is the most exciting sound in any zoo.
As exciting as the museum institute's cash are its words of praise. ``The well-qualified staff is transforming the old city zoo,'' it said.
It termed the plant collection ``a real plus'' and found the library ``above average in quality and size.''
It beamed at the zoo's cooperation with Old Dominion University in offering a degree in zoo management. It praised the ``well-educated staff,'' the ``excellent visionary plan,'' the collections that are ``above average.''
Listen, you ought to go out there and watch the place. It seems to change before your eyes.
And give my best to Lisa.
And Mona. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
by CNB