October 25, 2006

Zoological Society of Philadelphia

3400 West Girard Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104-1196

Dear Zoological Society,

I am in desperate need of work. For the past five years, I have been scrounging through the garbage trying to find food. I was hoping to get a job at your fine zoo in Philadelphia, so I am sending you this letter.

I am a ring-tailed lemur (see enclosed picture). I was originally employed at the San Diego Zoo, where they treated me like royalty. Swarms of humans came to visit me every day, and when I was hungry there was always food. I developed a strong bond with my caretaker, Sharon, but I escaped when I found out she was seeing other animals. A year later, I was captured by the local authorities, who generously put me to work at the Los Angeles Zoo. My caretaker, George, was no Sharon but he got the job done. But soon, I grew tired of countless human faces staring at me, pointing, and knocking on the glass. I ran away that night, foolishly thinking I could survive alone in the wilderness.

It’s a little sketchy between then and now. I worked for a couple traveling circuses, didn’t have to do much, and got my share of the peanuts. For about a month I was employed at the Saint Louis Zoo, but that didn’t work out because living space was cramped, the food was horrible, and I was too close to the armadillos. Those guys are not very polite if you ask me.

I am willing to give the zoo scene a fourth chance, as long as you are willing to accept me. At the Philadelphia Zoo, I promise to be a good ring-tailed lemur and I know I will attract many visitors. All I ask in return is for good food and a nice caretaker who will clean up my “messes” immediately.

Once again, thank you for reading this and I look forward to meeting you soon. You can reach me at the above address, where my human friend Federico has so munificently taken me in for the time being.

Sincerely,

Kevin Dickinson

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Home