Summary of article in Billed Bladet #18, 2015.
Written by Dorthe Quist.
As patron for Aalborg Zoo Joachim brought his family along to take part in the 80th anniversary of the zoo. Joachim has been patron since he was eighteen and he believed it was the first protection he had.
Anyway, the family flew in from Copenhagen in the early forenoon and went to the zoo an there were loads of locals and press around and it was a little bit overwhelming perhaps. But fortunately mademoiselle Athena could hold mother with one hand and her favorite cloth animal with the other. When Athena was asked later on what her favorite animal was, she referred to the cloth animal and replied: "Ulvius = something like wolfie".
Okay, the tour of the zoo started and there were still a lot of people looking at them. First stop was the enclosure with the racoons and here the children were presented with worms so they could feed the racoons. And here Athena and bette Henrik collectively decided that worms, that's dad's responsibility! So Joachim had to toss the worms into the enclosure.
Then onto the baboons and would they like to feed them? Henrik would. There is just one problem, when you are a small boy and the enclosure is surrounded by a hedge the same height as you and on top af that a moat, the baboons ain't gonna get any food, no matter how hard you try. So Joachim picked him up, and from that height it was easier for Henrik to toss food into the baboons.
Okay, there were also some adults talking a lot about something boring, and while that went on Athena sat on the lap of mother and goofed around a bit, while she was smiling, giggling and laughing. But then there was a show with smaller animals. Dogs and small ponies, pigs, rats and even a falcon.
While visiting the elephant pen both Athena and Henrik thought it wiser to stay close to mom and dad, but then those African elephant bulls are big! They prudently decided to let their parents take care of the feeding.
They also went inside to have a look at a cute tiger-cub named Kaj, which certainly Henrik thought was fascinating. When passing the lions, Joachim lifted up Apple (which BB claim is a dog) and put the creature next to the bars. The lions didn't care, nor did Apple! Joachim remarked: "Didn't work, she wasn't scared enough". (I guess if you are used to running around cows at Schackenborg a few overgrown cats can't be particularly intimidating).
The zoo-keepers asked questions to Athena and Henrik, and whenever Henrik knew the answer he put up his finger.
Joachim explained: "I'm convinced he is looking forward to start in school. If he knew it will take twelve years he would probably say no. (*) Right now he believe it to be something temporary. But yes, he ain't the dullest knife in the drawer. He is both looking very much forward to go to school and is very excited".
Henrik is to start in 0 grade this August and he said: "My favorite animal is a rabbit. I haven't got one, but I would like one".
Towards the end Joachim summed up: "The children have had a really lovely day. The great thing about Aalborg Zoo is that they probably have all the favorite animals of my family and yes, then I'm pretty crazy about the baboons as well".
Then Joachim and our Marie went on to attend another event in Aalborg, while Athena, Henrik and the furry oddity, Apple stayed in Aalborg Zoo, under the supervision of a nanny and the zoo's PR-man, who happens to be an ex-Frogman, so perhaps Frederik knows him? here they burned off some energy at the zoo playground.
(*) So they seem to already have decided to send Henrik to high school or a similar three year education. And isn't it thirteen years, Joachim? Ten years in public school, followed by three years in high school?)