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Well-wishers dodge rain for bunny’s birthday party
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Youngsters in paper bunny hats ducked spring showers Saturday to attend a birthday party at Miller Park Zoo for a well-known rabbit.

Bunzilla, a light brown Flemish giant, celebrated his sixth birthday with a room filled with well-wishers.

Zookeeper Wendy Klessig said the event helps children learn to safely handle pets and overcome their fears of animals. She said about 150 kids were expected for the annual party.

“This gets everybody out to the zoo in the spring,” Klessig said.

Children took turns sitting on the floor next to the sprawling bunny, who seemed to enjoy the attention.

Other popular zoo guests at the event were Snowcap and Count Chocula, two small rabbits who were eagerly petted.

Activities at the bunny birthday party included decorating plastic eggs and making Easter baskets from paper bags.

Kyle Dunlap of El Paso was one of the junior zookeepers who helped zoo staff entertain the children. Among his summer volunteer tasks at the zoo is handling a blue-tongued skink. The eighth-grader is experienced with people who may be shy about touching animals.

“Some people are afraid to touch it, and others feel welcome to touch it,” Dunlap said of the vegetarian reptile.

Jeff Gesiakowski brought his daughters, Audrey and Vivian, to the bunny birthday bash.

“We heard there was something going on, so we decided to come to see the bunnies,” the Bloomington father said.

Two-year-old Vivian picked Snowcap as her favorite bunny, and Audrey, 4, enjoyed having bunny whiskers drawn on her face.

Children had a chance to have their photo taken with the rabbits. A cake marking Bunzilla’s birthday was shared with guests.

Take a look
Volunteer Julia Irwin, 12, right, helps Jasmyne Decossas, 4, with her rabbit hat Saturday (March 24, 2007) while celebrating Bunny's Birthday at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
Zachary Rios, 5, left, his brother Erik Rios, 8, pet Snowcap Saturday (March 24, 2007) while celebrating Bunny's Birthday at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
Zachary Rios, 5, left, his brother Erik Rios, 8, both of Waukegan, and Josh Smith, 12, of Pekin, pet Snowcap Saturday (March 24, 2007) while celebrating Bunny's Birthday at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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