I like to think I’m above being impressed by celebrities. Yet when Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, came to the San Diego Zoo today for a special show, I was”¦impressed!

The Duchess was in town as the spokesperson for Weight Watchers International, Inc. During her presentation on January 18 in the Zoo’s Wegeforth Bowl she shared some tips for a healthy lifestyle with visitors and employees, with the help of some of our animal ambassadors. Jake the sea lion demonstrated how swimming keeps him fit; Akela the timber wolf and Nala, his domestic dog friend, highlighted walking as a fun way to exercise, especially if you have a walking partner; then a flock of 10 macaws flew over the audience, demonstrating that flying burns some calories, too!

Sarah Ferguson was game for anything the animal trainers had planned for her. Nelson, another sea lion, planted a kiss on the Duchess’ cheek and allowed her to feed him whole fish. Jokingly wondering if she should call ” Here, kitty, kitty,” the Duchess watched in awe as Jezebel, a Harris’ hawk, swooped down onto her gloved hand for a raw meat treat.

Weight Watchers has a chapter for Zoo employees. In fact, it was Children’s Zoo keeper Melinda Sage who inspired the day’s event. Melinda told the weight-loss organization that the Zoo would accept donations of used scales. Keeping an accurate weight on each animal is part of a keeper’s many duties, and the spider monkeys in her care didn’t like to share a scale with so many other critters. At the event, the Duchess and Weight Watchers presented a very surprised Melinda with five new scales for the Zoo’s use””I’m impressed!

Debbie Andreen is the San Diego Zoo’s Web site editor.

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