The Zoomies Zoo

Animals at the Safari Park eating breakfast

Lots of wonderful animals lived at the Zoo, especially in the savannah exhibit. There were lions, cheetahs, and tigers in the cat area, while zebras, wildebeest, oryx, and camels enjoyed living in another area.

It was a quiet, cool morning. The zookeepers had just left breakfast in each area for each type of animal. It was like everyone had stayed up late and were tired in the morning.

Then, it began.

It started with Leo, the lion cub. His tail started twitching. Then, his feet started moving. He had no choice but to stand up.

Leo had to stand up

At the same time, his best friend, Chip Cheetah, felt his tail twitch. He stood up abruptly. What was that?

Chip Cheetah

In the other area, Zoe Zebra started swinging her tail as if music were playing.

Zoe Zebra

Even Gerald Giraffe started feeling it.

Gerald Giraffe

Before long, all the young animals across the savannah exhibit started standing up and looking at each other.

The zoomies had started. First, the animals on one side started walking quickly, then running. Before long, they were chasing one another. The air was full of laughter.

The zebras and giraffe were running around like crazy animals

On the cat side, Leo couldn’t sit still any longer. He started running. Then, Chip ran past him.

Leo and Chip with the zoomies

Chaos ensued. All the baby animals on both sides of the exhibit were running, tumbling around, and playing hide and seek. Even the birds caught the zoomies and were flying around, chasing one another.

Zoe was running so fast, she didn’t notice Gerald in front of her and ran into him, knocking him over.

Zoe checking on Gerald

Zoe ran over to Gerald and said, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to knock you down. Are you hurt?”

Gerald just smiled, stood up, and took off running.

“Ha! Gotcha!” Gerald said, laughing.

The baby animals ran and ran for what seemed like a long time. Then, the zoomies started to subside.

“We’d better get ready with the snacks,” said one of the zookeepers to the other. “They’re going to be hungry when they finally settle down.”

Zookeepers watching the savannah

Wilson Wildebeest was the first to stop. He lay down, trying to catch his breath. It didn’t take long for him to fall fast asleep.

Wilson Wildebeest

As the adults watched, the babies started slowing down and then lying down. It was as if someone flipped the “off” switch.

The first to fall asleep was Leo and Chip. They had run so fast, they were completely spent.

Leo and Chip fast asleep

Gerald and Zoe were next.

Zoe and Gerald

“That was fun,” said Zoe. “I wonder how it started.”

“Me too,” Gerald said. “We’ll just have to wait until the next time it takes over.”

The adults had been watching the babies running and running.

Mrs. Cheetah and Mr. Lion watching the babies play

“Ah, to be young again,” said Mr. Lion to Mrs. Cheetah.

NOTE: All images were created by the author using Midjourney on Discord.

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© 2025 Laurie Leiker

Grandma Laurie