Local veterinarian Dr. Cliff Bailey visited the Earle May Boat Basin on Tuesday afternoon, June 10, to give an annual checkup to some of the animals who live there.
The City of Bainbridge cares for three goats, two donkeys and many emus in an enclosed, wooded area along the banks of the Flint River. Dr. Bailey examined the donkeys-George, who has been a longtime fixture at the Boat Basin, and Little Jack, who has only called the Boat Basin home for a couple of years. Then the local vet examined the goats, who had been gathered up into a covered pen by Leisure Services employees.
Dr. Bailey administered annual rabies shots to each of the donkeys, and gave the goats shots to prevent West Nile virus and the sleeping sickness, the latter two diseases which are often carried by mosquitoes.
Dr. Bailey also talked with Leisure Services Director Jason Strickland, offering tips for taking good care of the animals.
Many local children love to go visit the animal park in the Boat Basin. To get there, you drive around Boat Basin Circle and take the looping road around to the part of the Boat Basin that is across the water from the boat ramps. There’s also an old train engine and a riverfront walking trail near the animal park.
Thanks to Dr. Bailey for looking after the animals. We love taking our granddaughter to see the animals often and we hope the city keeps the area up for everyone to enjoy. What happened to all the other goats? I can understand if there were to many but it was nice having some of the young goats for the children to see.