I recently spent a day at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York. Here are some of its citizens I photographed during my visit.

A family favorite, this Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) was very active seeking out and munching on some Spring greenery inside its enclosure.

Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April, 22, 2019. Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 180, EV 0, 300mm Focal Length, Intensify CK Soft HDR Filter.

Nearby, I noticed these Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) huddled close together. There was no Zoo people nearby to confirm this but I think the two leopards facing left were the twins born at the Zoo last Spring.

Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April, 22, 2019. Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 400, EV 0, 300mm Focal Length.

Inside the Social Building, I photographed this sleeping Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) who looked very comfortable in his tropically heated enclosure.

Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April, 22, 2019. Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 1100, EV 0, 300mm Focal Length.

The building houses many monkey species including this Black-and-white Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) who was as interested in watching the people as the people watching him were.

Black-and-white Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April, 22, 2019. Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/4.8, ISO 1250, EV 0, 68mm Focal Length.

The reason for my visit was to share the zoo with my grandson. He is the subject of my favorite photo of the day. It is not technically good but the moment is something I will enjoy forever.

Little boy coming face-to-face with a Jaguar at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April 22, 2019. Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.5, ISO 2000, EV 0, 28mm Focal Length, Intensify CK Soft HDR Filter.

There were many families with young children at the zoo that day enjoying themselves and bonding with all the animal species on display. All of which need help to survive in this world where humans are more often the enemy of wild animals and places. My hope is some of them will go on to make the world better for all living creatures, not just Man.