The Most Unusual and Bizarre Roadside Zoo in the Golden Age of Route 66

Back in the days when Route 66 was the Golden Highway from East to West, nestled between tourist attractions and cheap snacks, there were a variety of roadside zoos filled with strange collections of animals and merchandise. One such bizarre attraction was located in New Mexico, with some truly unique and unexpected creatures.

Strange Creatures and Unusual Treatments

Among its inhabitants, the roadside zoo housed a tired-looking lion, a few porpoises in a large outdoor enclosure, coyotes, and a particularly chatty parrot. One day, the owner noticed something odd. The porpoises seemed to be under the weather and lacked their usual exuberance.

A Visit to an 'Indian Witch Doctor'

Fearing the worst, the owner contacted the local vet. The vet, with no experience in marine animal care, referred the owner to an old Indian witch doctor (squaw) known for her purported healing powers. Believers in the Indian Reservation nearby prized her for her love of animals and the care she took of them. Her reputation, much like a rare piece of American folklore, seemed to ensure that her methods were worth a shot.

So, the owner made the trip to the reservation. The witch doctor examined the porpoises, and after a careful inspection, she delivered a somber prognosis. She announced, I regret to tell you that your porpoises are dying. The situation doesn't look good. Devastated by this news, he sought her help.

The Unusual Cure

To the owner's surprise, the witch doctor had a solution. She stated that if the zoo owner fed specific Mynah birds to the porpoises, not only would they be cured, but they would live forever. The owner was willing to risk everything to save his porpoises and asked where he could find these rare birds.

The witch doctor informed him that there was only one store that sold them, conveniently located in the next town. The owner went to the store, found the birds, and asked how much they cost. The demanding price was 50,000 dollars. Desperate, the owner decided to break into the store and steal the birds.

A Night of Misadventure and Arrest

Around midnight, the owner stole the birds and raced back to the zoo. However, his plan was disrupted when he tripped over the old lion, which let out a loud roar, alerting everyone. The police arrived, and instead of helping the owner, they arrested him for transporting Mynahs across a staid lion for immortal porpoises!

Conclusion

Route 66, a nostalgic icon of America's past, was filled with quirky roadside attractions that made the journey memorable. Yet, bizarre as it may seem, this particular incident demonstrates the lengths some people would go to, even in the face of the absurd. The story of this roadside zoo and the witch doctor's unconventional, albeit somewhat hilarious, cure for the porpoises adds a layer of American folklore to the historical landmarks of Route 66.