On Thursday, December 12, the domain of private equity firm Blackstone Group became an animal kingdom filled with loveable creatures, The Dealbook reported. The Midtown Manhattan headquarters of Blackstone got a visit from eight animal ambassadors from a popular theme park. The private equity giant took Sea World public earlier in 2013.
Together with a class from the East Harlem Tutorial Program, a free after-school program organized and run by a nonprofit education organization and where several employees at Blackstone volunteer at, Blackstone's Co-Founder Stephen A. Schwarzman and Global Head of Private Equity Joseph Baratta welcomed the dignitaries at the Blackstone lobby.
Magellanic penguins named Pete and Penny, Eurasian eagle owls Sophia and King and Siberian huskies Shivers and Journey and 15-year old Asian small-clawed otters Buffy and Xander were the critters that the children and Blackstone had a fun time interacting with.
The visit also solicited a lot of interesting questions from the kids. One boy asked if huskies could pull Santa Claus's sleigh after being told that huskies were known for pulling sled. Another asked if they could also fly, to which a trainer answered no. Another asked why the huskies look like cat while another asked why dogs eat chickens.
Other animals became the subject of the children's queries as well. They asked why penguins were colored black and white while another asked if owls could hear better than an ostrich.
The report said this was not the first time that animals paid Blackstone a visit. In January, two penguins also shook flippers with employees. Last week, however, employees from Sea World asked if they could stop by for a visit since they would have media events in town.
Although the animals were at their best behavior, they did leave a little unsolicited present which the employees quickly disposed off. The reported quoted Schwarzman as saying, "It's just another day at the office."
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