Wacky Texans Keep Phones Busy At Zoo

Cynthia Glenn was the victim Tuesday of one of the hoariest of April Fools’ jokes. Again.

She arrived at her desk at First American Field Services in nearby Irving to find a note to call L.E. Phant, with the phone number of the Dallas Zoo at the bottom. She called, much to her embarrassment.

“The worst part is that I fell for the same joke two years ago,” she said later. “It was just that it was early. I wasn’t awake yet.”

So many other office workers in the Dallas area get the same note, or a variation, that the zoo brings in a few volunteers every April 1 just to help deal with the prank calls.

The volunteers fielded scores of calls Tuesday - not just for Mr. Phant (or Ms. Phant, the first name sometimes appeared as Elly or Ella) - but for Sally Mander, Harry Lyon, Teddy Baer, Mr. Monkey, Mr. Katz, Mr. Byrd and G. Raff.