ANIMAL SWAP: ZEDONKS TO ZONIES, AUCTION OFFERS THEM ALL

FRUITLAND, Mo. -- There were zedonks, zonies and even zorses to sell.

It wasn't Dr. Seuss. It was all a part of a two-day exotic animal auction at Fruitland Livestock Sales that ended Saturday.

Zedonks, zonies and zorses are offspring of a zebra with a donkey, pony and horse, respectively.

About 1,000 animals were auctioned this weekend, everything from llamas to zebras and zebu miniature cattle to water buffalo. Another 400 small animals and birds in cages were handled in an "animal swap" where buyers paid the posted selling prices or waited for unsold animals to be auctioned off at the end of the day.

The sale drew about 800 people, including 300 to 400 buyers. Buyers and sellers came from as far away as California, Florida and Canada. Organizers estimated there were people from about 36 states.

The sale barn, which can hold about 350 people at a time, was crowded Saturday afternoon as Neal Franke of Altenburg, Mo., helped herd zebras around the auction ring.

Franke and his wife, Michelle, have been conducting the Mid-America Animal Sales at Fruitland for four years. Franke is the barn manager for Fruitland Livestock Sales where typically cattle are auctioned.

The Frankes hold an exotic animal auction twice a year.

"I raise some exotic animals," said Franke, whose Altenburg area farm includes elk, deer and buffalo.

Camels and zebras remain a big draw at exotic sales, he said. On Saturday, several zebras brought prices of more than $3,000 apiece.

Llamas used to carry a high price. But today they often sell for as little as $200 to $300, Franke said.

Michelle Franke said many of the buyers and sellers of exotic animals show up at the auction every year, making the event seem like a family reunion.

Cindy Farmer of St. Louis is a regular customer. Farmer runs a traveling petting zoo. "It started out as a hobby," said Farmer, who bought 60-pound, 80-year-old tortoise at the auction.

Farmer figures to have the tortoise for some time. "They live to be at least 200," she said.

Farmer has 150 animals, including 60 goats. Goats and rabbits are big draws with the kids at the traveling petting zoos, she said.

Darlene Schott of Oran showed up at the auction Saturday with her pet monkey, an 18-month-old rhesus named Jordan.

Clad in a diaper and a baby outfit, Jordan clung to Schott as she stood at the entrance to the sales barn.

Schott purchased the monkey at the spring auction at the Fruitland Livestock Sales. At home, a black and white television and a radio keep Jordan entertained, she said.

"They are just like little babies," said Schott, who has no plans to sell her pet.