Visiting the Zoo, part 2

Further to this post.

I decided today to check out as much as I could of the rest of the zoo, this time first heading towards the older part of the zoo site.

This cabinet is used to hold info on the zoo's otters, and other stuff. This looks like an antique with a heck of a story, though. wonder where it came from?

 

Into the Australia section. Only animals seen were: two emus, a wallaby, and a peacock. Lots of pigeons, but, as I said to a zoo staffer there, "That's Kiwi birds getting in with the Aussies."

This emu was panting quite rapidly at the time. Hope it's okay.

Passing through one of the aviaries ...

Outside again, and sighting the old Elephant House, now a function centre.

Now, back where that old cabinet was, nary an otter could be seen. That's because they'd wisely headed off for shady parts of the stream like this one.

When the nearby Siamang monkeys started up with their hooting, one of the otters started up as well -- and kept a watchful eye on me with the camera.

Golden Lion Tamerins.

Just as I got a place to try a shot for one of the Siamangs, this one decided to be a bit of a star. Bang! against the window. After a bit of a hoot, he swumg off.

Then, I got the other one.

This houses a tarantula exhibit -- but, like the elephant house, may be a part of the old architecture. (Update, 16 April 2012 -- Liz has identified this as the old giraffe house, part of the zoo's original layout. Thanks, Liz!)

Lemur study.

Back at Pridelands, a lion encounter, where enrichment items are placed for the lions to have a go at. The zookeeper here (with lions safely shut away) explains how he has dropped bones, dribbled blood on the ground, hung a sack in the tree (containing, my friend Liz says, likely something like elephant poo), and a box (by his feet) of rhino piddle. Lions love rhino piddle. "Liquid gold to lions", so the keeper said. They like smelling like a rhino.

So, lions released, keeper over on the other side of the moat with us, and yes -- the rhino piddle-soaked box is top of the pops with the lionesses.

I shifted around to one of the view rooms. The windows were a bit mucky, but I managed a few shots of this lion thoroughly enjoying chewing on his bone.

Then, he ventured up top.

And smelled the flattened but still rhino-smelly, box.

Yes, indeed, lions love eau-de-rhino.

Further on, I was just beside Burma's quarters and area, taking a drink in the heat from a bottle, when I heard murmurs from the crowd -- and realised Burma the elephant and her keepers were heading my way. Quickly put the drink down, pull the camera out, get three shots ...

... and she was off around the circuit again. She moves fast, that elephant.

There are memorials to the late Kashin almost everywhere in the zoo.

Remember the old Elephant House earlier in the post? This is where Burma stays now.

Hippo spotting.

Life preservers at various spots throughout the zoo. I guess for those who really feel the need to cool off in strange waters.

One last shot of the lioness ...

... and it's "Goodbye" from the yellow gecko at the entrance.