Astute observation KCZooFan. This side has radiated tortoises and to the right of them (just out of camera) is a similar yard with leopard tortoises.
And equally astute observation Ituri. The sprinklers run during the afternoon (and I assume at night), allowing us to have a grass zebra/ostrich yard, a grass rhino/gazelle/stork yard, a grass giraffe yard, etc. Our website describes the zoo (I think) as an oasis in the desert and this is a very apt description. It will be interesting to see if there is grass (and if it stays) in the new elephant exhibit.
You have sharp eyes young man! Those two critters in the photo are most definitely radiated tortoises (such distinctive shells) and the idea of having a pair of tortoise enclosures in the foreground is a brilliant idea as on my visit my daughter was thrilled to see the radiated and leopard tortoises up close. Some larger mammals fade into the background for little kids and so she was not intrigued by the zebras whatsoever...and that is why aquariums work best for little kids because all of the animals are only inches away.
Yes I have noticed that small children seem to get excited about seeing the tortoises when they are right up against the fence by the path.
Many years ago when the leopard tortoises were babies, we had them in a glass fronted exhibit by the giraffes (where the current giraffe feeding platform is). But the giraffes started bending in and picking up the tortoises in their mouth and walking around with them. I don't think they ever hurt them, but the poor babies were in for a wild ride - so we had to move them.
