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East Africa: Journey Through The Rift:
“East Africa: Journey Through The Rift” is an exhibit complex built to highlight the wondrous wildlife of Africa’s east coast. The complex is split into four main regions based on habitat. These regions are the Bush, the Savannah, the River, and the Kopje. The exhibit complex is entered under a large canvas banner with the name of the complex painted across it. Upon entering the complex, visitors are immersed into an African Village. Replicas of traditional Masai Huts form a circle around the mock dry mud path ways. All of the six surrounding huts are open for visitors to explore and each has different information and artifacts about the Masai people. In a larger central hut there is an exhibit for a pair (1.1) of African Rock Pythons. The exhibit is designed like all of the other traditional huts but with a small pool for the pythons to cool off in.
Upon exiting the village visitors begin their trek through the first of the four regions, The Bush. Not far down the path is the first exhibit. The exhibit is shallow and surrounded by mock-rock walls made to simulate the side of an African ravine. The exhibit is sparsely planted with bushes and small trees. This exhibit is home to a pair (1.1) of Günther’s Dik-Dik, a small species of antelope common in the East African bush and woodlands.
Following the curving path through the brush, visitors will soon come to a large netted enclosure for a pair (1.1) of African Leopards. There are two main ways for the visitors to view the leopards. The first is from a large glass viewing window set in a small cave. The second is from a large replica of a dead tree. Wooden steps lead up to the top of the tree where there is a glass window that looks out on a branch of the tree. The branch has a special heating element to entice the cats to sleep on the branch and provide the visitors with a unique viewing experience. The exhibit is dotted with several large trees for the cats to climb, as well as several fallen trees. A small kopje is the centerpiece of the exhibit.
A little ways down the path is a little thatch building which leads into the large Bush Aviary. A boardwalk carries you through the forested aviary to a similar thatched exit at the other end. A small stream snakes its way through the aviary to provide water for the birds. The aviary is home to 1.3 Hadada Ibises, 1.3 Hammerkops, 1.2 Black Crakes, 2.3 Vulturine Guineafowl, 2.4 Yellow-necked Francolins, 3.5 Speckled Pigeons, 2.2 Red-headed Lovebirds, 1.1 Red-billed Hornbills, 2.4 Lilac-breasted Rollers, and 2.4 Purple-crested Turacos.
Heading up the path from the aviary a small dirt trail leads off to the left of the main path for a closer view of the next enclosure. To the right is a low boardwalk that leads past the next paddock which is home to 2.4 Lesser Kudu, 2.3 Gerenuk, 1.2 Bush Duiker, and 1.3 Yellow-billed Storks. The paddock is of nice size and rather grassy. Mature Trees and bushes dot the landscape along with a few fake termite mounds. A small watering hole is near the boardwalk to draw the beautiful antelope and storks closer for viewing. Forage is placed higher up on the trees to encourage the Gerenuks to exhibit their natural feeding behavior.
Looking off to the other side of the boardwalk visitors can get their first glimpse of the zoo’s pack of 2.3 African Wild Dogs. The exhibit is long and slender with several viewing areas. The first is from the boardwalk where visitors can look over and down on the pack, the second is a basic viewing area that looks over into the exhibit, and the third is a large fake termite mound with a large glass window allowing the visitors to get up close and personal with the dogs. The exhibit is set down below the visitors with mock-rock ravine walls. The exhibit is mostly open with several large trees and bushes with a small pool for the dogs to cool off in.
Next along the path is a large paddock for a small herd (1.4) of the very dangerous Cape Buffalo, which can be viewed in two ways. The first is from a viewing area along the main path and the second is from another bridge-like boardwalk that crosses in front of the exhibit. The exhibit is large and rather open with only a few large shade trees. Fallen trees and mud wallows dot the paddock. A small waterhole is the centerpiece of the enclosure.
The last enclosure in the Bush region is just around the bend from the buffalo paddock. This enclosure is a small netted enclosure for a troop of 2.5 Vervet Monkeys. The visitor viewing area is level with the lower level branches of the large, central tree in the enclosure so that the visitors are at eye level with the monkeys in the trees. A second viewing area can be reached by taking a boardwalk up to a thatched observation tower with a glass viewing window for unobstructed views of the monkeys.
Moving past the monkeys, the bush starts to fade away. Soon visitors come to a large boulder with the words “The Savannah” carved into it. The visitors are now immersed into the second and largest region of the exhibit complex. The first exhibit in the region is a large netted aviary for a pair (1.1) of Lappet-faced Vultures. The aviary can be entered through a replica of a Masai hut allowing visitors to walk out onto a platform in the exhibit. The rear of the aviary is a large rocky kopje allowing the birds to roost up high or retreat into their off-exhibit areas. Two large dead trees and a fallen tree are also roosts for the vultures. A large replica of a buffalo skeleton rests directly in front of the viewing platform.
Down the path from the vultures is the long narrow yard for a pair (1.1) of Cheetahs. The yard slopes forward from the rear of the yard towards the unobstructed viewing area where there is a shallow pool for the cats to cool off in. The yard seems to have no obvious barriers and is surrounded by tall grass. In the rear of the yard there is a pair of shade trees.
Down the path, through the waist-high grass, visitors will soon come to a rocky exhibit for a troop of 2.4 Olive Baboons. The baboon exhibit is viewed across from a wide moat. The exhibit is set back in a kopje and is surrounded by rocks on two sides. The other side is enclosed with hotwired tall grass. A large central kopje allows the baboons to get up high and survey their surrounding. Fallen and dead trees dot the enclosure allowing the baboons to climb about freely.
Past the baboons, the path begins to split into two. Straight ahead is the Safari Grille, a nice restaurant with views overlooking the main savannah, and the Giraffe Feeding Station where guests can feed the herd of giraffes for an extra fee? To the right the path leads off around the main savannah, a large grassy paddock for herds of hoofed animals. The savannah is home to herds of 1.2 Masai Giraffe, 1.3 Grant’s Zebra, 2.4 Thomson’s Gazelle, 1.3 Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest, 2.3 Topi, 1.2 Roosevelt’s Sable Antelope, as well as 1.1 Masai Ostriches and 1.2 Marabou Storks. The two male Topi rotate on and off exhibit to prevent aggression. The male Sable Antelope and male Grant’s Zebra are also kept off exhibit whenever there are young animals on exhibit. The gigantic paddock is viewed from a winding path way that runs along one long side of the paddock. A proper viewing area is located directly in front of the waterhole. Separated from the savannah with only two fallen log, there is a large exhibit for a flock of 3.7 Greater Flamingos. The back of the exhibit is open to the logs separating it from the savannah, while the pond encircles the rest of the exhibit. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass, and there is small shade tree towards the rear of the exhibit.
From the flamingo exhibit, a path leads to the left. However, a boardwalk leads straight into the next region: The River. Walking down the boardwalk, the scenery begins to change. Water runs under the boardwalk and stands of cattails and bulrush grow up all around you. The boardwalk leads off to the left and crosses in front of the wet savannah, the first exhibit in the region. The wet savannah is home to a variety of antelope and bird species that frequent the flood plains and wetlands of East Africa. The animals currently on exhibit include 2.3 Speke’s Sitatungas, 1.2 Elipsen Waterbuck, 2.3 Bohor Reedbuck, 1.1 Saddlebill Storks, 1.3 Grey-crowned Cranes, and 2.4 Egyptian Geese. The male Sitatungas and reedbuck rotate on and off exhibit. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass and reeds along with several shade trees. A large pool runs along the boardwalk. Another pool can be found in the rear of the enclosure.
The boardwalk soon fades back into a regular path. Here in “The River” the paths are different than they are in the rest of the complex. They are soft and replicate the feel of walking on moist mud. Visitors will soon come to a thatched building that leads into an aviary for a pair (1.1) of Shoebills. The aviary for these strange birds is lush and filled with vegetation. A small pool can be found at the front of the enclosure which can be viewed from yet another boardwalk that leads around the outside of the aviary.
Back on the path, visitors soon come to a large, slender exhibit for a trio (1.2) of Cape Clawless Otters. The exhibit is set back in a mock riverbank with two viewing areas. The first is a glass window that allows viewing of the otters out of the water, and the second is a long glass window that allows visitors to view the otters swimming under the water. The exhibit is dotted with boulders and a large fallen tree can be found both of and in the water. Stands of reeds and tall grass line the walls of the riverbank.
Down from the otters is the first viewing area of the exhibit home to a pair (1.1) of Nile Crocodile, 1.3 East African Black Mud Turtles, and 1.2 Nile Softshell Turtles. From the first viewing area visitors can see the crocodiles’ sandy riverbank and the crocodiles if they’re out of the water. Around the curve is the underwater viewing area where visitors can see the crocodiles in their true element. Outside of the water the edges of the exhibit is dotted with reeds and bulrush. There are also several boulders and a small shade tree. In the water there is a large fallen log as well as several boulders. In two terrariums set in the riverbank alongside the underwater viewing area for the crocodiles, visitors can find a rotating pair (1.1) of African Bullfrogs and 0.0.10 African Clawed Frogs.
Next to the underwater viewing area for the crocodiles and the terrariums is the underwater viewing area for a trio (1.2) of Nile Hippopotamuses. The underwater viewing area for the hippos is nearly twice as large as that for the crocodiles. From the underwater viewing area of the hippo exhibit you can see straight through into the crocodile exhibit through a sheet of glass that separates the two exhibits. The glass cannot be seen so it looks like the exhibits are one. The hippo pool is also home to a large school of 0.0.40 Lake Malawi Cichlids and a pair (1.1) of African Lungfish. Directly behind the pool is a large beach where the hippos can layout in the sand and rest. A trail leads up from the beach to the next part of the exhibit which can be seen from the next hippo viewing area which is around the curve from the underwater viewing area. From the second viewing area you can see the hippos’ savannah where they can come up out of the water and off of the beach to graze. Tufts of hot wired grass and fallen trees keep the hippos from getting out into the wet savannah. Past the hippo savannah the path rejoins with the boardwalk and visitors head back out to The Savannah.
Back in The Savannah visitors will follow will follow a boardwalk around the far end of the main savannah to the exhibit for the zoo’s pride of 1.4 Masai Lions. The lions can first be viewed from a large kopje cave. Inside the cave visitors can get up close and personal with the lions through a glass viewing window. There is a special room off to the side where keepers can pull lions out of the exhibit and give special presentations. Around the side of the exhibit is the other viewing area where visitors view the lion exhibit from across an invisible dry moat. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a large kopje where the lions can climb up on and sun themselves. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass and there is a pair of shade trees. From this viewing area visitors can see straight back into the main savannah behind. The lion exhibit is separated from the main savannah by another moat.
Across from the second lion viewing area is the path that leads to the last region: The Kopje. Upon entering the path visitors can see the giant rock formation looming in the distance. Soon visitors come to the first exhibit home to 1.3 Klipspringers and a pair (1.1) of African Crested Porcupines. The Klipspringers bound and scamper on the face of the kopje that protrudes from the main kopje, while the African Crested Porcupines shuffle around in the flat area in front of the rock face. The exhibit is dotted with brush and tufts of grass. Several small dragon trees can be found in the exhibit as well.
Around the side of the kopje is a small walk-in aviary along the side of the kopje. The aviary is home to 2.3 Carmine Bee-eaters and 2.3 Abyssinian Rollers. A group of 2.4 Rock Hyraxes live on the kopje face in the aviary. The aviary is quite lush for its size with several small trees, bushes, and wildflowers.
The next exhibit along the trail is home to a pair (1.1) of Aardvarks. The Aardvarks have a large, grassy yard with the kopje as its backdrop.The exhibit is dotted with shade trees and boulders, as well as several large sandpits for the Aardvarks to dig in. The Aardvark exhibit can be viewed in two ways. The Aardvarks can be viewed from a regular viewing area that looks out over the exhibit, but the Aardvarks can also be viewed from a mock termite mound with a glass viewing area. From this viewing area the visitors can be up close and personal with the Aardvarks. Treats like honey, insects, and bananas can be dispensed from the termite mound to entice the Aardvarks closer.
By now the visitors are along the back side of the kopje. Here there are a series three reptile enclosures. The first is a large enclosure wedged in the kopje for a pair (1.1) of Savannah Monitors. The exhibit features a pool for the monitors to cool off in, boulders for them to sun on, and a large dead tree for them to climb on.The second is a large terrarium for a rotating pair (1.1) of Jameson’s Mambas. The final reptile exhibit is a smaller terrarium for a pair (1.1) of Jackson’s Chameleons.
Across from the main kopje is a smaller kopje with several exhibits shooting off from it. The first is a netted enclosure for a pair (1.1) of African Wildcats. The netting is only over the top of the exhibit, as on three sides it is surrounded by the rock walls of the kopje and on the last side there are two glass windows placed into the kopje. The exhibit is lush with several small trees and a large dead tree for the cats to climb on. There are also several large tufts of tall grass.
Nearby on the second kopje is a slender open–topped enclosure for a trio (1.2) of Bat-eared Foxes. The fox enclosure is a long, narrow, and sandy one with a lot of nook and crannies for the foxes to hide in. There is also a small shade tree and a fallen log.
The final exhibit along the second kopje is an average-sized yard for a trio (1.2) of Common Warthogs and a large mob of 2.4 Banded Mongooses. The yard is set down below the visitor area so the visitors look down on animals. The yard is for the mostly grassy with several dusty areas along with warthogs’ wallows. There are several large boulders and shade trees that dot the enclosure. As with the Aardvark exhibit, there is a mock termite mound with a glass viewing area where visitors can get close to the mongooses and warthogs.
Back along the main kopje is an average sized exhibit up again the kopje for a pair (1.1) of Honey Badgers. The honey badger exhibit is set back in the kopje and is viewed from a glass viewing window. The exhibit is filled with fallen logs and dead trees, as well as several boulders. A small pool is also in the exhibit for the badgers to cool off in.
Around the curve is another larger enclosure. This enclosure is home to a pair (1.1) of Aardwolves. These interesting carnivores have an enclosure very similar to that of the Aardvarks have on the opposite side of the kopje. The enclosure is large and rather grassy with several large boulders and small shade trees. Fallen logs and fake termite mounds also dot the enclosure. As with the Aardvark exhibit, there is a fake termite mound that serves as a viewing area. In a rock formation separating the Aardwolves from the Klipspringers and Crested Porcupines there is a small terrarium like enclosure for 2.2 Short-eared Elephant Shrews. From the Aardwolf exhibit visitors follow the same path back to The Savannah.
Back on The Savannah loop trail visitors will soon come to a small exhibit set down in the earth with the mock ravine walls seen earlier in the dik-dik exhibit with a gentle-sloped hill in the center with a large shade tree perched atop it. A small stream runs in the front of the exhibit, and several boulders and tall tufts of grass dot the exhibit. There is also a small fallen tree in the enclosure. This exhibit is home to a trio (1.2) of Steenbok, a pair (1.1) of Leopard Tortoises, and 2.2 Adbim’s Storks.
Down the path is the first of the viewing area for the second and smaller savannah which is home to 1.2 Patterson’s Elands, 2.3 Lelwel Hartebeests, 2.4 Soemmerring’s Gazelles, and 2.2 Kori Bustards. The male gazelles and hartebeests rotate on and off exhibit to prevent aggression. The exhibit slopes backwards towards the main savannah where there are several large rock formations with fallen logs in between them to separate the two savannahs. In the corner of the exhibit there is a small waterhole that is shaded by one of several shade trees in the enclosure. The barriers of the enclosure are well hidden to where there seem to be none. Further down the main path, a dirt trail splits off from the path and leads off to a second viewing area.
From the second savannah, the trail winds through the waist high grass to the next viewing area. This viewing area is the underwater viewing area for a herd of 1.4 African Bush Elephants. A small earthen style stadium forms a semicircle around the glass viewing window that views into the large elephant pool giving the visitors a unique view of the herd. From the underwater viewing area, the path turns into a low boardwalk that leads around the curved front of the elephant exhibit. This style of viewing allows the visitors to get a good look at the elephants and observe their behavior without an obvious fence obstructing the view. The exhibit itself is large and winding with gentle, rolling hills. The pool area is enclosed with a mock rock riverbank to make it look like exactly that, a riverbank. As with most of the exhibits in the complex, there are no obvious barriers to the enclosure, it seems as if the enclosure goes on for forever. The exhibit is rather lush and grassy with only a few dirt trails criss-crossing the enclosure and a few dust and mud wallows for the elephants. A salt deposit has been buried in one of the mud wallows for the elephants to find. Several large trees dot the enclosure providing the elephants with shade. Every few months a species tree is planted in the enclosure for the elephants to have access to. There are also several fallen trees and tree stumps where special treats for the elephants can be hidden.
Back off the boardwalk, the path leads to the neighboring exhibit. The neighboring exhibit is a large exhibit for a herd of 1.2 Southern White Rhinoceroses, 1.3 Fringe-eared Oryx, and 2.4 Impala. The exhibit is large and shaded with both grassy areas and dusty and muddy areas for the rhinos. Besides the several large shade trees, there are also a few fallen trees and boulders for the rhinos and antelope to scratch themselves on. There are two viewing areas for the exhibit. The first viewing area is an average viewing area that allows viewing of the animals from the path, the second viewing area is placed directly in front of the waterhole. In the rear of the exhibit there are only a few large boulders that separate this exhibit from the elephant exhibit. The gaps between the boulders are just wide enough for the antelope to move freely between the exhibits, but are not wide enough for the rhinos or elephants to do so.
Past the rhinos, visitors soon arrive back at the Safari Grille where they can grab a bite to eat or feed the giraffes. A boardwalk leads out of the restaurant and towards the exit of the exhibit complex.
Mammals:
-Aardvark
-Aardwolf
-African Bush Elephant
-African Crested Porcupine
-African Leopard
-African Wildcat
-African Wild Dog
-Banded Mongoose
-Bat-eared Fox
-Bohor Reedbuck
-Bush Duiker
-Cape Buffalo
-Cape Clawless Otter
-Cheetah
-Common Warthog
-Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest
-Elipsen Waterbuck
-Fringe-eared Oryx
-Gerenuk
-Grant's Zebra
-Günther's Dik-Dik
-Honey Badger
-Impala
-Klipspringer
-Lelwel Hartebeest
-Lesser Kudu
-Masai Giraffe
-Masai Lion
-Nile Hippopotamus
-Olive Baboon
-Rock Hyrax
-Roosevelt's Sable Antelope
-Short-eared Elephant Shrew
-Soemmerring's Gazelle
-Southern White Rhinoceros
-Speke's Sitatunga
-Steenbok
-Thomson's Gazelle
-Topi
-Vervet Monkey
Birds:
-Abyssinian Roller
-Adbim's Stork
-Black Crake
-Carmine Bee-eater
-Egyptian Goose
-Greater Flamingo
-Grey Crowned Crane
-Hadada Ibis
-Hammerkop
-Hoopoe
-Lappet-faced Vulture
-Lilac-breated Roller
-Marabou Stork
-Masai Ostrich
-Purple-crested Turaco
-Red-billed Hornbill
-Red-headed Lovebird
-Saddlebill Stork
-Shoebill
-Speckled Pigeon
-Vulturine Guineafowl
-Yellow-billed Stork
-Yellow-necked Francolin
Reptiles & Amphibians:
-African Bullfrog
-African Clawed Frog
-African Rock Python
-East African Black Mud Turtle
-Jackson's Chameleon
-Jameson's Mamba
-Leopard Tortoise
-Nile Crocodile
-Nile Softshell Turtle
-Savannah Monitor
Fish:
-African Lungfish
-Lake Malawi Cichlid
East Africa: Journey Through The Rift:
“East Africa: Journey Through The Rift” is an exhibit complex built to highlight the wondrous wildlife of Africa’s east coast. The complex is split into four main regions based on habitat. These regions are the Bush, the Savannah, the River, and the Kopje. The exhibit complex is entered under a large canvas banner with the name of the complex painted across it. Upon entering the complex, visitors are immersed into an African Village. Replicas of traditional Masai Huts form a circle around the mock dry mud path ways. All of the six surrounding huts are open for visitors to explore and each has different information and artifacts about the Masai people. In a larger central hut there is an exhibit for a pair (1.1) of African Rock Pythons. The exhibit is designed like all of the other traditional huts but with a small pool for the pythons to cool off in.
Upon exiting the village visitors begin their trek through the first of the four regions, The Bush. Not far down the path is the first exhibit. The exhibit is shallow and surrounded by mock-rock walls made to simulate the side of an African ravine. The exhibit is sparsely planted with bushes and small trees. This exhibit is home to a pair (1.1) of Günther’s Dik-Dik, a small species of antelope common in the East African bush and woodlands.
Following the curving path through the brush, visitors will soon come to a large netted enclosure for a pair (1.1) of African Leopards. There are two main ways for the visitors to view the leopards. The first is from a large glass viewing window set in a small cave. The second is from a large replica of a dead tree. Wooden steps lead up to the top of the tree where there is a glass window that looks out on a branch of the tree. The branch has a special heating element to entice the cats to sleep on the branch and provide the visitors with a unique viewing experience. The exhibit is dotted with several large trees for the cats to climb, as well as several fallen trees. A small kopje is the centerpiece of the exhibit.
A little ways down the path is a little thatch building which leads into the large Bush Aviary. A boardwalk carries you through the forested aviary to a similar thatched exit at the other end. A small stream snakes its way through the aviary to provide water for the birds. The aviary is home to 1.3 Hadada Ibises, 1.3 Hammerkops, 1.2 Black Crakes, 2.3 Vulturine Guineafowl, 2.4 Yellow-necked Francolins, 3.5 Speckled Pigeons, 2.2 Red-headed Lovebirds, 1.1 Red-billed Hornbills, 2.4 Lilac-breasted Rollers, and 2.4 Purple-crested Turacos.
Heading up the path from the aviary a small dirt trail leads off to the left of the main path for a closer view of the next enclosure. To the right is a low boardwalk that leads past the next paddock which is home to 2.4 Lesser Kudu, 2.3 Gerenuk, 1.2 Bush Duiker, and 1.3 Yellow-billed Storks. The paddock is of nice size and rather grassy. Mature Trees and bushes dot the landscape along with a few fake termite mounds. A small watering hole is near the boardwalk to draw the beautiful antelope and storks closer for viewing. Forage is placed higher up on the trees to encourage the Gerenuks to exhibit their natural feeding behavior.
Looking off to the other side of the boardwalk visitors can get their first glimpse of the zoo’s pack of 2.3 African Wild Dogs. The exhibit is long and slender with several viewing areas. The first is from the boardwalk where visitors can look over and down on the pack, the second is a basic viewing area that looks over into the exhibit, and the third is a large fake termite mound with a large glass window allowing the visitors to get up close and personal with the dogs. The exhibit is set down below the visitors with mock-rock ravine walls. The exhibit is mostly open with several large trees and bushes with a small pool for the dogs to cool off in.
Next along the path is a large paddock for a small herd (1.4) of the very dangerous Cape Buffalo, which can be viewed in two ways. The first is from a viewing area along the main path and the second is from another bridge-like boardwalk that crosses in front of the exhibit. The exhibit is large and rather open with only a few large shade trees. Fallen trees and mud wallows dot the paddock. A small waterhole is the centerpiece of the enclosure.
The last enclosure in the Bush region is just around the bend from the buffalo paddock. This enclosure is a small netted enclosure for a troop of 2.5 Vervet Monkeys. The visitor viewing area is level with the lower level branches of the large, central tree in the enclosure so that the visitors are at eye level with the monkeys in the trees. A second viewing area can be reached by taking a boardwalk up to a thatched observation tower with a glass viewing window for unobstructed views of the monkeys.
Moving past the monkeys, the bush starts to fade away. Soon visitors come to a large boulder with the words “The Savannah” carved into it. The visitors are now immersed into the second and largest region of the exhibit complex. The first exhibit in the region is a large netted aviary for a pair (1.1) of Lappet-faced Vultures. The aviary can be entered through a replica of a Masai hut allowing visitors to walk out onto a platform in the exhibit. The rear of the aviary is a large rocky kopje allowing the birds to roost up high or retreat into their off-exhibit areas. Two large dead trees and a fallen tree are also roosts for the vultures. A large replica of a buffalo skeleton rests directly in front of the viewing platform.
Down the path from the vultures is the long narrow yard for a pair (1.1) of Cheetahs. The yard slopes forward from the rear of the yard towards the unobstructed viewing area where there is a shallow pool for the cats to cool off in. The yard seems to have no obvious barriers and is surrounded by tall grass. In the rear of the yard there is a pair of shade trees.
Down the path, through the waist-high grass, visitors will soon come to a rocky exhibit for a troop of 2.4 Olive Baboons. The baboon exhibit is viewed across from a wide moat. The exhibit is set back in a kopje and is surrounded by rocks on two sides. The other side is enclosed with hotwired tall grass. A large central kopje allows the baboons to get up high and survey their surrounding. Fallen and dead trees dot the enclosure allowing the baboons to climb about freely.
Past the baboons, the path begins to split into two. Straight ahead is the Safari Grille, a nice restaurant with views overlooking the main savannah, and the Giraffe Feeding Station where guests can feed the herd of giraffes for an extra fee? To the right the path leads off around the main savannah, a large grassy paddock for herds of hoofed animals. The savannah is home to herds of 1.2 Masai Giraffe, 1.3 Grant’s Zebra, 2.4 Thomson’s Gazelle, 1.3 Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest, 2.3 Topi, 1.2 Roosevelt’s Sable Antelope, as well as 1.1 Masai Ostriches and 1.2 Marabou Storks. The two male Topi rotate on and off exhibit to prevent aggression. The male Sable Antelope and male Grant’s Zebra are also kept off exhibit whenever there are young animals on exhibit. The gigantic paddock is viewed from a winding path way that runs along one long side of the paddock. A proper viewing area is located directly in front of the waterhole. Separated from the savannah with only two fallen log, there is a large exhibit for a flock of 3.7 Greater Flamingos. The back of the exhibit is open to the logs separating it from the savannah, while the pond encircles the rest of the exhibit. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass, and there is small shade tree towards the rear of the exhibit.
From the flamingo exhibit, a path leads to the left. However, a boardwalk leads straight into the next region: The River. Walking down the boardwalk, the scenery begins to change. Water runs under the boardwalk and stands of cattails and bulrush grow up all around you. The boardwalk leads off to the left and crosses in front of the wet savannah, the first exhibit in the region. The wet savannah is home to a variety of antelope and bird species that frequent the flood plains and wetlands of East Africa. The animals currently on exhibit include 2.3 Speke’s Sitatungas, 1.2 Elipsen Waterbuck, 2.3 Bohor Reedbuck, 1.1 Saddlebill Storks, 1.3 Grey-crowned Cranes, and 2.4 Egyptian Geese. The male Sitatungas and reedbuck rotate on and off exhibit. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass and reeds along with several shade trees. A large pool runs along the boardwalk. Another pool can be found in the rear of the enclosure.
The boardwalk soon fades back into a regular path. Here in “The River” the paths are different than they are in the rest of the complex. They are soft and replicate the feel of walking on moist mud. Visitors will soon come to a thatched building that leads into an aviary for a pair (1.1) of Shoebills. The aviary for these strange birds is lush and filled with vegetation. A small pool can be found at the front of the enclosure which can be viewed from yet another boardwalk that leads around the outside of the aviary.
Back on the path, visitors soon come to a large, slender exhibit for a trio (1.2) of Cape Clawless Otters. The exhibit is set back in a mock riverbank with two viewing areas. The first is a glass window that allows viewing of the otters out of the water, and the second is a long glass window that allows visitors to view the otters swimming under the water. The exhibit is dotted with boulders and a large fallen tree can be found both of and in the water. Stands of reeds and tall grass line the walls of the riverbank.
Down from the otters is the first viewing area of the exhibit home to a pair (1.1) of Nile Crocodile, 1.3 East African Black Mud Turtles, and 1.2 Nile Softshell Turtles. From the first viewing area visitors can see the crocodiles’ sandy riverbank and the crocodiles if they’re out of the water. Around the curve is the underwater viewing area where visitors can see the crocodiles in their true element. Outside of the water the edges of the exhibit is dotted with reeds and bulrush. There are also several boulders and a small shade tree. In the water there is a large fallen log as well as several boulders. In two terrariums set in the riverbank alongside the underwater viewing area for the crocodiles, visitors can find a rotating pair (1.1) of African Bullfrogs and 0.0.10 African Clawed Frogs.
Next to the underwater viewing area for the crocodiles and the terrariums is the underwater viewing area for a trio (1.2) of Nile Hippopotamuses. The underwater viewing area for the hippos is nearly twice as large as that for the crocodiles. From the underwater viewing area of the hippo exhibit you can see straight through into the crocodile exhibit through a sheet of glass that separates the two exhibits. The glass cannot be seen so it looks like the exhibits are one. The hippo pool is also home to a large school of 0.0.40 Lake Malawi Cichlids and a pair (1.1) of African Lungfish. Directly behind the pool is a large beach where the hippos can layout in the sand and rest. A trail leads up from the beach to the next part of the exhibit which can be seen from the next hippo viewing area which is around the curve from the underwater viewing area. From the second viewing area you can see the hippos’ savannah where they can come up out of the water and off of the beach to graze. Tufts of hot wired grass and fallen trees keep the hippos from getting out into the wet savannah. Past the hippo savannah the path rejoins with the boardwalk and visitors head back out to The Savannah.
Back in The Savannah visitors will follow will follow a boardwalk around the far end of the main savannah to the exhibit for the zoo’s pride of 1.4 Masai Lions. The lions can first be viewed from a large kopje cave. Inside the cave visitors can get up close and personal with the lions through a glass viewing window. There is a special room off to the side where keepers can pull lions out of the exhibit and give special presentations. Around the side of the exhibit is the other viewing area where visitors view the lion exhibit from across an invisible dry moat. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a large kopje where the lions can climb up on and sun themselves. The exhibit is dotted with tufts of tall grass and there is a pair of shade trees. From this viewing area visitors can see straight back into the main savannah behind. The lion exhibit is separated from the main savannah by another moat.
Across from the second lion viewing area is the path that leads to the last region: The Kopje. Upon entering the path visitors can see the giant rock formation looming in the distance. Soon visitors come to the first exhibit home to 1.3 Klipspringers and a pair (1.1) of African Crested Porcupines. The Klipspringers bound and scamper on the face of the kopje that protrudes from the main kopje, while the African Crested Porcupines shuffle around in the flat area in front of the rock face. The exhibit is dotted with brush and tufts of grass. Several small dragon trees can be found in the exhibit as well.
Around the side of the kopje is a small walk-in aviary along the side of the kopje. The aviary is home to 2.3 Carmine Bee-eaters and 2.3 Abyssinian Rollers. A group of 2.4 Rock Hyraxes live on the kopje face in the aviary. The aviary is quite lush for its size with several small trees, bushes, and wildflowers.
The next exhibit along the trail is home to a pair (1.1) of Aardvarks. The Aardvarks have a large, grassy yard with the kopje as its backdrop.The exhibit is dotted with shade trees and boulders, as well as several large sandpits for the Aardvarks to dig in. The Aardvark exhibit can be viewed in two ways. The Aardvarks can be viewed from a regular viewing area that looks out over the exhibit, but the Aardvarks can also be viewed from a mock termite mound with a glass viewing area. From this viewing area the visitors can be up close and personal with the Aardvarks. Treats like honey, insects, and bananas can be dispensed from the termite mound to entice the Aardvarks closer.
By now the visitors are along the back side of the kopje. Here there are a series three reptile enclosures. The first is a large enclosure wedged in the kopje for a pair (1.1) of Savannah Monitors. The exhibit features a pool for the monitors to cool off in, boulders for them to sun on, and a large dead tree for them to climb on.The second is a large terrarium for a rotating pair (1.1) of Jameson’s Mambas. The final reptile exhibit is a smaller terrarium for a pair (1.1) of Jackson’s Chameleons.
Across from the main kopje is a smaller kopje with several exhibits shooting off from it. The first is a netted enclosure for a pair (1.1) of African Wildcats. The netting is only over the top of the exhibit, as on three sides it is surrounded by the rock walls of the kopje and on the last side there are two glass windows placed into the kopje. The exhibit is lush with several small trees and a large dead tree for the cats to climb on. There are also several large tufts of tall grass.
Nearby on the second kopje is a slender open–topped enclosure for a trio (1.2) of Bat-eared Foxes. The fox enclosure is a long, narrow, and sandy one with a lot of nook and crannies for the foxes to hide in. There is also a small shade tree and a fallen log.
The final exhibit along the second kopje is an average-sized yard for a trio (1.2) of Common Warthogs and a large mob of 2.4 Banded Mongooses. The yard is set down below the visitor area so the visitors look down on animals. The yard is for the mostly grassy with several dusty areas along with warthogs’ wallows. There are several large boulders and shade trees that dot the enclosure. As with the Aardvark exhibit, there is a mock termite mound with a glass viewing area where visitors can get close to the mongooses and warthogs.
Back along the main kopje is an average sized exhibit up again the kopje for a pair (1.1) of Honey Badgers. The honey badger exhibit is set back in the kopje and is viewed from a glass viewing window. The exhibit is filled with fallen logs and dead trees, as well as several boulders. A small pool is also in the exhibit for the badgers to cool off in.
Around the curve is another larger enclosure. This enclosure is home to a pair (1.1) of Aardwolves. These interesting carnivores have an enclosure very similar to that of the Aardvarks have on the opposite side of the kopje. The enclosure is large and rather grassy with several large boulders and small shade trees. Fallen logs and fake termite mounds also dot the enclosure. As with the Aardvark exhibit, there is a fake termite mound that serves as a viewing area. In a rock formation separating the Aardwolves from the Klipspringers and Crested Porcupines there is a small terrarium like enclosure for 2.2 Short-eared Elephant Shrews. From the Aardwolf exhibit visitors follow the same path back to The Savannah.
Back on The Savannah loop trail visitors will soon come to a small exhibit set down in the earth with the mock ravine walls seen earlier in the dik-dik exhibit with a gentle-sloped hill in the center with a large shade tree perched atop it. A small stream runs in the front of the exhibit, and several boulders and tall tufts of grass dot the exhibit. There is also a small fallen tree in the enclosure. This exhibit is home to a trio (1.2) of Steenbok, a pair (1.1) of Leopard Tortoises, and 2.2 Adbim’s Storks.
Down the path is the first of the viewing area for the second and smaller savannah which is home to 1.2 Patterson’s Elands, 2.3 Lelwel Hartebeests, 2.4 Soemmerring’s Gazelles, and 2.2 Kori Bustards. The male gazelles and hartebeests rotate on and off exhibit to prevent aggression. The exhibit slopes backwards towards the main savannah where there are several large rock formations with fallen logs in between them to separate the two savannahs. In the corner of the exhibit there is a small waterhole that is shaded by one of several shade trees in the enclosure. The barriers of the enclosure are well hidden to where there seem to be none. Further down the main path, a dirt trail splits off from the path and leads off to a second viewing area.
From the second savannah, the trail winds through the waist high grass to the next viewing area. This viewing area is the underwater viewing area for a herd of 1.4 African Bush Elephants. A small earthen style stadium forms a semicircle around the glass viewing window that views into the large elephant pool giving the visitors a unique view of the herd. From the underwater viewing area, the path turns into a low boardwalk that leads around the curved front of the elephant exhibit. This style of viewing allows the visitors to get a good look at the elephants and observe their behavior without an obvious fence obstructing the view. The exhibit itself is large and winding with gentle, rolling hills. The pool area is enclosed with a mock rock riverbank to make it look like exactly that, a riverbank. As with most of the exhibits in the complex, there are no obvious barriers to the enclosure, it seems as if the enclosure goes on for forever. The exhibit is rather lush and grassy with only a few dirt trails criss-crossing the enclosure and a few dust and mud wallows for the elephants. A salt deposit has been buried in one of the mud wallows for the elephants to find. Several large trees dot the enclosure providing the elephants with shade. Every few months a species tree is planted in the enclosure for the elephants to have access to. There are also several fallen trees and tree stumps where special treats for the elephants can be hidden.
Back off the boardwalk, the path leads to the neighboring exhibit. The neighboring exhibit is a large exhibit for a herd of 1.2 Southern White Rhinoceroses, 1.3 Fringe-eared Oryx, and 2.4 Impala. The exhibit is large and shaded with both grassy areas and dusty and muddy areas for the rhinos. Besides the several large shade trees, there are also a few fallen trees and boulders for the rhinos and antelope to scratch themselves on. There are two viewing areas for the exhibit. The first viewing area is an average viewing area that allows viewing of the animals from the path, the second viewing area is placed directly in front of the waterhole. In the rear of the exhibit there are only a few large boulders that separate this exhibit from the elephant exhibit. The gaps between the boulders are just wide enough for the antelope to move freely between the exhibits, but are not wide enough for the rhinos or elephants to do so.
Past the rhinos, visitors soon arrive back at the Safari Grille where they can grab a bite to eat or feed the giraffes. A boardwalk leads out of the restaurant and towards the exit of the exhibit complex.
Mammals:
-Aardvark
-Aardwolf
-African Bush Elephant
-African Crested Porcupine
-African Leopard
-African Wildcat
-African Wild Dog
-Banded Mongoose
-Bat-eared Fox
-Bohor Reedbuck
-Bush Duiker
-Cape Buffalo
-Cape Clawless Otter
-Cheetah
-Common Warthog
-Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest
-Elipsen Waterbuck
-Fringe-eared Oryx
-Gerenuk
-Grant's Zebra
-Günther's Dik-Dik
-Honey Badger
-Impala
-Klipspringer
-Lelwel Hartebeest
-Lesser Kudu
-Masai Giraffe
-Masai Lion
-Nile Hippopotamus
-Olive Baboon
-Rock Hyrax
-Roosevelt's Sable Antelope
-Short-eared Elephant Shrew
-Soemmerring's Gazelle
-Southern White Rhinoceros
-Speke's Sitatunga
-Steenbok
-Thomson's Gazelle
-Topi
-Vervet Monkey
Birds:
-Abyssinian Roller
-Adbim's Stork
-Black Crake
-Carmine Bee-eater
-Egyptian Goose
-Greater Flamingo
-Grey Crowned Crane
-Hadada Ibis
-Hammerkop
-Hoopoe
-Lappet-faced Vulture
-Lilac-breated Roller
-Marabou Stork
-Masai Ostrich
-Purple-crested Turaco
-Red-billed Hornbill
-Red-headed Lovebird
-Saddlebill Stork
-Shoebill
-Speckled Pigeon
-Vulturine Guineafowl
-Yellow-billed Stork
-Yellow-necked Francolin
Reptiles & Amphibians:
-African Bullfrog
-African Clawed Frog
-African Rock Python
-East African Black Mud Turtle
-Jackson's Chameleon
-Jameson's Mamba
-Leopard Tortoise
-Nile Crocodile
-Nile Softshell Turtle
-Savannah Monitor
Fish:
-African Lungfish
-Lake Malawi Cichlid
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I'll try and have the next contest up tonight or tomorrow. 
