Thursday, July 26, 2018

Virginia Zoo's "Trail of the Tiger": part 2 of 4 (from July 16)

At this point you enter into an area with open and covered decks, a series of small bird viewing aviaries, viewing of the orangutan's interior habitat, access to habitats for the Malayan Sun Bears, Sarus Cranes, Rhinoceros Hornbills, Red Panda, Binturong, Southern Cassowary, and educational displays about the animals as well as some of the cultures of Asia. 

The zoo is home to a pair of Malayan Sun Bears.  Curious members of the Ursa genus that have short hair (it's HOT in Malaysia, right?) and very long necks.  They also sport that distinctive off-white "V" across their chests. 

 Can you see them?  There in the woods? 

 Through the first of two covered passages.  This one is full of Giant Panda tchotchkes, butterfly kites in the rafters, and information, but, of course, there are no real Giant Panda's at this zoo.  (All Giant Pandas in zoos are on loan from the People's Republic of China.  There are only 5 zoos with contracts to keep and exhibit these animals: ZooAtlanta, the Toronto Zoo, the Memphis (TN) Zoo, the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo.  Contracts are renewed every few years, and it costs these zoos MILLIONS of dollars in rent to China to maintain this relationship.  China doesn't even entertain other requests, so if you have managed to get a contract, in the zoo world, it's gold.)  And as Paul Harvey was famous for saying, "And now you know the rest of the story!"



Sarus Cranes

 The first of two humongous old White Oaks that grace this complex of habitats is more than just a great source of shade on a hot day.  It's the home of the zoo's Red Pandas.  Last time I was here, the little male had just effectuated an escape from the exhibit and they were making changes to the habitat to lessen the likelihood he would go on the lamb again.
 Today he was content to sleep up on one of its many generous limbs.

 This long habitat is home to a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills.  Birds with wingspans of 6 to 7 ft!
Rhinoceros Hornbill 

 Through the second covered passage and information about the role of banners and flags in the Buddhist oriented cultures of Asia.
Home of the Binturong on the right--no one home today.

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