Virginia Zoo: Okavango Delta, Part 3

Beyond the side of the holding structure where the Southern White Rhinoceros are found the pathway in the form of a raised boardwalk continues creating a narrow wooded series of habitats on the outside, and overlooking a large multi-species habitat on the inside.  The raised boardwalk also has a couple of covered cabanas convenient on sunny hot days and warm or even cool rainy days.

The inside habitat is home to a trio of Masai Giraffe.  Of the three species of giraffe found in North American Zoos, the Masai is the second most common.  Along with the giraffe are a pair of Common Ostriches, the male has the black and white plumage while the female's is brown.  And a trio of Yellow-backed Duikers.  On this visit the Duikers were no en casa.

The last time I visited the zoo was home to 4 Masai Giraffe.  The bull is a 17-year-old male named Billy.  There are two adults females: Noel and Imara, and Iggy was Noel & Billy's 1.5-year-old female offspring.  Iggy was moved to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York to join their herd of a male and female and eventually give her the opportunity to breed and diversify the genetic pool.  The move was precipitated by the pending birth a new calf by Imara.  In October, Imara gave birth to a baby boy.  Unfortunately, he failed to thrive and died two weeks after his birth.  In the wild, he surely would have died within hours.

Imara.

Noel

Billy

Another view of the habitat

Jack, the male Common Ostrich, getting a drink.  During my last visit, I was privileged to arrive just as Jack and Gobbles (the female) were "getting it on".  Have you ever watched Ostriches fuck?  It's a sight to behold!