Little Rock Zoo: Brown Zone

 The Little Rock Zoo isn't organized by regions and so animals from all over the world can be located all around the place.  Therefore, I am calling this portion of our visit the "Brown Zone" after the predominant and random color assigned to it on the zoo's map.  When you leave the Penguin Point you can either go right and skirt the perimeter or go left and beeline for the Big Cats.  Either way, you will end up at the Big Cats.  So we chose the first option which puts you on an elevated concrete pathway that gently curves and winds its way to a building called the Cheetah Outpost.  The path is wide and all along are half circle "balconies" that allow you to get a better look down into the habitats on either side.  Beneath the pathway are keeper corridors and areas for animal holding off-sight.  

Given the absence of Siamang, I wondered what we would see.  Not to worry, almost everything else was out and about in one way or another, except for the Greater Kudu and the Giant Anteater.  Honestly, given the rain and the temps, I was pleasantly surprised!

The first habitat looked large and empty...and then, can you see them?

A tiny pair of Dik Dik's appeared!  They are like the little Jungle fairy deer of Africa.

Later, looking at a map, I think this habitat was listed as home to Red River Hogs, apparently there's been a change in occupancy--not uncommon at zoos.

On the opposite side is the Habitat of the Greater Kudu (and avian friends).  Only the friends were out and about.

A pair of Abyssinian (or Northern) Ground Hornbills.  Beautiful and gregarious birds with more curiosity than a house cat!

Also a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes

Around a little bend to the right and there was a family of White-handed Gibbons huddled under the top platform of a climbing pole out of the rain.  Two females and an offspring.  I assume there was also an adult male somewhere, but all of these animals were dark of fur which indicates female gender.

A wide arc in the trail announced a corner in the perimeter of the zoo's property line and created two more habitats.  Can you see the Yellow-backed Duiker?

The outer habitat promised Giant Anteaters and delivered an exquisite pair of elegant Stanley's Cranes.

Perfectly timed to our arrival a beautiful Yellow-backed Duiker exited her interior holding area and began to explore the habitat.

Switching back to the other side, two more habitats were visible with their inhabitants.  The first housed a Secretary Bird (and two more were in a separate habitat on the opposite side).  Beyond that were some Chacoan Peccary.

SECRETARY BIRD

A little herd of four Chacoan Peccary.

The keeper came out to feed them while we watched.  Breakfast: Romaine Lettuce, Carrots and Parsnips!

The final habitat before hitting the Cheetah Outpost was home to a pair of Maned Wolves.  The male retreated inside shortly after we arrived, but the female remained, curled up to nap away the rainy morning.  Can you see either of them?

Cheetah Outpost

Inside were models, placards and other education displays, as well as, a colony of Naked Mole Rats (in a habitat, of course!).

And seven Reptile Habitats.

One of a pair of little Northern Spider Tortoises.  Can you see how they got their name from looking at the back of the shell?

Balconies off of the Cheetah Outpost provide excellent views into two large habitats.  This one had a single Cheetah (can you see her?)

Cheetah #1 close-up

This one had a pair of Cheetahs, can you see them?

Cheetahs #2 & #3 up close.  Given Cheetah social dynamics, I am guessing these two are sibling males.