Little Rock Zoo: Great Primates

 We ended our visit to the Little Rock Zoo at the Great Apes Complex.  Given our experience in Memphis, we decided that later in the day was better.  And leaving the Bird House the rains had stopped again and the sky was lightening a little.  The complex is made up of 4 large habitats.  Two are designated for the Western Lowland Gorillas, and one each for Bornean Orangutans, and Chimpanzees.  The Little Rock Zoo is home to two Gorillas, four Orangutans and a troop of seven Chimpanzees.  Guests enter a pathway that leads to a central view plaza from which all four habitats can easily be seen.  Each is large and has water features appropriate to the species along with various climbing and perching apparatus, with the exception of the smaller of the two Gorilla habitats that looks a little forlorn.  The reason may be plans to introduce a fourth species, the Mandrill, at some point in the near future as outlined in the zoo's current Master Plan.

Not sure if anyone would be out, I made sure to get at least one photo of a gorilla.  A marvelous statue of one greets guests approaching the complex from the west.  The first habitat with possible inhabitants is the Orangutan yard.  The Zoo's Orangutans are a family unit with a male (Bandar), female (Benari) and two offspring, Kasih (a female, age 5), the youngest of which was born in February of this year, Kota (a male).  In spite of the inclement weather, Benari and Kota were outside hanging out on the dry surface near the entrances to the inner habitat.

Alas no chimps.  Though there door was open and you could hear their vocalizations.

In the second Western Lowland Gorilla habitat we encountered both.  Kivu is their male age 32, and Alice is their female.  Alice has a chronic skin condition that requires constant care which the Little Rock Zoo has undertaken and refined.  It is a great example of an individual animal who would not survive in the wild finding a quality life within the AZA zoo community.  

Viewing window for the lower yard.

View of lower yard

View of Orangutan Habitat

Can you see Berani?

Berani and Kota

The upper Viewing Plaza looking in the direction of the second Gorilla Habitat.

Interactive educational activity located in the middle of the plaza.

Western Lowland Gorillas, left to right; Alice and Kivu

Alice with her skin condition visible.

Alice foraging.

Mighty Kivu.

He is the first Silverback I've ever seen who is more Rufusback!

Looking toward the Chimpanzees Habitat

Chimpanzee Habitat.

Leaving the plaza, Gorillas on the left, Chimpanzees on the right.