Philadelphia Zoo: African Savannah

 Animals of the African Savannah at the Philadelphia can be found a long the eastern central portion of the zoo.  A series of habitats line up along the outer perimeter, while a huge hillock is the central feature of a large pasture with a holding barn decorated with simple African motifs in the middle.  During my first visits, this large habitat was home to Gazelle and Antelope, most prominently the Critically Endangered Addra Gazelles.  Another one time inhabitant of this area was the Endangered Okapi.  At one point a dedicated habitat for this species was on the drawing board, but the plan was later dropped.

Coming up the trail from the Southern end of the zoo it's easy to start with the large open habitat.  Today it is the home of a pair of Red River Hog and a trio of Akole-Watusi cattle.  It's an interesting switch from traditionally wild animals to those equally exotic, yet domesticated by farmers halfway around the world.

Large Savannah Habitat.

Red River Hog

Potamochoerus porcus

Akole-Watusi Cattle

Bos taurus akole watusi

Turning back to the pathway, the first exterior habitat belongs to a lovely pair of Hippopotamus.  Today, in early spring, their pool was drained and they were napping cheek to cheek with their butts to the guests!  The crowd was growing as a Zookeeper prepared to give a "chat".  He was stationed in an area designed for his use between the Hippos and the Reticulated Giraffe.  Three female giraffes were present and eager to participate in a program that also promised to provide them some valued victuals as incentives.  Their demeanor made it clear that they had been to the rodeo before!  They clearly knew what good things were about to come their way.  

Hippopotamus Habitat with African Village Motifs

Keeper Chat.  Engaging, personable, a great Ambassador for the zoo.  When he asked if any knew how many bones in a Giraffe's neck, some shouted 12, then some else 20...  Then I shouted, "Seven!"

He replied, "Yes! to seven..." and then when on to explain how the amazing necks of giraffes work.

Reticulated Giraffe

Giraffa reticulata

Beyond the Giraffe habitat is another that is shared by a lone Southern White Rhinoceros named Tony who is quite beloved at the Philadelphia Zoo, and a trio of Zebras.  The elder member is a female Burchell's Zebra named Susie who was born at the Little Rock Zoo in May of 2000.  At 25, she is one of the oldest Burchell's Zebra in an AZA Zoo in North America.  Her habitat mates are step-sister, Laverne and Shirley who were born in 2019.  They are also Plains Zebra, but of the sub-species Grant's instead of Burchell's.

Southern White Rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum simum

LEFT: Burchell's Plains Zebra, Equis quagga burchellii

RIGHT: Grant's Plains Zebra, Equis quagga boehmi

Always.  The most difficult to reach grass is the sweetest.