Rounding a bend in what is a sort of hairpin turn on the way to the top of the hill, I am greeted by signage indicating that I have arrived at the Pride of Africa area. There are buildings with African art motifs, a couple of tricked out safari ready Land Rovers. To my right are a couple of habitats that are empty of animals. I learn later that I might have seen Speke's Gazelle if they had been out and about and or White Storks.
At the far end past a couple more little buildings is a habitat with lions. The male is sleeping pancake flat into the cool grass in the shade up next to the entrance/exit to the interior holding space. Two beautiful females are hanging out on a rock formation in the center of the habitat. I learn from a volunteer docent that the zoo is actually home to 5 lions: two-males and three-females. One couple constitute the "older" pride, and the three available today are the "younger" pride. The two prides take turns sharing the public facing habitat and a smaller private habitat on the backside of the holding building. These lions are 10-year-old Donovan the male, and 11-year-old sisters Msinga and Kataba.
I was unable to make it to the Grizzly Ridge area which is located below the Pride of Africa between it and the Wild Prairie, but on a dedicated path that loops. This was partly due to the fact that without a map, I wasn't sure how to get to it, but also I'd just overheard a mother consoling her daughter because none of the bears were out. Descending toward the entrance/exit I did take a different pathway that took me past the zoo's flock of Chilean Flamingos. A rather impressive flock with 18 to 20 birds, which is a number sufficient to encourage breading potentially.
In the end, for it's size, this littler zoo has a lot to offer. I was very pleased with my visit.
The male of the younger Pride, Donovan.
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