Erie Zoo: The Pixie Children's Zoo Side

 Across the creek, the Erie Zoo continues with a lot of younger children centric activities.  Chief among these is a Carousel, but there are over playgrounds and a maze-like mountain climbing space.  Interspersed are other habitats.  These include: 1) a Llama/Alpaca herd, 2) a Kangaroo walk-through zone, 3) an American Alligator habitat, 4) a colony of a dozen or so African Black-footed Penguins, 5) Lorikeets, and 6) Giant Tortoises.

This is zone [Dd], come and see!

One of two bridges used to cross the creek.  The hanging baskets full of flowers are emblematic of the wonderful flora found all around the zoo.

The paddock with both Alpaca and Llama

LLAMA

Lama glama

A walk-through habitat with Kangaroos and Wallabies.  Two zoo staff were also located here to help keep the rules.  When I asked one which species of Kangaroo and Wallaby were present, she didn't know.  She said, "I'm sure there are signs somewhere."  I couldn't find them.  Later I learned that there were Eastern Grey Kangaroos (which I suspected, but thought the roos present were so small), and Bennett's Wallaby's.

A second staff member knew that the Kangaroos were all two-year-olds.  This explained the size conundrum.

She also explained how the only male was the newest member of the pod.  Apparently, he's been bullied by the females.  A got to witness an example of this social interaction.  He wasn't injured in any way, but clearly he's discovering his place in the pecking order.

EASTERN GREY KANGAROO

Macropus giganteus

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

Alligator mississippiensis

AFRICAN BLACK-FOOTED PENGUIN

Spheniscus demersus

The African Penguin habitat consisted of both an interior area visible through a large glass window, and an exterior place with grass and a nice water feature to swim in.  Would I give this arrangement a grade it would not accede a "C".  Possibly even less; however, I have seen and spent years enjoying the best habitat for this species in North America, so comparisons are hardly fair.

All the penguins were inside except for this mature female.  I found this to be very curious until I realized she was on a mission.

I watched her until she found a piece of branch that she snapped up and headed back inside with it.  Another block in the NEST she was constructing.