Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium: The Islands

 The most recent additions, or re-imagining, of the Pittsburgh Zoo have occurred on the north end of the property.  "The Islands" is a curious confabulation of species that have some sort of connection to living on, well... "islands."  Some are super obvious, like their Galapagos Tortoise; others, not so much.  It's not that the animals in this area aren't amazing or worthy of being part of the zoo, it's just that their connection to one other in order to have some sort of "theme" is just one of the most nonsensical collections I've ever encountered.  

On this day, most of the animals in this area were in less than optimal visual mode.  A.k.a. not really available for observation, and not in a space photographable.  The largest single habitat in the group features Siamang, these amazing and charismatic large monkeys similar to White-handed Gibbons.  

The list of species that call The Islands home.

The spacious well designed Siamang habitat.

SIAMANG

Symphalangus syndactylus

Imagine my joy after discovering most of the animals absent to come to discover this gorgeous Clouded Leopard posing right up against the glass.  Normally a very reserved animals, this fellow was quite accommodating.

Such a beautiful coat of fur.  They live in the jungle and forested areas of Thailand, western Malaysia, Myanmar, eastern India and Bhutan--but not on islands...

CLOUDED LEOPARD

Neofelis nebulosa