Smithsonian National Zoo: The Upper Part of the Asian Trail

 The Asian Trail is a pathway that branches off of the main promenade about one-sixth of the way down the hill.  At its lower entrance it is flanked on the right by the large and iconic Giant Panda complex, and on the left by the northernmost end of the Asian Elephant complex.  Look left or right and you've got something interesting to see.  Near the end of these two companions is the bridge on the left side to the Aviary, a.k.a. the "Bird House".  Beyond this point the trail becomes steeper and more switchback as you make the climb that will eventually get you to the top of the zoo and across from the main gift shop, auditorium and administrative offices.

As you climb there are a quartet of mid-sized habitats, some undeveloped space, and the largest Sloth Bear habitat I have ever seen at a zoo.  Two separate and huge exterior habitats with a plaza filled with cultural references and educational activities between.  Don't get excited--I encountered no Sloth Bears today.  In fact, and this is a fact, in the 16 times I have visited the National Zoo over the past 31 years, I have honestly only seen actual Sloth Bears in this exhibit 1 time!  This is ONE time...  That time, pre-pandemic, was amazing, but when I think about it, they may have been animatronic!  The other rarely seen critter is on the opposite end, the Red Panda.  My track record there is slightly better, maybe 5 or 6 times.  The three in between species: Asian Small-clawed Otters, Fishing Cat, and Clouded Leopards have me combined batting around 500.  Given all of this, my expectations are generally muted.  

And there is a plot of land, decent sized, that awaits some form of development.  It's a sloping feral field that could be leveled and landscaped to hold members of their Przewalski's Horse herd.  The positive would be a species that you could pretty much guarantee would be present, and a chance to design a habitat specific to this amazing and ancient species.  As of now they reside in the old Camel yard.  

So what was the result of my trek?  Today was a good day for both team Asian Small-claw Otter and team Clouded Leopard!  Fishing Cat?  Off fishing?  WAA Waa waa.....

Looking back down the pathway to the Asian Small Claw Habitat.

You buy a kid an expensive toy when all they really want is a shiny rock!!

Asian Small-clawed Otter

Aonyx cinereus

A little further up the hill and the wonder that is the Clouded Leopard habitat.  It feels a little bit like stumbling upon some forgotten WW II encampment on a remote Pacific Island.  In other words, my fantasy encampment!

Honestly, if aliens ever scooped me away to be in their zoo and gave me an enclosure like this with reliable internet?--I'd be their "monkey"! 

Clouded Leopard

Neofelis Nebulosa

First glimpse of the Sloth Bear habitat, the lower yard.

The Plaza at the Sloth Bear Habitats.