Little Rock Zoo: Big Cats

 There is nothing like seeing a mountain of beautifully executed faux-rock at a zoo suggesting a large habitat to send a thrill of anticipation down my spine!

Another utterly Amazing experience with large cat species specifically: Panthera tigris, Panthera leo, and Panthera orca.  The Little Rock Zoo rocks this trio of habitats with a loop-like compound that affords eye- level viewing of both Tigers and Lions and then from the center of all three, above-level viewing of all.  

The Zoo is home to a trio of female Malayan Tigers (Zeya, Sundari, and Kae) and is clearly set up to accommodate breeding.  On this rainy day two were together in a larger habitat, and one in the adjacent space, very much interested in joining the other two, one of whom hung out at the fence line dividing them.  Cat socialization can be tricky, so I'm sure there was a good reason to separate them on this drizzly Christmas Eve.

On the opposite side is the African Lion habitat.  Again, three Lions in the same configuration of the Memphis Zoo: one Male (Ambesoli) and two Females (Inara and Saphira) who are sisters.  And just like at the Memphis Zoo, one of the sisters is clearly dominant and sits on a log throne to make clear who is on top of this pecking order.  The Little Rock Zoo is fully equipped to accommodate breeding of Lions, too.

The final habitat, which is only easily visible from above is home to a pair of Jaguar, (Maderas and LaBron).  Again, the goal with this pair is breeding.  Only one was out and in perfect feline repudiation of water, perched on the dry surface of a little covered "pavilion".  I think this was Maderas, but I could be wrong.  Unless you get a look at a Jaguar's backside and spy the furry jewels bobbing from side to side with each stride--well, I for one, can't tell male and female apart.   Enjoy!

First view of the Big Cats Habitats: Malayan Tigers!

Two large habitats, the second slightly larger one tiered with stone walls for climbing.  Can you see the tiger?

MALAYAN TIGERS

If you go around the mound to the other side you can see at ground level the African Lions in a nice, rain proof viewing enclosure with large glass windows.  

But if you want to really see them, you'll enter one of two pathways between the various habitats and climb to a central plaza that overlooks all the habitats. 

Beyond this edge are the lions.

AFRICAN LIONS 

Turning in another direction you have the Jaguar habitat.  Note the little "house" in the far left corner.

JAGUAR

Little Rock Zoo: Brown Zone

 The Little Rock Zoo isn't organized by regions and so animals from all over the world can be located all around the place.  Therefore, I am calling this portion of our visit the "Brown Zone" after the predominant and random color assigned to it on the zoo's map.  When you leave the Penguin Point you can either go right and skirt the perimeter or go left and beeline for the Big Cats.  Either way, you will end up at the Big Cats.  So we chose the first option which puts you on an elevated concrete pathway that gently curves and winds its way to a building called the Cheetah Outpost.  The path is wide and all along are half circle "balconies" that allow you to get a better look down into the habitats on either side.  Beneath the pathway are keeper corridors and areas for animal holding off-sight.  

Given the absence of Siamang, I wondered what we would see.  Not to worry, almost everything else was out and about in one way or another, except for the Greater Kudu and the Giant Anteater.  Honestly, given the rain and the temps, I was pleasantly surprised!

The first habitat looked large and empty...and then, can you see them?

A tiny pair of Dik Dik's appeared!  They are like the little Jungle fairy deer of Africa.

Later, looking at a map, I think this habitat was listed as home to Red River Hogs, apparently there's been a change in occupancy--not uncommon at zoos.

On the opposite side is the Habitat of the Greater Kudu (and avian friends).  Only the friends were out and about.

A pair of Abyssinian (or Northern) Ground Hornbills.  Beautiful and gregarious birds with more curiosity than a house cat!

Also a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes

Around a little bend to the right and there was a family of White-handed Gibbons huddled under the top platform of a climbing pole out of the rain.  Two females and an offspring.  I assume there was also an adult male somewhere, but all of these animals were dark of fur which indicates female gender.

A wide arc in the trail announced a corner in the perimeter of the zoo's property line and created two more habitats.  Can you see the Yellow-backed Duiker?

The outer habitat promised Giant Anteaters and delivered an exquisite pair of elegant Stanley's Cranes.

Perfectly timed to our arrival a beautiful Yellow-backed Duiker exited her interior holding area and began to explore the habitat.

Switching back to the other side, two more habitats were visible with their inhabitants.  The first housed a Secretary Bird (and two more were in a separate habitat on the opposite side).  Beyond that were some Chacoan Peccary.

SECRETARY BIRD

A little herd of four Chacoan Peccary.

The keeper came out to feed them while we watched.  Breakfast: Romaine Lettuce, Carrots and Parsnips!

The final habitat before hitting the Cheetah Outpost was home to a pair of Maned Wolves.  The male retreated inside shortly after we arrived, but the female remained, curled up to nap away the rainy morning.  Can you see either of them?

Cheetah Outpost

Inside were models, placards and other education displays, as well as, a colony of Naked Mole Rats (in a habitat, of course!).

And seven Reptile Habitats.

One of a pair of little Northern Spider Tortoises.  Can you see how they got their name from looking at the back of the shell?

Balconies off of the Cheetah Outpost provide excellent views into two large habitats.  This one had a single Cheetah (can you see her?)

Cheetah #1 close-up

This one had a pair of Cheetahs, can you see them?

Cheetahs #2 & #3 up close.  Given Cheetah social dynamics, I am guessing these two are sibling males.