Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #9 - Cheetah Sistahs

At the far end of the zoo is a lovely exhibit and home to a pair of sisters, Amani and Kalima.  These Cheetahs were born three years ago at the San Diego Zoo in California.  As a species Cheetahs represent a real success story in species survival planning. 

Once thought of as difficult to breed, I think it's safe to say that we have cracked that egg wide open.  Several zoos have very successful off site Cheetah breeding programs and thanks to advances in DNA studies and the coordinating work of the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and their tracking of lineage lines through comprehensive stud databases, the present stock is thriving and diversifying.  The Metro Richmond Zoo alone has seen 40 + live births in the past 5 years as a result of creating a 52 acre Cheetah Breeding Center on property adjacent to the zoo in Richmond, Virginia.  The Smithsonian National Zoo's Conservation Biology Institute in Leesburg Virginia just up the road (well 2 hours north!) has seen 19 successful births in the past two years and similar success is being had at dozens of zoos across the country.  As a result there is something of a glut of Cheetahs in the pipeline.

Non-breeding zoos have become a critical component by providing living space for some of the animals whose DNA is less important to the diversity of the species at present.  The Virginia Zoo just became one such facility and welcomed Cheetahs to their African Okango Valley when a habitat originally designed for Baboons became open.  In cases like these, zoos often feature siblings of the same gender like the pair of males at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  In this way these Cheetahs become the ambassadors for their species. 

Amani and Kalima certain do this with all the grace and elegance that are hallmarks of these beautiful animals.  Today they were to be seen on top of their shelter with visitors speculating on how it was possible for them to arrive at this elevated scenic perch.  I thought that probably jumped from behind.

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #8 - Raptor Ridge

The newest exterior habitats at the Philadel- phia Zoo are a pair featuring birds of prey called Raptor Ridge.  The exhibit with a pair of Barn Owls is made to look like a cutaway of a barn with a model cow and live chickens.  Nearby there are interactive displays about various raptors and an actual tractor for guests to climb up on and get a photo.

Just a little further up is the one of the largest American Bald Eagle habitats I have ever seen at a zoo.  The one at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania is also huge.  The photo doesn't show even half of it.  At the time of my visit the pair was hanging at this end of their home because the keeper was housing down the other end.  This is the area of the zoo were I first encountered the inadequate Red Panda exhibit over 30 years ago on my first visit.  There was also a camel ride here, a vestige of mid to late 20th century zoos that is no longer consider a best practice.  Some zoo's still offer the opportunity, but many like the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the Denver Zoo in Colorado.

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #7 - Water Is Life

Zoos use lots of principles by which to organize their habitats.  Often animals from similar geographic regions like Africa, Asia or North America, or Biomes like Arctic, Desert or Jungle, or species like Amphibians/Reptiles, Birds, or Primates.  The Philadelphia zoo's newest habits are placed in a pairing that celebrates Water.

The exhibit features two very long standing and otherwise completely unrelated species, the Red Panda and the African Giant Otter.  Even with Water, the connections are elusive.  Besides elaborate habitat spaces full of complex design and varied stimulus there are also a series of interactive displays about the importance of water and water conservation.  I found these to be extemporaneous to the animals.  But I really loved the way the arcing path leads you into a faux canyon with multiple vantage points for viewing the Red Panda--including an overhead habitrail. All three of the spaces dedicated to the African Giant Otters along with the informational placards that gave the history of this species at the Philadelphia Zoo were also impressive and appreciated.  Good zoos do good works and good education.

I remember the first species I encountered on my very first visit to the Philadelphia Zoo over 30 years ago.  It was the Red Panda.  They were housed in a box cage about the size of my dining room.  On that occasion they were pacing about in the classic "animal psychosis" model--not saying that it was this affliction that motivated their behavior, but still.  I remember it left a very bad impression upon me.  Thankfully the zoo remains a work in progress that is constantly evolving with the welfare of the animals at heart.

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #6 - The Penguin Point

One of the oldest set of habitats at the Philadelphia Zoo is their Bear Country trio of habitats all sliced from a basically circular "hill".  Over the years, various species of bears have made the wedges their home.  Just a year ago visitors could see a Polar Bear, an Andean Bear and a pair of Asian Sloth Bears.  Today, only the Sloth bear's remain.  The other two members of exhibits both died of natural causes having surpassed life expectancies for the species by many years a piece.  It is good to learn that a replacement pair of Andean Bears is on the horizon for that habitat, but the Polar Bear habitat has been reimagined and revamped accordingly into a home for the zoo's colony of Humboldt Penguins.

Penguin Point gives these beautiful little aquatic birds their first ever opportunity to really fly in the water.  Previously they inhabited a space with lots of "beach-like terrain and the water equivalent of a wading pool.  Now you can't hardly get them out of the water, according to a keeper a spoke with.  I regret the loss of Polar Bears as a species for this zoo, but when you see the penguins so active and I'll say it, "happy," in their new home, you just can't feel anything but happy yourself over this decision.

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #5 - African Plains

My real goal was to get to the African Plains suite of habitats and visit some old friends, Tony the Southern White Rhinoceros, Laura and Suzie the half sister Burchell's Zebras who will both be celebrating their 20th birthdays next year, Unna and Cindy the Common Hippopotamus who are not related but are both celebrating their 30th birthdays next year.  With the recent spate of animal deaths, Coldilocks their Polar Bear (at age 37!  One of the oldest polar bears ever), and Rosie their Andean Bear (age 19--two years past the captive life expectancy for her species), I have to say, seeing the Zebras and Hippos today so vigorous and hale made me happy.  But the feast de la resistance was Beau, the newborn Reticulated Giraffe.  This handsome fellow is past three months old and isn't he beautiful?  In all things, life ends so new life can have it's being.

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #4 - Outback Crossing

When you depart from the Impala Fountain Plaza, you have two choices in the direction you will go next.  I almost always go right, but today I decided to go left.  The morning can be a very active time for the animals, and I wanted to check out a couple of species in particular--animals I've missed in my most recent visits.

When going along this path the first thing you encounter is another relatively new habitat: Outback Crossing.  It is the home of 4 Emu and 9 Eastern Grey Kangaroos.  Originally this space was going to become a home to the zoo's Okapi, but then he died of old age before they could put it together.  Looking at the existing stock and their needs, a new plan was hatched that would give a new a more spacious home to the only species the zoo has from Australia outside of a few reptiles and song birds.  I applaud the choice and from what I observe when I visit, the animals are all quite content, too.  Though, if you've ever been around Kangaroos much, they always seem to have a "myeh, whatever mate" attitude.

As I approached this exhibit, the best observation point was taken up by two families.  The dads were off a way chatting.  The kids--all boys--numbering five, were running amok and screaming and complaining.  The mom's were standing smack dab in the middle of the prime real estate talking about their lives.  The one was opining on how it was time for her to make her next big move.  She didn't know what it was going to be, but that's how she's always been.  She feels it.  Then she does it come what may.  There could have been Tyrannosaurus Rex in the habitat, and they wouldn't have been aware of it.  I felt like say, move your sorry ass out of the way and pay a little more attention to your kids!  Seriously, between the two families it cost them over $160.00 to visit this zoo, and if they are both members it was a one time combined drop of $300.00--wouldn't hanging out on one of their decks, or at McDonald's, have been just as good and much cheaper? 

I know this looks like a ringer for the kangaroo version of Australia's Funniest Home Videos, but all this poor buck was trying to do was roll over! 

Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #3 - The Southern Crested Screamer

Or more properly "The Case of the Southern Crested Screamer and the Curiously Enthusiastic Volunteer Docent".  There's nothing to be solved here, I just like the way that sounds!  And I like a docent who is enthusiastic about her subjects.  The woman who was hanging out with this fetching pair certainly was and a font of information to boot.

These are Southern Crested Screamers, (Chauna torquata).  You can see even from my one photo that they are quite handsome birds.  Their pink legs and feet about the sturdiest I've ever seen on a mid-sized ground bird.  They are native to South America in the northern Pampas region of Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil.  They are also quite unusual for North American zoo collections.  Their advent in Philadelphia was orchestrated by the zoo's new head of ornithology.  What makes them truly special is their taxonomy.  Hidden under their ample plumage are two utterly unique characteristics.  First their ribs.  They don't cross over at their bases and connect to form a true "rib cage".  Second, at the first joint on the bones of their wings they have a single appendage with a claw.  (A claw that when lost in battle will regenerate itself like the limbs of a starfish or the tails of certain reptiles.)  And who do you suppose they share these two characteristics with?  None other than Archaeopteryx!--that ancient bird of fossil fame.  These are considered to be the most primitive of all of the bird species.

I feel like I ought to impersonate Paul Harvey and say, "And now you know the rest of the story.  Good day!"