AFRICAN LION/SPOTTED HYENA
The Lion Habitat is very impressive, one of the largest I've ever seen outside of a wildlife park. Unfortunately the Lions were not taking advantage of it or the unseasonably warm (upper 70's) temperatures. The zoo also has three Spotted Hyenas. Two females and a male. The male only recently arrived and is still in the process of being introduced to the females. The trio is part of a breeding recommendation through the AZA and its SSP's (Species Survival Programs). With the enormous area available to the Lions, it is hard not to imagine that Turtle Back is equipped to manage African Lion breeding, too.
In the second habitat was the male Spotted Hyena. He was sleeping next to the observation alcove and could be easily observed and admired. At one point he deigned to wake and look about before returning to his dreams.
The building that housed the African Penguin colony and Pink-backed Pelicans was designed to look like a traditional southern African abode--and I must admit, like American Indian Tepees, the only place in Africa where I saw anything like this was at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where it was part of a "Traditional African Village" tourist experience. Inside there is one large habitat that fills the place like a peninsula to create a "C" shape area for visitors to observe the birds from three sides. Each side has a huge glass barrier with under water viewing, and the land area is itself a peninsula. Above the habitat area sky lights offer some natural light.
At the time of my visit there were two Pink-backed Pelicans sitting on the faux rocks, and three African Penguins. There didn't appear to be any opening between the habitat and off exhibit holding areas, but honestly, there is no way that they could only have a colony of 3 birds. The area was nice, better than many I have seen, but a shadow of we have at the Maryland Zoo. I inevitably leave other zoo's exhibits of African Penguins (or any penguins for that matter) feeling sorry for the birds. I could not see where there was any outside habitat space, but it might just be that it was closed off and not in use because of the Avian Flu. It would seem like a huge error to not have created exterior habitat space, too.
AFRICAN SAVANNAH
The largest building at the zoo is the Giraffe House--it is humongous. The giraffe standing next to it was dwarfed by comparison. The areas for the giraffes is also very large with additional habitats on the far end of the main space, no doubt to allow for separation of the bull from the cows and possible new mom calf alone time. It seems clear that the place is set up for breeding, too. The species of giraffe at the zoo is the Masai, and low, what's this? The signage indicates it. Within the largest habitat guests are encouraged to appreciate the mix of species described as Giraffe, Ostriches and Antelope. The ostriches were not out (Avian Flu thingy again), and the antelope was a sole male Bontebok. A handsome little cus. I've never seen one before in the flesh. I asked a keeper about it and she basically said that their female had passed and that future of this little guy was in question. Either they would receive suitable breeding partner/s OR he would be relocated to breed. If the later happened, they were set up to receive replacements from whatever species was deem compatible with the Giraffe and ostriches.
