This is Suntil and her cohabitor is Palu. Together it is hoped that they will prove a fertile pairing.
This section of the Trail of the Tiger takes a hairpin turn through a series of song bird aviaries and viewing of the interior habitats of the Orangutans and Siamangs. At the end of which a sharp right turn leads through a covered passage to the next set of habitats: Sarus Cranes, Red Panda, Rhinoceros Hornbills and Binturong. All were out and active. I managed to get some nice images of the Red Panda and Binturong to share. Can you see the Red Panda, Bo, napping up on a bough in her humongous Live Oak?
Further down the boardwalk is a very similar habitat and home to a male Binturong, Tasik. He's a curious fellow who is almost always exploring his large trees.
The trail forms another hairpin as it descends to ground level and wraps around the Binturong habitat. At the base is a set of habitats for a pair of Southern Cassowary. Technically from Australia and not Asia, it was here that I assumed I would have to turn around. The website for the zoo had an announcement about how the pathway at this point was closed for a replacement project. However, to my delight, the website wasn't updated on the status of the project, and the path was both completed and quite beautiful. A definite upgrade to the undulating asphalt former trail.
It is at this point the collection of exhibits begins a wide arching return to a plaza adjacent to the entrance. On the inside of this is a habitat for the Zoo's second species of bears native to Asia, the Asian Black Bear or Asian Moon Bear. The way the path curls around the exhibit creates three vantage points from which to see the bears. In the Virginia Zoo's care are a pair of brothers, Chai and Thai. One was out. I don't know which one.
On the outer side of the arch is an elongated habitat with old growth trees, a large water feature and open grassy areas. This is home to a pair of Malayan Tapirs. Another pair the zoo hopes will procreate. On this warm, windy, overcast morning, Roscoe and Haddie were definitely not feeling amorous, save, perhaps, in their dreams! Such beautiful creatures.
Past the Tapirs and around a little turn you come to the exit plaza of the exhibits. On the right is a public restroom designed to look like some Indian temple. Across from this a large shared habitat with a beautiful covered underwater loggia. Here you will find two pairs of animals. The White-cheeked Gibbons (Dexter and Asia) and the Asian Small-clawed Otters (Sawyer and Merrill).
Dexter playing with a large red ball suspended from one of his swinging ropes. This was the first time that I have encountered the Gibbons at the Virginia Zoo. Up until this visit, I honestly wasn't certain where their habitat was. I just never paid close attention until after I would come home and reflect on it and then feel confused at having not seen them...
Finally, across from the Otters and Gibbons is the best viewing window for the zoo's Malayan Tigers. The Virginia Zoo is home to three of these endangered magnificent animals. Christopher is the sire and rarely on display during the day. He prefers to explore the habitat at night, alone. Stubbley and Osceola are brothers and were born here in January of 2016 to Christopher and Api. Api has since been transferred to another zoo, and the two-year-old brothers are certainly super-stars at the Virginia Zoo and within the wider AZA Species Survival Program's prospects for success. 
Today the boys were chilling on the green grass. To truly look at either of them is to see such regality in nature. Such beauty of form and design. Can you see one of the boys from this image at the glass' edge? Perhaps zooming in will help.
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