Maryland Zoo: African Journey Waterhole, part 2

I didn't visit the African Aviary this time.  I did spend more time with the hoofstock in the third habitat, the Antelope Yard.  It's the home to Addra Gazelles, Lesser Kudus and a pair of Saddle-bill Storks. 



Addras are the largest of the gazelles, and nearly extinct in the wild.  Native to the Sahel region of Africa, they have been utterly decimated by drought, war, poaching.  The Maryland Zoo has seen the birth of half a dozen in the few years since we've been participating in the AZA SSP program for the species.

Lesser Kudus are a members of the genus Tragelaphus.  Antelopes with spiral horns belong to this genus and the membership list is limited to 9 species with a phylogenetic relationship that starts with the Greater Eland and moves down to the Lesser Kudu.  (It also includes the Sitatunga--another species found at the Maryland Zoo.  Our Lesser Kudu herd includes a bull, Ritter, and two cows, Lemon and Meringue.

The habitat is completed with the presence of a pair of Saddle-billed Storks.  I know the male is named Clyde.  I do not know the female's name; however, Bonnie would certainly make sense! 

 Lesser Kudu

Tragelaphus imberbis australis

 At one point, one of the females came over to Ritter and engaged him a little horn-dogging play.  It didn't end in mating, but it seemed clear that this was one both of their minds.

Addra Gazelle

Nanger dama

Saddle-billed Stork

Ephippiorhyncus senegalensis