Philadelphia Zoo: African Savannah

 Continuing in the same direction leaving the Bear County habitats you come up on a series of habitats that flank the outer edge of the zoo off of 34th Street, but you'd never know it was their thanks to their design with naturalistic rock walls and thick vegetation.  From first to last you'll discovery Southern White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe and Hippopotamus.  On the opposite side of the path is large meadow habitat.  Over the years, it has been home to many species of antelope and gazelle.  On the first visit there were Addax and Addra Gazelle, both species that are Critically Endangered.  On other visits, the space was uninhabited altogether.  On this visit I found an interesting duo of species: Watusi Cattle with their impossibly humongous horns! and Red River Hogs.  As I enjoyed the animals, I happened upon a keeper chat and feeding at the Giraffe habitat.  

SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS

Ceratotherium simum simum

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

PLAINS ZEBRA

Equus quagga 

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

RETICULATED GIRAFFE

Giraffa reticulata

Conservation Status: Endangered

COMMON HIPPOPOTAMUS

Hippopotamus amphibius

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

ANKOLE-WATUSI CATTLE

Bos taurus ankole

Conservation Status: Least Concerned

RED RIVER HOG

Potamochoerus porcus

Conservation Status: Least Concerned