At The Backroads

Continuing from my previous post, San Diego Zoo part 1, where our last stop was at the Panda Exhibit,

Panda

there are several connecting trails from the Panda Exhibit. Emerging from Ituri Forest, one can proceed with the Bear and Cat Canyon, or one can continue moving West to Polar Bear Exhibit. For those with kids who may complain about a lot of walking, the zoo has zoobus and has several stops for the family to explore. Otherwise, it is a great exercise taking the little uphill and downhill paved trails at the zoo.

From Panda Exhibit, moving west, there is a little pond where several zoo birds and native Californian birds resting.

Egret

These egrets are not really residents of the zoo, however, knowing there is a party here at the zoo and lots of food for them, they frequent the place too. One can take either the paved trail going uphill to the Polar Bear Exhibit, or take the wooded trail where huge birds of prey are found.

Huge Bird of Prey, Bald Eagle

The eagles in the exhibit are just huge it is hard to describe their size. The bald eagle is at the top of the food chain so they have no natural enemies. The drop of their population would most likely be human intervention on their wild habitat. The use of pesticides before had caused these eagles to be endangered, but thankfully, pesticides use are better regulated now and the bald eagles had made a dramatic comeback in some states and still abundant in Alaska.

Along these wooded trail, you will see some interesting flowers growing on the side, I am not sure if they are planted and part of the landscape,

for oftentimes they seem to be the odd one out, seem to be wild just like with the other birds visiting the zoo.

After emerging from the huge birds of prey exhibit, the zebra enclosure follows.

Zebra

Then there are several more critically endangered deer enclosure that follows.

Calamian Deer

San Diego Zoo is not simply a zoo, though it is here to provide high quality recreation and education, but it is also mostly centered on conservation, not only of endangered animals but also of plants. The Zoological Society of San Diego created the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES), which coordinates all of the zoo’s extensive research and conservation efforts. It helps to ensure the continuation of rare species in captivity and maximizing the genetic diversity of very small populations. One of the most noteworthy conservation stories is the California Condor. In the 1980s, there were just 27 California condors left on the planet. In conjunction with the Los Angeles Zoo and the Peregrine Fund, CRES trapped the few remaining birds and began to breed them in captivity, where their young had a better chance of survival. In 2000, with the population stabilized and slowly growing, condors were rereleased in Arizona, California, and Mexico. Now the California Condor, thanks to the CRES program has beaten extinction. To see a herd of tiny calamian deer (only in the Philippines) is very rare, and in conjuction with Philippines DENR and the Zoological Society of San Diego, captive breeding for the reintroduction of these animal into the wild is being worked on, to beat their extinction.

Right next to these enclosure is the Polar Bear Plunge Exhibit which is periodically covered with a layer of manufactired underground snow, for after all, the San Diego coast is free of snow.

Polar Bears

Playful?

Or Fighting or something Else?

But do you know that polar bears are built to stay in their cold habitat that sometimes they overheat, and have to cool off in the chilly water? It is fun to know, and that is what is very good visiting the San Diego Zoo. You do not only see their names, but you also learn a lot about the animals you are viewing if you will read all the interpretative signs provided in the exhibits. San Diego Zoo does not only provide recreation, but also education, and cultivating a conservation awareness in the heart and in the mind. Polar Bears are listed as threatened and they too need conservation help.

Sorry, I would have to take another break again, as it is hard to feature most of San Diego Zoo’s exhibit at once…. I’ll be back for more of San Diego Zoo, meanwhile here is a link to the exhibits that you can visit: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/exhibits.html

SD Zoo Skyfari

San Diego Zoo is nestled in the northeast corner of Balboa Park, a cultural and horticultural oasis right in the middle of the bustling seaport metropolis and in the heart of the paved city. It is right next to downtown San Diego, but it feels a world apart for me since if downtown is dominated by concrete and tall buildings, Balboa Park is dominated by museums, gardens, clubs, theaters, hundred-year old trees, sports facilities, fountains, and a forested like San Diego Zoo. The trees and the plants of San Diego Zoo are also its residents main source of food, such as eucalyptus for koala and bamboo for pandas.

Flamingo Exhibit

When you enter San Diego Zoo, it would be like in a crossroad as where to go. However, facing the entrace is the Flamingo exhibit, that usually people entering would proceed there and observe how the flamingos interact with each other.

Pensive Flamingo

Talking (?) Flamingos

Contortion of a Flamingo

Though San Diego Zoo is not as huge as its sister park, the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, yet walking the entire 40 hectares of the zoo would also give one a decent exercise. If one is already at the Flamingo exhibit, right next to its boardwalk is the Monkey Trails and Forest Tales Exhibit. It is a naturalistic home to more than 30 species of African and Asian birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, some of the world’s most exotic and endangered wildlife. Connecting to the Monkey Trails is the Gorilla Tropics Exhibit.

A Young Gorilla Playing

Adult Gorilla Watching the Young

From the Gorilla tropics is the Scripps Aviary, which is a young African rainforest complete with waterfalls and freely flying birds. From here, you can connect your walk to the Tiger River (sorry, I could not find my tiger picture), to Ituri Forest. 

Hippopotamus Exhibit at Ituri Forest

Sleeping on Top of Each Other

Guenon At Ituri Forest

Playful Swamp Monkey

At Ituri forest, you can see eye to eye with the river hippos and you can see swamp monkeys play with otters. Once outside the Ituri Forest, you will see the Panda Bear Exhibit.

Giant Panda

Playful Panda

On top of Tree

More of San Diego Zoo to come……..