Tales from Monkey Trails
Posted at 12:57 pm May 27, 2005 by Debbie Andreen
Employees were offered a sneak preview of the Zoo’s newest habitat area, Joan B. Kroc’s Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, on May 26. Touted as the largest and most elaborate habitat ever created at the Zoo, the 3.4-acre exhibit will eventually house over 40 species of African and Asian forest creatures, from rotund pygmy hippos to the amazingly slender twig snakes.
Not all of the animals have moved in yet””it’s a gradual process that can’t be rushed! And there are still some finishing touches left to add. But many critters have settled in already and were delightful to watch. I had never seen a mandrill before. What an impressive primate the male is, with his brightly colored face and rear end! He attracted quite a crowd as he and the female strolled about. (You can see his photo on the cover of the May issue of ZOONOOZ.) And the pygmy hippos were people pleasers too, bobbing along in the water and coming right up to the viewing window to check us out. (Insider tip: If you press your nose up to the glass, the young male will do the same on the other side””try it!)
One of the neat things about Monkey Trails is the elevated walkway, giving you a chance to view monkeys at treetop or ground level. And the large ficus tree that was moved from the front of the Zoo to become the centerpiece of Monkey Trails looks completely at home, gracing the whole area with its majestic presence. There’s so much to see here””fascinating crocodiles, industrious sociable weavers, and even a carnivorous bog garden””and so much more to come. Monkey Trails and Forest Tales””the story has just begun!
(Here’s another tip: Monkey Trails and Forest Tales ” officially” opens on Saturday, June 4. But the area really opens May 28. Check it out””you just might see the clouded leopards or wild pigs moving in!)
Debbie Andreen is the San Diego Zoo’s Web Site editor.
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