2009-11-22

 

Did You Know....

Did you know that there are Pandas at the Memphis Zoo? I didn't even know that Memphis had a zoo until I was flipping through a Tennessee Tourist Guide and saw an add for the Pandas at the Memphis Zoo. Take one guess where we went today ---- yup you're correct the Zoo.

As far as zoos are concerned the Memphis Zoo is not a large zoo but I was impressed with the variety of animals and the over all look and feel of the exhibits.

First stop China.


When we arrived the Pandas were doing one of the two things Pandas do .... sleep. We were listening to the "zoo keeper chat" when the male Panda, Ya Ya, started to do the second thing that Pandas do .... eat. After eating for a few minutes Ya Ya decided that he was done with the food that was in his pen and he wanted fresh food. First Ya Ya walked over to his exit door and stared at it then he walked to the temporary holding area where he gets treats and finally he walked over to a rock and proceeded to pout .... well it looked like he was pouting. As the "zoo keeper talk" was pretty much over, the zoo keeper headed into the enclosure to deliver some food.


Stalking about asking for food.

The zoo keepers are never in the enclosure with the panda, so the bear is enticed into the caged enclosure where he is fed treats while the fresh bambo is delivered to his main pen.


Happiness is ..... some fresh bambo.


The female panda, Le Le waiting for her treats.

The zoo keeper uses "treat time" as an opportunity to check the pandas health. When the pandas first arrived at the zoo they were taught a number of hand signals that allowed the keepers to check their paws, teeth, etc. We caught one of the checks on video ..... hope it works as it's our first video up load.

video


Good kitty .... I walked across the front of the tiger enclosure and Ed said the cat watched me.

The newest section in the Zoo is called Teton Trek and it comes complete with a lodge inspired by Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn and three Grizzly Bear cubs that were orphaned this summer.


Practising looking ferocious.


Aw come on in ... the water is great.


The bears were having a great time "fighting" in the water giving some kids a close up view.


For some reason the Polar Bears weren't interested in swimming this afternoon. The zoo keeper threw some fish in the water but they just wouldn't go in.


The fierce Komodo Dragon.


The Black-footed Penguin is found in South Africa so it is quite happy with Memphis's warm summers. These two penguins were born at the zoo and thus enjoy hanging out with the zoo keeper.

video
This enclosure is home to both the White-cheeked Gibbon and the Asian Small-clawed Otter.

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