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SAN DIEGO ZOO: Established in 1915, the San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world, housing over 4,000 animals of varied species. The zoo is located in Balboa Park, San Diego. Exhibits have been logically arranged so that a variety of animals found in the wild together are housed in close proximity to one another, major attractions include the Island Giants, Monkey Trails and Forest Trails, the Polar Bear Plunge, the Panda Research Station and the Elephant Odyssey.
ISLAND GIANTS: Galapagos Tortoises have been cared for by San Diego zoo since 1928, in 1969 the zoo became a partner with the Charles Darwin Research Station on the Galapagos Islands, assisting with funding, rearing and release programs. The original tortoises sent to San Diego Zoo in 1928 are still there and are now over 100 years old.
AFRICAN SPURRED TORTOISE: Native to the African continent in the Sahel region from South Mauritania and North Senegal, eastward to North Ethiopia, these tortoises are endangered due to over collection for the 'pet trade' and destruction of their habitat.
WESTERN GREAT PLATED LIZARD: Native to the African Continent, specifically the dry savanna, coastal bushlands and grasslands of Western Kenya and Uganda.
CARIBBEAN FLAMINGOS: The flamingos striking pink colour comes from the pigments in the foods they eat in the wild, including tiny shrimp. In captivity, without shrimp in their diet, they need a supplement called canthaxanthin in order to maintain their colour. Flamingo chicks take several years to develop their full pink colour.
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Originally opened in 1996 and reopened in March 2010 following renovations, the main exhibit is three Polar Bears, an underwater viewing platform is provided.
PANDA RESEARCH STATION: Four zoos throughout the United States have Giant Pandas on display, the San Diego Zoo has the most successful program of panda reproduction and survival of the panda cubs. Many cubs born at the zoo have been returned to China to assist their panda breeding program.
LONG LIVE THE KING AND QUEEN: Lions, the king of beasts, may appear plentiful in Africa's national parks however they are in serious decline. Human population growth and the destruction of the lion's natural habitat force the lions to attack livestock to survive, Farmer's then shoot the lions to reduce the risk to their stock. The San Diego Zoo is working closely with the people of Kenya to find ways for humans and lions to live together successfully.
MEERKAT or S.W. AFRICAN SURICATE: The Meerkat's natural habitat extends from Angola into South Africa, and can be found in dry open savanna grassland and desert regions. There is habitat disruption but the species is not threatened.
MASAI GIRAFFE: The Masai Giraffe's natural habitat is Southern Kenya and Tanzania, and can be found in dry savannas and open woodland. They are classed as vulnerable due to excessive hunting, climatic changes and loss of habitat.
ELEPHANT ODYSSEY: Opened in May 2009 the Elephant Odyssey is an expansive 10,000 sq. metres, offering the Elephants a large area to wander, there is protection from the elements and various play things for the elephants. Elephant Odyssey also includes a glimpse of the past with displays of life size statues of ancient creatures including the North and South American Sabre-Toothed Tiger and the Columbian Mammoth.
THE PRONGHORN: The Pronghorn is native to North America, they are second only to the African Cheetah as the fastest mammal on earth, they can run at 90kmh for 15km.
KUBALI AND MILEY: I was amazed, Kubali (the female Cheetah, born Nov. 2002) and Miley (the female Husky mix, born Jan. 2008), appear to get along famously, there's the occasional skirmish but all seems well in their thankfully large enclosure...
ZOO GARDENS: Considerable care has been taken to establish great gardens and pathways to explore.
MORE CALIFORNIA COVERAGE: Please continue my 'California coverage' by selecting from the following pages...
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I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......
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