We went back to the zoo this morning in time for the first talk and feed show.There was quite a line up for tickets so I think it worked out well for us to arrive around lunch yesterday as we walked straight up to the ticket desk. Also because it is a one way track for the majority of visitors (those in cars and buggies) all the crowds were gone by the time we started. We did arrive a little too late yesterday at 1pm, ideally it would be best to arrive about 12 as there are 3 shows within that hour and as we found out it is too hard too make all 3 on the same day.


The first show was for the lemurs and it was interesting to learn that there are over 100 types of lemurs and they all live on Madagascar and nowhere else in the world.

We then jumped in the car and raced up to the black rhino talk and feed. We learned that the horns can weigh as much as 4-5kg and every 1kg is worth about $60 000! Sadly the number being poached are on the rise and by quite a large number. The horns are made out of hair. It is coarser than humans and is compacted with keratin which is like our nails. Black rhinos are solitary and white rhinos are social. White rhinos are now protected by heavily armed men as there are so few left in the world and are still highly sort after,






At the hippo talk, we learnt that a hippo can run up to 30km per hour! Now that would be interesting to watch!They are quite gross animals in that part of the courting and territorial behaviour involves the males making a fecal shower where they will spray their poo and spin their tale like a propeller to help distribute it around! A less disgusting fact is that they spend 18 hours a day in the water.



When we first went to look at the lions they were all at the back laying down. We waited awhile though and things got more interesting. One cub (10mths old) starting playing and climbing a tree which enticed its sibling over to play. Then mum got up and came closer, dad rolled over and then the third cub starting playing too.



The otters couldn't be seen when we first went but when we went back to watch them being fed lunch, we got a pretty good view of them.


We finished off the zoo with the best part and now my favourite by watching the siamang ape feed. It wasn’t the feeding that was interesting but their singing. It is an incredible sound and apparently the second loudest of all the primates. They put on quite a show and even looked like posed for show. They are incredibly agile and move so magically over the ropes. The male isn’t bulky like a gorilla but is said to have the strength of 5 men.



Initially, we planned to hire a golf buggy but it just worked out better to drive in the car as too much time would be spent at the talks and then we had seen most other things already.