In the last photo (and the other, similar photo)- do you know what they were all looking at, up to the left?
In the above photo where they're all looking towards the left, a keeper was entering the enclosure to sweep up the dirt that they'd tossed all over the cement floor. (A daily chore)
In the other photo where they are all looking towards the right...I haven't a clue. I couldn't see anything that would grab their attention. But then I haven't had my official meerkat sentry training.
At the outskirts of the Kopje area is one of the zoo's most beloved animals...the meerkats.
The enclosure provides the meerkats ample space and opportunity to do what they love to do best...dig!
This is a Slender-tailed Meerkat, from southwest Africa. Meerkats are small carnivores and are members of the mongoose family.
The meerkats can usually be found doing one of three activities. Digging holes and tunnels is what they spend the majority of the time doing.
There are nearly 100 holes in the enclosure, many leading to underground tunnels and burrows. Every few months, keepers remove the meerkats from the enclosure and collapse all the tunnels. Then the meerkats happily begin the process all over again.
The second activity you're likely to see is "sentry duty".
There is usually at least one meerkat acting as sentry, scouring the area for predators, or perhaps unruly children.
Another great spot for sentry duty.
Their third favorite activity... just chillin'.
Occasionally, the whole clan will catch scent of something or hear a noise and all stop in their tracks to check it out. While watching these antics, it is clear why they are considered so adorable by so many guests. But the only thing more adorable than a meerkat is...
...a baby meerkat!
These adorable young pups (kittens?) were born early October of 2018, making them about six weeks old at the time these photos were taken.
You can just imagine the "oohs and aahs" from guests viewing these little guys.
There are a total of 10 meerkats on exhibit...8 adults and the 2 kids. Watching these animals and all their cute antics is always a highlight of any zoo visit.
The corral was originally intended for the endangered, Prezalski's Horse, from Asia. I can't remember if, or how long, they were there. I believe they later had camels there for awhile, thus the prehistoric camel sculpture out front. My memory's a bit foggy on this. But somewhere along the line, they developed this relationship with the Bureau of Land Management to adopt the animals that now inhabit the corral. They do have a special "Keeper Talk" presentation at the corral once a day. But no, the crowds aren't flocking to see the burros. Animal exhibits change all the time. Some animals are only on loan to the zoo for a few years. And of course, animals die and can't be replaced. So, I expect the animals housed here could change in the future.
A sculpture of a prehistoric camel stands in front of the Horse and Burro Corral.
Horses actually became extinct in North America 10,000 years ago. The wild horses of today are descendants of escaped domestic horses originally brought over from Asia and Africa.
The animals housed here are from an adoption program run by the Bureau of Land Management. This old horse gets to live out his last years pampered by zoo employees, as opposed to the glue factory.
A pair of burros are also kept here in the corral.
Meal time.
Nearby, guests can view a display of extinct animal x-rays.
^ I uploaded the Expedition Everest CTR by Coasterfreak90 to the CS Depot. Also, I uploaded Space Mountain Mission 2 by Scoaster. It's not the version you want, but maybe you can use it.
Sharing space with the Condor enclosure is the Rattlesnake Exhibit. There are two parts to the exhibit. This tall, airy enclosure is where the snakes can bask in the sun and keep warm.
When the snakes need to cool down, they can go into a number of shaded burrows.
This sign explains in more detail.
Here, a pair of rattlers are keeping warm in the sun. The snake on top is the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. These rattlesnakes lived in the Pleistocene Era and are still with us today.
The Red Diamond Rattlesnake curled up in its burrow.
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Outside the enclosure is this rattlesnake sculpture. The sound of its rattle can be heard from the speaker below.
While the Bashor Bridge takes guest to the west entrance of Elephant Odyssey, we're going to start at the east entrance, in which guests are greeted by the area's first exhibit, the California Condor.
The California Condor was on the brink of extinction in 1980s when there were only 22 known living birds in the wild. Led by the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park's breeding program, the world's population of the condors has grown to over 400. They are still endangered, but their future is looking very positive today.
There are two condors on display here. They are members of the vulture family. Their heads are bald due to the fact that, like all vultures, they feed mostly on carrion, and it is easier for them to keep their heads clean.
This sign explains a little about the zoo's condor breeding program.
There are other informative signs throughout the exhibit.
One of the zoo's many volunteers is on hand to answer questions at the Condor Station.
One of the area's many prehistoric sculptures is displayed nearby. This is Merriam's Terator, an extinct bird of prey that weighed 30 pounds and had a wingspan of 10-12 feet.
This is an updated, more in depth tour of the Elephant Odyssey area at the San Diego Zoo. This section opened on May 23, 2009 and features a 2.5 acre elephant habitat. Elephant Odyssey also features sculptures of prehistoric animals from Southern California's ancient past alongside its present day counterparts including lions, jaguars, tapirs, guanacos, cabybaras, camels, and California condors.
The Elephant Odyssey section is based on the animals from Southern California's past. This sign depicts the area as it was 12,000 years ago.
This sign depicts the animals of today.
The most recent addition is not inside the area, but one that takes you to it.
Opened in 2017, the new 70 foot high, 450 foot long Basher Bridge spans one of the zoo's many canyon's, providing a more convenient, and breathtaking, way to get to the Elephant Odyssey. It was dedicated to Army veteran Jim Bashor and his wife, who established the Bashor Family Patriots Fund—an endowment that permanently guarantees that active duty armed forces personnel are granted unlimited admission to both the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Why on earth would there be a minimum size requirement when so many people are crying for tiny objects?? And we REALLY REALLY need more custom sized billboards!
The major change is to the site's disciplinary actions. Previously, it was a long and complex system involving verbal and written warnings, temporary restriction, and probation periods. All that has been tossed out. The bottom line is that members are expected to behave in a mature manner and abide by the rules. Any member who continually breaks rules or acts in a disruptive manner will be initially contacted by an admin or mod. If the disruptive behavior is not changed, then that member may be banned from the site, either temporarily or permanently, at my sole discretion.
The male koalas are kept on one side of the exhibit, and the females on the other. Furthermore, the males are separated from each other, as they are typically a solitary animal and tend to fight amongst one another. This is the male enclosure.
Currently, there are seven males on exhibit.
Each koala gets its own "koala klimber" which provides shade, food, and most importantly, a comfy spot to sleep. Koalas sleep nearly 20 hours a day. The reason for this is that eucalyptus leaves provide very few calories and are difficult to digest. Thus, koalas live a very sedentary life.
So the majority of the time, you'll find the koalas sleeping... typically waking up to grab a quick snack, and then settling back to sleep. Being nocturnal, they are more active at night, when the zoo is closed. So it's hit and miss as to whether you'll see much activity during your visit to the exhibit.
At the opposite side of the Queenslander House is the female enclosure.
Here are the girls.
Sometimes you'll be lucky to see a young koala with its mother, called a joey. This joey is approaching adulthood, so he is becoming more independent and can be found more on his own, away from mom.
The next group of photos are of the females, as they seem to be a bit more active than the males, plus the sun is in a better spot to photograph them.
This "koala tree" sits near the female enclosure and allows kids to climb up with the koalas, providing a nice photo spot.
Koalas are in serious decline suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bushfires and road accidents. They are currently listed as "vulnerable" but many organizations believe their status should be elevated to "endangered". Due to the San Diego Zoo's conservation efforts over the years, the zoo has become famous for having the largest koala colony and the most successful breeding program outside of Australia.
The heart of the Australian Outback is the Queenslander House, home to the koalas and other Australian animals.
The Queenslander house is a classic Australian structure featuring an iron corrugated roof and large veranda that extends around most of the house.
A large tank located in front of the house holds rain water, collected from the roof of the structure.
And this signs tells all about it.
Inside the house is a room where daily food for the koalas is prepared. The koala's main diet is comprised solely of eucalyptus leaves. The average koala eats from 1 to 1.5 pounds of the leaves each day. With over a dozen koalas on exhibit, that's a lot of eucalyptus leaves.
There are many marsupials living in Australia, and a nearby sign tells all about it.
As you walk along the veranda, you'll pass by the animals on display.
This small aviary houses the Palm Cockatoo.
The Palm Cockatoo can be found in the forests of Australia and New Guinea.
Some interesting facts about the Palm Cockatoo.
Hoping around the grounds are the Parma Wallaby from eastern Australia.
These guys are nocturnal, so you'll typically only see them active in the early morning.
I know this is a fairly well liked spot here, but why? It feels like a horribly theme confused, sterile venue with generic sandwiches. Is it that good?
Which is why I waited so long to try it. But when you're at a resort where everything is overpriced, it's nice to find something that is inexpensive and great tasting. Downtown Disney is a big hangout for the locals, so it's perfect for those who want an inexpensive meal and still get to enjoy the Disney atmosphere without spending a fortune. And the frozen lemonade alone is enough to get me to come back.
This has only been at California's Downtown Disney for a few years and I hadn't had a chance to try it before it closed. But then when it opened back up, I gave it a try and I agree. It's good food at an affordable price. I hope it stays around for awhile, but so far, I've heard it may only be temporary.
The Earl of Sandwich offers fresh gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and salads. It is located at the west end of Downtown Disney.
The restaurant closed earlier this summer to make way for a planned hotel. But disputes between Disney and the city of Anaheim resulted in the cancellation of the project. So in early October, the Earl of Sandwich reopened. It will remain open until Disney decides what to do with the west section of the Downtown Disney shopping district, as several other major establishments had also closed, and it is doubtful that they will return.
The franchise was actually founded by the younger son of The 11th Earl of Sandwich, direct descendants of of The 4th Earl of Sandwich, who popularised the sandwich in Great Britain and Ireland in the 18th century.
A portrait of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, hangs above the pick-up counter.
The queue is themed as a stately library, with tall bookcases reaching up to the ceiling.
You can choose from a wide selection of snacks and beverages.
They also are known for their frozen lemonade, which is the best I've had.
There's a large outdoor dining patio as well as a small dining room inside.
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