Summer Vacation Redux #1: Chicago: Lincoln Park Zoo

My first stop on my Total Eclipse cross-country road trip was Chicago.  I arrived from DC via Amtrak's Capitol Limited line (my second time taking this route to Chicago).  The first object of my time there was the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of two mid-range size zoo's in the Greater Chicago area (the other being the Brookfield Zoo).  It traces its founded to 1868 when a pair of swans were introduced to the existing park.  I would more accurately place its inception in 1874 when the park purchased a Black Bear from the Philadelphia Zoo.  One of its most notable characteristics is that it's admission free--a very rare occurrence in zoo's anywhere in the world.  With lunch planned at the Chicago Art Institution and our arrival at the zoo around 9:45 AM, my visit was a fast one, fortunately the zoo is only 45 acres in size; however, I was only able to see about 70-75% if its exhibits.  You are also reminded that beyond being a zoo, it is also a park.  A park that is very well landscaped and full of arboreal and floral delights.

 A stunning view from one of the park's pedestrian bridges south toward in the heart of Chicago.  Congrats to the landscape architects who saw the potential of this strategic placement.

 One of the zoo's Common Ostriches, Struthio camelus, as she checks out her habitat first thing in the morning, puffing herself to intimidate any unwanted intruders.

 The zoo's Zebra stock are Grevy's Zebra, Equus grevyi, the most common of the four species of zebra's maintained in North American Zoo's.  It's main distinguishing characteristic is the narrowness and infrequent "branching" of it's black stripes.  They are really beautiful animals.  Isn't it a stunning pattern on his tail.

 The Zoo's Small Mammal House is a decided 19th century phenomenon.  You'll find similar structures at zoos in Philadelphia and Washington, DC.  Architecturally beautiful, they generally fail to impress me with their less than 21st century standards for housing animals--even small ones.

 At some point this Small Mammal House was renovated to become just a small primate house and the size of the habitats was greatly increased, as well as, given natural light through skylights.  Here is a quartet of Bolivian Gray Titi Monkeys, Callicebus donacophilus, huddle up for a day's rest.  They are by nature more active at dusk and are semi-nocturnal.  Their enclosure was over two stories in height and wider than my house.

 Nearby was the Regenstein Center for African Apes, featuring habitats for both Common Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, and Western Lowland Gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla.  This is the only species of Gorilla kept in North American Zoos, and all approximately 350 animals were born in these zoos.  Today, the AZA has a very extensive and comprehensive breeding program encompassing all of these animals and transporting best candidates between zoos annually to mate and maintain a broad, healthy and far more diverse gene pool than in the wild.  To compare these cousins of ours with their endangers relatives in the wilds of Africa is a very inaccurate thing to do. 

In the world of zoos, there are pinnacle species.  Animals who's care and habitats are the focus of the most care and quality.  These include: Western Lowland Gorillas, both Borneo and Sumatran Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Amur, Malayan, and Sumatran Tigers, Asian and African Elephants, Scimitar Oryx, Black and White Rhinoceros, Clouded, Snow, and Amur Leopards--but of all of these Western Lowland Gorillas probably receive the most consideration.

 A bunch of Chilean Flamingos, Phoenicopterus chilensis, chilling together.

Another beautiful structure was the Kolver Lion House. 

 Originally built in 1912, the Lion House maintains an interior with vestiges of its original glory, while providing all of its feline residents access to spacious exterior spaces with natural vegetation.

 This Jaguar, Panthera onca, has chosen to rest inside on this faux rock formation while access to the exterior portion of its habitat is available.

 Meanwhile, this African Lion, Panthera leo, is happy to sleep outside.

 The seal exhibit featured a pair of Gray Seals, Halichoerus grypus.  I know they are the only members of their genus, but I honestly can't tell them apart from Harbor Seals!

 They do love to swim on their backs!

 A Red River Hog, Potamochoerus porcus, native to West Africa.  It is the most common of the family Scuidae to be kept in North American zoos.

 The last space I was able to explore was the Regenstein African Journey, a structure that expanded the former Large Mammal House and included Pygmy Hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis, and Meerkats, Suricata suricatta.  Isn't this a great photo of one?

 Connected to the Regenstein African Experience is the habitat for the zoo's Black Rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis.  This female was out and prancing around.  The Black Rhinos are more graceful than their White Rhino cousins.  Well, once you get to know them, you'll know what I mean.

A parting photo of more of the park/zoo's gardens.