Zoos Through The Eyes Of Photographers
Name of Zoo:
Honolulu ZooDate of visit:
October 2009 and many other timesLocation:
Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Oahu, HawaiiMy Review
The Honolulu Zoo is ever changing and modernizing. Beginning in the 1990's, numerous exhibits were redesigned to feature more natural settings for the animals on display. That work continues today.
New animals are born within the zoo every month and new animals are brought in to replace those who have passed away.
A new $3.7 million Honolulu Zoo Animal Health Center was opened in 2005. This professional medical facility was the first purpose built hospital for the Honolulu zoo. The main building encompasses about 7,000 square feet of floor space and a separate 700 square foot quarantine building.
A new $5.1 million Keiki Zoo (Children's zoo) opened in 2006.
A new Sumatran Tiger enclosure opened in 2007.
In February of 2009 the zoo dedicated a new learning center, providing a new building and equipment for numerous zoo functions. The $1.5 million classroom building will be used for education programs, evening lectures and volunteer services.
The Honolulu Zoo features over 1200 animals including 28 species of endangered animals. It also features many species which are often not seen in mainland zoos including a family of kamodo dragons, Hawaiian hoary bats and Sumatran tigers.
The zoo contains an extensive collection of tropical birds from the America's, Asia and Australia including the rare Hawaiian State Bird, the nene.
Its African Savanna offers an extensive collection of animals in natural settings including hippos, meerkats, rhinos, giraffes, ostrich, zebras, wild dogs and more.
The zoo's reptile collection features an extensive collection including Aldabra and Galapagos tortoises, American alligators and African gharials and numerous species of lizards.
The zoo's primate collection contains numerous species of chimpanzees, monkeys, siamangs, lemurs and orangutan.
Contained within the zoo is the popular 1.6 acre Keiki Zoo or Children's Zoo where youngsters can get up close and interact with animals such as chickens, cows, donkeys, goats, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, llamas, mantellas, pot-bellied pigs, red-footed tortoise, sheep and turkeys.
View my photos of the zoo here: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahuphotos/ig/Honolulu-Zoo-Photos/
Types of cages at the zoo
The Honolulu Zoo still has a number of traditional wire cages, but they are gradually transitioning from that to a more natural habitat or, at least, glass viewing.
Animal Environments
For newer exhibits the animals are in a natural style environment. There are still some exhibits that need to be upgraded.
Health and Activity of the Animals
The animals appear quite healthy, but as I said, due to the heat they tend to sleep in the afternoon.
