Tragelaphus euryceros

Crowned crane and babies. Two very dignified, soft-gray eagle owls. I saw one rotate its head in stereotypical (and anatomically perplexing) owl-manner. It was cool to actually go in the cages, which you never get to do at zoos.

you never get to do at zoos.

Bit of an attitude, but very interested in dried corn. Tried to take a chunk out of Jennifer's hand, "by mistake" I'm sure. I think she was a juvenile as well. Patricia, that is.

Oliver was an orphan, like the name of the place suggests. He was super-friendly, and super-enthusiastic. The handler let him out of his pen after closing hours, and Oliver ran around, finally settling on sucking on the dude's fingers. They then had a game of tag, with Oliver chasing the dude around a park bench. Funny, but I can't imagine that being any fun at all when Oliver's a full grown bull of some 1600lbs.

settling on sucking on the dude's fingers. They then had a game of tag, with Oliver chasing the dude around a park bench. Funny, but I can't imagine that being any fun at all when Oliver's a full grown bull of some 1600lbs.

Mala is a young male blue wildebeest. They're called blue because they have black and blue hairs mixed in their coat, like a blue roan horse. The same species is alternatively called the brindled gnu - brindled because (like brindled bulldogs) they have rough dark vertical stripes, mostly on their neck and shoulders. They're known for prancing and bonking around in a very comical way. They are also the species of wildebeest known for the massive migrations (as featured in The Lion King).

- brindled because (like brindled bulldogs) they have rough dark vertical stripes, mostly on their neck and shoulders. They're known for prancing and bonking around in a very comical way. They are also the species of wildebeest known for the massive migrations (as featured in The Lion King).

My favorite critter at the Animal Orphanage. 4.5 months old, suitably shy, and so very beautiful. Elands are the largest antelope in Africa, some males easily outweighing Cape Buffalo bulls. They also retain the very antelopey ability to jump very high - 6-9 feet in this case. They'll even jump over each other if frightened. Elands have independently evolved horns on the females, a trait also (independently) shared by bongos, in their Tragelaphini tribe. Elands are also very docile (comparatively), and are semi-domesticated in Russia (exported from Africa) for their milk, which is super-rich.

retain the very antelopey ability to jump very high - 6-9 feet in this case. They'll even jump over each other if frightened. Elands have independently evolved horns on the females, a trait also (independently) shared by bongos, in their Tragelaphini tribe. Elands are also very docile (comparatively), and are semi-domesticated in Russia (exported from Africa) for their milk, which is super-rich.

Romeo is the porcupine. I do believe his lady's name is Juliette. We said hi, and Romeo proceeded to mount dear Juliette.

The monkey is a cross between two species. I don't recall exactly which, but I'm guessing Sykes's and Mona monkeys.

but I'm guessing Sykes's and Mona monkeys.

The common or grey duiker (not pictured yet) has the black stripe down the nose. This one also had a sagging or paralyzed lower lip. Kinda funny. Cephalophine antelope (along with all the other duikers), and the only living member of its genus. "Duiker" is (I think) Dutch or Afrikaans for "diver," referring to their tendency to dive into the brush when fleeing threats.

The suni antelope is among the tiniest of antelopes, weighing in at a mere 11 lbs. It is in the Neotragini tribe, which is kind of a grab-bag for small, non-duiker antelopes. This is a female, and her baby was way in the back of the enclosure, too far to photograph.

duikers), and the only living member of its genus. "Duiker" is (I think) Dutch or Afrikaans for "diver," referring to their tendency to dive into the brush when fleeing threats.

The suni antelope is among the tiniest of antelopes, weighing in at a mere 11 lbs. It is in the Neotragini tribe, which is kind of a grab-bag for small, non-duiker antelopes. This is a female, and her baby was way in the back of the enclosure, too far to photograph.

Jackie's a boy, by the way, and would do anything for mangos, but not corn or veggie chow. Bit of an attitude - but really nifty to hold nonetheless!

I forget what most of these are. Updates later. But the cheetah's names were Bill and Duke. Very chill, but a little growly.

Big Mama's the one with the giant wonky horn. Zulu is the somewhat smaller, somewhat more non-descript rhino, as these things go. Big Mama ruled the roost, and was nowhere near as cool with humans as Morani was.

Morani was.