Five Faves
Animal encounters of the best kind by
BINDER PARK ZOO STAFF
In the course of four decades, Binder Park Zoo has evolved from a small petting zoo to a cultural organization and facility that has more than 400 acres and 500-plus animals and is dedicated to the conservation of animal species. From its beginning, the zoo has provided guests with opportunities to get up close and personal
Lions lounging around Last July, Binder Park Zoo opened the African lion exhibit in our Wild Africa section, becoming the must-see summer exhibit at the zoo. A young male lion named Enzi and his sister lionesses Shelby and Salem were welcomed to Wild Africa, creating a new pride at the zoo. Their exhibit features a vast natural habitat to roam in, complete with compelling views for guests and state-of-the-art holding areas for the safety, care and comfort of the lions. Whether you catch the lions lounging or prowling, this exhibit will elicit awe.
Make mine rare, please Carcass feeding to zoo carnivores is an experience equally enriching for the animals and for witnessing guests. This recently introduced practice at the zoo involves the delivery of a carcass portion — generally deer — to our African painted dogs, Mexican gray wolves and African lions. Carcass feeding encourages natural behavior in these animals, providing mental stimulation, physical exercise and the enjoyment of a meal quite different from their daily diet. For social carnivores like the African painted dogs, it helps re-establish the hierarchy of the pack order, fostering stronger bonds between its members. Observing a carcass feeding is to have a unique glimpse into the natural world of some of the zoo’s most fascinating animals. 14 | ENCORE AUGUST 2018
with animals from far-flung places. From the thrill of a face-to-face encounter with an African lion to the experience of hand-feeding a giraffe to the emotional connection made gazing into the eyes of an ancient tortoise, these are some our favorite animal encounters.