African Plains

A main feature of the Zoo's African Plains
area is the water hole. This area shows
how animals of different species are drawn
together by a common need, water. An
arid, rocky expanse, dotted with clumps of
shrubs and tough grasses and backed by
natural limestone cliffs down which a small
trickling stream flows down the cliffs,
across the stone floor into a rocky pool,
this exhibit is a small microcosm of life as
it might be encountered on the African
plains. At this exhibit, look for ostriches,
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffes, African
crowned cranes, white-faced whistling ducks,
Thompson's gazelles, and sometimes other antelopes. This is a great place to stop for a few minutes to catch your breath before trekking through the Rift Valley Tract.