The fourth of six habitats at the San Diego Zoo‘s $68 million Africa Rocks exhibit opened to the public Friday, giving visitors a chance to see ring-tailed lemurs, fossas and a honey badger.
The fossas inside the Madagascar Forest include a mother and four 12-week-old pups from her first litter.
“They at first came out and started jumping over the grasses — it was a fun exploration for them,” said animal keeper Lacy Pearson. “Right now, they’re really interested in the rock work, and seeing how high they can get on the rock work.”
The other habitats that are open are Cape Fynbos, which features African penguins and leopard sharks; the West African Forest, with dwarf crocodile and amphibian species; and the Kopje, with dwarf mongooses, rock hyrax and meerkats.
The last two habitats will open as animals move in and become acclimated to their new homes, according to the zoo.
The Acacia Woodland will include vervet monkeys, leopards and a wide variety of birds; while the Ethiopian Highlands will feature hamadryas baboons, geladas and Nubian ibex, along with a garden that will offer unusual plants, some that are highly endangered.
–City News Service
