Leipzig Zoo

I can really only remember going to the zoo after my family moved back to Idaho. I thought the giraffes and lions were the bees knees and that the two hours it took for a person to walk through the whole zoo was plenty. Boy howdy was the zoo here a rude awakening! We spent four hours in there and still didn't see half of what it had to offer. It is gorgeous, with lots of lush green landscapes, cafes and playgrounds. Almost another world within the city. The highlights of my visit, I would have to say, were the orangutans and elephants. Take a look at some of the creatures we saw and choose for yourself!

 The flamingos are the very first exhibit you see when you walk through the arches. Did you know they dye their food pink so they stay that color? There is something in their natural habitat that keeps them naturally pink! Who woulda thunk?

 Isn't this girl cute? Crossing her legs while she munches on dinner.

 A baby that couldn't have been more than a year old. So cute!

 Can't remember what this guy was called and Google wasn't any help. An ocapa? Somthing like that. He has a moose and body and a zebra bum. Crazy!

 You could ride these big guys for 5 euro and I almost asked my host mom if I could do it. So cool!

 That brown-headed little boy in the corner of the frame flipped over the fence and landed face/head first in a big pile of goat do-do. All the parents (including his!) were trying to keep it together as they mended his wounded (and smelly) pride. Ha!

 Leopard print has been my favorite pattern for a while now. This pretty girl did not disappoint! She was a beauty!

 This mamma was playing games with her little baby. So cute!

 A bonobo baby. Eek!

 It was so neat to have this guy come right up to the glass and play with the kids on the other side. 

 I'd have to say the orangutans were my favorite exhibit that we saw out of the day. They were active and playful. I felt like I could turn into Jane Goodall. This sweetheart in the picture struck a pose when she saw everyone pulling out their cameras. She held this for like 5 minutes while everyone got their shot. 

 The glare on the glass makes this a cruddy picture, but this is the male of the family of orangutans. He was HUGE! His hair is all dreaded and he's quite the chunk, but that didn't stop him from playing with the younger orangutans and showing off on the rope swings in the exhibit. 

 This is a truck they've converted into a ride. You go in the back and they shut the door. There is a big projector and screen and the truck moves as you go on a 'safari'. It was neat!

 I've always found elephants to be extraordinary creatures. They are far more intelligent than we give them credit for. I could have stood here and watched them for another hour! Making a trip to Thailand and riding one of these lovelies is still on my bucket list! 

 There wasn't a sign saying what these guys were called, but we all agreed they looked pretty funny with their cooky feathers. 

I had so much fun at the zoo and can't wait to go back!