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The Detroit Zoo’s African Grasslands provides a great opportunity to learn about the diverse, adaptable species of the vast African Savannah.
The African Grasslands is designed to teach Zoo visitors about the unique ecosystem by grouping its native animals and creating visual cues that link them to their common African habitat. Animal information signs and interpretive cultural displays create that connection. Landscaping also helps unify the area, with grasses, plants and trees similar to those found in Africa’s grasslands, including honey locust trees, which resemble the acacia trees common there.
Warthogs and African wild dogs, which made their debuts in the summer of 2007, are helping the Zoo tell the story of this important biome. They join the reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, blesbok, white rhinoceroses, African birds and aardvarks in the Zoo’s northwest corner.
An exciting interactive feature in the African Grasslands is the Giraffe Encounter on the southeast side of the habitat. From late spring through early fall, it allows Zoo guests to hand-feed special treats to reticulated giraffes Chardo, Raspberry and Ajax several times a week. The raised wooden deck under the old oak tree elevates visitors to “eye level” with the giraffes, allowing very special encounters with these gentle animals.
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