The Memphis Zoo
I went to the Memphis Zoo back in November of 2008 to practice my photography skills hoping to be able to get a few good shots of wild animals. Boy was I surprised at the amazing setup of this place. You won’t find animals in small cages surrounded by bars. What you will see is a zoo that has been developed to put these endangered species in a healthy, stress free environment. They have plenty of room to run and bask in the sun. Most exhibits include pools, waterfalls, and toys for exercise, enjoyment, and development. The Memphis Zoo, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked "#1 Zoo in the U.S." The zoo is set on 76 acres of Overton Park, of which pproximately 55 acres are developed. According to their web page since the early 1990s, the Memphis Zoo has invested over $80 million for renovation and expansion, making it one of the finest zoological parks in the nation. The zoo's animal inhabitants reside in 19 exhibits in three zones, such as Northwest Passage and China, home to Giant Pandas Ya Ya and Le Le. Since my first visit I have made three additional trips to spend the day in this clean and serine place. They just opened their Teton Exhibit featuring wolves, elk, and grizzlies. Check out their web site at http://www.memphiszoo.org/home for a complete listing of animals, and exhibits. In the meantime I want to dedicate this gallery to the Memphis Zoo. I hope you enjoy these photos but more importantly I encourage you to visit this work of art. THESE PRINTS ARE NOT FOR SALE
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White-Naped Cranes breed in northeastern Mongolia, northeastern China, and adjacent areas of southeastern Russia. Birds in the western portion of the breeding range migrate south through China, resting at areas on the Yellow River delta, and wintering at wetlands in the middle Yangtze River valley. Habitat loss and degradation are critical problems throughout the range of the White-naped Crane. Destruction of wetlands due to agricultural expansion in the breeding range poses the most significant threat. Critical habitat is also threatened by a proposed series of dams in the Amur River basin and the Three Gorges Dam in China.
