Rtas' zoo pics

Hi friends !

Since we are stuck at home and need entertainment not to get bored, I am launching two new series in which I will show you my pics : one for zoos and one for animals in their natural habitats. I will try to release one picture every day and tell you the story behind it.

I have always visited zoos since my childhood. When my parents asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday or just to make me happy, I always answered "the zoo !" As a consequence, I have visited a fair number of zoological gardens, although mostly in France.

I still go to the zoo everytime I can but not for the same reasons than before. I used to be species-centred, just willing to see as many new species as possible. Now, I enjoy visiting new zoos for their "architecture", their enclosures, the cohabitations they try between species, and I love to visit zoos I already know to take my time and watch the animals' behaviours. I also like to take pictures, although I tend to take less and less in zoos since I am much more interested in photographing animals in the wild.

I will start this thread with this lar gibbon female with her baby :
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They were photographed in a small zoo named "Spaycific Zoo" [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (sorry, the website is only in French) which was known for its unusual, poorly known species. Now the species catalogue of many French zoos has considerably diversified, this one has nothing particular anymore. Like many modern zoos, it has a partnership with in-situ conservation societies such as Kalaweit which protects gibbons in indonesia [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] . The gibbon baby you see on this picture was named after the founder and president of this association : Chanee. He's quite famous in France and sometimes appears on TV.

Great idea again. :)

Thanks Andreas !

Very good photo, they're an adorable pair

Thank you Adam !

You take the photography thing in a very serious way. It is a gain a wonderful picture and a lovely moment. Seeing these pics I always wonder what these animals think of us with our cameras.

Thanks Roger !

Indeed, we are kind of violating their privacy

Ohhhh, what an absolutely wonderful photo

As Roger says, it makes you wonder what they are thinking.
Chanee looks like he wants to point his tongue at you, and Mom thinks that you should really get some better manners  

Are you a professional photograper ?

Species : Red panda

Spot : La Flèche zoo, Sarthe, France
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This red panda was photographed in a zoo known for its reality show on TV. Every summer, a few young people are chosen to become interns in this zoo and take part in the show. I actually applied for that but was not selected. This panda is named Yang and is quite a star on French TV ! Unfortunately, his mate died from anemia in 2014, after an eye operation. Yang now has a new wife he regularly has cubs with.

SUSANNE wrote:

Ohhhh, what an absolutely wonderful photo

As Roger says, it makes you wonder what they are thinking.
Chanee looks like he wants to point his tongue at you, and Mom thinks that you should really get some better manners  

Are you a professional photograper ?

Haha, thank you Susanne !

Indeed, now you are telling it to me, it looks like he's taunting me !

I am no professional photographer at all, it is just a hobby and I shoot with a bridge camera, not even a single-lens reflex.

There's no such thing like privacy settings on gibbon's planet. and when a red panda is a tv star, not much is left to say. Actually, the red panda looks to enjoy it and cameras seem to be a part of his life. Wonderful portrait!

Very cute, that is my mother's favourite animal as well as giraffes, bongos and red river hogs. She likes the russet colours.

Thanks guys !

Adam, mine loves sea lions, otters and squirrel monkeys

Species : Snow leopard

Spot : Trégomeur zoo, Brittany, France
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This snow leopard was shot in a small but very nice zoo in Brittany. It is not so far from where I live but unfortunately, no public transport goes there and since I have no car, I have only been there three times. This zoo is particularly interesting because it is exclusively focused on Asian wildlife and thus, keeps very rare species like the sun bear, the dhole and the yellow-throated marten. I wish more zoos specialised in a particular geographic area like this one, so that we would not find the same species in every animal parks. This snow leopard is not one of their most remarkable specimens but I like its menacing eyes and feline posture, so I wanted to show it to you.

Very lovely, I have always loved the snow leopard and how beautiful their colours are.

Thank you Adam !

Nice picture

Thanks Andreas !

this looks like the leopard that posed for the schleich model.

Yes it's pretty white, isn't it

yeah, but if I was the leopard and seen the final figure, I would probably ask a big compensation for mental anguish and distress.

Species : Black-headed spider monkey

Spot : Doué-la-Fontaine zoo, France
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This spider monkey is a young one and was photographed in one of the best zoos in France, in my opinion. It is far to be the largest one but it is definitely one of the most involved in species conservation and animal welfare. This zoo is willing to reproduce the animals' natural habitats in enclosures and as a result, it is truly immersive. It has the largest aviary in Europe, dedicated to South American wildlife, where this monkey was shot.

You're at it again Benjamin! Shooting wildlife

Very nice, I have always enjoyed seeing these primates at my closest zoo, which is a very, very good zoo and I am sure many would agree.