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Monkeys - Around the South American pond area you will see squirrel monkeys and spider monkeys, along with other very small primates called tamarins and marmosets. Squirrel monkeys are about the size of a squirrel and scamper around like them. Spider monkeys get their name because of the way they look high in the trees when their arms, legs and prehensile tail are spread out. Other monkeys living at the zoo include the leaf eating Colobus monkeys (found near the condor and vulture exhibits).
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Black Jaguar - At the end of the Jungle Trail, near the zoo kitchen, the black jaguar lurks. Jabo is about 15 years old has been at the Alexandria Zoo the majority of her life. She receives pet tabs every day to supplement her diet of meat. Spots called rosettes can be seen in her fur when she is in a sunny spot in her habitat.
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Tayra - These animals are referred to as “tree otters” and are very rare in zoos. The Alexandria Zoo has the largest collection of tayra in North America. Although they are in the same family with otters, tayras like to climb trees and otters like to swim.
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Bears - The zoo has two species of bears. The spectacled bear from South America gets its name because of the circles on the face that resemble glasses or spectacles. No two spectacle bears have the same face markings. The American black bears are found in the Louisiana Habitat Exhibit near the eagle and the deer. The spectacled bear is an endangered species and the black bear is a threatened species.
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Wolves - Although red wolves no longer exist in the wild in Louisiana, they are considered the most endangered mammals in our state. The Alexandria Zoo’s red wolves are part of a Species Survival Plan program that strives to increase the number of animals through propagation, and release them into refuges whenever possible. This is managed largely by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the SSP coordinator and our zoo.
The other type of wolf at the zoo is the omnivorous maned wolf from South America who eats not only meat, but fruit as well. Their red, black and white fur makes them look like a fox on stilts.
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Deer - The Alexandria Zoo houses white-tailed deer along with several miniature deer species native to Asia. The white-tailed deer is native to the United States and is common to Louisiana. The female is called a doe and the male a buck. Several miniature deer and antelope that you may see in the zoo include the muntjac, brocket deer, duikers, and dik dik antelope.
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Tigers - Both Bengal and Indochinese tigers live at the Alexandria Zoo. The white Bengal tiger from India is the largest of the two species and very popular with its white fur and blue eyes. The Bengals’ names are Hannah and Kumar. The smaller Indochinese tigers are also known as Corbetti tigers. The Indochinese tigers are rarer than the Bengal tigers, although ALL tiger species are endangered. The smaller cats in the area include the fishing cat and clouded leopard, both indigenous to Asia, and the African serval cat. Cougars or mountain lions are found in the Americas.
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Red River Hogs - What gorgeous pigs from Africa! They are also called African bush pigs. These pigs are known by their beautiful red hair and long tufts of white hair along the back and on the ears. Just like other pigs, they love to dig in search of food. By rolling in the mud they protect their skin and keep insects and bugs from bothering them.
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Gibbons - The white-handed gibbons are apes, lesser apes to be exact. They move through the forests, swinging from branch to branch using their long arms and strong hands. This type of movement is called brachiation. Males or females can have blonde, brown or black fur covering their bodies. All white handed gibbons have a white ring around the face and white hands. Gibbons are the only apes at the Alexandria Zoo.
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Anoa - This miniature Asia water buffalo is endangered and is very rare in zoos. Although considered lazy, the anoa can be aggressive and precautions must be taken when entering the yard. This pair has produced one offspring and the male was separated from the mom and baby for safety reasons.
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African Lion - The female, or lioness, does the hunting. The male has a long mane around the head and neck to protect this area of his body when fighting. Both Gunther and Taluka were rescued from unsuccessful "pet" situations and resided in rehab centers in Tennessee before coming to the Alexandria Zoo. Exotic cats and other wild animals DO NOT make good pets!!!
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African Crested Porcupine - These unusual creatures are nocturnal animals, remaining in the log in their exhibit most of the day. The original pair of porcupines have been excellent parents and raised many babies in this exhibit. When the young are born their quills are soft, but harden within a few days. Young are born with eyes open and incisor teeth through the gums. The porcupine is an able swimmer and the hollow quills help it float along.
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Tapirs - This is one of our largest animals at the zoo. It has an unusual snout with protractile lips that are great for pulling leaves and other food items. Their tiny eyes are deep set to protect them from the underbrush in the forests. They love to swim. The hair on the baby is striped like a watermelon when it is born.
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Kangaroos - These marsupials are specialized moms. They nurse babies called joeys inside their pouch. Their long tails are used for balance when jumping and sitting. Although they are called red kangaroos, the females are actually a gray color. Wallabies are smaller species of kangaroos.
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