Honolulu Zoo (Hawaii, United States of America)

(Photo: March 2010)

Honolulu Zoo is located at the east end of Waikiki at the base of world-famous landmark Diamond Head.  The zoo is notable for its lush tropical vegetation, wide grass lawns, huge trees, and lots of perimeter plants which serve as a visual barrier separating the world inside the zoo from the many cars outside exiting Hawaii’s busiest resort area.  Some of the large trees in the zoo are even said to be over 100 years old.  

At first glance, one gets the impression that Honolulu has fewer large mammals compared to other zoos.  In fact, some stereotypical mammals often seen at other zoos, such as bears, wolves, deer, and raccoons, are not presently in this collection.  Honolulu appears to have built its collection around only animals that are found in tropical regions, a good decision which avoids the sad spectacle of seeing a cold climate animal like a polar bear suffering through the tropical summer heat.  (In Japan, zoos often employ expensive artificial snow making machines and air conditioners.)  Whether the number of mammals at Honolulu is in actuality fewer or not, most of the animals that are here enjoy fairly large enclosures.  The zoo encompasses an area of about 42 acres (17 hectares), and the sizes of some enclosures are so large that it is hard to locate the resident animal.  The cheetahs in particular are notoriously shy.

Primates of the World Area

The first exhibit in this area features three islands in a pond.  Each island has two or three trees, and is occupied respectively by White-handed Gibbons (Hylobates lar), Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta), and Black and White ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata).  I am always fascinated how a simple body of water can keep the animals from escaping.

White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar)

Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)

A very sleepy Black and White ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)

A separate island-in-pond exhibit is home for a family of three Siamang Gibbons (Symphalangus syndactylus).

The Orangutan enclosure is quite large and features a full-grown tree.

There are also cage-type exhibits for the smaller spider monkeys and langurs.

Next to the primates area are the reptiles.  The Reptile House is being renovated and will be reopened in 2015 or 2016.  The open-air enclosures for the various tortoises are particularly large.

African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

Aldabra Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea)

Gharial exhibit

Asian Elephant Enclosure

The Asian elephant exhibit, opened in 2011, covers 1.5 acres (about 6000 square meters). The area includes two 55,000 gallon pools and 9-foot tall planters for shade trees. 

African Savanna Area

The African Savanna area occupies about one-third of the zoo’s land area, and many charismatic large African mammals are found here. 

Plains Zebra (Equus burchellii)

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Slender-tailed Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)

Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Lion (Panthera leo)

Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)

African Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictus)

Mixed Species Exhibits

Simulated African Kopjes rock environments

Manyara Bird Sanctuary, a walk-in enclosure, includes a number of smaller birds that can fly freely, some only inches away from visitors.

White-headed Buffalo Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli)

Sumatran Tiger Enclosure

There is a main tiger enclosure and a newer annex housing three Sumatran Tigers.  Both enclosures consist of tall chain-link fences surrounded by safety buffer areas demarcated by a shorter chain link fence.  These fences often get in the way when taking photographs or video. 

The main tiger enclosure

The chain link fence makes for an unattractive photograph background.

Tiger enclosure annex.

Kipuka Nene Sanctuary, Birds Area

This area supposedly replicates the kipuka natural habitat of Hawaii’s official State bird, the Nene, or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis).  A “Kipuka” is an area of land, usually covered by rock of volcanic origin, that is surrounded by later lava flows.  The area of the kipuka is easily distinguished from the later lava flow because it is covered to some degree with vegetation.  These islands of vegetation stand out amid the surrounding barren black lava rock.

Not much lava rock to be seen here, which is probably just as well…

The Nene below was visiting the adjacent flamingo area.

These cage-type exhibits housed small tropical birds.  So many different colorful birds!

Educational Efforts

There were many attractive informational signs posted throughout the zoo.

There were also many signs relating to visitors’ manners.

 A replica termite mound in the African Savanna area and a sign explaining it.

Classroom located in the children’s zoo area.

Opportunities for Animal Encounters

Most of the exhibits in this zoo keep visitors a safe distance from the animals.  The one place where one might possibly touch an animal is in the “Keiki (Children’s) Zoo”.  This area is dominated by domestic farm animals.

Visitors may enter the goat area.  You can’t feed the goats, but if you wait patiently, the goats may allow you to pet them.  Caution: they may nibble at your clothes if you have dangling material or straps.

Food and Souvenirs

Honolulu Zoo has two food service facilities with outdoor seating.  The “Kapahulu Market” has a number of café-style tables with colorful umbrellas.  The food offerings are of the American-style fast food type: pizza, chips, sodas, etc.

A bowl of chili with rice and a bottle of orange juice: US$9.16.  A bit expensive perhaps?

Watch out for the birds searching for food!

A second food service facility, the “Arusha Town” snack bar, is located in the African savanna area.  This snack bar was not operating on the days that I visited.  (Perhaps they only operate on busy weekends.)

The gift shop located next to the exit gate featured a wide selection of very nice souvenirs: stuffed plush dolls, t-shirts, toy animal figures, toy cars, books, photo frames, pens and pencils, postcards, animal cookies, etc.  Although the general selection and quality of the souvenir items was very good, I was a little dismayed to see that they had a number of toys, plush dolls, and photos depicting white tigers. Considering that the Honolulu Zoo does not house a white tiger, and that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to which the zoo belongs issued a white paper in 2011 explaining the negative aspects of intentionally inbreeding animals to achieve rare color-morphs like white tigers, it seemed educationally contradictory for the zoo to sell products glorifying such animals.

Getting There

Honolulu Zoo is located at the eastern end of Waikiki, and is within walking distance from most Waikiki hotels.  Admission is US$14 for adults and US$6 for children 3 to 12 years old.  Children 2 years old and under get in free.  There are also discounts for Hawaii State residents and U.S. military members.

(Note: Other than the top photograph of male tiger Berani, the photos used in this post were taken during visits on March 8, 2012 and August 19, 2014.  The comments in this post are based on observations made on those days.  Conditions may have since changed.  Please check it out for yourself!)