Welcome to the Outback. Meet some of the most unusual animals from Australia, “The Land Down Under”. Our Emus, with their long legs for running, are some of the most active animals at the Park. Emus also have the most unusual feathers on top of their head, giving them the appearance of having a bad hair day! Emus eat all kinds of greenery while wandering around the yard, booming a low thumping sound at each other. Look for the two juveniles, as they continue to grow.

The other critters from the Outback are our Red Kangaroos. These long legged, large eared hoppers are marsupials which means they carry babies in their pouches. Kangaroos are found all over Australia. They can survive the blazing hot temperatures of the desert. Kangaroos can be seen nibbling on low lying branches and looking for shady spots to laze away the day.

Birds of a Different Feather
Check out the newly renovated Bald Eagle exhibit. Boulders and perches have been added so that the birds can be seen up close. The eagles nest has been lowered in preparation for the arrival of a new mate for our female, Peppermint Pattie. We also have added “Smeagol”, the zoos first Black Vulture. Smeagol has an injured wing and would not be able to survive in the wild. He is adapting well to his new cage mate. Eagles and vultures can coexist because eagles are typically hunters, whereas vultures tend to be the scavengers and feed on carrion (dead flesh).

Meerkats
Don’t forget to go see our four male meerkats and get up close and personal at the Zoo’s first interactive exhibit, which includes a window that looks into the animals’ habitat. The meerkats night house has already garnered attention of its own because it is constructed with a “green” or vegetative roof. The structure is the first of its kind in the Albany area and Chehaw’s first project that specifically incorporated green building practices.

“The green roof gives the meerkat night house better insulation, which reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the space,” said Doug Porter, executive director of Chehaw. “Given our commitment to education and conservation, we expect to implement some green building practices into future projects, too.” You can also check out the Meerkat Maze, an interactive play space created by Georgia artist Chris Moore, replicates an actual Meerkat Habitat creating a fun, educational experience for children.

New Viper on Display
Make sure you check out the zoo’s newest addition to the reptile collection, “Piper”, a venomous cottonmouth snake or water moccasin. These are one of the most dangerous vipers commonly found in the waters of southwest Georgia. They have very complex venom that easily dispatches their prey. They regularly feed on fish, frogs and small mammals in and around the water. Their aggressive personality is more of a tale than reality.