The zoo, a magical place full of adventure, awe inspiring animals and many tired legs by the end of the day. Nanjing Zoo is no different. At first glance it appears smaller than other big city zoos, but don’t let that dissuade you. Nanjing zoo contains some of the most spectacular and maybe more importantly happy and active animals I have personally seen.
Pandas
If you fancy a visit, expect to be wowed from the very get-go as the first enclosure is that of the panda. Okay, perhaps I’m slightly biased as Kung Fu Panda is one of my favourite movies and this was the first time I had ever seen a panda with my own two eyes. As expected, during my visit the panda was snoozing. It had probably over exerted itself over lunch and needed a well-earned rest. Even while resting, the panda seemed to be posing for onlookers at the top of a large rock for everyone to see it’s majesty.
Tigers
Exactly half way around the zoo were the big cats. Namely the tigers, one of which is a rare white tiger. The entrance to their enclosure is beneath an enclosed walkway that is often patrolled, by what I like to believe is the tiger guard. Whilst I was there the tiger strutted to and frow, looking down on its adoring fans and occasionally licking its lips. The raised position allows for a good view of the tiger and some photo opportunities, as well as enriching the Tiger’s environment and allowing it to explore its enclosure.
The white tiger was being fed a single unfortunate white rabbit during my visit, which it ignored for the most part. It circled it’s afternoon snack, building some suspense before prowling over to the viewing window and standing directly in front of me showing off its powerful and muscular form.
Interestingly, it was at that moment I remembered tigers are in fact a deadly carnivore, weighing between 200 – 230kg, with the strength to lift twice its body wight, a bite six times stronger than a humans and the ability to kill with a single swipe of its claw. Needless to say, all thoughts of wanting to pet the pretty cat disappeared and I decided it was time to move on.
