One photo gallery of big animals just is not big enough. So here are more enormous mammals who posed for my camera.
One photo gallery of big animals just is not big enough. So here are more enormous mammals who posed for my camera.
This western lowland gorilla looks like he is modeling for the famous bronze sculpture called “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodin. This is the smallest of the gorilla subspecies yet still very big at 300 to 600 pounds. Although a native of Central Africa, there are over 500 in world zoos like this one in Budapest. The 26-acre Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens has about 5,000 animals from over 700 species.
Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6, 1146 Hungary
For a unique Icelandic experience, stop at Efstidalur II for a treat, a meal and for the night. You can watch while the farm hands tend to their livestock while enjoying incredible handmade ice cream served in a waffle cone. After a horseback ride, savor a meal at their Hlöðuloftið restaurant where all of the ingredients are “from farm to table.” Then stay the night in one of their bed-and-breakfast rooms.
801 Blaskogabyggd, Laugarvatn, Iceland
Motor scooters and three-wheelers weave frantically among the streets of Port Blair, India, while trying to avoid the wandering cattle and goats. You learn very quickly that neither man nor beast is aware of pedestrians. The town of about 100,000 is on the Andaman Islands and, during the 19th century, was a British penal colony.
An unexpected oasis in the Judean Desert along the western edge of the Dead Sea is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The national park covers 3,500 acres (about 5.5 square miles) and is crisscrossed with hiking trails. Thanks to numerous springs and waterfalls, there is reliable water for arid-tropical vegetation. Among the wildlife are wolves, foxes, jackals, bats and vultures. This is a herd of Nubian ibexes (Capra nubiana). In front are a pair of adult males. These desert goats can grow to 2.6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh over 100 pounds. The slender curled horns of a buck ibex can measure an impressive four feet.
Ein Gedi Reserve, Dead Sea, Israel
At the base of the Spanish Steps is Piazza di Spagna. Square of Spain is always filled with tourists. Many opt to tour the neighborhood in the shaded comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. You will find several drivers awaiting their next fare around Fontana della Barcaccia. Fountain of the Boat is a half-submerged marble ship sculpted by Pietro Bernini in 1629. It displays the Barberini family papal coat of arms (three bees) in recognition of the project’s benefactor, Pope Urban VIII (formally Maffeo Barberini). The inspiration for the design was a ship that was carried here during a flooding of the Tiber River.
Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
This camel is resting in the sun along the Street of Façades. This was the core of Raqmu during Nabataean times before the Romans arrived early in the 2nd century. The cliffs defining this avenue are filled with mausoleums. Some date back to the 3rd century BC and perhaps earlier. The most famous tomb in the area is Aaron’s grave, the older brother of the prophet Moses. After the Exodus circa 1446 BC, Haroun died at the age of 123 and was reportedly buried about three miles away at the top of Jabal Haroun, also called Aaron’s Mountain.
Street of Facades, Petra, Jordan
The three dromedary camels at the base of a cliff are not tourist props. These one-hump camelids are part of a livestock herd raised by a Bedouin. Bedouins are a group of nomadic people who live among the hills and valleys of Ma’an Governorate. Approximately 1.2 million Bedouins reside in Jordan. However, most are no longer “desert dwellers” like the Arabic name suggests. If you look closely on the right you will see a sleeping bag and evidence this spot has been a campsite for several days. There are approximately 18,000 camels raised in Jordan. They cost about $6,000 USD.
Uum Sayhoun, Jordan
If a rural Laos village is lucky enough to have a road, it is often covered by dirt and riddled with potholes. You also need to be careful of potential traffic jams with domestic water buffalo. This herd was walking themselves back from the Mekong River toward their farm. The livestock are used for ploughing rice fields, and for dairy plus meat. Their dung is an excellent fertilizer.
Wat Pak Ou, Pak Ou, Laos
These bridled horses just finished giving families a hayride around the Fairhaven Farm in central Minnesota. This team of Jim (on the left) and Jake were crossbred on an Amish farm. Their Belgian Horse heritage gives them the strength of a draft horse while their American Paint Horse genes are responsible for their handsome white, brown and chestnut colored coats.
13835 51st Ave, South Haven, MN 55382
This mare was nuzzling her foal in an open meadow. They looked so peaceful and content. Wild horses are one of about 15 types of large animals living in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. You might also be lucky enough to see a bighorn sheep, black bear, moose, elk, deer, lynx or mountain lion. Plus, there are 70 species of smaller mammals residing within the one million acres of wilderness.
The first evidence of horse-drawn carriages dates back to 2000 BC. They have evolved into over 350 types of horse-drawn carriages. Except for a few cultures still using them for transportation, most are reserved for delighting tourists. This horse wearing a breastcollar harness and bridle stood patiently in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Stateline Ave & Lake Tahoe Blvd South, Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
This bull Rocky Mountain elk wandering free in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is one of six subspecies of elk in North America. The bulls weigh about 700 pounds. Their antlers, which are shed each winter, can weigh as much as 40 pounds. There are also herds of American bison, Texas longhorns and white-tailed deer on this 59,000 acre reserve near Lawton, Oklahoma. You will often see them grazing along the road.
32 Refuge Headquarters Road, Indiahoma, OK 73552
This is a profile of an American bison, also called an American buffalo. A bull’s weight ranges from 700 to over 2,000 pounds. In the 15th century, approximately 60 million American bison roamed the plains. After extensive hunting, those numbers declined to less than a thousand and almost became extinct. Today, bison herds can be found in several national parks, private ranches and public parks such as the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
Barbary sheep, also called aoudad, are native to the mountains along the North African continent. They graze brushes and grasses during the early morning and late afternoon in order to avoid the heat. From their three foot standing position, they can propel their weight of 80 to 300 pounds into a seven foot leap. The shaggy beard suggests this is a male. He is one of over 600 animals you can see during a drive through of Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
Of all the large animals on exhibit at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, the Roosevelt elk’s natural habitat is probably the closest because they live in the Pacific Northwest forests. A herd of 5,000 is at the Olympic National Park in Washington state. The park was created by President Roosevelt in 1909. This gorgeous female elk, also called a cow, can weigh around 600 pounds and live 12 to 15 years in the wild. In protected facilities such as Wildlife Safari, an elk can reach their 25th birthday.
The guanaco, also called the lama guanicoe, lives in herds of females and youngsters along with one dominate male. The animal is native to the mountainous regions of South America along the central and southern coasts. Standing just below four feet and up to 200 pounds makes them the largest wild mammal in the country. This adult guanaco lives at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
One look at this reticulated giraffe and you would guess the photo was taken in Kenya, Ethiopia or Somalia. Instead, it is from Weston, Oregon. The Wildlife Safari does a splendid job of creating natural habit for all of its animals. Unlike a zoo, you climb aboard an open jeep that bounces along dirt roads as if you were in Africa.
These three magnificent zebras are called Damara. This is a subspecies of the Burchell’s, which in turn is a subspecies of plains zebras. Confused? I am. They roam the plains of South Africa in herds. Zebras are very sociable. This is why they typically stand together. You can get a close look at them at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
There are several subspecies of fallow deer. They range in size, coloring and location. This is a white fallow deer, also called Leucistic (not an albino). It is the rarest of the species. A wild herd lives in central Illinois. They are bred at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. This male will maintain his broad antlers for three years, averages 200 pounds and can run up to 30 m.p.h.
The “Oregon Wild” website deservedly boasts about its population of Roosevelt elk such as this young elk standing in a pond. They live in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest during the summer and migrate to the lower, grasslands in the winter. They can also be seen at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. He will grow up to be about 875 pounds with antlers measuring up to four feet.
The Philadelphia Zoo has two common zebras. They are half-sisters named Laura and Susie. I am not sure which sibling this is. However, those flared nostrils give her a diva profile. These two mares can expect to live 15 to 16 years or more. This species from the African plains are characterized by stripes across the stomach. Interestingly, a zebra’s natural color is black. The white stripes emerge from the lack of pigmentation.
3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Meet Gus, a reticulated giraffe. His ancestors are from the savannas and grasslands of southern Africa. However, he is a native-born Texan from Caldwell Zoo. He now lives at the Philadelphia Zoo with his wife, Stella, and their daughter, Abigail or Abby for short. Together, this family weighs about 4,500 pounds. They spend half their day using their 18 inch tongues to strip leaves off trees. The rest of the time they take short catnaps while standing.
3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
You might be lucky to see a herd of wild horses gazing along the roadside at Gros Islet. Although they act tame, you are cautioned not to pet, feed or try to ride them. But if the sighting rekindles your dream of galloping along a tropical beach at sunset, there are local companies who offer a guided horseback riding adventure.
Pigeon Island National Park, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
Over 50 species of mammals live in the beautiful yet predominately desolate land of Badlands National Park. Among the smallest residents are jackrabbits, cottontails, foxes, badgers and black-tailed prairie dogs. The most cherished are the black-footed ferrets because they were considered extinct in 1980. Today, about 100 of these nocturnal critters live in the Badlands. Another success story is the bison. Once numbering in the millions, they disappeared early in the 20th century. During the 1960s, about 50 were reintroduced from North Dakota. The population now numbers over 300. You may also spot pronghorn antelopes grazing in the plains. If you spook them, you will be amazed how fast they run. Their top speed is 40-50 miles per hour. This herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were basking in the sunshine.
Dillion Pass, SD-240, Wall, SD 57790
This male American bison at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch near San Antonio looked dangerous. I believe he is a wood bison because of his tall, square hump. This subspecies is the heaviest and averages up to 2,000 pounds. In the 15th century, it is estimated sixty million buffalo roamed the United States. By 1890, after extensive hunting, that population dropped to 750 animals. Today, only about 15,000 live in the wild.
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
This is a 600 pound Damaraland Zebra in the Kenyan Preserve section of the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch near San Antonio, Texas. He loves getting up close and personal. In fact, immediately after this photo, he stuck his head into my car window, tried giving me a kiss and proceeded to slobber on the steering wheel. There is nothing like zebra drool all over your dashboard, car seat and pant leg.
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
The large mammals at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch near San Antonio are from all over the world. This family attraction would be remiss if it did not include a herd of Texas longhorns such as this red and white steer. His impressive horns extend up to seven feet. He looks menacing, but these predominately beef cattle have a mild disposition. The Texas longhorn is the state’s official large animal.
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
This is my favorite photo of a reticulated giraffe. A large print of this image has hung in my nephew’s bedroom since his birth. He now talks about it frequently to his younger brother. This kind of photo opportunity is available all across the 400 acres of the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch near San Antonio, Texas. For nearly thirty years, they have offered a wonderful drive-thru experience to see and feed hundreds of spectacular animals.
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
These two reticulated giraffes really know how to work a crowd to be feed their special treats. That’s Bin Laden on the left. He was born in 2001. On the right is his girlfriend, Ta-whan who is one year younger. They joined the Dusit Zoo in 2003.
71 Soi Uthong Nai Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand
I have seen many camels before but this one at the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok was the first time I saw a bactrian from Central Asia with its distinctive two humps. It is an enormous animal. When I stood next to it, it towered over me at about seven feet. An adult male can reach 2,000 pounds which is much larger than the single hump dromedary camel.
71 Soi Uthong Nai Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand
The Malayan sun bear lives in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Because it has an affinity for eating honeycombs, it is also called a honey bear. A large adult male only grows up to 175 which qualifies it as the world’s smallest bear.
71 Soi Uthong Nai Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand
Ouy the orangutan had a traumatic life as a baby in 1992. After his mother was killed by poachers, they planned to sell him on the black market. Instead, they cast him overboard in a cage when they were intercepted by police. Days later the ape was found floating in the sea and was brought to the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok.
71 Soi Uthong Nai Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand
This giant panda at the Chiang Mai Zoo is Chuang-Chuang who was born in 2000. I assume his namesake is Chuang-Tze, a 4th century Chinese philosopher. This endangered species on loan from central China can reach 250 pounds and stand six feet tall. That’s a lot of bamboo which is his primary diet.
Chiang Mai Zoo, 100 Huaykaew Rd, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
You would think it is hard to make a hippopotamus disappear. However, this several thousand pound hippo was on the bottom of a stagnant pond at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle when I approached the African Savanna exhibit. While I was searching in vain, he suddenly emerged like a submarine and blew water from his snout. Fortunately, he waited for my jangled nerves to recover so I could get this photo.
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming has two herds of wild bison. Together they number 2,300 to 4,500 animals. It is not uncommon to see them grazing along the road. The National Park Service claims this is the largest population in the U.S. Apparently they are direct descendants from prehistoric times. The NPS warns to keep your distance. They may look tame. However, a bison can be very dangerous when provoked. So a telephoto lens through an open car window is my only way to appreciate this 1,000 to 2,000 pound animal.
View Avenue, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
During the summer, mule deer are plentiful in the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. This mule deer was part of a large herd. The beautiful animals slowly grazed on lush grass at the edge of a forest while a hot spring bubbled nearby. There are approximately 3,000 “mulies” in the park. This population is a significant improvement from their endangered status at the turn of the century.
View Avenue, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190