Animals of the Savanna Expansion
NOW OPEN
On September 13, 2018, Seneca Park Zoo officially opened the Animals of the Savanna expansion. North of the current elephant barn, a five-acre expansion of A Step into Africa features animals of the African savanna. This new area includes an outdoor habitat for Masai giraffes, plains zebras, and ostriches, and a new habitat for the Zoo’s white rhino.
The expansion also includes an expansive Animals of the Savanna building, which has day rooms for the animals above, with habitats for other smaller species native to the Savanna, including naked mole rats, rock hyrax, a cichlid aquarium, an aviary, and more.
Guests will have the opportunity to feed the giraffes at both indoor and outdoor feeding stations in the future.
Masai Giraffe
Giraffes play an important role in the African savanna ecosystem, consuming leaves too high up for other herbivores and warning nearby animals of predators farther away. The Zoo is home to two female Masai giraffes, Iggy and Kipenzi. Learn more.
Plains Zebra
Although not endangered, plains zebra are an example of increasing human-wildlife conflict as they compete for grazing grounds with local hoofed livestock like goats. Learn more about the plains zebra at Seneca Park Zoo.
Ostrich
The ostrich is currently the world’s largest species of bird and lays the largest eggs. Its large eyes and tall height help it to locate predators easily. Two female ostriches reside in the new Animals of the Savanna expansion. Learn more.
White Rhino
The white rhino is one of five species of rhinos, the others are the Javan rhino, the Sumatran rhino, the Indian rhino, and the black rhino. Rhinos have excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell, which enables them to detect odors up to a mile away. The Animals of the Savanna expansion includes a brand new habitat for the Zoo’s resident male white rhino, Bill. Learn more.
Rock Hyrax
In addition to dugongs, rock hyrax are the closest living relatives to elephants.
Naked Mole Rat
Scientists are studying the biochemistry of naked mole rats for their extraordinary abilities to resist cancer and diseases related to old age.
Lake Malawai Cichlids
Lake Malawi contains at least 700 species of cichlids, each species having evolved a distinct color pattern, and is now a famous example of extreme evolutionary radiation.
See more of what’s changing
