Nanning Zoo ~ Animals in China Pictures

Nanning Zoo Lake and bridge in Guangxi province China

With rain threatening, this wasn't the ideal day to visit the zoo, but I was leaving Nanning for Beijing the next day.

You could just visit one area of the complex and have a good time.

To see all the exhibits, shows and amusements, you need to allow a full day.

At Nanning Zoo Feeding the Camel

This young man (photo) standing next to me insisted on touching the camel's face.

I watched with some amusement, knowing that camels can be bad-tempered, and good spitters.

Sure enough, when the camel had had enough, it began spitting. The y

ung man jumped back, laughing with his friends.

Nanning Zoo ~ Hungry, Hungry Hippos!

This pair of hippos at the Nanning Zoo ignored all visitors and kept on eating their grass.

Not your usual picture of hippos, taken from this angle, and it would appear that I am in the cage with them.

I did lean over the fence a bit, and used the telephoto lens, but these hippos seemed very approachable, and I was thrilled to get close.

White Rhino ~ Nanning Zoo

This White Rhino found little to graze on.

Rhinos were much hunted as their horn (and other parts) is and was used in traditional Chinese medicine remedies. (Some thought it aphrodesiac, but it actually isn't).

One of my books on China mentions that rhino horn was used hundreds of years ago to make cups that acted as poison-drink alerts:

Since the horn is a gristly part of the rhino, when certain poisons are put into a rhino horn cup, the liquid startles to bubble. Have a look at the World Wildlife fund White Rhino pages.

Elephants on Parade at the Nanning Zoo

These elephants with their handlers were walking around the park area at the zoo, either getting some exercise or as a promo for the Elephant Show that would soon start.

The Nanning Zoo grounds are quite an extensive  parkland, with an amusement park with rides.

Most visitors seemed to be local families on a weekend outing.

Elephants Perform at Nanning Zoo

This picture shows a few of the elephants sitting up and performing synchronised tricks. I was sitting in the covered stadium area they are facing.

To the left in this photo, the open air stands have more seating.

This day, perhaps due to the early spring weather, and this being the first show of the day, only 50 or so people were watching the show.

The zoo park area and other buildings can be seen in the background.

Youngster at the Elephant show at Zoo In Nanning China

Most of the audience members were toddlers and elementary school-aged children.

Following the show, the handlers brought the elephants closer to the stands, and parents could lift their children onto the elephants' backs and take pictures.

This photo seesion lasted about half an hour, and was much enjoyed.

Monkey teasing Zoo Worker

This woman, skimming leaves off the moat that separates the monkey house from the walkway, appeared to be ignoring the monkey that kept trying to get at something in her pocket.

I watched the monkey's antics for some time, and finally, he was able to pull out a small banana.

Hornbill in Palm Tree at Nanning Zoo in China

As far as I rememeber, it was here at the Nanning Zoo that I saw a Hornbill for the first time.

I didn't even know its name (and common names for birds and plants are the hardest thing to translate).

My guide coudln't think of what the bird was called in English, so it wasn't until later that I could identify it as a Hornbill.

I am still not certain if it is a Great Hornbill or a Black Hornbill, or a Great Black Hornbill. (If you can identify this bird, then please post your information in the Comments section below - thanks!)

The Nanning Zoo, as do many zoos in China, does wonderful work to preserve various species of wildlife.

More Guangxi and China Provinces Info ~

Related : China; Guangxi China; YiLing Guangxi Caves; Green Park in Nanning.