Nanning Zoo ~ China Attractions
Travel Pictures Guangxi Zhuang - Animals in China - Rhino, Elephants, Camel, Hippos
I went to the Nanning Zoo one of the China Attractions in Guangxi China. Like many tourists, I like to see animals in China, though usually they are found only in zoos.
The zoo was about a half hour cab ride from the hotel (see Nanning China page), and I arrived just after 10 a.m. The entry fee at that time was 10 yuan (about $1.50 US or 1 Euro), and included the elephant show. While touring in south China, on the way to Wuzhou (Guangxi China), I'd also toured other less-visited China attractions Guangxi Caves at Yiling scenic area and Green Park in Nanning. 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, enjoying close looks at the rhino, elephants, camels, hippos, and monkeys.
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 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.
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At Nanning Zoo Feeding the Camel 
This fellow 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 young man jumped back, laughing with his friends.
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Nanning Zoo Hungry, Hungry Hippos! 
This pair of hippos at the Nanning Zoo ignored all visitors and kept on eating there 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 park area and other buildings can be seen in the background.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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