Tropical Waterways (Part One)
Freshwater Aviary
The first exhibit to be encountered in Tropical Waterways is a simple netted aviary for a collection of birds. Greater flamingos are the dominant species in this exhibit with a flock numbering up to 14 individuals. Also sharing the aviary is a lone grey crowned crane and a number of macaws (off-show in the image below):
The aviary features a large pool of water, as well as a small sandy beach. Small leafless trees are present in the aviary for the macaws to perch on:
It is possible to view a portion of the aviary from outside Tropical Waterways:
The male grey crowned crane, Bertie, happily coexists with the flamingos and macaws:
Cuban Crocodile Exhibit
A very popular exhibit within Tropical Waterways is the crocodile exhibit which belongs to WaterWorld's pair of Cuban crocodiles. The exhibit is situated in a shady corner of Tropical Waterways, across from the freshwater aviary. The exhibit features underwater viewing, which is not a common design feature for crocodile exhibits, but very much welcomed. The exhibit holds two juvenile Cuban crocodiles, both individuals of which are pure, and not the more typical hybrids:
Three large rectangular viewing windows allow guests both a surface view and an underwater view:
The crocodiles are given a sizable land area, as well as lots of shady spots where they can hide away in privacy:
Both Cuban crocodiles are brothers, and have been named Che and Guevara by keepers, named after Che Guevara, a key figure of the 1953 Cuban Revolution:
Guevara is the oldest of the two, as he is a few months older than Che:
