Indrik Forest Trails

Written by @PerGron

Eurasian wolf

A large yard containing this gray wolf subspecies, the Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus) exhibit houses a pack of five individuals, including three females and two males. However, the males are castrated in order to prevent breeding as the species does not have any conservation focus in breeding.


The exhibit is similar to the other large canids in the park (being the dholes and maned wolves) in having a decent sized yard for the pack to roam around in and hunt for food. There are pre-dug dens for the animals, but they are also free to dig their own dens. There is a pool for the wolves to play in as well, sometimes stocked with fish, though the wolves don’t always go after them.


The wolf habitat is the largest in this section of trail, being the only exhibit able to be viewed by multiple vantage points.

Carpathian lynx

The Carpathian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus) habitat features two individuals, both sisters, who share their habitat. Because the species is not threatened, there is no breeding for the Carpathian lynx, hence why a sibling pair can be found at the facility.


This habitat features multiple levels, including mountainesque rockwork for the cats to scale. Because of this, the walkway is built on a slight hill, allowing guests a few different vantage points as they pass by while the enclosure itself remains on a consistent elevation giving the cats a more dynamic exhibit.

amur leopard

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) exhibit features a breeding pair of this critically endangered cat. Being a key part of their species survival program, the amur leopard exhibit works a lot like the tiger enclosure in Yùn Chèng with there being multiple yards connected by overhead cat tunnels for the cats to switch yards. This is because, like most other cat species, Amur leopards are solitary, so to make them as comfortable as possible, the option to avoid interaction with each other is available.


The Amur leopard exhibit features a larger-scale version of the Carpathian lynx enclosure, featuring dynamic rockwork and platforms built into a heavily forested exhibit. Rather than an open yard like the tigers may enjoy, the leopards prefer dense cover and that is accomplished by mature trees filling their exhibits. There is some ground cover as well, but in an effort to balance animal privacy and guest viewing ability, the ground cover isn’t very dense, instead consisting of mainly small ground plants.


Guests can get a look at the leopards through two sections of exhibit, one using invisible mesh and the other using a glass viewing window. Guests can get up close to the cats should they choose to use the window, but more often than not, the cats prefer to hang back, not interacting with the public.

Hoofstock Paddock

The final large paddock, this Hoofstock area features multiple species found throughout Europe. The first is the massive Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) which has a herd of one male and five females. The other deer species is the European fallow deer (Dama dama), a smaller spotted deer species that has a herd consisting of two males and six females. The enclosure also contains a breeding pair of Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) a critically endangered crane species and one of the few captive representations of their species. These cranes are able to breed, but the male deer are given vasectomies, allowing them to still produce the testosterone required for antlers to grow, but not to have breeding capabilities as both species are conservationally least concerned. Finally, there are a few non-breeding waterfowl species found in this exhibit including the red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis), mute swan (Cygnus olor), Baikal teal (Sibrionetta formosa), and harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus).


The yard is mainly an open field with some sparse trees and foliage towards the back with a running stream through it. There is a pond towards the front of the enclosure where the waterfowl spend most of their time, oftentimes with the cranes nearby and occasionally a red deer will take a swim, though the fallow deer generally avoid the water.


The enclosure is viewable through a singular wooden fence with an unseen moat between the animals and the guests, making it appear as though guests are walking by a field containing all of these species.



Eurasian eagle-owl

The final stretch of trail features two flight aviaries side by side where the two final species inhabit it. The first is a male and female non-breeding pair of Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo). The enclosure for the owls is made up to appear like a forest where the birds have multiple perches they can choose from, as well as a large cavity in a faux-tree that they can inhabit.


Occasionally the owls will be out and about, but more often than not they can be seen relaxing and sleeping either on a branch or within their tree cavity. To still give guests the best viewing opportunity, there is a one-way glass window looking into the owl’s tree cavity so that when they are hiding out, guests can still see them.

Cinereous vulture

On the other side of the owls is a non-breeding pair of cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus), a far more active species than their nocturnal neighbors; these birds have a more open aviary with some perching but mostly open flight space. The birds can choose to soar from their perch down the walkway, or (and more often) they can strut and trot along the ground searching for food hidden by their keepers.


Along the owl and vulture aviaries is an educational exhibit about the importance of scavengers and the dangers of hunting or fishing with lead bullets or lures and how it impacts birds of prey like eagles, owls, and vultures.

indrik

The indrik is the final exhibit, guests pass the animals and walk into an enchanted grotto with beautiful plant life and a dazzling waterfall. Here, laying down, is the Indrik, the king of beasts, a massive part wolf, part deer, part dragon beast. Guests who know the backstory of the land may notice the multiple scars on the beast from its battle with Dr. Everett Erie and how it was healed by him after using his single use of Alatyr to save the beast.


The animatronic is able to turn its head and make noise, but mainly lies down in one area, nodding its head at guests knowingly. Signs nearby read to beware of the "earthquake demon" and "the beast who kills man" all with grotesque depictions of the indrik very different than the beautiful and graceful creature in front of you.