Ituri Forest

Description:
Ituri Forest is the most complex, multi-species habitat ever developed at the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. Guests are transported through a mysterious African rain forest where they encounter okapis, hippopotamuses, forest buffalos, spotted-necked otters and a variety of colorful birds and acrobatic monkeys. Ituri Forest gives guests a feel for daily life in the rain forest, including sights, scents, sounds and information about the Mbuti people who live in this dense, tropical environment.

Size:
Two acres featuring winding trails that take guests through dense rain forest and bamboo corridors and across gently-moving streams.

Location:
At the base of Tiger River in the San Diego Zoo.

Horticulture Highlights:
The lush landscape, which includes many authentic African plants, is designed to represent the eco-system of an African rain forest. The plant pallette includes four species of bamboo, four species of ficus, two types of banana tree, sausage trees, tulip trees, taro, giant birds of paradise, yellow trumpet trees, African lilies, canary bird bush and papyrus.
Ituri Forest also includes plants used by the Mbuti people such as:
• Cordia africana, used as eye medicine
• Ipomoea chrisochaeta, featuring roots that taste like sweet potato and berries used as "wild candy"
• Dovyalis spinosissima or Kei-apple, a plant whose fruit is made into musical instruments

Special Features:
• A re-creation of a Mbuti camp and illustrated panels allow guests to learn more about the people of Ituri Forest and their relationship with the animals and plants.
• Misters, pools, streams and two waterfalls add to the tropical feel of the forest.
• Two underwater viewing windows offer a close-up look at the aquatic activities of hippopotamuses and spotted-necked otters.
• A computer-programmed compact disc sound system randomly plays sounds heard in an African jungle.
• A mud-textured, thatched-roof trading post in the forest clearing gives guests a chance to rest, eat and shop.

The World-Famous San Diego Zoo is operated by the not-for-profit Zoological Society of San Diego. The Zoological Society, dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, also manages the 2,200-acre San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES).

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