https://www.alojapan.com/1298760/kyotos-dusit-banyan-hotels-mix-in-southeast-asian-touch-to-entice-guests/ Kyoto’s Dusit, Banyan hotels mix in Southeast Asian touch to entice guests #asian #Banyan #dusit #entice #guests #hotels #Kyoto #KyotoTopics #Kyoto's #mix #southeast #Touch #京都 #京都府 TOKYO — Southeast Asian luxury hotels in Japan are gaining popularity for combining foreign elements like Thai cuisine and local elements like geisha and hot springs, aiming to appeal to both inbound tourists wanting to experience Japan and native Japanese d…
Hanging' out with a big buddy on a sunny day

Most have that friend that really is half dragon and a bit scary, but still a nice fellow to hang out with on a hot day.
This couple really did not much out of the day. The Turtle kept his toes in the water, and as I was walking by several times, the large Water Monitor only changed the position of his snout.

Opportunistic and widespread
The Asian water monitor (Varanus Salvator) is a large varanid lizard native to Southeast and South Asia. It is common from the coastal eastern India to Southern China and Indonesia.

Water monitors are highly opportunistic when choosing habitats, and it is semiaquatic. Meaning they can live near or in human habitats where they have easy access to large water resources.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_water_monitor

Size and weight of Asian water monitors is second only to the Komodo Dragon lizards.

Eat or get eaten and skinned
Varans are top-level predators. The only natural enemies are crocodiles and humans. They eat a huge variation of food, from fish and rodents to human garbage and domesticated cats and dogs. They are not considered a direct danger for humans, but they may bite if cornered. Varanid bites are filled with oral bacteria that can lead to serious infections.

Water monitors are an edible animal, hunted and served as a delicious source of protein in several Southeast Asian dishes and in Indian cuisines.

Invasive buddy
The Red eared slider Terrapin turtle is not native to Southeast Asia at all, its origins in North America around Gulf of Mexico. It is considered one of the worst invasive species in the world, being spread as a pet release or escapees.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider

#bangkokzoo #lostplaces #thaifood #turtle #asiancuisine #2014 #Asian #water #monitor #varanus #salvator #2014CE #bangkok #thailand #lastchancetosee #dusit #zoo #dusitzoo #animalphotography #citylife #citywalk #art #market #buddhism #bluesky #Bangkok #Thailand
Asian water monitor - Wikipedia

White exceptionalism

White tigers are the result of a natural lack of pigmentation in tigers. It happens with about 1 out of 10 000 kittens.

Even if the tigers born with this are larger by birth and grow bigger faster than their yellow siblings, the lack of camouflage mean they get killed early and are extremely rare in the wild.

This one, on the other hand, looks he seriously considering reducing the amount of whitening in his shampoo.

Royale flare
For centuries, white tigers have been associated with royalty and extreme opulence.

The several hundred white tigers alive are almost all in captivity, often selective bred there. They are still sought after for exhibition, entertainment and trophies with a royal flare.

Fun fact: when white tigers get stressed, they get cross-eyed…

Acceptable captivity
The tigers kept in captivity in the now closed Dusit Zoo were considered well treated, according to animal welfare NGOs.
The tiger enclosures were each comprised of an outside spacious area and a hidden den or night room at the back end of the enclosure.

The animals had a pond or a moat for bathing all filled plentifully. It was plentiful of grass and natural vegetation. Facilities had caves and some platformed areas to climb.

Health conditions of the animals were observed as good. No overcrowding, good body conditions and nonvisible injuries. The cats performed in natural positive behaviours such as scent marking, sniffing, patrolling territory, sleeping and eating were all observed. Tigers appeared relaxed and at ease with surroundings, as it was stated in the report, based on three inspections over five years until Dusit Zoo was closed.

White Bengal Tiger, Panthera Tigris Tigris
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tiger

#white #tiger #bangkokzoo #lostforever #2018 #Panthera #tigris #bleach #contempt #portrait #pigmentation #flair #royal #2018CE #bangkok #thailand #lastchancetosee #dusit #zoo #dusitzoo #animalphotography #DusitZoo #Bangkok #Thailand
White tiger - Wikipedia

A blonde pose for a white lion

White lions are rare and highly appreciated, often considered divine and royal.

And sometimes you caught them strike a pose like a blonde diva.

These White Lion (Panthera Leo) are not albinos, they are a rare mutation of colour in lions. And it only occurs in one area of the world: In the Kruger-to-canyons Biosphere in Southern Africa. The otherwise tawny prides there carry the gene, and even if the cubs are caught or killed, there will still be white lions being born.

Careless care
Unfortunately, lions in South Africa are no longer considered threatened, meaning the trade in everything lion-related has increased. From trophy hunting to bone-trading for "medicinal" purposes.

This includes trading with white lions, even though they are rare. For a time, they went extinct in the wild but were reintroduced in the hunter free Kruger National Park in 2014.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_lion

In Thailand after the closure of Bangkok Dusit Zoo, there are white lions spread out to seven other zoos as late as 2018.

Passable conditions for big cats in this zoo
The lion enclosures were each comprised of an outside spacious area and a hidden den or night room at the back end of the enclosure.

Health conditions of the animals were observed as good. No overcrowding, good body conditions and nonvisible injuries. By way of mental health, there was no observation of nervous, dissatisfied pacing. The lions appeared relaxed and at ease with surroundings, as it was stated in an animal welfare report, based on three inspections over five years until Dusit Zoo was closed.

https://whitelions.org/white-lion-key-facts/

#bangkokzoo #lostforever #portrait #blonde #whitecat #white #lion #dream #animalphotography #infinity #White #Lion #Panthera #leo #2018CE #bangkok #thailand #lastchancetosee #dusit #zoo #dusitzoo #citylife #citywalk #art #buddhism #bluesky #Dusit #Zoo
White lion - Wikipedia

Giant's portrait

This tall mate suddenly walked over to me standing in a tree observing and taking photos.
It seemed like the clicking from the camera shutter was interesting and needed a closer look.

He came so close I had to step back, because he was nearer than my lens could focus.

Nice chap!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe

#thailand #bangkokzoo #goneforever #giraffe #portrait #africa #2014 #herbivore #vegan #Giraffacamelopardalis #savannah #woodland #Dusit Zoo #Bangkok #Thailand #DusitZoo
Giraffe - Wikipedia

Another fab #Tour It's a Walk near #Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand! View here: https://MyGuidedTours.com/tours/thailand/bangkok/dusit/bangkok-3-1735.htm #TourGuide
bangkok 3

Guided Tours for your smartphone!

Guided Tours
Hakuna Matata @Kiama_Jnr 2019-01-15 23:49:02
Who agrees with me that this mzee is a treasure for our nation?May God keep him and protect him.
#RiversideAttack #Dusit @PoliceKE @DCI_Kenya https://t.co/gM9vfyW4Rc
https://twitter.com/Kiama_Jnr/status/1085277702133817344