Miami Metro Zoo

[Robert]

Well my mom asked me of I wanted to go to the zoo with her. The zoo's abouyt a 10 minute drive, and I pass the entrance almost everyday. I decided, what the hell and go! It was 11.50 per Adult, plus $3 bucks for a 1 hr behind the scenes ride with a tram. That would be later.

All I can say is WHOA! I wish I took my camera. First, we got there when it opened, which was 9:45AM, there was no one there. We virtuall had the whole park to ourselves. Since it was early morning all the animals were coming out of their resting area. The distance from me to an animal was no more than 15 feet, and in other places, there is a viewing window that seperates you and the animal with 3 inches of glass. Through these glass windows I stood a half a foot away from a Tiger, Lion, Monkeys (small and big) and other animals.

It was extremely enjoyable. I saw elephants, ligers, rhinos, all types of birds, fish, hippos, you name it! It was such a wonderful experience being so close to them that I can smell them. What I found to be the most interesting part was view the chimps through the window. I always knew that chimps were the closest family to the homosapiens. I could see their fingernails, their fingerprints, the so close similarities.

The best part was all the animals were out and about. None were hiding or in their cage. And it was not many people (probably 100 max), so I was able to see everything and without big lines. All for $30 bucks.

Next time I will go with my camera. If I had my camera this time, the pictures would be beautiful.

So, when was the last time you went to the Zoo? :-)

[jmiller]

Never been to the zoo.

The thought of confining animals for the enjoyment of humans just feels wrong to me.

I can see why it would be entertaining though.

Been to a game farm though, which is _slightly_ more acceptable, in my opinion. Though still not great.

[Robert]

Never been to the zoo.

The thought of confining animals for the enjoyment of humans just feels wrong to me.

I can see why it would be entertaining though.

Been to a game farm though, which is _slightly_ more acceptable, in my opinion. Though still not great.

While they are confined, they have recreated their natural habitat as closely as possible (including the soil they use) and have given them ample space. They have a really really large bird area that is a big net about 200 feet in the air and you can walk inside and the birds are all flying all over the place.

I wouldn't say the zoo's goal is for enjoyment. It's for education. I was able to see animals that I'd probably never see in my life and learn things I've never known. Like the difference between Asian Elephants and African Elephants and that Giraffe's have 7 vertebrae bones.

Now, the circus, now those are confined animals for enjoyment.

[jmiller]

That is very true. Last I checked here it is illegal for a circus to have animals.

On the topic, I've just remembered I had visited the Crystal Gardens a couple years back.

It was more of an oversized tropical greenhouse than a zoo. But it had some fantastic animals.

Flamingos, bats, pigmy monkies, lemurs, snakes, and all sorts of tropical bugs.
Very educational. Though I always felt guilty after visiting.

[notnamed]

I last visted the Indianapolis zoo sometime last summer. They didn't have much in the way of glass last time I was there, mostly it was rails to keep the humans a few feet from the animals, and bars to keep the animals from the humans.
It's not always effective. I've heard tell of people throwing trash to the reptiles in the desert house. Last time I was there, they had the rail and a thin piece of plastic a few feet tall, but the rest was all open (since it was inside). Not very safety-conscious in my opinion.
Some of the animals aren't kept back from the humans at all. Last time I was there, there was a particular emu that kept charging at people, then attempting to eat the bolts on the fence.
My favorite part about zoos is always the bird houses/rooms/whatever, because most of the time they allow the birds to just fly free. That's always really cool.

I like zoos... the only problem is we only seem to go when it's really, really hot. Uncomfortable heat + zoo = major stench.

[stabme]

While they are confined, they have recreated their natural habitat as closely as possible (including the soil they use) and have given them ample space.I think outside the bird area (don't remember which area) they've got some sort of large hawk in a somewhat small space. It seemed kind of sad because it couldn't fly much. :/

[bozley05]

Zoo's are interesting the first time, but do get boring. Except the seals and butterfly enclosure, they rocks. Between like 1992-1996 my dads work Christmas party every year was at the zoo, not to mention two school excursions during that period.

The only thing that could make me wanna go back, would be if they guarantee I would see a platypus and penguin, in the 6 times I have been, I am yet to see a platypus or penguin. I have been to a penguin parade though, that was so awesome.

http://www.australianbedandbreakfast.com.au/victoria-bandb/gallery/images/fairy-penguins.jpg
hehe..

[Robert]

I think outside the bird area (don't remember which area) they've got some sort of large hawk in a somewhat small space. It seemed kind of sad because it couldn't fly much. :/

If you're talking about Metro Zoo (which I'm sure you are), then I think you mean the Andean Condor (Click To See (http://www.naturalphotos.com/sekercioglu/andes/images/BO2-LPZoo-ANCO.jpg)). They are in a smaller cage, but they don't fly anyways, their wings are clipped.

It's a very mean vulture (unlike the other vultures they have around the park that are free to walk around).

[Blank Verse]

I actually took my Dad to the Zoo for father's Day. I love the zoo. I could spend all day in the primate section :p

And, I'd like to say that the zoo serves more of a purpose than just "edutainment". A lot of the animals, especially the ones out of Africa, are endangered due to poachers, disease, etc...personally, I'd rather see them in a somewhat enclosed space and being encouraged to mate then to see them go extinct.

[Gayowulf]

I agree with you, Robert. Zoos are surprisingly cool if you've never been.

I visited the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans a couple years ago and was blown away. Seeing the Gorillas in captivity made me a little sad, but I got some awesome pictures of the flamingoes and a baby white tiger.

did you really see a liger??


I love the zoo. I could spend all day in the primate section :p

let's leave this open for comment ;)

[Corazu]

I love the zoo, I was there when I was really young and haven't really gotten around to go again (I've really been wanting to) just been so busy. I'll have to make a point of it.

Regards,

[niv]

That is very true. Last I checked here it is illegal for a circus to have animals.
I guess you never get Barnum & Bailey then. :p

[Becca]

I haven't been to the zoo in a while. I used to go often enough, and it wasn't boring. Mostly because I'm interested in science (including animal science) and because not everything in zoos are about animals. There are plenty of things to do. (Then again, I don't really get bored anywhere.) I'm not sure how are the zoos where I currently live (U.S.). It's been more than 5 years since the last time I stepped into a zoo. However, I'm planning a field trip to the zoo with the kids and youth of an organization where I volunteer. It should be fun.

[Robert]

did you really see a liger??



Yup. Unfortunantely, it wasn't part of the zoo, the liger belonged to another zoo in thsi area (a smaller one), but the reason it was there was because Metro Zoo is in the process of obtaining/creating a Liger and wanted to see if the area they created for the liger was ok by using this one.

Man that animal stood 10 feet in the air and weighed over 600lbs!

[Ben]

I agree with you, Robert. Zoos are surprisingly cool if you've never been.

I visited the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans a couple years ago and was blown away. Seeing the Gorillas in captivity made me a little sad, but I got some awesome pictures of the flamingoes and a baby white tiger.
When I was a little swamprat, my parents took me to the Audubon Zoo all the time.

Too bad I don't remember back that far, heh.

[Blank Verse]

That's because you've spent the better part of your adolecense huffing things not meant to be ingested. Smart kid you are :p