Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

[marlfox_21]

Well, me and my fiance are finally getting around to starting to pack for the big move back to Ohio. And as a result of this, we are beginning to hit our "TO DO" list pretty hard down here in Florida!

Our most recent stop took us to the city of Jacksonville, where we visited the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for our 1st time ever. To start out with, I can say that the traffic and the roads leading to the zoo were surprisingly unstartling, and I did not get LOST!!!!! Nope, not even once. As for the Zoo itself, when you pull into the parking lot it is laden with beautiful palm trees from beginning to end. And there is no charge for parking which is a major plus. Upon entering the Zoo, you come across this massive gate topped with bamboo and palm leaves. And the zoo itself, when compared with Cincinnati, or Columbus is absolutely beautiful. And it has some of the best displays for animals that I have ever seen, anywhere. While the park offers high viewing areas of their animals, they also offer at least 3 different viewing points for nearly all species, except for reptiles. Which is understandable when you include the necessary containment procedures for handling venomous reptiles. And their venomous collection was astounding. From poison dart frogs of every size and description, to cobras, cottonmouths, copperheads, gaboon vipers, bush vipers, mambas, eyelash vipers, pygmy,Diamondback, and canebrake rattlesnakes, beaded lizards, puff adders, and probably more that I can't remember, I have never seen such a wide variety of venomous reptiles in a zoos collection anywhere. And the Green Mambas ( Dendroaspis Viridis ) put on such a show, while climbing their props and flicking their tongues, and biting at their rats. I have never seen mambas so active. It was just good timing, but WHAT GOOD TIMING IT WAS!!!!! The rest of the zoo was simply beautiful. Especially their South American themed area. This architecture was so up to scale that it simply was one of the most pleasant atmospheres that you could ever imagine. I can't even describe it, other than pleasant, entertaining, family oriented, and very very easy on the eyes. This part of the zoo, is simply up to scale with Busch Gardens or Universal or dare I even say Disney. And for a city owned zoo, this is phenominal. Their Australian exhibit is very sweet, with loads of unique animals, including Cassowaries, and Kangaroos. And their Kids area is one of the best. With a maze of bushes for the kids to go through. An animal carousel, and a splash area that consisted of statues of blue whales, stingrays, dolphins, fish, manatees!!, and more. All of which are fountains, and the kids can have a whale of a good time in here.

Both me and my fiance got to feed a Giraffe here, for the cost of $2 a person. Not bad considering that you are given a handful of browse, and we got the whole thing on video. The giraffe that we fed is named "Irwin" and yes he is named after the late great Steve Irwin....God rest his soul.

We also purchased nectar and fed cockatiels. At one point I had 4 of these birds weighing down my left arm. This was just amazing. My fiance ended up with the same number on her shoulders. We also got this on video.

The train ride at the Jacksonville Zoo is also unique. You pay $3.50 for one hand stamp and it is good for the entire day. We rode the train for a complete circle once, and to the back of the park once, and to the front of the park once.

The zoo is also working on what appears to be a future spectacular exhibit, which is going to be mostly new garden space to complete their future title of "BOTANICAL GARDENS" which should be quite impressive.

The only thing about the Jacksonville Zoo that appears unsightly is the neighboring Trout River, which is so highly polluted that is a total shame to think that wildlife ( ESPECIALLY MANATEES ) have to cope with it. However none of this is the zoo's fault. Just poor city and state management of the river. In fact the zoos banks are the cleanest that you will see up and down the entire river system.

So to sum up this report, I would have to say that my rating of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens when based on family fun, cleanliness, animals, animal care, expense ( which is a big factor ) everything is affordable, even the gift shop. I bought a shirt for $15, a shotglass for $4 and a magnet for $3 just for examples. And their food was relatively cheap as well. But it tasted good. And based on views of the animals, friendliness of associates ( they were friendly! ) and things to see and do give this park a 10 out of a 1-10 scale!!!!! I would highly recommend a stop to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in the future, should you ever get the opportunity to go. It is truly worth the money and the time. And you will probably want to go back.

thanks for your time......

M.F.21