Zoo Miami

March 8, 2011









Zoo Miami



Being in Miami for the Grand Am race, which was held on Saturday afternoon, it was easy to find time to visit one of the best zoos in America on Sunday, Zoo Miami (formerly Miami Metrozoo). If you happen to like zoos, Zoo Miami is one of my personal favorites, due to the expansive areas that the vast majority of the animals call home. My personal stance on zoos is that, while certainly not the ideal, they provide opportunities for people to experience the wonder of the natural world and hopefully develop an appreciation for animals that will translate into a desire to protect wild areas.

Howard & Najada





That is the experience that I have had, recalling many early trips to the old Indianapolis Zoo as a child that helped turn me in to an environmental activist. Many of my friends feel much differently, that zoos are inherently evil somehow, but I just don’t feel that way. I still love the awe and wonder that comes with seeing animals close up and in as close to natural surroundings as possible.







The Miami zoo is the oldest (35 years) and largest zoo in Florida and is the only tropical zoo in the US. It is divided in to four major sections (Africa, Asia, Australia and the newest addition, Amazon and Beyond). It is spread over a huge area, 740 acres and is home to more than 2000 animals. The zoo is ringed by a path that is 5km ( about 3 miles) around and we walked every inch of the path and then some, enjoying the perfect sunny and warm South Florida weather.









Having attended the race with my friend Howard and his wife Najada, we all stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn express hotel in Kendall very near the zoo. The night after the race, we headed over to nearby Coconut Grove, where we walked around and shopped at Cocowalk and enjoyed a wonderful meal at a French restaurant, Le Bouchon.







The next morning we were up early and on our way to the zoo, where we arrived just as the gates were opening. The zoo visit took most of the morning and early afternoon and we still did not see all there was to see. We did take in the new exhibit, “The Scoop on Poop”, which is back at the zoo by popular demand. The 5000 sq. ft. traveling exhibit explores what poop is and how it is used by humans and animals. A funny look at an unpleasant fact of life, the exhibit is actually fairly fascinating.







There was a good crowd out enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the hot weather had a lot of the animals sleeping, but there were still enough awake and active to make for a nice visit. There was even one hungry Giraffe that we were able to feed from the feeding station that the zoo has set up.







After a long day with the animals, we were back in the car for the drive back down the Keys. Most of the traffic as is typical on a Sunday evening, was headed North and we made the drive in to the setting sun without any problems, another fun weekend in the books.



Le Bouchon

Zoo Miami