A Family Safari to Lowry Park Zoo
A Family Safari to Lowry Park Zoo
October 30, 2007 at 3:28 p.m.
A Family Safari to Lowry Park Zoo
By Elise [email protected]
We planned an early morning departure to avoid the September Florida heat. A look at Map Quest and the Zoo's web page gave us ample directions as to how to travel: north on I-75 to Exit 261, left on Hillsborough Ave to Sligh Ave, turn and there you are! Travel time was one and a half hours. We arrived at the Zoo at 10:15am with a million other people also taking advantage of the discount, just in time to get the last space in over- flow parking. We followed throngs of families pushing strollers, bought our tickets and entered the Zoo.
Inside, we were pleasantly surprised. The Zoo is beautifully designed and there is shade, abundant water and green landscaping. You feel you are on safari, not in a city. Maps were provided with our tickets, and we learned the Zoo moves in a loose circle that takes you to areas defined by geography and continents. All are interconnected by paved and shaded walkways. The animals are not in cages but in habitats appropriate to their place of origin - separated by motes and walls more than bars and fencing.
We began our adventure with The Primate World. The primates fascinate! And horrify! We observed a Borneo orangutan family. "Poppa" is a study in depression, stretched out on stomach, eyes closed, one hand turned limply up, immobile and dejected. "Momma" has a placid face, sitting quietly in the shade while "Baby," just weeks old, played overhead in rope webbing, like a little kid on a jungle gym! Mandrills astound with their bright colorful markings (in unusual locations) - like spray painted modern art. It's on to Asia where we gazed at a rare white tiger family. They are in an area of their own, complete with rocks, trees and flowing water. Two cubs were very active. One chose to sit in the water and splash! So much for cats not liking water!
Our grandson was most thrilled with the penguin area. He is a great fan. A friendly docent and he exchanged question and answers. These are African Penguins, called "Jack Ass" Penguins, not because of behavior but because their vocalizing sounds like donkey braying. From mid Africa, they like their water in the 80s, like we Floridians do. They are new additions to the Zoo family, having moved to Tampa in June. We decided to return at 2:30pm for their afternoon feeding, after our lunch.
Speaking of lunch, there are three people feeding stations at the Zoo, and all look enticing. We chose the Paradise Café, located in the Florida area on the Key West Dock, because it appeared to have the most variety, important for our age-diversified group. Two of us had the pulled pork, rice, black beans and plantain special, and were pleased. The pork was juicy and tender, the plantains sweet and exotic. Daughter had the pulled pork sandwich with fries, and the grandson enjoyed a hot dog and fries from the Kids Menu. Cold iced teas and sodas were tall and generous. Entries were about $6.50, except for the hot dog which was $3. We ate outside at a table shaded by an umbrella. Air conditioned interior dining existed, but were full.
After sprinting back to catch the 2:30 penguin feeding, we took in more of Safari Africa. We came across Meerkats, active and bustling in their dessert habitat, crisscrossed with burrows and mounds. They are like prairie dogs that have decided to walk upright. Another kid pleaser here, with clear plexi-glass windows at kid level.
Free flight aviaries put people in giant cages where the birds fly free! Lorikeet Landing was one of these, where you can hand feed the birds. The colors of these parrot-like birds were brilliant reds, blues, yellows and purples! Rainbows on wings! And sassy! These birds had attitude. I was surprised to learn from a docent that these birds were not from South American jungles, but Asia. A baby elephant charmed us. Courting tortoises made us laugh. The warthog has tusks and looks lazy.
I reserve my greatest accolade for the Giraffe exhibit. The giraffes live in an enormous compound that looks and feels like Africa. There are even trees. There is an elevated viewing "tree house" which puts you right at giraffe eye level. You feed a giraffe a special cookie, purchased with a token. While you wait your turn, a docent instructs you on the considerable wonders of these gentle, wise animals. There were three giraffes taking turns. You don't have to worry about getting bitten - they have no upper teeth, and use their agile lips and tongue to expertly pluck their food. Wonder is the emotion I felt as a giraffe named Kobe brushed my hand with its mobile lips, extracting the cookie. Did he wink?
Wonder is what is in store at the Lowry Park Zoo, whatever your age. Our group of four found the Zoo both fascinating and fun, each one noticing and appreciating something different. It was the eight-year-old who remembered the way back to our car at day's end. He unswervingly led us right back to it and I was glad we had him along! Bring one if you can.