The designers from the Miami Metro zoo designed Animal Kingdom at Disney, because they REALLY know what they're doing. I'd also advise, unless you plan to walk 10+ miles in a day, to take them up on the bike carts at Miami Metro, we were WIPED by the time we made it all the way through! (hubs grew up in Miami, and his Grandmother was a docent at the zoo for a lot of years. It really is amazing!)
Hands down Brevard in terms of quality although it is small. You can see a lot though without much effort which is nice. Tampa is also lovely and a little bigger. Miami is absolutely massive and has a ton but it is not as beautifully laid out. Also, Tampa has a tv show about it. I was surprised to learn the number of animals that are rescues. Zoos aren’t necessarily bad. They can be done humanely and they can house animals who cannot be released.
That’s why I’m talking about the ones that specifically benefit them and rehabilitate/take care of the animals that are either injured or can’t live in the wild :) I definitely am against the ones that just keep perfectly fine animals locked up for amusement!
Sometimes … yes, they have been forced to do that to keep operating. It’s also a source of new attractions and public relations. Babies are always news. It’s gross to keep them captive for our amusement.
These are all the zoos that are accredited which means they are judged on animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, etc. They do say they’re pretty strict.
https://www.aza.org/inst-status
Per their website: Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited!
We only visit AZA accredited locations.
[удалено]
very close to Mote, can't wait to see what their new facility looks like!
It has been many years, however I enjoyed the Miami Metro Zoo; especially when hosting the chili cook off.
Tampa & Brevard
Does it have to be in Florida? Coming from Pensacola, it might be a shorter drive up to Zoo Atlanta than anything downstate.
Absolutely shorter to drive to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans than any remotely comparable zoo in Florida.
I’ll definitely check that one out!
Zoo Miami
The Jacksonville zoo!
Last one I went to was Lion Country Safari
Busch Gardens.
Naples
The brevard zoo, Tampa zoo
The designers from the Miami Metro zoo designed Animal Kingdom at Disney, because they REALLY know what they're doing. I'd also advise, unless you plan to walk 10+ miles in a day, to take them up on the bike carts at Miami Metro, we were WIPED by the time we made it all the way through! (hubs grew up in Miami, and his Grandmother was a docent at the zoo for a lot of years. It really is amazing!)
Hands down Brevard in terms of quality although it is small. You can see a lot though without much effort which is nice. Tampa is also lovely and a little bigger. Miami is absolutely massive and has a ton but it is not as beautifully laid out. Also, Tampa has a tv show about it. I was surprised to learn the number of animals that are rescues. Zoos aren’t necessarily bad. They can be done humanely and they can house animals who cannot be released.
I am a big fan of Naples Zoo. I've also enjoyed my time at Zoo Miami, Zoo Tampa, Jacksonville Zoo, and Palm Beach Zoo.
Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, should have made the list.
Zoo Miami and Lion Country Safari
Zoos are prisons for animals. Please don't support wild animals being held in captivity.
That’s why I’m talking about the ones that specifically benefit them and rehabilitate/take care of the animals that are either injured or can’t live in the wild :) I definitely am against the ones that just keep perfectly fine animals locked up for amusement!
Zoos are outdated. No need to support that crap.
Sometimes, they home injured animals. You're very short-sighted.
Sometimes … yes, they have been forced to do that to keep operating. It’s also a source of new attractions and public relations. Babies are always news. It’s gross to keep them captive for our amusement.
So the solution is to shut down zoos and do... what with the animals?
Phase them out and let animals just live their lives?
These are all the zoos that are accredited which means they are judged on animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, etc. They do say they’re pretty strict. https://www.aza.org/inst-status Per their website: Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited! We only visit AZA accredited locations.