Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lowry Park Zoo - Tampa, FL



Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to go check out the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo.  I had heard many good things about it so we headed off to check out the animals.

One of the first things I noticed was there was no parking fee, which was very nice.  We arrived early and were one of the first people in the park.  I like going early because it seems that the crowds are thin and the animals are out.  We got a brochure and began our way through the park.  We decided to go left and continued clockwise around the park.  The first area we entered was the free flight avairy.  You meander along a path while birds of all different shapes and sizes fly by. 





Once through the bird area you come across the Asian Gardens



Malayan Tapir

Baby Indian Rhino


Clouded Leopard
This section was one of our very favorite parts of the zoo.  When we arrived we were the only ones at the pool and the Stingrays were filled with activity and boy were they hungry.


  

Upon leaving the sting ray area you notice a Bald Eagle.  They said he was hurt and so they had to clip his wings.  This is the closest I have ever been to one of these magnificent creatures


 I tried to take pictures of the River Otters, but they are so fast and crazy that it was really hard to get one that was not blurry.  The next section is a Manatee encounter.  It is so sad to see what happens to these guys out in the wild.  They are such a calm creatues.

you can see where the propellors have it this poor guy.
 On to the Florida Panther
  

 We wondered on throught the park looking at the different animals, wolves, skunks, flamingos and then we ended up at the African Penguin area.  These little guys are just like their southern family, except they also enjoy our weather.


Safari Africa was our next destination.  In addition to the animals they have giraffe feeding.  You know I love feeding the animals when we can.

One of my favorite attractions we came across was the Meerkats.  They are funny little creatures that look like they are trying to be human.  The funniest thing about them is the fact that they like to mirror each other.  Watching the follow the leader game was pretty humorous.







this is an Okapi

Red River Hog

Finally you end in the Children's area where they have a pet farm, rides and wallabys.


 If you are interested in taking your family to the Lowry Park Zoo - check out their website for directions, hours, costs, etc. - http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/zoo_map.php

Here is the brochure for the zoo - download it and check it out for yourself!!! - http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/_page_content/zoo_map/documents/LowryParkZooMapFall2011.pdf




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