And again going back to memories and early posts in my blog. Just when I started my blog back in Nov 2010 had many posts that now seems lost in the web of posts done afterward. These I will try to renew or even expand on them now.
This is the case of my old Metro Zoo ,and now call Zoo Miami. I even visited friends nearby and of course took my kids there. Then we left for France and done with it. However, if in the area is a must to visit. Let me tell you a bit more ok
The Miami MetroZoo, (as I knew it) now known as Zoo Miami is the largest and oldest zoo in Florida. It is located southwest of the city of Miami in the county of Miami-Dade. The zoo is home to nearly 1,200 animals and is the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States. It covers a plot of almost 300 hectares of which 120 hectares are equipped to accommodate the public.
The origin of the zoo dates back to 1948 when three monkeys, a goat and two black bears were bought for 270 dollars from a small circus. These animals were the first of the Crandon Park Zoo on the island of Key Biscayne near Miami. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy ravaged the zoo, killing 250 animals. It was decided that the zoo would be transferred to land belonging to the Naval Air Base in Richmond in 1970, work began in 1975 and the zoo was opened on December 12, 1981.
In the 1980s, the zoo continued to expand. An additional 25 acres or 10 ha with six new African hoofed stock exhibits opened in 1982, along with the zoo’s monorail in 1984. The Wings of Asia, a 1.6-acre (0.6 ha) free-flight aviary, was opened in December 1984. Three additional African hoofed stock exhibits followed in 1985, and two new exhibits were opened in the African savannah section in 1986. The Australian section of the zoo was opened in 1989, and PAWS, the children’s petting zoo, opened in 1989.The Asian Riverlife Experience opened in August 1990.
In 1992, the zoo suffered extensive damage when Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida on August 24. The small, yet intensely powerful category 5 hurricane toppled over 5,000 trees and destroyed the Wings of Asia aviary which had been built to withstand winds of up to 120 miles per hour (193 km/h) resulting in the loss of approximately 100 of the 300 resident birds. Despite the majority of the zoo’s animals remaining outside during the duration and aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, only five animals were killed from either debris or the consumption of contaminated water.
The MetroZoo, though looking dramatically different, was reopened on December 18, 1992; with the zoo’s tiger temple exhibit being renamed in honor of Naomi Browning, an active 12-year-old volunteer who was one of the storm’s casualties. In 1996 the Falcon Batchelor Komodo Dragon Encounter opened that same year, followed by Andean Condor (1999), Meerkats (2000), Cuban Crocodiles and Squirrel Monkeys (2001), and Dr. Wilde’s World, which is an indoor facility for traveling zoological exhibits. The rebuilt Wings of Asia aviary, housing more than 300 individuals representing 70 species of birds, opened in the spring of 2003. And we left before seen its re opening.
a family jewel
On July 4, 2010, the zoo was renamed the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, or Zoo Miami, for marketing and branding purposes The Everglades exhibit opened on December 10, 2016. The Zoo Miami is divided now into the following areas: Florida: Mission Everglades , Asia, Africa , Amazon and beyond, and Australia.
It is a wonderful park and well worth the detour to see it while visiting Miami. Zoo Miami is at 12400 SW 152nd street ,There is sporadic bus service but you need to walk. The best as there as always is the car. Going from the famous Miami Beach get on 5th Street and cross on the McArthur Causeway road bridge over the water this is the I395 highway that will link you to the SR 836 or Dolphin Expressway (which now is a toll road); until you hit the Ronald Reagan Turnpike (a toll road) take it southbound to the SW 152nd street (SR 992) exit 16 to the SW 124th St turning left and the zoo will than be on your right. Seems long but it’s the most straight route me think, should be easy to reach.
The official webpage of the Zoo Miami : Official Zoo Miami
The Miami and the Beaches tourist office on the Zoo Miami: Tourist office of Miami on the Zoo
The county of Miami-Dade on the Zoo Miami: Miami Dade county on the Zoo Miami
And there you are all set for a wonderful visit to a pretty natural site of lointime Miami, Florida. Hope you have enjoy the brief introduction and do come and visit ok.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 