The Curl-crested aracari is but one of hundreds of characters we met on our visits to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. He’s from the Amazon rain forest, and in all likelihood, we would never have met if it weren’t for the zoo.
Truth be told, I’m ambivalent about zoos. I feel a vague unease when I think about any wild creature being caged for our vicarious viewing pleasure. But I also know that most zoos nowadays do an amazing job of education and conservation. The sad truth is that without the advocacy, breeding programs and protection that zoos provide, we would be losing species at an even faster rate than we are now.
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are possibly two of the best zoos in the world. The animals live in luxury in beautiful habitats, created to replicate their native environments as closely as possible. They have plenty of room to roam (or fly or swim) and engage in enrichment programs to keep them active and happy. The San Diego Zoo has wildly successful breeding programs for a number of creatures, including many endangered species such as the California condor and Harpy eagle. They are actively involved in protecting tigers, and shelter one of the four remaining Northern white rhinos in the world.
We were fortunate in that our family gifted us with guest passes for both the zoo and the safari park. The parks are not inexpensive ($48 each, or $86 for both). We enjoy walking, so we didn’t opt for expensive tours. The tram tour at the Safari Park, however, is included with admission, and takes you into the otherwise inaccessible veldt. Both venues are all day affairs, and you’d best get an early start. It’s a good idea to avoid weekends and holidays. And summer. And school vacations. Take plenty of water, wear good walking shoes, and pack a picnic (the food offerings are expensive and not very appealing). The bottomless iced tea is a bargain, though. It’s fresh brewed, and for $5, you can get refills all day long. We got our money’s worth on that deal at both parks.
Given our dislike of driving in big city traffic, we planned our visits according to where we were staying. The San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, and we went there while staying just a couple of miles away at our B & B in North Park. We visited the Safari Park while staying in Poway—it’s in nearby Escondido (and close to Dos Picos County Park campground, which by the way, is a great park for visiting that side of San Diego. It has spacious shady sites, partial hookups, good Verizon coverage, and is close to excellent hiking trails).
We’ve gone to both parks many times over the years, and found on this trip that they’re both better than ever. If we had to choose…. hmmm…I don’t think we could. If you can’t visit both, go wherever is easiest to travel to. It’s cool to see the animals roaming free range at the Safari Park. But the zoo is wonderful, too, and has miles of beautiful shaded walking trails that meander through the park-like settings. It’s delightful to see the koalas curled up in the trees, the elephants at play in the water, the orangutans and their antics. But our favorites are always the birds. At both parks, we had the opportunity to see birds that we’ll probably never see in the wild, and it’s a thrill to watch them flying free in the various aviaries. (I still wish I could have taken that aracari home with us. I think he would have loved RVing.)[portfolio_slideshow]
Your pictures are beautiful, such color. I guess we’ll have to get to at least the Safari Park this next year. You have renewed our interest.
Oh good, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Penny. Thanks again for so generously giving us the passes! xo
That Aracari is a real cutie all right. I wonder that his face can hold up that huge bill. I’ve heard the extinction justification for zoos and it makes me sad that it is the way we think is OK to insure other’s continued existence. I just can’t do zoos any more. So many animals taken from their natural habitats to places all over the world just so we can see them. The poor Polar Bears in the DC zoo come to mind. As my life grows shorter, I know I may not get to Africa like Gaelyn to see the giraffe and lion but that’s OK. It’s enough for me to know they are there. Your pictures, as always, are wonderful.
Sherry, I agree with much of what you’re saying. The challenge is that without the help of good zoos, there would be many more animals facing extinction. (Obviously, the problems originated with us, but now we’re responsible for finding solutions.) I find it heartening that species such as the California condor exist now in the wild because of captive breeding programs.
That is a gorgeous guy but so are some of the other birds you photographed. The colors are so beautiful. It’s been almost 20 years since we last visited the San Diego Zoo. They do a lovely job providing habitat.
I agree, Ingrid — they do a wonderful job of providing great habitats. All of the animals are obviously well cared for at both parks.
I feel the same as you about zoos Laurel, uncomfortable looking at the animals through a cage, but as you say, many zoos are doing good works, educating the public on protecting species that may not have a chance without their intervention. That aracari is fascinating. You both do such a great job capturing images of birds. We have not been to the Safari Park but have heard some great things about it.
LuAnn, we really enjoyed our visits to both the zoo and the safari park. The emphasis on education and conservation is inspiring, and we came away feeling good about the work that they’re doing and the care that the animals are given.
Gorgeous photos! When my daughter was young I’d get a zoo pass every year…it was nice to be able to go for just an hour or two on a weekday. I especially love the hippos!
Lisa, it must have been fun to be at the zoo with your daughter, and to be able to go often. If we lived in San Diego, we would definitely get an annual pass.
Such a timely post as we are headed to the LA Zoo this afternoon for our DIL’s birthday. She is an animal advocate with the mixed feelings that so many of us have about their control. Have made many trips to the SD Zoo, but have yet to make it to the Safari Park :-( The raptors are our favorites – love that harpie!! Your photos are stunning thanks for sharing.
Glad you like the photos, Jodee. I’ve never been to the LA Zoo — hope you’ll post some photos!
I, too, have mixed feelings about Zoos and similar parks, but I do understand the necessity of such facilities as long as they are properly run. Love all the gorgoeus photos of your visits to the two parks. That Aracari is way too cute:) Love the car for the lion. He looks most comfortable:) Thanks for sharing so many beautiful photos. I love that you always include photos of both you and Eric. It makes the blog so personal:)
Thanks, Pam. :-) I try to include photos of us to prove that we were there, haha! The lion was so funny — we were told that’s his favorite spot for sleeping.