Above & Beyond: The Bronx Zoo
Written: Jun 24 '07 (Updated Jun 27 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Clean, excellent employees, wonderful exhibits
Cons: hills, hills, and more hills
The Bottom Line: Wonderful zoo experience!
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| cmaw63's Full Review: Bronx Zoo |
My family and I tend to seek out the zoos of areas we visit. So, it should come as no surprise that my recent trip to New York City included the world famous Bronx Zoo.
About the Bronx Zoo
Located at Fordham Road and the Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, New York, it is easily accessible by car, bus, and the subway.
The zoo opened in in 1899 with 22 exhibits and 843 animals. Today the Bronx Zoo has grown to include countless award winning exhibits and over 4000 animals. The most noted of these exhibits is the 6.5 acre Congo Gorilla Forest. It provides a home to 400 animals, including 23 lowland gorillas.
Also of interest, many of today's wild bison are direct descendants of Bronx Zoo bison. Starting in 1907, bison were shipped to Oklahoma to help re-populate their dwindling herd. Soon afterwards, many of the northwest states had help from the Bronx Zoo bison herd. What was soon to be an, almost, extinct animal now has a growing population that can be viewed in most northwestern state parks.
The zoo's mission is to advance the study of zoology, protect wildlife, and educate the public.
The Zoo is open 365 days a year! Hours for each season can be found at http://www.bronxzoo.com
Limited Admission Tickets*
Adult $14.00
Child (Ages 3-12) $10.00
Senior (65 ) $12.00
Children 2 years and under are always free!.
A "P.O.P" pass can be bought that will allow admission into the zoo and the other exhibits that cost $2 to $5 to enter. The price for the P.O.P. pass is Adult: $25, Child (3-12) $19, and seniors (65 ) $21.
My Sister and I Had to Get There and Leave
We rode the subway to the East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square station. After walking a few blocks we were at the Asia gate entrance of the Bronx Zoo. During the walk my sister became a little nervous about the neighborhood. I, personally, didn't see anything wrong with it...it was different from what these two country women were used to, but I didn't feel threatened in any way. I was happy to be proven right about this neighborhood. As we left the zoo, walking back to the subway, we had 1 man and 3 women ask us how we liked their zoo. They seemed happy about our answers and we chatted with a couple of the women for a few minutes. FYI: New Yorkers can easily spot a tourist...we're the ones frantically searching subway maps to see which train we need.
At the Bronx Zoo
When we arrived at the Asia gate of the Bronx Zoo there was a line of school children and their escorts. We flashed our New York Passes, that we purchased at VISITicket.com, above their heads and were motioned over to the side. We were given immediate entrance without a wait.
While my sister used the restroom near the entrance, I watched children having a ball riding camels. I did notice that the camels seemed well tended. Occasionally each one was wiped off, given a rest, or taken to their enclosure and a new one brought out. Their care takers seemed to...well...care. I noticed one zoo employee petting and actually placing a kiss on the nose of one of the camels.
In our travels through the zoo, we couldn't help but notice how clean the exhibits were. More importantly, we noticed that the animals were active and seemed happy. I've been to zoos where the animals seem to be, almost, depressed...lethargic and hiding. None of that at the Bronx Zoo, though.
Our favorites included the grizzly bears that roared and played while we watched. The polar bear had a large branch that he appeared to be playing peek-a-boo with his laughing audience of school children. A huge tiger came up to his viewing glass where we stood, opened his mouth showing us his huge teeth, then licked his lips... we must have lucked yummy. On and on, each animal interacted with or put a show on for the zoo visitors.
We only visited one area that we had to pay an extra $3 for. It was the Congo Gorilla Forest. As we wound our way through the created rain forest, we spotted some animals that we couldn't identify, including a huge (about 10 to 12 inches) frog sitting on a shelf of the waterfall. Some women behind us asked us what we were pointing at...we showed them the frog. One exclaimed "That is NOT real!". The frog turned it's head toward us...the woman was gone. We arrived at the gorilla viewing area and weren't disappointed. One of the juvenile gorilla's was mocking some children that were playing with it, creating huge giggles from everyone. An infant gorilla was running around generally creating havoc with the older ones. We had a great time watching the interactions of the gorillas and the reactions of the zoo visitors.
At the end of this attraction is a room with several touch screen computers. Curious, we checked them out. It was an interactive screen that allowed you to choose 1 of 4 animals to donate your $3 entrance fee to. I chose to donate mine to the care of elephant habitats, my sister chose to help the gorillas. I thought that was an excellent end to the area. Yes, it cost an extra $3 to get in...but it was going to help the animal of your choice.
The employees of the Bronx Zoo were some of the best I encountered during my New York City visit. They were helpful, smiling, and joked quite a bit with us. Several times they pointed us in the right direction for specific exhibits. One of the employees walked along with us for a bit, answering questions and pointing out things of interest. They are definitely an asset to the zoo.
Ok, now you know there has to be something wrong. The Bronx Zoo can't be perfect. Alright, I admit it... there is one thing. Hills! We traveled up and down small hills throughout the entire zoo. After walking much of Manhattan the day before, those hills were getting to me. I did use the benches that were available, several times, to rest my weary legs.
You Gotta Go!
If you have any interest in wildlife and zoos, the Bronx Zoo is a must see. My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The animals, employees, and well kept grounds made this my most favorite zoo ever. What do I have to compare it to? Chicago, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Louisville, St. Louis, and many smaller zoo's are some of the others I've visited. While each are nice in their own way...the Bronx Zoo is nice in a special way!
Where To Stay
Radio City Apartments
NYC Experiences
Empire State Building
St. Paul's Chapel
Times Square
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Beast Speed Boat
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cmaw63
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 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
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Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
Trusted by: 73 members
About Me:
Looking forward to my first grandbaby. She's due November 24!
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