Zoos

[nicoleallee]

I like zoos, always have. I enjoy looking at the animals and enjoy knowing that some of the monies raised are being spent on conservation. It's not that I'm into prisons, it's just that I believe in the education one can get from seeing a live animal. It's easier to want to preserve land for a tiger when you know what one is

Comments

[immlass]

I am not a zoo person, but seeing large wildlife in its habitat in various places I've lived (Austin and New Jersey, but also hawks I've seen in west Houston) always makes me happy.

[nicoleallee]

I love seeing wild life in its natural habitat, as well.

[la_directora]

I'm with you on zoos. Not crazy about animals in cages, but appreciate the value that comes from that - i.e. raising city kids aware of animals and with a personal connection, plus the conservation activities of most zoological groups. I tend to HATE zoos that feel like "animals in cages", which the Houston Zoo always did to me. Love zoos that feel like humans in cages with animals around them.

San Antonion Zoo - While feeding a hippo, I got to scratch it on the chin. So awesome. :)

Bronx Zoo - My favorite, too. And one I don't see nearly often enough, given that it's a subway ride (albeit a 2 hour one) away from me.

San Diego Zoo - MUST SEE. Very close 2nd to the Bronx Zoo, and probably only missing out on the top slot because the Bronx Zoo being what it is in the middle of New York City just bewilders me. Also, I grew up going there all of the time, so it isn't as special for me, I guess.

Fort Worth Zoo - My "home town" zoo. I haven't been there in AGES. Love it.

National Zoo - Worth a trip simply to see the pandas.

[auspeople]

Have you been to the St. Louis Zoo? It rocks. When we lived there (2000), it was free, which was shocking for how good it was. They charged for things like the new children's zoo and the train, but otherwise, you could go in anytime and many folks would jog through it. The grounds are really pretty and they have a wonderful collection of animals. Lots of breeding going on. We loved it

[ecleptic]

I grew up in Arlington- so a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo wasn't a bad distance for taking kids... although we only went a couple of times.

There was a point where you could buy a ride on an elephant (not sure if they do this any more)... so after much begging my dad bought one for me and my mom (my sister was still toddling and too small). It was the kind of experience that just solidified zoo's as the coolest place on earth for a kid.

I wonder if my mom could find that picture for me... such a good memory!

[drelmo]

The San Diego Zoo is the best I've ever seen by an elephant-sized margin. I've not been to the Wildlife Center.

The Houston Zoo is much improved since I moved here.

The Brookfield Zoo in Chicago is quite good, but I last saw it fifteen years ago.

I was disappointed in SeaWorld San Diego, because it turns out that I really, really am uninterested in watching trained animals. I want to see natural behaviors.

The National Zoo in DC is OK; it's a little too small to represent our nation.