Report and picspam: Fort Worth Zoo, 31 March 2016
As I mentioned in my previous post, I spent this past week in the greater Dallas area. Mostly to go to WrestleMania and some other wrestling events, but while I was in the area I figured a visit to the zoo wouldn't do any harm. I stayed in Arlington which is pretty much right smack dab in the middle between Dallas and Fort Worth, and both have zoos that from what I read about them are worth a visit. Eventually my choice for the day fell on Fort Worth Zoo, and it was a good choice as Dallas itself is currently crazy with road construction and blocked roads and stuff. When I made the choice I didn't know that yet and was somewhat intend on going to Dallas Zoo the following Monday, but those plans fell through. So, the only zoo I did visit while over there was Fort Worth Zoo.
The zoo is situated in a big park by Clear Fork Trinity River. While I did take a taxi from my hotel to the zoo, getting there by public transport would also be possible As there is a bus stop right by the parking lot of the zoo. Admission to the zoo costs $14.00 for adults and $10.00 for children aged 3 - 12 (younger children are free) and seniors (65+), except on Wednesdays when admission is half-price. There is a big parking lot right in front of the main entrance, and a day's parking costs $5.00. Looking at some of the prices I've had to pay for parking here in Germany that's not too bad. Opening hours during the summer months (26 March to 18 September) are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and even until 6 pm at the weekends, which is perfectly enough time to stop by every enclosure and watch the animals within. It is possible to rent strollers and motorized scooters for a fee, and there are even some complimentary wheelchairs available. Something that I found very good is the fact that smoking is prohibited at the zoo. This is something the zoos over here really should think about.
Fort Worth Zoo is not quite as big as Leipzig Zoo, but I'd say about the size of Nuremberg Zoo. According to their website they provide a home for around 7,000 animals from nearly 450 different species. The layout of the zoo is such that you will pass every enclosure on your way. It starts with the big primate house where you can find gorillas, bonobos, gibbons and orangutans. One of the gorillas recently had a baby boy who has been named Augustus, or short, Gus. When I visited she sat on the outside enclosure with him sleeping in her arms. It was adorable! The zoo also has both black rhinos as well as white rhinos which is something that I haven't seen in other zoos before. Of course the zoo has zebras, giraffes, lions and tigers - even white tigers! - but it also has local animals such as mountain lions, coyotes, jaguars and so on. All the enclosures are set up in such a way as that it is easy to take photos of the animals. Having said that, there is still enough space for the animals to withdraw to in case the noise and commotion gets too much for them.
One of the main attractions of the zoo is a walk-in enclosure full of parakeets and cockatiels that you can even feed with little grain sticks. If you are scared of birds, however, you should not go in there as of course they fly around and sometimes fly very closely by your head. Personally I didn't mind but there were many who were ducking and yelping. There is, of course, also a petting yard, and an outdoor learning theater. On the day I was at the zoo it was "homeschooling day", with special attractions and little classes for the homeschooled kids throughout the zoo, among them a show of some predator birds such as eagle and eagle owl. Needless to say I sat down and watched the program and was happy.
Also, one of the orangutans was truly adorable and "flirted" with one guy who was standing on some sort of platform. The orangutan took a little stick and tossed it towards the man and then held out her hand begging to have the stick tossed back at her. It was so funny and sweet!
In case the kids get bored of watching animals there are also various possibilities for them to play. At the far end of the zoo, there is a "Texas town" with play barn, climbing rock and even a shooting range. I guess that's Texas for you. Also there are plenty of possibilities to snack or even eat a proper meal at the zoo but as I had brought some sandwiches and water, I didn't check those out this time.
Right, that should be enough rambling for now, so let's get to the photos. And you know what that means, let me run down the rules real quick for you:
- All photos were taken by me, little___hobbit aka Lepsy aka Kat Eichner
- You may share the images, and/or use them for artistic means, but please ALWAYS credit me, that is little___hobbit
- When you share, please do not hotlink
The zoo is situated in a big park by Clear Fork Trinity River. While I did take a taxi from my hotel to the zoo, getting there by public transport would also be possible As there is a bus stop right by the parking lot of the zoo. Admission to the zoo costs $14.00 for adults and $10.00 for children aged 3 - 12 (younger children are free) and seniors (65+), except on Wednesdays when admission is half-price. There is a big parking lot right in front of the main entrance, and a day's parking costs $5.00. Looking at some of the prices I've had to pay for parking here in Germany that's not too bad. Opening hours during the summer months (26 March to 18 September) are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and even until 6 pm at the weekends, which is perfectly enough time to stop by every enclosure and watch the animals within. It is possible to rent strollers and motorized scooters for a fee, and there are even some complimentary wheelchairs available. Something that I found very good is the fact that smoking is prohibited at the zoo. This is something the zoos over here really should think about.
Fort Worth Zoo is not quite as big as Leipzig Zoo, but I'd say about the size of Nuremberg Zoo. According to their website they provide a home for around 7,000 animals from nearly 450 different species. The layout of the zoo is such that you will pass every enclosure on your way. It starts with the big primate house where you can find gorillas, bonobos, gibbons and orangutans. One of the gorillas recently had a baby boy who has been named Augustus, or short, Gus. When I visited she sat on the outside enclosure with him sleeping in her arms. It was adorable! The zoo also has both black rhinos as well as white rhinos which is something that I haven't seen in other zoos before. Of course the zoo has zebras, giraffes, lions and tigers - even white tigers! - but it also has local animals such as mountain lions, coyotes, jaguars and so on. All the enclosures are set up in such a way as that it is easy to take photos of the animals. Having said that, there is still enough space for the animals to withdraw to in case the noise and commotion gets too much for them.
One of the main attractions of the zoo is a walk-in enclosure full of parakeets and cockatiels that you can even feed with little grain sticks. If you are scared of birds, however, you should not go in there as of course they fly around and sometimes fly very closely by your head. Personally I didn't mind but there were many who were ducking and yelping. There is, of course, also a petting yard, and an outdoor learning theater. On the day I was at the zoo it was "homeschooling day", with special attractions and little classes for the homeschooled kids throughout the zoo, among them a show of some predator birds such as eagle and eagle owl. Needless to say I sat down and watched the program and was happy.
Also, one of the orangutans was truly adorable and "flirted" with one guy who was standing on some sort of platform. The orangutan took a little stick and tossed it towards the man and then held out her hand begging to have the stick tossed back at her. It was so funny and sweet!
In case the kids get bored of watching animals there are also various possibilities for them to play. At the far end of the zoo, there is a "Texas town" with play barn, climbing rock and even a shooting range. I guess that's Texas for you. Also there are plenty of possibilities to snack or even eat a proper meal at the zoo but as I had brought some sandwiches and water, I didn't check those out this time.
Right, that should be enough rambling for now, so let's get to the photos. And you know what that means, let me run down the rules real quick for you:
- All photos were taken by me, little___hobbit aka Lepsy aka Kat Eichner
- You may share the images, and/or use them for artistic means, but please ALWAYS credit me, that is little___hobbit
- When you share, please do not hotlink