Got to go to the Miami Metro zoo a few days ago and finally have some time to type out a review.
As the only subtropical zoo in the US, the Miami Metro zoo is certainly a one of a kind zoo. It was a steamy 82 degree in late January and it was lovely. The landscaping good, but not great in my opinion.
With only a few exceptions, the zoo is constructed in one large loop with all of the animals on exhibits to either side. Although these areas do have "Designations" they're quite fluid. Lions are exhibited in the Asian section, an Andean Condor is in the Africa area, along with a few other standouts I can't remember right now.
The majority of the animal exhibits are on the same level as the path way with a large moat/pit seperating the animals. I'm not a big fan of this design so I didn't like it very much. If animals were lying down it was very hard to see them. Not to mention many of the exhibits are absolutely massive and some raised views would've been appreciated.
The exhibits that stray off the main path are the real treats here. One represents the flow of an Asian river and features small-clawed otters, a clouded leopard, and several other animals. The exhibits were all of an adequate size and provided good views for guests.
The next area is the massive Wings of Asia aviary. I was awe struck when I first entered it. In terms of size, scope, collection, and everything else, it has no equal in North America. If I had to do a list of 10 "Must see" exhibits in North America, I think this would be in the Top 3.
The final and newest area is Amazon and Beyond. On paper, it would seem this area is primed to snatch the Neotropical rainforest exhibit crown from it's Northern neighbor in Jacksonville, but I came away unimpressed. The exhibit itself is further split into 3 areas, Cloud Forests, the Amazon, and the Atlantic Forests.
On my journey I went through the Cloud Forests sections here. The Jaguars are the highlights here, well, if they were on exhibit when I went. Either way, the exhibit here highlighted my major issues with many of the exhibits at Amazon. While the exhibits seemed fine for the animals, they're terrible for viewing. The viewing areas provided were small and offered inadqeuate views of the exhibit. The reptile house there used a mix of modern and colonial designs and had an excellent collection of different herps.
The second area was the Amazon and IMO was the highlight of the exhibit. Anacondas and Orinoco Crocodiles great the guests in this area. Then it moves to a brilliant exhibit house. On one side is a patch of forest during the "Dry" season with birds, monkeys, and reptiles. On the other is a tank representing the same forest during the "Wet" season. Catfish, pacu, and other freshwater fish. Finally, the area's massive Harpy Eagle enclosure is a treat for zoo goers. There were two on exhibit when I was there and they had a massive place to fly about.
The last area is the Atlantic Forest. The main animals here are the giant river otters. My complaints for the Jaguar exhibit are the same here. Good exhibit for the animals, terrible for the zoo visitors.
As the only subtropical zoo in the US, the Miami Metro zoo is certainly a one of a kind zoo. It was a steamy 82 degree in late January and it was lovely. The landscaping good, but not great in my opinion.
With only a few exceptions, the zoo is constructed in one large loop with all of the animals on exhibits to either side. Although these areas do have "Designations" they're quite fluid. Lions are exhibited in the Asian section, an Andean Condor is in the Africa area, along with a few other standouts I can't remember right now.
The majority of the animal exhibits are on the same level as the path way with a large moat/pit seperating the animals. I'm not a big fan of this design so I didn't like it very much. If animals were lying down it was very hard to see them. Not to mention many of the exhibits are absolutely massive and some raised views would've been appreciated.
The exhibits that stray off the main path are the real treats here. One represents the flow of an Asian river and features small-clawed otters, a clouded leopard, and several other animals. The exhibits were all of an adequate size and provided good views for guests.
The next area is the massive Wings of Asia aviary. I was awe struck when I first entered it. In terms of size, scope, collection, and everything else, it has no equal in North America. If I had to do a list of 10 "Must see" exhibits in North America, I think this would be in the Top 3.
The final and newest area is Amazon and Beyond. On paper, it would seem this area is primed to snatch the Neotropical rainforest exhibit crown from it's Northern neighbor in Jacksonville, but I came away unimpressed. The exhibit itself is further split into 3 areas, Cloud Forests, the Amazon, and the Atlantic Forests.
On my journey I went through the Cloud Forests sections here. The Jaguars are the highlights here, well, if they were on exhibit when I went. Either way, the exhibit here highlighted my major issues with many of the exhibits at Amazon. While the exhibits seemed fine for the animals, they're terrible for viewing. The viewing areas provided were small and offered inadqeuate views of the exhibit. The reptile house there used a mix of modern and colonial designs and had an excellent collection of different herps.
The second area was the Amazon and IMO was the highlight of the exhibit. Anacondas and Orinoco Crocodiles great the guests in this area. Then it moves to a brilliant exhibit house. On one side is a patch of forest during the "Dry" season with birds, monkeys, and reptiles. On the other is a tank representing the same forest during the "Wet" season. Catfish, pacu, and other freshwater fish. Finally, the area's massive Harpy Eagle enclosure is a treat for zoo goers. There were two on exhibit when I was there and they had a massive place to fly about.
The last area is the Atlantic Forest. The main animals here are the giant river otters. My complaints for the Jaguar exhibit are the same here. Good exhibit for the animals, terrible for the zoo visitors.
