RFI: local birds and mammals in zoos in Yucatan?

J

Jurek7

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Hello,
Are there any interesting zoos, aviaries, animals parks etc in the regions of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche? I am interested in local birds and mammals rarely found outside Mexico.
I am not interested in general zoo animals (like tigers, bottlenose dolphins etc), and not really in wild birds (found in nature) because I already have lots of information.

Is it possible to see a manatee in the wild?
 
Jurek7 said:
Hello,
Are there any interesting zoos, aviaries, animals parks etc in the regions of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche? I am interested in local birds and mammals rarely found outside Mexico.
I am not interested in general zoo animals (like tigers, bottlenose dolphins etc), and not really in wild birds (found in nature) because I already have lots of information.

Is it possible to see a manatee in the wild?
Click to expand...
I was in Quintana Roo in 2018, I did not visit any zoos but I did see quite a bit of wildlife (even if I wasn't particularly looking for it). I found that agoutis and coatis were a pretty common sight, and there was a group of howler monkeys near the hotel I was staying at.

We also saw sea turtles not too far out to sea, not sure how common that is though. We also got told that whale sharks could be spotted in the area if you went further enough out.
 
Jurek7 said:
Is it possible to see a manatee in the wild?
Click to expand...
It sounds like the Yucatan is a good place for manatees. A few places are mentioned in this link (it also sounds like there are lots of tours for manatees if that's your thing; the link has them at US$149).
Manatee Encounters: Where to Find Manatees in Mexico

This page says that Laguna Azul is the best place to see them: Swimming with Manatees: Where to Dive In! • Captain Mikes Swimming with the Manatees

Most websites are geared around tours.
 
There were two tigers in a cage, in a bar full of drunk American college students, in Cancun in 1996 if that's useful to you. I suspect not.
 
Thanks a lot. I take it that wild whale sharks and sea turtles are only in summer, and I will be visiting in February...
 
First the yucatan peninsula is larger than it seems on the map. If you are arriving at Cancun check out first Xcaret park with its massive aviary and yucatan brown brockets,manatees and a female resplendent quetzal.
Crocun zoo has some native reptiles but is rather small. Acuario Interactivo Cancun is even worse,just a small room with some bottlenose dolphins outside.
Drive to the lovely colonial city of Valladolid which has Vallazoo with many interesting local mammals like tayra, grison,margay,and jaguarundi. From Valladolid you can go to Merida and stay at a colonial hacienda. Merida has 2 zoos,Parque Centenario, which is the oldest zoo in Mexico and sadly looks it. There is also the newer Animaya zoo. Both have interesting reptiles from the yucatan and the bird collection at centenario has some interesting confiscated birds. The native mammal collection is better at Vallazoo than at the Merida zoos.
There are no zoos in Campeche.
If you are going to see natural parks try Sian Kan which is the largest tropical forest reserve on the peninsula. Many birds, howler monkeys, american and moreletts crocodiles and spectacular views. Calakmul is a little farther, with the same fauna and scenery but with great maya ruins, Of course you will also visit Chicen Izta and Tulum for that. Rios Lagartos reserve has huge flocks of caribbean flamingos but not in febuary.
Have a good trip.
 
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I never visit any swim with marine mammals places or tours, so i cannot give you any advice on that.
 
Thanks Carlos!
Maybe you know more examples of less common rescue birds in Xcaret and Animaya? For example birds of prey or trogons?
 
Hi Jurek7,

To add to the points above, xcaret also has Yucatan Black Howler. It is worth visiting as a zoo from an exhibitry point, due to the aviary which is one of my favourites ever and the interesting jaguar/puma complex. FYI Captive dolphins also (so you can make an informed decision).

One interesting species I missed when in the area was Neotropical Otter at Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, I did not visit but it has a fairly active Facebook page.

If you are venturing to Cozumel in search of Cozumel Raccoon, then Dolphin Discovery Cozumel has dolphins (unsurprisingly) manatees, sea lions and some crocodilian sp if you are at a loose end. N.B. Dolphins and Manatees are held in sea pens and can only be seen at any proximity during experiences.

Crococun Zoo i did not find to be fantastic with an odd exhibit for Mexican hairless dog and feeding of "wild" spider monkeys etc but it had one very interesting exhibit... a walk through crocodile enclosure!
If you do decide to visit Crococun, it is not a million miles away from Jardín Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín where i have had luck with wild spider monkeys and agouti. (at the expense of being feasted on my approximately one million mosquitos) .

Final caveat, my last visit was circa 5 years ago so worth fact checking any and all of the above before making plans.

Have a great trip!
 
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