mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Has anyone been to any Mexican zoos other than the Guadalaja Zoo? I've only been to the Guadalaja Zoo, but I was way too small to remember.
Zoos in Mexico
- Thread starter mstickmanp
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ericnielsenpdx
Well-Known Member
I went to Guadalajara Zoo and Chapultepec Park and San Juan De Araragon Zoos in Mexico City in January of this year. The 3 zoos are all very good, but very different. Is there any thing in particular you would like to know, or perhaps just a general overview? I haven't posted pictures before, but I could either do that, or send you a few if you'd like. Just let me know.
Eric in Portland, Oregon
Eric in Portland, Oregon
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Hey Eric, general reviews would be fine and if you could post the pics even better.
Vulpes
Well-Known Member
I was at zoo crococun near cancun its ok. I have some pics but I cant upload them as there is no "Other" Gallery I was also at a couple of dolphinariums out there. if someone tells me how to get a new Gallery I will post some pics. Oh yeah there is also a closed zoo called "Pepes Tiger Zoo" it looked awful. I have some poics that i can post also!
just post them under Mexico. If you want a gallery made for a specific zoo request it in http://www.zoochat.com/4/new-photo-gallery-request-thread-21361/
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
As you may know, my coauthor Jon Wassner and I recently wrote and published the zoo guidebook, "America's Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans & Families" (Intrepid Traveler). We've appreciated many nice comments from readers on ZooChat.
So here's my question: We are considering making the next edition of our book, "North America's Best Zoos", thus adding Canadian and Mexican zoos. SO, what zoos in Mexico should we consider, and thus go to visit? Obviously Chapultepec, but what other zoos in Mexico would be the equal of the USA's 60 best zoos (which are in our book)? For example, which Mexican zoos would be the equal of (or better than) Buffalo, Houston, Detroit, Tacoma, or Kansas City? Thanks.
So here's my question: We are considering making the next edition of our book, "North America's Best Zoos", thus adding Canadian and Mexican zoos. SO, what zoos in Mexico should we consider, and thus go to visit? Obviously Chapultepec, but what other zoos in Mexico would be the equal of the USA's 60 best zoos (which are in our book)? For example, which Mexican zoos would be the equal of (or better than) Buffalo, Houston, Detroit, Tacoma, or Kansas City? Thanks.
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
I've heard good things about the Africam Safari (AFRICAM SAFARI | Vive tu espíritu aventurero | Puebla, MEXICO) in Puebla, Mexico. Also the Guadalajara Zoo (------- Zoológico y Safari Guadalajara -------) in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I've been to both zoos but I was way to young to remember anything.
hola everyone ,I'd just like to start by saying that i have included many posts of zoos worth visiting in Mexico. To an earlier reply posted onthis thread by someone wishing to publish a book on zoological establisemts in north America I would like to explain . My country is a developing country where many improvements are needed to enforce the humane treatment of both human beings and animals. In reality there are honestly no Mexican zoos which have a higher standard ]then American zoological gardens or in my mind the even more superior brittish and European establishments. My message is don't have high expectations of zoological gardens in Mexico. If anyone is interested in hearing more about zoos in Mexico;which ones to avoid and which ones to visit read some of my earlier posts.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Jose. From reading your reviews, it certainly sounds like Chapultepec belongs in a "North America's Best Zoos" book, if we write that version next. While I understand that the exhibit quality may not be up to most USA zoos, it sounds like they have a fantastic collection of animals -- perhaps among the best on the continent.
What is your opinion of Guadalajara's zoo?
What is your opinion of Guadalajara's zoo?
my opinion of Guadalajara zoo is rather mixed. While the reptile house and its terrariums are impressive particularly rhe crocodile pool and the free ranging iguanad ,much of the zoo leaves alot to be desired. Many of the animal enclosures are too small and lack adequet enrichment while others are spacious and well suited to the inhabitants. The big cat enclosures are spaciou but badly designed most of them consisting of a grass hill surrounded by a moat, without trees or plants and in the case of the tigers very little shade from the sun. Some gorrillas enjoy a spacious grassy hill paddock but the lone polar bear despite having a large pool of icy water to swim in seems very uncomfortable in the normally hot climate and very out of place. The elephant enclosure is of a decenr size and the elephants themselves seem to be ok although display some headswinging but this is common on mosr captive elephants. A walkthrough enclosure of squirrel monkeys can be found in the centre of the zoo where it is also possible to feed them grapes. Although this Is amusing and a great way to get up close im sure it effects natrual behavior. Anyone who is acquainted with the zoo pwill remember the small monkey housing near the entrant. The cages are far too small for some of the monkeys and lack climbing material as enrichment, the result is many of these primates have overgroomed fur and show some phsycological problems. Further on from the monkeys some small mammals are displayed in some Spartan enclosures. These animals include ocelot,coati,jaguarundi and a pair of kinkajous or as they are called here martuchas. These cages like those of the monkeys lack enrichment with only a few branches to climb on and no retreat from the hundreds of visitors who pass by the cages.:: These animals pace up and down for lack of care which instead has been lavished on the larger and more "interesting" species in the zoo. On one of my visits five years ago I remember an incident where one spoils brat was throwing gravel at the sleeping jaguarundi to make it move,an ex girlfriend of mine soon solved the problem by calling the ignorant child a "pendejo" which soon put a stop to the stone throwing. I realise this reply has left much of the zoo out, but it has been 5 years since I have visited this particular zoo.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Thanks again, Jose. I'm already planning a trip down to see Chapultepec (and other Mexico City sites). From what you wrote (and from other reviews I've found online), it sounds like I should at least check out Guadalajara -- to see IF it belongs in a "North America's Best Zoos" book. Maybe it does, maybe not. Two questions:
(1) Are there any good high-speed railroad connections between Mexico City and Guadalajara? If not, how are the highways between them?
(2) Beyond Chapultepec and Guadalajara, are there ANY other Mexican zoos I should at least check out for possible inclusion in the book while I'm down there? In my first book (1994), I included a place called ZOOMAT down in Chiapas. This was based on seeing Jack Hanna visit it for one of his TV programs. Any thoughts?
No problem amigo , as far as rail links from Mexico city to Guadalajara go there are none , however there is a bus station terminal near the airport where you can arrange trips either single or return journies to different states and cities in Mexico including guadalajara. This is how I travel when I want to see parts of Mexico ,the trips are long but there are stops to stretch your legs and complementary foods. The best of Mexican zoos are in the capital I reccomend the natrual history mueseums reptile house ,Chapultepec,zoologico de San juan de aragon and also zoologico de los coyotes. I must advice extreme caution when visiting the zoo in Aragon as the area is very rough and there are always muggings and robberies the safest way is by by radio taxis. You can find my reviews of all of the above in the zoochat Mexico forum. There are also some small zoos outside of the city like the iripuato zoo which is worth visiting and the zacango zoo in Toluca which is execelent and a small zoo in Cuernavaca which is very close to the capital. If you are interested in seeing wild animals I reccomend tepotzlan which is a small mountainsp
popular for families to climb at the top is a small Aztec pyramid with many resident coatis and eagles and vultires gliding .I'm not sure about zoos in chiapas except for an excellent zoo with only mexican fauna, tuxtla guitierez which I strongly reccomend. The zoo was greated so that poor families could learn about the animals that inhabit the lacandon jungle so it is also interesting for any foreigners to learn the same.If you plan on visiting chiapas I reccomend the lacandon jungle for seeing animals in the wild.
popular for families to climb at the top is a small Aztec pyramid with many resident coatis and eagles and vultires gliding .I'm not sure about zoos in chiapas except for an excellent zoo with only mexican fauna, tuxtla guitierez which I strongly reccomend. The zoo was greated so that poor families could learn about the animals that inhabit the lacandon jungle so it is also interesting for any foreigners to learn the same.If you plan on visiting chiapas I reccomend the lacandon jungle for seeing animals in the wild.
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ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Thanks Jose! I am really hoping to plan a 4-day trip down to Mexico soon. (Can't be longer, as my family wouldn't understand!) I will definitely do a thorough review of Chapultepec. As for San Juan de Aragon, I'm a little bit nervous about sending our readers to a dangerous neighborhood, plus it looks like a pretty small zoo from its website -- maybe the Mexico City version of NYC's Central Park Zoo. The Coyotes zoo also looks a bit small to make it as one of the 70 "best" of North America.
That leaves Guadalajara and (thanks, Okapikpr) Parque Zoologico de Leon in the Guadajuanta area. It's a really good point that PZdL is accreditted by the AZA! Jose, do you know this zoo? If you had to choose between Guadalajara and de Leon, which way would you recommend me? I could TRY to get to both, but it looks like they're about 100 miles apart, so I'm not sure I'd have time for both. I appreciate your guidance!
By the way, as for getting to Guadalajara, I've found a very cheap Mexican airline, Aviacsa, which looks to be both very affordable and has frequent flights. Have you flown Aviacsa?
That leaves Guadalajara and (thanks, Okapikpr) Parque Zoologico de Leon in the Guadajuanta area. It's a really good point that PZdL is accreditted by the AZA! Jose, do you know this zoo? If you had to choose between Guadalajara and de Leon, which way would you recommend me? I could TRY to get to both, but it looks like they're about 100 miles apart, so I'm not sure I'd have time for both. I appreciate your guidance!
By the way, as for getting to Guadalajara, I've found a very cheap Mexican airline, Aviacsa, which looks to be both very affordable and has frequent flights. Have you flown Aviacsa?
ericnielsenpdx
Well-Known Member
Review of San Juan de Aragon Zoo
Hello everyone, I visited the Zoos in Chapultepec Park, Aragon, and Guadalajara over New Years 2007-2008. Because I was an intern at the Oregon Zoo and my partner is a Dr. who assists their vet staff one day a week, We had behind the scenes meetings with vets and staff at Aragon and Guadalajara.
I would like to write some comments about Aragon. We rode the city Metro to and fro, and despite our very limited Spanish and a short walk, we experienced no problems in the area.
Half of the zoo was completely renovated , I believe around 1999 or 2000. While it doesn't have the sheer numbers or diversity that Chapultepec zoo has, it is a very worthwhile visit. It is much more spread out for one thing, which means greater distances between some exhibit areas, but also means that some of the animals, such as the chimpanzees, elephants and lions , have larger enclosures. The renovated sections include the Mexican wolf enclosure, Californian and Patagonian Sea Lion pools, the African Savannah ( which includes a a nice mixed waterhole of Grant's zebra, ostrich, gnu, waterbuck, eland, ostrich, ostrich, crowned crane, Egyptian geese, and guinea fowl ) , a Herpetarium ( where a new Morelet's crocodile exhibit was under construction ), a nice Native flora and fauna area, which featured Desert bighorn , a new exhibit of Peninsular pronghorn and construction on a new grison exhibit was well underway, and the Jaguar Trail - part of which is featured on ZooLex - with a very nice walk through aviary with a variety of toucans, agoutis, curassows, iguanas, and other species free ranging , a Spider monkey exhibit that spanned 2 islands connected by cables over the visitor walk, Neotropical river otters with underwater viewing , a large brocket deer exhibit, and a new exhibit was underway for margays. There is a large play area for children and a motion simulator near the entrance, as well as a large collection of birds of prey, including caracaras. Beyone that is the older section of the zoo which featured 3 different species of marmosets and tamarins, plus howlers, Hamadryas baboons, patas monkeys ( the larger primates are in awful spaces ) , maras, African porcupines, coendu, kinkajou, a lone spectacled bear, hippos ( unpleasant looking area if I recall correctly ) , another spider monkey island, and a hoofstock area with large herds of blackbuck, bison, aoudads, and elk ( all in large sparse yards ). There were plans for an new interactive childrens farm but no construction had begun.
I haven't listed every species, but this is a nice overall impression. I might even have some pics available if someone really wanted to see them.
I would say that Aragon is a pleasant moderate sized zoo , with some interesting species and some very nice exhibits, that is worth a stroll for anyone ( word of advice : just like Chapultepec, I heard weekends get really crowded ), but it's expecially nice for a zoo lover like myself.
Happy Trails,
Eric in Portland
Hello everyone, I visited the Zoos in Chapultepec Park, Aragon, and Guadalajara over New Years 2007-2008. Because I was an intern at the Oregon Zoo and my partner is a Dr. who assists their vet staff one day a week, We had behind the scenes meetings with vets and staff at Aragon and Guadalajara.
I would like to write some comments about Aragon. We rode the city Metro to and fro, and despite our very limited Spanish and a short walk, we experienced no problems in the area.
Half of the zoo was completely renovated , I believe around 1999 or 2000. While it doesn't have the sheer numbers or diversity that Chapultepec zoo has, it is a very worthwhile visit. It is much more spread out for one thing, which means greater distances between some exhibit areas, but also means that some of the animals, such as the chimpanzees, elephants and lions , have larger enclosures. The renovated sections include the Mexican wolf enclosure, Californian and Patagonian Sea Lion pools, the African Savannah ( which includes a a nice mixed waterhole of Grant's zebra, ostrich, gnu, waterbuck, eland, ostrich, ostrich, crowned crane, Egyptian geese, and guinea fowl ) , a Herpetarium ( where a new Morelet's crocodile exhibit was under construction ), a nice Native flora and fauna area, which featured Desert bighorn , a new exhibit of Peninsular pronghorn and construction on a new grison exhibit was well underway, and the Jaguar Trail - part of which is featured on ZooLex - with a very nice walk through aviary with a variety of toucans, agoutis, curassows, iguanas, and other species free ranging , a Spider monkey exhibit that spanned 2 islands connected by cables over the visitor walk, Neotropical river otters with underwater viewing , a large brocket deer exhibit, and a new exhibit was underway for margays. There is a large play area for children and a motion simulator near the entrance, as well as a large collection of birds of prey, including caracaras. Beyone that is the older section of the zoo which featured 3 different species of marmosets and tamarins, plus howlers, Hamadryas baboons, patas monkeys ( the larger primates are in awful spaces ) , maras, African porcupines, coendu, kinkajou, a lone spectacled bear, hippos ( unpleasant looking area if I recall correctly ) , another spider monkey island, and a hoofstock area with large herds of blackbuck, bison, aoudads, and elk ( all in large sparse yards ). There were plans for an new interactive childrens farm but no construction had begun.
I haven't listed every species, but this is a nice overall impression. I might even have some pics available if someone really wanted to see them.
I would say that Aragon is a pleasant moderate sized zoo , with some interesting species and some very nice exhibits, that is worth a stroll for anyone ( word of advice : just like Chapultepec, I heard weekends get really crowded ), but it's expecially nice for a zoo lover like myself.
Happy Trails,
Eric in Portland
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
OK, folks, my upcoming trip to visit Mexican zoos is now assured! I've made my plane reservations. I'll be at the Chapultepec Zoo on Thursday, March 19 and at Guadalajara Zoo on Friday, March 20. If I have time, I'll also try to get to San Juan de Aragon Zoo too. I'm SO excited!
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Cool! Hope you have a great trip!