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M. Man's Florida Trip

Discussion in 'United States' started by Milwaukee Man, 5 Jun 2014.

  1. Milwaukee Man

    Milwaukee Man Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    From May 9th to May 18th, I took a vacation to the state of Florida. While down there, I did many exciting activities and saw some awesome places, such as an Airboat Tour, Kennedy Space Center, the Fountain of Youth, and, of course, a couple of animal attractions.

    The two animal attractions that I visited on my trip were the White Oak Conservation Center, and Gatorland. I’ll start out with White Oak:

    Review of White Oak Conservation Center

    White Oak | White Oak Conservation

    On May 14th, I toured this enormous conservation center, which is located on the outskirts of Yulee, Florida. In fact, the establishment actually sits right across from the state of Georgia. White Oak began as a plantation sometime in the 1700’s until about the 1930’s. Next, the area became a large private paper business until White Oak fell under new ownership in 1982. It was then that White Oak would begin its focus on three major aspects: conservation of the natural world, cultural arts, and public policy. The conservation center then began giving arranged private tours about ten years ago.

    Because this is a conservation center, my review (which will focus on the “conservation of the natural world” aspect) will be more about the experiences I had and the center’s species conservation successes rather than about exhibit quality like I have done for my zoo reviews. I will point out, though, that most of the exhibits are very nice for the sake of the animals’ comfort, and White Oak does a great job of working with the AZA and other zoos in breeding programs that take place.

    Rhinos – White Oak is well-known for its success in rhino conservation. The species held here are white, black, and Indian; a Sumatran rhino was once held here for a few years, but was later shipped out. The white rhino exhibit can actually be seen when driving on the way to the main building where the tour begins, and in a more secluded area of the center are the facilities for black and Indian rhinos. At the time of my visit, there were about 10-12 white rhinos (with about 30 births occurring over the years), three black rhinos (I only saw one), and five Indian rhinos.

    Hoofstock – Several enormous habitats for hoofed animals are seen throughout the White Oak woods. Next to the white rhinos on the way in is an enclosure for a single banteng; rows of exhibits are home to breeding herds of roan antelope, lesser kudu, wildebeest, addra gazelle, bongos (including one of nine sets of bongo twins born in North America), giant eland (a first for me), and Nile lechwe (another first). Scattered throughout the center are also exhibits for bachelor herds of animals, some of which are different species mixed together – an example was one for giant eland, lesser kudu, and Nile lechwe. Other hoofstock exhibits throughout the center include an enormous tree filled habitat for giraffes, a huge field for Somali wild ass, an exhibit for a trio of gerenuk, and another large open habitat for Grevy’s zebras (I was told the exhibit was about the same size as the entire Central Park Zoo).

    Cheetahs – Scattered throughout the area are also several lush habitats for the world’s fastest land mammal. White Oak is currently home to almost 30 cheetahs, and has been very successful with breeding the cats, having close to 150 cubs born. One of the exhibits held not only a single female cheetah, but also an Anatolian shepherd dog. It was cool to hear how the two grew up together, along with the relationship that cheetahs and shepherd dogs have in Africa.

    Birds – There are a few round cages that are connected to one another via tunnels for curassows (species include wattled and blue-billed) that were nothing spectacular, but across the road were two 1-acre wooded habitats for cassowaries. The mother was in one, and a father and chick were in the other. I always get excited when I see this unique bird species, but seeing a chick and hearing the mother’s very low rumbling sounds made the experience even more memorable.

    Okapis – Another species White Oak is famous for is the mysterious okapi. The center has about 11 okapis (with another on the way), and had several births. Unfortunately, at the time of my tour, all the okapi enclosures were under going maintenance – bad luck! However, the guide went up to one of the okapi barns, looked through one of the peek holes, and then motioned to come over and take a look. There, in the corner, was a male okapi. It was cool already to see the unique creature so close, but things got really exciting when the okapi walked over to the peek hole (surprising considering the skittish nature of okapis). He even stuck his muzzle out, allowing us to pet it!

    Other Animals – Apparently, White Oak also has maned wolf, Mississippi sandhill crane, and wattled crane, but the guide never took us to those areas. We did pass by an enormous (15 acres I believe), heavily wooded habitat for Florida panther. The habitat is used for the panthers for rehabilitation, and to prepare the cats for eventual release into the wild. At the time of my tour, the center only had a male Florida panther, which was in quarantine.

    Animal Hospital – This cool building is located across from the Somali wild ass. Inside were many interesting rooms, including one for health exams and a research room focused on artificial insemination. While touring inside, the guide was talking about some neat information about their recent success with artificial insemination with gerenuk.

    HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: Meeting the magnificent Indian rhino up-close was by far the most amazing part of the day. I previously had an up-close encounter with an Indian rhino in 2008 (at “The Wilds” in Ohio), but it was a thrill this time around to be petting not one, but five Indian rhinos. Patrick, the center’s bull rhino, was in one paddock, a mother and one-year-old calf were in one stall of the rhino barn, and another mother and calf pair was in the other stall.

    Overall: White Oak Conservation Center is without a doubt a fantastic wildlife outing! Being able to see cheetahs, okapis, rhinos, and herds of unique hoofstock up-close and personal is a real treat for large mammal fans. Also, hearing some amazing information regarding the center’s relationship with other AZA zoos and the conservation work that occurs made the trip all the more informative. I’d definitely recommend a trip to White Oak to anyone who hasn’t been there yet. The Gatorland review will be up soon – stay tuned.
     
  2. vogelcommando

    vogelcommando Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Thanks for the review of this amazing place. I can imagine you thrill of being so close to an Okapi, I was even so lucky to pet one on an behind the scene-visit at Antwerp Zoo ( see photo in the Antwerp Zoo Gallery ).
     
  3. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I thought White Oak was completely closed to the public? They do regularly scheduled tours?
     
  4. Milwaukee Man

    Milwaukee Man Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    White Oak used to be completely closed off to the public; if I remember right, I believe the scheduled tours started about 10 years ago. However, tours are only on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10:00.
     
  5. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Interesting. Thanks for the response.
     
  6. Oddernod

    Oddernod Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Wow — thanks for the report, I had never heard of what sounds like an absolutely amazing place. I think I know where I'm scheduling a photo-based vacation to soon.
     
  7. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I am not sure how good the photo ops would be during the guided tour. You may need to contact them to see about special photo opportunities (which they would likely charge extra for if they even do it). I do know that many of the professional grade photos of Florida panthers in books and other media were taken here.
     
  8. Milwaukee Man

    Milwaukee Man Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    At long last, the Gatorland review has been posted!

    Review of Gatorland

    Gatorland

    Located in Orlando, Florida, Gatorland is an attraction that was founded in 1949, beginning with a gift shop and displays holding alligators and snakes. Starting in the 1960’s, the park began reaching out to displaying Florida wildlife and other exotic animals. Overtime, the park also added theme park-like attractions such as a train (1965), gator jumping (1983) and wrestling shows (1991), and a zip-line (2011).

    Gatorland, which I visited on May 17th, was originally not in my plans while I was on my Florida vacation. However, I had time to kill before the plane took off, and was looking for something quick to do beforehand. While going down the road, I drove past this establishment and thought, “Sure, why not?”

    Alligator Ponds – Right after one enters the park, there are four pools filled with American alligators of various sizes (along with a single dwarf crocodile in one of the pools). These pools are surrounded by guest boardwalks, and are nothing special or naturalistic at all. The designs of all four consist of shallow water with a wooden platform in the center that is shaded. There are also two habitats packed with gators with one on each side of the boardwalk; both consist of a large lake with a grassy island, and are great for the huge reptiles. Finally, there is another pool that can be accessed from one of the lake habitats; this small area is where the “Gator Jumparoo Show” takes place. Here, three gator feeders talk and demonstrate how the gators’ unique jumping technique help them catch food in the wild. It is a cool and humorous show I’d recommend seeing.

    Snakes of Florida – A row of tanks that are home to some the sunshine state’s most well-known snake species. The tanks, which opened in the early 1990’s, are all on the small side, but have a good amount of natural features like woodchips, small logs, twigs, sand, etc. Species include: eastern diamondback rattlesnake, water moccasin, coral snake, and scarlet king snake.

    White Gator Swamp – A little shaded area that consists of four exhibits for white alligators. These are probably the weakest gator exhibits at the park, as they only consist of a shallow pool and land area that is either a wood platform or cement. It was cool to see the white gators up-close though.

    Other Reptile Exhibits – Near a splash park, called “Gator Gulley,” are two exhibits. The first is a dusty pen for tortoises, which can be fed if one pays a small fee for it. The second exhibit is an average-sized one for Burmese pythons, and is quite lacking in quality. While the glass windows allow for cool up-close experiences, and the pool is nice and large, the rest of the ground is concrete and the big snakes only have a couple logs for enrichment. One aspect I do give credit to the python exhibit though is the educational signs – they explain the problem with pet pythons being released into the wild after their owners are unable to care for them, and how they are beginning to dominate as an invasive species. I thought this was a very nice touch.

    Panther Springs – This exhibit, which opened in 2013, is located right next “Gator Gulley,” and is home to a brother-sister pair of beautiful Florida panthers. Visitors view the cats from a shaded, wooden deck through glass windows that have quite a glare. The panthers have a shady enclosure that is on the small side, but has lush grass, a few tree trunks for scratching, a small pool, and a few climbing areas. The exhibit may be average at best, but it is a thrill to see a magnificent, critically endangered feline so close.

    Breeding Marsh – Located between the main alligator displays and Jungle Crocs is an enormous slice of naturalistic swampland home to more than 100 American alligators. It opened in 1991.

    Jungle Crocs – Located in the back of the park is a little trail home to some exotic crocodilian species. The exhibits for the most part have a similar design: an oval-shaped area with grass, a large pool that allows for submerging, and a background featuring either chain-link fences or a low rock wall. All are a decent size for the massive reptiles depending on the size and number of the occupants. The species housed here include: saltwater crocodile (a first for me), American alligator (one exhibit held several medium-sized reptiles, and another held a large gator named Pops), Nile crocodiles (the only exhibit to have underwater viewing), and Cuban crocodile (another first).

    Gator Wrestling Stadium – This arena opened in 1991. The show runs for about 20-30 minutes, and consists of gator wranglers catching mid-sized gators from the water moat that surrounds the land area, and doing various poses with the gator. Throughout the show, the visitors get educated about the strength and interesting facts about alligator’s jaws. It’s a very unique show that I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting this park.

    Chester – This is the name given to what is probably the largest American alligator I have ever seen! He is notorious for attacking and consuming dogs, and was saved when Gatorland offered to give him a home. Chester’s enclosure, overall, is a bit small for him, but at least it provides opportunities to get very close to him.

    Other Exhibits – There are a few animal enclosures that are scattered around the park that are a nice pit stop while going in between the different gator and croc pools. Going in a clockwise direction when looking at the map: a chain-link-enclosed raccoon exhibit that is decently designed with climbing opportunities, resting platforms, and a good amount of vegetation; a small owl aviary; a sandy mid-sized emu pen that allows one to get really close to the Australian birds; an enormous, lush habitat for deer; a bobcat has an average-sized habitat that is grassy, but could definitely use more vegetation to hide away from the intense Florida sun; a pretty flamingo lagoon; and a small walkway with a few perches for macaws.

    HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: Seeing the beautiful Florida panthers (for the first time ever) in their small habitat was the most amazing part of my visit. At first, the two cats were sleeping and enjoying the shade; after a while, one of the panthers woke up and started patrolling the exhibit, providing some great photo moments, especially when the cat would walk by the glass areas.

    OVERALL: I walked into Gatorland thinking it was going to be an establishment with nothing but gator pond after gator pond, a few gator-related shows, and that’s it. While that is partly the case, I was surprised to find the other exhibits for native Florida species, along with the exotic crocodilian species; plus, the shows, along with some of the exhibits, are actually very well done. If you’re in the Orlando area and looking for a quick 3 – 4 hour attraction, I’d definitely recommend coming to Gatorland. It is a very cool place to learn the specifics about the iconic Florida reptile, as well as to see and appreciate most of the native fauna from the sunshine state. Reptile fans will not be disappointed!
     
  9. DavidBrown

    DavidBrown Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Thanks for your interesting reviews, MM. Gatorland doesn't sound like the dump one thinks it might be, but actually rather interesting. It would be cool to see a Florida panther.

    Did you get a chance to see any wild alligators or other wildlife while you were in Florida?
     
    Last edited: 10 Jul 2014
  10. Drew

    Drew Well-Known Member

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    I visited Gatorland in the early 90's and the image a gator jumping out of the water to rip a chicken off a zip line still sticks in my mind. I also remember holding a baby gator and a huge snake. The gatorskin-themed giftshop where one could buy purses, belts, ect. and the gator nuggets at the snack bar were a little off-puting at the time...(although I am sure these all died of natural causes)
     
  11. Milwaukee Man

    Milwaukee Man Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I appreciate the replies, everyone! :)

    @DavidBrown: Yes, I did get a chance to see several species of Florida wildlife. While driving from place to place, I saw some deer and sandhill cranes by the side of the road. On the Wild Florida Airboat Tour, much to my disappointment, I only saw one wild gator; its tail was the only thing I saw on the surface before it quickly disappeared beneath the water. Strangely enough, though, I probably saw the most wild animals while at the Kennedy Space Center (which by the way is a very cool place to visit!) on the bus tour of the entire property. Here, I saw plenty of wild alligators, bald eagles (along with two huge nests), a huge flock of what I thought were turkey vultures, wild turkeys, pelicans, and even a few manatees! :D In addition, I was able to catch the dorsal fins of either dolphins or porpoises breaking the surface on the coast that the Space Center is located.
     
  12. DavidBrown

    DavidBrown Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I've found the Kennedy Space Center to be an excellent place to see wildlife also. If you ever go back it is surrounded by Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (which you likely saw some of). I saw alligators, manatees, and spoonbills there. You likely saw Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins - I remember seeing them exactly where you are talking about.