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Snowleopard's Florida Road Trip

 
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  #1
Snowleopard's Florida Road Trip
Old 13-11-2008
I know that there has been talk of this mini-zoo tour on the Miami Metrozoo thread, but this will be nothing like the 30 zoo/aquarium set of reviews on the "Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip" thread. My wife Debbie and I will be hitting 4 zoos in 4 days on this one instead of our gargantuan summer tour. Those that read that summer road trip journal will have seen my personal list of top 10 North American zoos near the end of the thread, and so I'm interested to see if some of the ones in Florida can displace other zoos on my list.

Here is the finalized itinerary:

Wed. December 3rd: Disney's Animal Kingdom - some people have told me that this is the world's first billion dollar zoo and is one of the 5 best in North America, while others scorn the rollercoasters and other goodies. I'm extremely intrigued to see what side of the fence my opinion will fall on.

Th. December 4th: Jacksonville Zoo - the "Range of the Jaguar" habitats make this zoo a must-see, and I've heard it mentioned by two different members of this website as a candidate for being one of the best in North America.

Fri. December 5th: White Oak Wildlife Sanctuary - not a real "zoo" in the true sense of the word, but where else can anyone see 15 okapis? I can't wait to see the giant eland herd, numerous cheetahs, 4 species of rhino, etc.

Sat. December 6th: Miami Metrozoo - this is hailed as one of the better zoos in North America as well, and with the $50 million "Amazon & Beyond" opening on this very day it will be an action-packed stroll for visitors.
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  #2
Old 13-11-2008
Again, snowleopard, as many picture as possible from Disney as well as an in depth review, OK?

WE WILL BE WAITING.........
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  #3
Old 13-11-2008
If White Oak actually has 4 species of rhino I'll sell my house to go see it. Perhaps there are two subspecies of black rhino there along with white and Indian? Even that sounds amazing combined with all those okapi. Have also heard the conference center there is beyond belief nice--hope you get to see that as well.

At Disney, be sure to take the train ride to the "Affection Station" or whatever the children's zoo area is now now called. It might be something you'd otherwise skip, but it passes by the rhino and elephant holding areas which are not publicly accessible, and they are amazing and impressive.
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  #4
Old 13-11-2008
Definitely. Some of the best parts of animal kingdom are tucked away from the main path. Make sure to explore because you're bound to find many hidden gems.
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  #5
Old 14-11-2008
@reduakari: how much is your house worth? It is time to start selling! I have it on good authority that White Oak has 4 distinct rhino species, along with 15 okapis, almost 30 cheetahs, a huge herd of giant eland, and all the rest of the amazing animals.

For those that have inquired to me privately and on various threads...the answer is YES in terms of long, comprehensive reviews and literally a few hundred more photos added to the gallery after the trip is complete. I can't wait, and my only regret is that it cannot possibly be as long as my epic summer road trip.
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  #6
Old 14-11-2008
There are 5 species of rhinos on earth:
Black
White
Indian
Javan
Sumatran

As far as I'm aware, there have been no Javan rhinos in any zoo for nearly 100 years, and only Cincinnati has Sumatrans. So I think I'll keep my house!
But anxious to hear about White Oak and all its goodies......
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  #7
Old 14-11-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by reduakari View Post
There are 5 species of rhinos on earth:
Black
White
Indian
Javan
Sumatran

As far as I'm aware, there have been no Javan rhinos in any zoo for nearly 100 years, and only Cincinnati has Sumatrans. So I think I'll keep my house!
But anxious to hear about White Oak and all its goodies......
You guys aren't going all Jurassic Parky on us there and cloning wooly rhinos are ya okapikpr?
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  #8
Old 14-11-2008
[quote=snowleopard;82685]@reduakari: I have it on good authority that White Oak has 4 distinct rhino species, QUOTE]

Hey come on Snowleopard, in Australia we would call that handballing.

Looking forward to your review
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  #9
Old 15-11-2008
I heard from one of our zoological administrative personnel that White Oak Conservation Center doesn't open to the public. That was confirmed by one of our curator who was just there this month. Maybe someone else can tell me otherwise.

Four species of rhinos in one place? The fourth got to be the sumatran rhino. Besides Cincinnati, there is no way another institution in the US is holding this species. Unless I am totally out of the loop on this.
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  #10
Old 15-11-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by reduakari View Post
If White Oak actually has 4 species of rhino I'll sell my house to go see it. Perhaps there are two subspecies of black rhino there along with white and Indian? Even that sounds amazing combined with all those okapi. Have also heard the conference center there is beyond belief nice--hope you get to see that as well.

At Disney, be sure to take the train ride to the "Affection Station" or whatever the children's zoo area is now now called. It might be something you'd otherwise skip, but it passes by the rhino and elephant holding areas which are not publicly accessible, and they are amazing and impressive.
It really is a bad market in which to sell your house. Please check this thread:

4 Species of Rhino
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  #11
Old 15-11-2008
Wow!!!!

Bay Area housing is way off the charts (thank God I rent!)

Unquestionably a world's first......

If White Oak gets some Northern Whites it will complete the picture.

I've got to see this place!
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  #12
Old 15-11-2008
White Oak Conservation Centre is closed to the public unless you are willing to pay huge bucks for a tour...or are friends with someone who has connections!! I can't wait to see all FOUR species of rhino, plus the cheetahs, okapis, etc, and I honestly didn't even know about Harry the sumatran rhino until I had arranged to visit. I think that Jacksonville, DAK and Miami Metrozoo all have some serious competition as to what animal collection I'm most looking forward to...
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  #13
Old 30-11-2008
[quote=snowleopard;82460]

Here is the finalized itinerary:

Wed. December 3rd: Disney's Animal Kingdom - some people have told me that this is the world's first billion dollar zoo QUOTE]


R we there Yet, R we there Yet, R we there Yet, R we there Yet

Trusting that your wife, and you are haveing safe journey.
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  #14
Old 02-12-2008
Thanks Zooman! Our short jaunt through Florida will kickstart on Tuesday night, and then Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will visit DAK, Jacksonville, White Oak and Miami Metrozoo. I'm not sure when the reviews will emerge here on ZooChat, but at some point in December I'll post comprehensive reviews of each zoo and by Christmas hundreds and hundreds of photos.
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  #15
Old 02-12-2008
Can't wait for your amazing reviews and photos!
 
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