Tracking The Elusive Wild Animal Park
Written: Dec 01 '00 (Updated Dec 01 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: See endangered species in a natural setting
Cons: Don't expect to see all types
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| realtraveller's Full Review: San Diego Wild Animal Park |
The most important thing for the first time visitor to know about the San Diego Wild Animal Park is that it is not in San Diego! It is actually closest to the town of Escondido; the nearest coastal city (where you will exit I-5) is Oceanside. Plan on (at least) an hour's drive from the city of San Diego (assuming no traffic) to get here.
The second most important thing to recognize is that this is NOT a zoo. The San Diego Wild Animal Park began as a breeding facility for rare and endangered species and that is still its main function. Therefore, the diversity of species that one expects at a zoo is not there. For example, there are no polar bears or any other type of bear. There is no reptile house, no alligators or crocodiles. No kangaroos, no koalas, no camels, no llamas. For seals or walruses, you'll have to go to Sea World.
The park is heavy (pun intended) on rhinos due to their endangered status. It is also proud of its rare hoofed mammals such as the Pere David deer, which are extinct in their native China. In addition to the endangered species, the signature of this park is that it showcases its animals in as close to a natural setting as San Diego County and chain link fences allow.
Highlights
The jewel of the San Diego Wild Animal Park is its large open "backcountry" valley. Picture a small Ngorogoro Crater without predators but with fences and the constant hovering of veterinarians. This is as close as you can get to an African safari without getting the shots. It is open range for rhinos, giraffes, wildebeests and other hoofed mammals. There are watering holes and mud holes. African vultures (with pinioned wings) lope over the hills. Gazelles leap ten feet over ditches running away from imaginary lions. There is also an area designated for Asian species (separated from the African animals by a chain link DMZ). In Asia, the park exhibits wild asses (which appealed to my third graders sense of humor), Arabian oryx and rare deer.
In order to see this area, go straight to the tram station, known as the Wgasa Bush Line Railway. The 50 minute round trip narrated by a naturalist is a great way to get an overview of the park, to learn about its animals and to learn how the breeding program is delivering.
Heart of Africa Stroll through the tall grasses and under the thorn trees down to the watering hole. Along the way you will see okapis, cheetahs, cranes, warthogs, flamingos and giraffes. My kids delighted in feeding the giraffes, a concession available near the Okavango Outpost (read refreshment stand). You pick up a big piece of giraffe chow and feel their rough, gray tongues slurp it down. Don't worry. Facilities for washing off giraffe spit are nearby.
Condor Ridge This is the only enclosure in the country (to my knowledge) in which condors are on display. With only 100 or so individuals left either in the wild or in zoos, see these unusual creatures before they disappear forever. Hopefully, with the continued breeding success of the San Diego Wild Animal Park, which has engineered the release of condors back into the wild, these rare birds will flourish. Condor Ridge also features desert bighorn sheep, wild turkeys and prairie dogs. One of the beauties of the Wild Animal Park is its coordination of the botany to the zoology. So in Condor Ridge, the flora consist of aspens and pines.
Lorikeet Landing It is called Lorikeet Landing because the Lorikeets land on you! A lorikeet is the beautiful green bird pictured in the Epinions introduction to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. For $1. buy the kids a cup of nectar. As soon as they enter the bird house, the lorikeets will swoop down and land all over your child to either his delight or horror. My kids absolutely loved it and we had to go back twice. The thoughtful folks who planned this park, also placed a washing stand right next to the exit to Lorikeet Landing in case you are hit with any squirts.
Hidden Jungle Next to Lorikeet Landing is Hidden Jungle or the butterfly, hummingbird and insect house. I loved seeing the iridescent teal butterflies. I also (unexpectedly) enjoyed seeing the leaf-cutting ants. Teeny ants carrying large leaves up a vine to their home where they turn the leaves into a delightful (to them) fungus for eating.
Kilimanjaro Safari Trail This is where "Survival of the Fittest" comes into play. This one and a half mile walking trail takes you to some great overlook points for reviewing the giraffes and rhinos and other animals on the plains. It will also allow second looks (first look was on the tram) of the African lion enclosure and the enclosure of the Sumatran tiger. In fine weather this walk is fabulous. If it is hot, watch out.
Cost of an all-day safari
It cost us, a family of four, $66 to enter with a small AAA discount. Parking is an extra $5. Food is typically expensive for what you get. Kids' meals were more reasonable at $4.95. They really hit you for cold drinks. We ended up getting the large souvenir glass for $9. which allowed one to get free refills throughout the park.
Bring binoculars. Unlike a regular zoo, some of the animals may be far away. Don't even expect to see all the animals. The cheetah and her three cubs were taking their 14 hour nap somewhere out of view of the tourists. We saw the tiger from the tram but when we returned on the Kilimanjaro Trail, it was hiding in the bamboo. One of the downsides of a natural setting and large enclosures is that the animals have more places to hide.
Overall, this is so much better than a zoo, that you can't even call it a zoo. I absolutely love it. Our trip last weekend was the most recent of many. More babies are constantly being born and the exhibits are being updated. There are many educational opportunities for kids interested in animals. One display had an actual lion's foot and a piece of elephant hide. There are animal "shows"; an elephant show, a bird show and a rare and wild America show. The "shows" emphasize the animals' uniqueness and the importance of saving endangered creatures.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park is an absolute "must see" for anyone visiting the San Diego area.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Kathryn
Location: North of Malibu, East of Eden
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