No, It’s Not an African Safari…..It’s the Brevard Zoo

Friday, June 5, 2020

A New Reality

As our state continues a return to normal, we are continually surprised at the joy we feel as the “once normal” comes back into our lives.  It may be necessary to make reservations or appointments; wear masks and socially distance….. BUT we can, once again, browse the bookstore; shop the mall; enjoy favorite restaurants; and visit theme parks, galleries, museums, and the zoo!

Last week, we visited the Brevard Zoo!

This is a 75-acre nonprofit facility in Viera, Florida.  It is an incredibly unique zoo.  Begun in 1986, it was built with the dedication and labor of 16,000 volunteers!  The East Coast Zoological Society of Florida desired to build a zoo that would “serve as a conversation hub where people could gather to learn about animals and nature.  A place to escape from the man-made world and reconnect with the diversity of the life with which we share this planet.”   Construction began in 1992 and the zoo opened its doors on March 26, 1994.

The zoo is divided into four loops:  Expedition Africa; Lands of Change (with a focus on Australia and Beyond); Wild Florida; and Rainforest Revealed.  These loops are accessed off the main path encircling the Flamingo Pond and café.  Now, this is a small zoo.  It does not rival the San Diego Zoo or the Bronx Zoo.  But it does provide an intimate and cozy glimpse of cute animals; exotic animals; rare animals; exciting animals; and all in a beautiful setting.

The four areas of the zoo branch off the main loop.

We chose to spend the afternoon touring Expedition Africa.

Now, no zoo will rival the experience of an exciting African Safari but viewing fabulous animals in a natural setting is a thrill, no matter where you are!!!  As we wandered through the zoo, we just couldn’t help but remember the fabulous and exciting African Safari, taken in 2018, when we trekked from Maputo, Mozambique to the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve at the Kruger National Park in South Africa.  Lion Sands, part of the Sabi Sands consortium of private reserves, was purchased in 1933 by Guy Aubrey Chalkley.  In 1978, his granddaughter, Louise and her husband John More built the first lodge to accommodate the public.  The More family continues to provide ethical and responsible conservation management along with sensitive, non-intrusive access to the wild and fascinating animals.   Lion Sands shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park allowing the animals to wander, freely, across the land and along the Sabie River.  The Narina Lodge overlooking the Sabie River is a superb “home-base” for touring the Kruger National Park and witnessing the wonders of the wild.

So, in conclusion, the Brevard Zoo offers a pretty good African experience.

Now, if they could just get a few of those cool Land Rovers!!!

 

The weekend is upon us; if you’re looking for something to do—think about visiting a zoo!!!