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The San Diego Wild Animal Park Experience
One of the most popular and well known tourist attractions in
Southern California is the San Diego Zoo. Most people outside of
California, however, aren't aware of an even better wildlife
experience which is just a short drive from the Zoo, in the
northern part of San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal
Park. Like the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is operated
by the Zoological Society of San Diego which is a non-profit
organization dedicated to the conservation and education of
endangered species and their habitats. I've been to the Park
many times while growing up in Southern California, but my last
visit was special because it was with my five year old daughter
who has never been there before. It was an experience that
yielded many cool pictures and a great time that I won't soon
forget.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, and many of the
attractions that were there for the opening are still around
today. The Park is not set up like a traditional zoo because
most of the exhibits are in an open area on acres of land. This
allows the Park to keep herds of different species that interact
with each other in an environment that simulates their natural
habitat. Because of this, the animals display many of their
natural behaviors, providing Park visitors with a better
understanding of how they live.
The Wild Animal Park's most popular attraction is the Wgasa Bush
Line Railway which takes visitors on a 3 mile, 40 minute journey
through most of the Park's main areas and then into the San
Pasqual Valley. The valley is divided into different areas, each
representing different regions such as North Africa, South
Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Mongolian Steppe. The tour
also offers a live narration by the tram driver which really
succeeds in educating the riders about each species on display.
For instance, I never knew that a herd of rhinos is known as a
crash. This attraction is perfect for older kids and adults, but
younger children may become a little restless due to the ride's
length of time. In the spring of 2007, the old railway is going
to be replaced by a new and more modern transportation system.
Much of the Wild Animal Park's charm comes from the over 3,500
plant species on display along with the Nairobi Village theme.
Our visit was on a somewhat dreary day which made the Park seem
like a rainforest with babbling brooks and misty walkways. The
one exhibit that my daughter couldn't get enough of was Lorikeet
Landing. For two dollars, you can buy lorikeet food (nectar) and
the colorful birds will actually land on you when you enter the
atrium. From there, we saw another one of my daughter's
favorites, Lion Camp. This new attraction lets you see the lions
from several different angles and also provides an up-close view
when you approach the glass barrier, which is the only thing
separating you from the king of beasts. I'm a big fan of
carousels and the Conservation Carousel was one of the most
unique that I've ever seen. Instead of horses, it featured many
of the endangered animals that can be seen throughout the park.
Our final attraction of the day was an Animal Encounter, where
we got to experience a Caracal Cat up-close along with its
trainer.
For a little bit more than the price of a one-day ticket, you
can purchase one of several packages that allow you to become a
member of the Zoological Society of San Diego. As a member, you
get such benefits as unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo and
the Wild Animal Park for one year, a ZOONOOZ magazine
subscription, a membership card, and monthly member specials
featuring discounts on food and merchandise. Since The Wild
Animal Park is operated by a non-profit organization, a visit to
the gift store not only gets you some really cool stuff, but
also allows you to contribute to a worthwhile cause. This was
the first of many visits that my daughter and I intend on making
to the Park over the next year. Hopefully, on your next trek
through Southern California, you take the time to experience the
San Diego Wild Animal Park for yourself.