ZooTampa in Lowry Park is a 25-hectare non-profit zoo located in Tampa, Florida. In 2009, Lowry Park Zoo was voted the # 1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine, and is recognized by the State of Florida as a center for conservation and wildlife biodiversity in Florida (HB 457). The zoo is operated by Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent charity 501 (c) (3). The zoo also exists as an endangered wildlife conservation center both locally and worldwide. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) as well as a member of the World Zoo and Aquariums Association (WAZA), Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), Florida Zoo and Aquarium Association (FAZA) and Florida Attractions Association FAA).
ZooTampa traces its origins to a small animal exhibition located on the grounds of Tampa University in downtown. It moved to its current location as the Lowry Park Zoo in 1957, and was rebuilt and reconfigured in 1989. The zoo was renamed ZooTampa at Lowry Park in 2018 as part of another renovation and expansion project.
Video ZooTampa at Lowry Park
History
The first zoo in Tampa is a small collection of exotic animals in Plant Park on the grounds of Tampa University across the Hillsborough River from downtown.
During the mid-1950s, Mayor Nick Nuccio led the impetus to move the zoo to a wider location. Landed further down the river near the Seminole Heights neighborhood was chosen. The zoo and the combined park were christened Lowry Park after General Sumter Loper Lowry, a local citizen celebrating for his community contributions and ministry in several wars, but was slandered by some for his controversial political outlook.
The Lowry Park Zoo was opened in 1957. The zoo shares a park with Fairyland, where concrete statues depicting fairy tales and children's songs are located along a winding maze of roads beneath the feet of expansive oaks. This strange area is accessible via a large rainbow bridge.
As the collection of wildlife increases, other attractions and rides are also added. In the early 1980s, the zoo featured small roller coasters, skyrides, and child-sized trains, among other kiddie rides. However, the zoo's facilities need refurbishment and renovation, with the animals crowded with so poor concrete places that Humanity calls it "one of the worst zoos in America".
After several years of fundraising and with the help and support of the mayor Bob Martinez and the city of Tampa, the original Low Garden Zoo closed on 7 September 1987 for a $ 20 million reconstruction in which virtually all traces of the original zoo (including Fairyland) were removed and replaced with more modern amenities. The first phase of the revamped zoo opened in March 1988. Some additions and extensions since then have brought the zoo into the current configuration.
Maps ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Exhibition
Asian Gardens
One of the oldest zoo parts, Domain Asia, has been renovated and renamed Asian Gardens in 2007. Exhibitions there include Indian rhino, Malayan tiger, babirusa, Komodo, tiger limb, bear sloth, and Indonesian-themed aviary. The design of the pagoda is like a subtle but real, giving an authentic Asian feel.
This area also has an aviary of Sulawesi, which includes a bloody pigeon, a mandarin duck, a giant Asian turtle pond and a reindeer muntjac reeve.
Florida Wildlife Center
The Florida Wildlife Center is an American-based exhibit that runs almost half a mile, accessible via the Asian Gardens. The exhibit includes many North American species and several Central American species, including skunked skunks, Orinoco crocodiles, North American black bears, a small group of red wolves, Indian West manatees, and crocodiles that flick the turtles.
It also includes educational performances of manatees, aquatic centers with sharks, eels, seahorses, and a vast collection of snakes, including rattlesnake diamonds to the east, copper heads, and eastern coral snakes. A Discovery Center highlights the population of amphibians at the zoo, showing off various types of frogs, frogs and other creatures.
Primate World
The primate part of the zoo is probably the best designed zoo section, with every exhibit apparently linked by a rocky waterfall system and aqueduct that runs across the entire section. There are great apes in the siamang of gibbons, chimpanzees and Bornean orangutans swinging and hugging around their exhibits. There are also various other primates, including Angola black-and-white colony monkeys, golden lion tamarins, tail-ring lemurs and mandril.
Wallanoo Wallaroo Station
The Wallaroo Station Children's Zoo reopened on 27 February 2015 after its first renovation since it opened in 2002. It is home to a variety of native Australian species including koalas, yellow stone wallabies, Australian singers and emu dogs, along with a variety of parrot parrots, and flying fox bats.
Part of this zoo is home to an interactive bat habitat, a "Banana Flying" trip, a budgie gathering and a family rollercoaster. It also has a splash play area for young children titled "The Billabong".
Safari Africa
The latest addition to Lowry, provides a truly authentic African experience. Sheltered by acacia trees, this area is home to a safari tram ride that provides an in-depth look behind the scenes of the zoo. The martial ares and Patas monkeys are only visible by this trip. The exhibit is home to many species of African landmarks, including meerkats, duikers, Reticulated giraffes, zebras, African elephants, East African crowned cranes, African penguins and the southern white rhino.
The Ituri Forest, which was later added to the Safari Africa section, brought the concept of a faded African river bank. This area includes a variety of species, including larger flamingos, hippopotamus dwarfs, saddle cranes and shoebill cranes.
In mid to late 2014, the boar exhibition was closed and renovated into the home of the Aldabra turtle and the giant Galapagos teenage tortoise, which was once an exclusive animal behind the scenes.
Main Aviary
Aviary main flight, accessible almost at the entrance, almost hidden in scrub and plant, giving the feel of a wild experience. Inside, the entire area is covered from head to toe in birds and free waterfowls, including large hornbills, red-legged legs, toucans tocoan, scarlet ibises, white whistling ducks, guineafowl, Raggiana Birds-of-paradise and an array of ducks and tanagers. Often, if you are hanging around, you can observe the two-eyed sloth lazily hanging in the trees.
Spirit of the Sky Raptor Show
The event, held twice a day at Zooventures Theater, is a fun and interactive experience that provides children and adults with fun facts about birds of prey and what we can do to protect them. Some of the species on display include eagle-Eurasian owls, bald eagles, and Andean condor.
Preservation
The zoo has 95 Species Survival Plan projects, which include endangered and endangered species as well as species of special concern. These include chimpanzees, Bornean orangutans, mandrills, gibbons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, golden lion tamarins, Indian rhinos, tiger limbs, bear sloth, babirusa, red wolves, African elephants, Bali mynah, Victorian crowned doves, huge Indian hornbills, coconut palm, and dragon dragons program.
The zoo has a hospital for Florida manatees where injured animals are rehabilitated with the aim of returning them to the wild. It is the only non-profit hospital in the world dedicated exclusively to critical care for wounded wild males, sick and orphaned. The Zoo works in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to save, rehabilitate and release the endangered Florida manatees. In 2012, Tampa Zoo Lowry Park was awarded a "Significant Achievement in North American Conservation Award" for its work with the manate, presented by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).
Rides
Starting with the addition of Australia, Lowry Park Zoo has added several children's rides, including rounds of comedy play, "Banana Fly", a children's train ride, and a miniature roller coaster named the Tasmanian Tiger Family.
Gator Waterfall, which opened in June 2008, is a log flume trip. This is the biggest and most expensive trip at the zoo today, at a cost of US $ 1.5 million to build it. This vehicle has a drop of 30 feet (9.1 m) tall, and the track takes the rider across the Philippine crocodile exhibit in the park.
Animal Inventory
Many names and types of animals have been revealed in newspaper articles, international and North American regional arenas, and by Twitter, Facebook, and the Lowry Park Zoo website. Many animal lineages can also be tracked using studbooks and other zoos that take credit for the birth of the animal.
Pygmy hippopotamus
- Pogo (M), Zsa Zsa (F), Zuri (F), and calf Zsa Zsa (?)
Note: On October 11, 2014, Zuri was born in Zsa Zsa and Dagwood. This is the second child after Zola (F). Zsa Zsa gave birth again in December 2016.
Indian Rhinos
- Jamie (F), Jiyu (M), and Juanpur (a.k.a. Johnny) (M)
Note: Johnny exchanged places with a man named Arjun on May 11, 2014. Jiyu was born in 2013 to Jamie and Arjun. This is their third child, they previously had Jahi and Jaya (Clara).
Malayan tiger
- Bzui (F), Eyes (M), and Contains (F)
Note: On September 11, 2016, Bzui gave birth to a daughter who was named Berisi.
Africa african
Note: Mpumi was born in Mbali and Sdudla at the end of 2012. In July 2013, Matjeka and Sdudla have a calf named Mavi. Ellie previously had a calf called Tamani through artificial insemination. According to the collection plan from 2013, the zoo plans to artificially suppress Ellie for the second time. Matjeka and Mbali are now grouped with Sdudla at the zoo for breeding purposes according to educators. Due to the social standings, Ellie can not be placed with Sdudla for natural breeding. Ellie is the "official" headmaster of the herd because she owns Tamani but since she no longer has a calf with her, Matjeka has taken over the role.
Key deer
- Bunsen (M), Little Pine (F), Sugarloaf (F), and Summer Lynn (F)
Note: Little Pine and Sugar is taken to the zoo because they both need constant care. Little Pine lost his left eye and Sugar often needed his front nails.
Florida panther
- Calusa (Lucy) (F) and Micanopy (M)
Note: Lucy is found orphaned in the Everglades as a tiger child. Micanopy found a home in a zoo early in 2017 after showing domestic behavior and was seen as a threat to society.
Southern white rhino
- Ahadi (F), Alake (F), Fujo (F), Kidogo (F), Kipenzi (F), and Ongava (M)
Note: Ahadi was born to Alake and Ongava on May 21, 2015. In 2013, Kidogo gave birth to a calf named Khari (M). She previously gave birth to Kito and Kande. Kidogo gave birth in September 2016 for his fourth child, Kipenzi.
Chimpanzees
- Abby (F), Jamie (F), Nick (M), and Twiggy (F)
Note: Keeva was born in Baltimore Zoo, but when her mother rejected her, Abby became her guardian mother. Abby has been a surrogate mother three times before adopting Keeva. Bahati was transferred to the Kansas Zoo in February 2017. On 6/22/2017, Bahati died in a strange accident at the Kansas Zoo.
On about 9/27/17, Keeva was tragically killed when the workers at the zoo placed him in the overnight room with 2 adult chimps in exchange for securing him with his adoptive mother. It was later confirmed that the two animals were Twiggy and Nick.
Siamangs
- Shame (F) and Sensei (M)
Note: Shame born Haddie and deceased male Cyrus in the zoo.
Giraffes
- Bingwa (M), Jyoti (M), Randle (M), and Sekani (M)
Note: Bingwa is a reticulation giraffe, Randle is a Rothschild giraffe, and Sekani and Jyoti are giraffes of the Masai
Okapis
- Bakari (M), Betty (F), and Zack (M)
Note: Bahati was born to Betty and Zack on January 6, 2013. Betty gave birth to a calf named Bakari on September 23, 2015. By the end of 2015, Bahati is sent to the Bronx Zoo.
Coalas
- Ceduna (F) and Heathcliff (M)
The Bornean Orangutan
- DeeDee (F), Goyang (M), Gifts (F), Josie (F), RanDee (F), Gojo (M), and Hats (F).
Note: RanDee was born to DeeDee and the deceased Rango man in 2012. Rango also became the father of the Prize in 2008, his mother is Josie. Josie is the mother of Gojo and the Prize is the mother of the Hat and the two baby orangutans became the father of Goyang.
Komodo
- Aanjay (F) and Titus (M)
Babirusas
- Meru (M), Myrtle (F), and Toomey (M)
Note: Meru was born in Myrtle and Toomey in 2015. Mentari was born in Myrtle and Toomey on June 2, 2016. Mentari is no longer mentioned on the zoo's website and is thought to have died.
Terrific tiger
- Malee (F), Yim (M), Aiya (F), and Shigu (F)
Note: Mowgli was born in Malee and Yim in March 2015, and the zoo claims he has been a "superstar" since his birth. She was sent to an unknown zoo when she was six months old. As for his sister who was born on February 29, 2016, Aiya and Shigu, they currently live in Lowry as part of the Reach Program to help educate the public.
American black bear
- Blossom (F), Newberry (F), and Sam (M)
Note: Blossom and Newberry are found orphaned in Florida as their son. To give them a second chance in life, they moved to Lowry Park. The girls are finally introduced to their long-term residents, Sam, starting in 2014. Blossom is believed to be slightly older than Newberry.
bear Sri Lankan sloth
- Annie (F) and Ken (M)
Note: Another man lives in the Lowry Park Zoo, but his name is not common.
Tapir Malaya
- Albert (M), Watermelon (M), Midnight (F), and Sweet (F)
Note: Watermelon was born for Ubi and Albert on January 30, 2015. On September 10, 2016, Ubi gave birth to her third calf, Midnight.
African Penguin
Abe (M), Amber (F), Aurora (F), Loki (M), Lada (F), Rocky (M), Thalia (F), Thumbelina (F) , Topanga (F), and Violet (M)Note: Amber girls hatch into Amber and Violet, Thalia and Topanga hatch into Thumbelina and Flannigain, and Aurora hatch into Amber and Violet. The Amber Girl is no longer mentioned on the Lowry Park Zoo website, and is suspected dead. Recently, the Florida Aquarium announced that the 8-year-old Rocky meets Thumbelina at the Lowry Park Zoo to become a couple, allegedly that Flanigain has died.
Red wolf
- Atlas (M) and Maggie (F)
zebra Grevy
- Dekimbe (M), Penzima (F), and Pixie (F)
Note: Penzima was born to Pixie and the late Marty's men in 2010, while the deceased woman named Zippo gave birth to Zareb. The two females have two foals with Marty in 2012, but Pixie's dead horse dies and Zippo is named Zuri, who also soon dies. Marty and Zippo died in 2012, causing Zareb to move and Penzima to stay. In 2014, a man arrives from Tennessee named Asante, his whereabouts are currently unknown, though he is no longer at the zoo. In 2015, Penzima gave birth to the Penda, which is loved by Dekimbe. All three are currently living together in the Safari Africa zoo area along with the fall of Southern White Rhinos.
zebra mount Hartmann
- Rex (M), Roxy (F), Ruuxa (F), and Reko (M)
Note: Roxy gave birth to Hartmann's first horse at the zoo, Ruuxa, in 2015. Ruuxa is employed by Rex. Ruuxa has undergone several leg correction surgeries since birth. In mid-2017, Roxy gave birth again to a boy named Reko, who again became the victim of Rex.
Controversy
Tiger Escape
In 2006, one of two Sumatran tigers at the zoo, a 14-year-old woman named Enshala, slipped through an unlocked gate and entered the area under renovation. The zoo's director, Lex Salisbury, defended his decision to shoot and kill the animal after an attempt to placate the tiger failed and the animal slid toward a vet who had shot an anesthetized arrow.
Then in 2006, a group known as the "Tampa Advocate Zoo" was formed. The organization seeks to improve the living conditions of animals as well as working conditions of Lowry Park Zoo employees.
Salisbury scandal
In April 2008, 15 patas escaped from Safari Wild, an animal attraction looking for profit being developed in east Tampa in the Polk County countryside. This brought media attention to the venture, owned and operated by the director of the Longry Park Zoo, Lex Salisbury.
Further investigations uncovered many questionable transactions between the Wild Zoo Zoo and Safari Zoo, including the transfer of more than 200 zoo animals to the Wild Safari, zoo funds used to build structures in Safari Wild properties, and payments from zoos for " board "in Safari Wild. The city of Tampa, which provides part of the zoo's annual budget, demands an audit detailing the relationship between Lowry Park, Salisbury, and outside business ventures.
The audit was released in December 2008 and revealed many questionable transactions between the zoo and Safari Wild. It also reveals the zoo's policy violations by Salisbury, including raising his own bonus payments, charging the zoo for personal travel, and using the zoo's employees for his personal work. The auditor estimates Salisbury pays the zoo more than $ 200,000 and suggests a criminal investigation. On December 19, 2008, Salisbury, under pressure from Tampa's zoo board and director, resigned from his position at the zoo.
As a result of possible violations of animal transfer rules and species survival plans, the Zoo and Aquarium Association suspends membership of the Lowry Park Zoo and Larry Killmar, the Director of the Zoo Collection who has authorized many of Salisbury's questionable animal transfers. Under Killmar, the zoo reorganized its internal policy for several months, and on March 27, 2009, the AZA returned the membership of the Lowry Park Zoo and its collection director.
The story ended in August 2009 when the Salisbury board and the Lowry Park Zoo approved the settlement in which Salisbury paid $ 2,200 and agreed to return all zoo-built structures, fences and equipment in Safari Wild but did not admit to making any mistakes.
Note
External links
- Official website
- Tampa Advocate Zoo
- Current and historic photo collection of Lowry Park Zoo
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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