Hope Zoo in November 2010
A crocodile enclosure at Hope Zoo |
Juvenile iguana |
The Hope Zoo at one point was being promoted as a place featuring animals of the West Indies and Central America. It boasts several exhibits of locally endangered species. A visit to the zoo gives some reassurance that there are specialists devoted to the long-term survival of these creatures in the wild. It is pleasure to see juvenile and mature iguanas being brought back from the brink of extinction, the Jamaican Boa and the feared American Crocodile.
Until a few months ago, these unlovable creatures were the largest animals on display at Hope Zoo until they were joined by an ostrich pair. It is nice to have these outstanding birds in residence and hopefully they can bring more visitors into the zoo.
Near to the zoo entrance is the aviary of the loudest residents, the Jamaican black billed and yellow billed parrots. The furthest enclosures are the birds of prey in Jamaica including the Jamaican Owl, that looks like it has horns, and the small hawk that we call the Killy Killy.
There are big cats that are endemic to Central America, and perhaps one day the zoo will be the home of a jaguar, provided we can provide a suitable environment for it. Aside from appreciating a small collection of animals, the zoo is in a natural beauty spot and a stroll across its well-maintained grounds is time spent in the beauty of nature.
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