JaneSansom
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![[*]](./images/xpblue/default_icon.gif) posted on 20/2/2004 at 08:40 AM |
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Lowry Park Zoo-Tampa
We are off to St Petes for a few days but if it rains, I have been making contingency plans so this sounds like a good day out if we can't lie on
the beach:
The Zoo has added some exhibit areas and new stuff since our previous visit. The most recent addition is Wallaroo Station, an Australian-themed
exhibit and activity area.
Open just over a year, Wallaroo Station is a favorite with kids. It is here that they enjoy face-to-face encounters with animals in a petting zoo, on
pony rides, and in the area's Kangaroo Walkabout.
You can Pony Trek, do the Tasmanian Tower (a rock climbing experience), the new Wild Australia Ride (a horse-drawn carriage ride through the outback),
and the Muster Ride (children ride electric utility vehicle through field of live sheep). Also, the carousel just outside Wallaroo Station requires
tokens but there are FREE activities : those include the Horse Shed, Billabong (water play park), and the Woolshed (a playground).
The Native Florida Wildlife Center is where you will see species that are native to Florida such as the alligator, Florida black bear, Florida
panther, flamingos, and the extinct-in-the-wild red wolf.
The Asian Domain houses the very unique sloth bear, camels, leopards, a rhino, tigers, and more. A winding wooden walkway encompasses this area
allowing several view of each animals' domain.
Primate World displays monkeys, orangutans, ring-tailed lemurs, and chimpanzees. These large open areas are well designed and allow visitors several
vantage points to observe these active zoo inhabitants.
Shows schedules at Lowry Park Zoo vary in location depending on the day of the week, except for the Rhino Keeper Encounter which is at 12:30 p.m. each
day and the Alligator Feeding which is only on weekends at 3:00 p.m.. The Manatee Encounter is educational is supposedly one of the best! Although
the visitor area is small, you get a close-up view and the information is presented in an interesting and simple manner. We missed the Primate
Encounter, but we would bet it would be worthwhile as well.
Information
Lowry Park Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa and is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. General
admission is $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors age 50 and over, $7.95 for children ages 3-11, and children 2 and under are admitted FREE. Parking
is FREE.
No outside food or beverages are allowed, but you can have your hand stamped for re-entry if you prefer to picnic in one of the surrounding park
areas. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. No pets are allowed except for certified service dogs.
Directions from I-275: Exit at Sligh Avenue (Exit 48) just south of Busch Boulevard. Proceed west on Sligh Avenue and the zoo will be on the
right-hand side of the road.
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