ZOO

Yes, we've been living for 3 years next to the zoo and we've decided to see one of local zoos anyway. Why? Of course we can say that we had no better idea, but that would be admitting that our journey is not always well planned. The truth is that Marek, the author of florydziak.blogspot.com recommended us Brevard Zoo.

And what convinced us was the possibility to feed giraffes.

Marek told us, that giraffes feeding is at 10.30 AM. We wanted to get up early, we didn't, but once we did, we got on our way right away and we even had a (bigger than usual) chance for a ticket for speeding. We crossed the zoo gates exactly at 10.30 and we ran straight to giraffes. And than we saw a note saying that  giraffes feeding is all day.

Brevard ZOO, even though it's just by the highway and the nearest big town is an hour away, is quite large. It's probably half the size of Warsaw Zoo, but the space is used much better. And Polish zoos could learn a lot about marketing from it. First of all about feeding animals - here we could feed not only giraffes but also birds. Both attractions of course at extra charge - dollar per feeding. Not much, but as Marek told us, Zoo makes pretty good money on it. Additionally there are distributors next to some animals, for 25 cents you get a handfull of grains for them.

Second of all there's presentation. You can like "safari" - walking ona path among animals, or not, but watching giraffes from the platform, so you can look them straight in the eye, totally changes perspective.  Sure they are majestic if you look up at them, but from where we were they are simply beautiful. And feeding them was great - ecen Maciek had some fun. 

Unfortunately feeding birds was too scary for Maciek. When bunch of hungry birds attacked cups we held in our hands, Maciek decided to back up. Kalina however looked amazed. We heard that birds are less aggressive during high season, when there are more tourists and more food. 

Other animals comparing to ones in Warsaw weren't big deal. There were some alligators we don't have back at home, but it's Florida after all. It's as if we were showed in the zoo in Warsaw pigeons or squirrels.  Besides those alligators didn't move at all. Except for one who opened one eye. There was also cassuar, according to Guinness the most dangerous bird in the world and some other animals hiding in bushes. All very pretty, too bad that zoo in Warsaw, which really has lots to be proud, doesn't have the will to invite the kids to interact with animals, not only to see them behind the bars. With some species it's possible without doing them harm. Oh well, there's really cool playground, maybe some day there will be also a place to pet a lama or goat or even to feed giraffes.