Busy day on the 26th of June. Left the Lehigh Valley Zoo and head southwest to visit another medium sized zoo in Hershey. Also a zoo that I have never visited before. ZooAmerica has a specialized collection featuring animals of North America. Though physically divided from the mega amusement park complex that completely dominates Hershey by a road, it is clearly a wholly own and operated subsidiary of the larger park. It is also a member of the AZA in good standing and a zoo long on my to do list if for no other reason than it's proximity to DC and my home.
Essentially the zoo is divided by a small river and sits hugging a steep palisade or is on the floodplain. This results in some very creative designing. The zoo wasn't always exclusive to North American species, but evolved to this decision, which given the limits of its size is probably a very choice. If anything was blatantly disappointing it was the gift shop. Too small. Too few items identifying the zoo as their source, and of the items that are their the camouflage (hunting) motif seems designed to fit a certain niche shopper that frankly I am not interested in engaging at a zoo. But lets leave that thought and start the tour.
After you buy your ticket you enter the zoo at the top of ridge looking down into the rest of the zoo. To your right is the first major structure, an expanded Herpetarium of Southern Swamp species that includes some birds as well. The overall design is similar to most retile houses, but there are fewer habitats because the ones there are, are larger. A good animal centric choice.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Barred Owl
American Alligators
Essentially the zoo is divided by a small river and sits hugging a steep palisade or is on the floodplain. This results in some very creative designing. The zoo wasn't always exclusive to North American species, but evolved to this decision, which given the limits of its size is probably a very choice. If anything was blatantly disappointing it was the gift shop. Too small. Too few items identifying the zoo as their source, and of the items that are their the camouflage (hunting) motif seems designed to fit a certain niche shopper that frankly I am not interested in engaging at a zoo. But lets leave that thought and start the tour.
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