2 months ago, I googled for a zoo to spend my birthday and I was grateful that the Lowry Park Zoo (1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604) gives free admission for birthday guests! I am also grateful that my employer granted me this day off so that I could visit the zoo. So we only paid $22.95 (for seniors 60 and above) and saved $24.95 (adult).
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There were a lot of children in the zoo today, since it is still school break. So there were school groups and family groups outings.
We had a wonderful time at the zoo. We were thankful that it didn't rain while we there for 6 hours! Isolated thunderstorms was forecasted for yesterday afternoon. Many trees shaded us from the sun. There were 7 free zoo rides and we got on the "expedition Africa guided safaris". Got to touch a lama, stood close to a owl and touched stingrays.
Touched a lama, for the very 1st time in my life!
Beautiful owl. We were warned not to touch it or else we would be hurt by the bird.
If we hadn't looked up, we wouldn't have saw her, nesting!
I think it is a mongoose.
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Initially there was only the lone female elephant feeding at the pile of hay, where the mother and baby elephants were feeding in this picture. The lone female picked up a big bundle of hay, with her trunk, and walked quickly to the left when the mother and baby elephants came up!
This is the most favourite part of my visit - the manatee. I have not heard or learnt about manatee until now. 1st manatee we saw was one swimming with its back out of the water. The sign board said:
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Why is that manatee floating?
The manatee that you see with its back out of the water is suffering from an injury caused by a boat strike. Its ribs were broken, which punctured a lung, causing its body cavity to fill with air.
What will happen to it?
It is receiving veterinary and supportive care until the lung can heal and hold air again. The trapped air will then be tapped out or absorbed by the body and barring any infection it should make a full recovery and be released back into the wild.
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We were able to see other manatees. It was so interesting to watch them. They are so gentle. We were told they will eventually be released into the wild.
We saw this statue at the entrance but I didn't care for it until after the visit to the live manatees. I thought the statue looked worn out and dull. Took this picture when we were making our way out of the zoo and I am so glad I did.
Don't remember what snakes they are. There were two of them sleeping together.
Who is the hunter here?
A young water buffalo playing with a can.
Touching stingrays was a first time for me too. We were told verbally. There were also written posters on the pillars of the bay stating that we use only our 2 fingers to touch them on their fins. They feel so soft and silky. I really enjoyed seeing them swim and flagging their fins. Neither Mike and I took any pictures of this interaction. I guess we were both carried away with the beauty of the stingrays. If I recalled correctly, there were 17 of them.
Just love the zoos and being with God's creation and nature.
