Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Out of Africa Photo Gallery

Website: Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Location: Sedona, Arizona

Size: Medium (budget extra time for the shows and safari tour)

Visited In: May 2010

Rating:


Fun Facts

• Baby zebras have brown stripes.
• Tigers, unlike most cats, like to swim.
• The horns of Watusi cattle act as a radiator to disperse heat.

Impressions
The park's webpage rather emphatically proclaims:  "Call us Wild.  Call us Crazy.  Just don't call us a Zoo."  So it is with mild apology that I include them in my zoo blog.  I just couldn't resist the opportunity to review this wholly unique and - yes, a little crazy - animal park.

Located just outside Sedona, Out of Africa's signature attraction is Tiger Splash, a dramatic show in which tigers chase and pounce on colorful toys wielded by their keepers.  The show takes place in and around a big pool, leading to a lot of swimming and splashing.

Tiger Splash isn't the only draw, though.  The African Bush Safari ride ges you up close and personal with a whole bunch of (non-predatory) safari animals:  Zebras, Watusi Cattle, Gemsbok and more.  You may even get to feed a giraffe or a camel.   The predators are kept to themselves (obviously), and include a number of unusual species.  Another special event is the Predator Feed, where you can follow along with the keepers as they chuck haunches of wild meat into the enclosures, and watch the lions and tigers eat their supper.

It's a little pricey, but definitely worth it for the unique experience.

One word to the wise:  Bring your own hand sanitizer.   Perhaps it's a regional thing, but around here they shower you in hand sanitizer if you come within 10 feet of an animal.  In Out of Africa, you can put your hand in the camel's mouth and there's not a washing station anywhere in sight.

Favorite Animal: Splashing Tigers

 Unusual Animal: Watusi Cattle

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Pittsburgh Zoo Photo Gallery

Website: Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Size: Large

Visited In: March 2013 (and a billion other times)

Rating:


Fun Facts

• Polar bears are the world's largest land predators.
• The Amur leopard can run at speeds up to 30mph.
• Snow leopards cannot roar.

Impressions
The Pittsburgh Zoo is a great family-oriented zoo. The expansive Kids Kingdom lets kids get up close and personal with white-tailed deer, kangaroos, meerkats, and other animals. It also has two zoo-themed playgrounds where kids can burn off some extra energy. The PPG Aquarium contains dozens of exhibits, including a two-story ocean tank and a stingray touch tank.  There's even a train ride and carousel.

In the Waters Edge exhibit, visitors can walk under the polar bear enclosure and sometimes - if they're lucky - see the bears swimming directly over their heads. Many of the exhibits feature expansive spaces with unobstructed views, perfect for photo ops. The zoo is also noted for its elephant family, which welcomed two new babies just a few years ago.

It's a little big to see in one day, but you can cut out the aquarium, monkey house, or Kids Kingdom for a shorter trip. There are a few hilly spots, so bring your strollers (or rent a safari-themed one) for the little ones.

Where the zoo lacks a little is in daily special activities, but it makes up for the lack with a robust Wildlife Academy program for kids and other seasonal events and classes.

Favorite Animal: Polar Bear

 Unusual Animal: Snow Leopard