cazalea
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An Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 1
Thanks to the generosity of a good friend, this week Mrs Cazalea and I were able to visit the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park in Escondido, California.
The park has been around since 1972, when zoo curator Charles Schroeder realized future zoos would need to be able to "grow their own animals" since governments were becoming more restrictive about taking them from the wild, even for their own protection. Originally conceived as a breeding ground that would not be open to the public, it now receives thousands of visitors a day.
In "the old days" there was a tram that ran around the perimeter of these habitats, allowing visitors to look across into the valleys and observe the animals. Alas, after a few million rotations around the park, the trams began to break down, and more than a few visitors (including myself) had very LONG viewing experiences, or had to be rescued by truck. Walking out across the rhino-filled grassland was NOT an option.
in trucks, from a zip line, on foot, etc. We have visited before, using the trucks that take you into the valley to pet giraffes and feed rhinos.
Here's the official map which you can find on the Park's website, which is HERE
This 1800-acre site is located in the foothills, about 30 miles NE of the original San Diego Zoo, within an agricultural district owned by the City of San Diego. About half the land area is used to re-create specific habitats, such as the African Plains, Asian Savanna, Elephant Valley and Tiger Trail.
In "the old days" there was a tram that ran around the perimeter of these habitats, allowing visitors to look across into the valleys and observe the animals. Alas, after a few million rotations around the park, the trams began to break down, and more than a few visitors (including myself) had very LONG viewing experiences, or had to be rescued by truck. Walking out across the rhino-filled grassland was NOT an option.
So now as the zoo has adapted to modern, tram-free life, you have a variety of ways to experience the park. From a helium balloon!
On special trikes,
in trucks, from a zip line, on foot, etc. We have visited before, using the trucks that take you into the valley to pet giraffes and feed rhinos.
This time, we were invited to ride with friends on a special 8-person vehicle (stretched golf cart).
If you come out to the park, remember that it gets hotter as the day goes on, which leads to sleepy animals and tired children. So earlier in the day is better, in my opinion.
If you come out to the park, remember that it gets hotter as the day goes on, which leads to sleepy animals and tired children. So earlier in the day is better, in my opinion.
Let's slip past the line of school kids and head for the back entrance of the park.
We started by ascending a very steep hill. I'd like to compare our limousine to the speed of a Lamborghini but the only way I can phrase it is:
" .... our cart ascended the hill as quickly as a Lamborghini would if it was being pushed by two PuristS."
Slowly! I was almost ready to jump off to help push when we crested the hill and came to the "Do Not Enter" and "Zoo Vehicles Only" gate.
We slipped through without any problem and chugged past the vehicle garage. I'll bet the park has hundreds of vehicles, along with dozens of mechanics, food prep people, behind-the-scenes logistics experts, fund-raisers, etc. All out of sight and out of mind of the typical visitor.
It also has some uninvited guests from the community, who keep the grass trimmed, entertain visitors and (occasionally) feed the lions!
We started our tour in Elephant Valley. The park's large herd of elephants live in relatively ideal circumstances.
They have loving keepers, lots of space to roam, multiple challenging habitat features, and of course adoring visitors. And best of all, they are not hunted for their tusks.
Of course today I wore my Gerald Genta Gefica Safari watch. Circa 1980's, this watch was constructed of bronze to avoid flashing sunlight/reflections that might warn the wild game while Genta was on safari in Africa with a few friends.
The elephants were busy fooling around with a ball, each other, and the puzzle boxes.
They put their trunks into the box to find treats, then discover if they tip the box over, more treats are released.
This little guy threw food on his back, to scare off the flies and have a snack available for later.
Then he found a pile of loose sand, and plopped into it, squealing and rolling around.
Then he jumped up to join his mom on a walk around the enclosure.
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-07-10 07:28:50 This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-07-10 11:09:49
Of course today I wore my Gerald Genta Gefica Safari watch. Circa 1980's, this watch was constructed of bronze to avoid flashing sunlight/reflections that might warn the wild game while Genta was on safari in Africa with a few friends.
The elephants were busy fooling around with a ball, each other, and the puzzle boxes.
They put their trunks into the box to find treats, then discover if they tip the box over, more treats are released.
This little guy threw food on his back, to scare off the flies and have a snack available for later.
Then he found a pile of loose sand, and plopped into it, squealing and rolling around.
Then he jumped up to join his mom on a walk around the enclosure.
We decided to move along ourselves.
Please join me for part 2 as we make our way towards the big cats.
An Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 1
Thanks to the generosity of a good friend, this week Mrs Cazalea and I were able to visit the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park in Escondido, California. The park has been around since 1972, when zoo curator Charles Schroeder realized future zoos would need to ...
An Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 2
Welcome back for Part 2 of our unique, insider's trip to the San Diego Zoo's Safari park. After visiting the elephants, we moved onto the African plains. We had a look at giraffes and rhinos. and there were some springboks and gazelles and so on - I didn'...
an Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 3
Welcome back to part 3 of our insider tour of the San Diego Zoo Safari park. In previous parts, we've seen the entrance, the transportation choices, the elephants and the African exhibits. Today our goal is a mystery. Our friend Betty Jo has invited us fo...
An Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 4
Welcome to Part 4 of our visit to the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. We seen elephants, plains animals, gorillas and lions. Believe it or not, the "keeper-grade" tour of the lions is not the highlight of the trip. The finale is coming, as we head to a new a...
An Insider Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Part 5
Here we go with some candid shots of two male tigers playing together in their jungle enclosure: We were exhausted by the excitement, so our hosts packed up a few chocolate cookies to go, in case we got famished before we got home. Then they delivered us ...
re: insider visit
Awesome tour, thanks for sharing this with us. I haven't been to the SD zoo in a long time, I'm down around there in November so I''l definitely try to do the tour. HAGWE cazalea! -MW
Wow! Great write up!
Wow! What an experience! Lions and tigers and cheetahs! Is this tour as depicted by your photographs something that is available to normal civilians or do you have to be a special zoo patron in order to get the access you got? Can't wait to visit San Dieg...
Much of the park is accessible to civilians
The discussion with keepers inside the lion and tiger houses is limited by their availability. Naturally the predators (lions and tigers) need attention, so they can\'t have their keepers spending all their time with visitors... And I suspect the private ...
Amazing experience nonetheless...
I might just have to spend a week down in San Diego someday and experience all of what San Diego has to offer up close and personal... Thank you for this phenomenal photo journey. Something that feels like a real possibility since it's only 500 miles away...
Yes, less than 8 hours Road Trip for a Purist :-)
unless you have to stop for a gourmet meal along the way, if the traffic gets heavy, or the weather is uncooperative. and of course dependent upon your navigational skills. At least the mountains and Death Valley are on your left... and the ocean on your ...
I've made the drive many times. Missing San Diego already!
Although haven't made it in one straight shot to San Diego direct, as I've always stopped for a few hours in Los Angeles or Orange County. Nice pictures.
What a post !!!!
Thanks Mike, that was truly an amazing experience in what you could call a REAL Zoo ! Filip
Yes, no doubt
there are other excitements at the downtown zoo too: Eagle Owl I think this is a cheetah kitten ...
wow..what a tour...
that's the only way to see the Safari Park.. been there a couple of times..and I totally agree...earlier the better... what an experience..would love to book this for the family...thank you
tour of the SD park
Cool post Cazalea. I think I have a business conference in a few months in SD, your post really looks fun and I will have to take an extra day to check out the SD Zoo Safari park. Will let you know my travel plans, hope we can meet up :) Regards, ED-209
That's up close and personal for sure
As I viewed your encounter, the memory of an old black and white movie, by the name of Chang, came to my mind. It's directed by Merian C Cooper who also directed King Kong. This is primitive, raw footage of a young farmer who moves his family away from th...