The Low Family: Jungle Island

Jungle Island! A place we have yet to explore in the Miami area. Located just across the street from the Miami Children's museum. We went this week when they were offering a bunch of specials including a free annual pass. So we are now able to go anytime again for the next year. I am sure we were be back. This park was laid out very strangely, so we made quiet a few circles trying to figure it out. But in the end, it's a very small and manageable park so it won't even be too bad to do in the summer. It has plenty of shady paths and sun cover too. We had a lot of fun exploring all the animals and seeing many up close. We were able to see a Liger (tiger/lion combination) and a tabby tiger. The tabby tiger was so beautiful but none of the pictures turned out well. The color was just so gorgeous!

We did NOT take this little monkey home. After we returned the monkey
to the handler, he said he wasn't sure how the monkey did with young children.....great!

Julia is NOT so sure about this! Danielle said she was a bit scared
but just kept thinking, "New purse, new shoes, new purse, new shoes."

Since Kathy had ridden a camel before and this large guy had growled
at John, Danielle, Julia, Martha, and Felix went for a ride! Julia just loved it.
Camels are even more cool than a pony ride.

Still smiling and waving.

Our family picture in front of the banyan tree.

Our wonderful group of friends! Max, Katherine, Martha, Felix, Danielle, John, Julia, and Kathy.
Oh, and some bird friends too!

John feeding the parrot. We didn't let Julia try (some of the birds were biters)
but she held her hand out too.

The Lows and the parrots.

These guys had a lot to say!

Checking out the monkeys

This alligator really seems to be interested in Felix. There was also
an albino alligator on the other side.

This was the coolest part of the day. The poor kiddos got a little bit
bored here but the adults were all too engrossed and amazed to walk away.
This is the vet for the orangutans. When we walked up, no one else was around and
she was giving the 3 females and the very VERY large male their checkups. She talked
to them just like you would talk to a five year old child. She would ask to look in their ear and they would hold
it up to the side of the cage. Sometimes they were a little shy or reluctant but when she offered a peanut, they
immediately let her look. She had to give them shots and would point to and ask for their arms. They got really excited
because after the shots she would give them lots of peanuts. The bond between the vet and the animals was just
so cool. The adults were to fixated to move. She then stopped her work to talk to our group and tell us
a little more about what she does. The three female orangutans all came over and were using sign language to ask for "more" "food". I told the vet, that our house looks the same way at dinner time every night. As Julia does those same
signs. This was such a cool experience to watch them connect and communicate.

Even more enjoyment on the camel ride.

Chasing the pot belly pig!

Julia called in Felix for some back up. Together they cornered the pig.

Julia and her goat friend.

She kept bending down to the goat's level. She wanted to kiss it.....

John feeding the llama.

Mommy & Julia feeding the kangaroos!

The Banyan tree on it's own. Mema Low loved these trees
when she came to visit. The tree produces flowers and nuts and then
grows additional roots down from the branches. Click here for more Banyan information.