Stunner Goes Wild at the Zoo!

A Flamingo at the Hope Zoo

Who knew that the Hope Zoo is still open to the public? Well, I didn't! The Hope Zoo has been under the radar for some time now, as it hasn't really been in the media and I couldn't recall hearing anyone talking about it for some time now. However, the GF wanted top visit the hope zoo as she hadn't been there since she was a child. I hadn't been there since I followed my collage roommate to his work-study programme when I was doing the diploma some ten years ago. I was all for it, even though I doubted that it was still open.

As I approached the Zoo I was somewhat reassured by the sight of vendors and a few vehicles parked at the entrance. I went up to the admissions desk and paid the nominal JM$80 entrance fee and we were on our way. However before I could enter I saw someone who I know from the gym, and it turns out he is a part of a team working to restore the Hope Zoo. It seems the government has allotted some money to restore not only the Hope Gardens, but also the Hope Zoo and they have already began the process. That restoration is greatly need for the zoo as it only has a few animals and minimal facilities to house more animals. A city like Kingston needs things like parks and zoos, not just for children and teens to explore, but even for us adults to just relax and appreciate nature.

Nonetheless, the time spent at the zoo was great, I got to see a few birds ranging from doves to peacocks, who were more than willing to strike a pose with their tail feathers spread. I also saw crocodiles, iguanas and snakes and even the graceful flamingos, but that was just some of the animals they have at the zoo. And as you would guess by now, I took the opportunity to exercise my photographic skills so much so that one of the iguanas made it quite clear that I was getting too close and taking to many photos. Overall, despite the obvious need for improvements, I enjoyed my visit to the Hope Zoo. I think I will revisit after the renovations and expansions are completed. Here are a few of the photos I took.

A peacock strutting his stuff.

Crocodiles chilling in their pool.

An iguana hanging out on a tree.

A Jamaican Yellow Snake.

Hope you all liked the sample of the photographs I took at the Hope Zoo. If you want to see more you can visit my photoblog as I will be posting some more photos there too. So if you haven't been to the Hope Zoo, or haven't been there in a while, you can make a trek up there and check out the animals for a few minutes.