(Note: This is a modified version of the original post, which disappeared mysteriously, never to be seen again, while I was updating it. That post had 1,527 views and 7 comments.)
Emperor Valley Zoo
Daily 9:30am-6pm. TT30/US$5, under age 13 TT15.
Named for the giant iridescent blue butterfly that once populated this valley, the small 7-acre Emperor Valley Zoo has been here since 1952 and is the largest in the Caribbean. It is currently being expanded and upgrading exhibits as it aims for accreditation. Assistant curator Richard Wallace says the aim is “to be a small San Diego Zoo.”
It has an extensive collection of local animals (crab-eating raccoons, boa constrictors) and birds (the Trinidad motmot) plus flamingoes from the San Diego Zoo. Two large South American River Turtles are the oldest in Trinidad and have been here since the zoo opened. I saw two Trinidad white-fronted capuchin monkeys busy grooming each other, and two bright pink scarlet ibis perched way back in an enclosure. A circular path takes you past most exhibits. Two 3-year-old giraffes from Texas are the first in the Caribbean. A contest named them Melman (children’s choice, from “Madagascar” movie) and Mandela (adult’s choice, to honor Nelson, who had just died). The zoo has five white Bengal tigers, two of which were born at the zoo and are the first to be born in Trinidad and the Caribbean.
If you visit, be sure to apply insect repellent. My souvenir was a bite, probably from a sand fly, and it left me with big red welts for several days--probably an allergic reaction. Note that the local natural treatment is to rub a lime on bites.
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
It has an extensive collection of local animals (crab-eating raccoons, boa constrictors) and birds (the Trinidad motmot) plus flamingoes from the San Diego Zoo. Two large South American River Turtles are the oldest in Trinidad and have been here since the zoo opened. I saw two Trinidad white-fronted capuchin monkeys busy grooming each other, and two bright pink scarlet ibis perched way back in an enclosure. A circular path takes you past most exhibits. Two 3-year-old giraffes from Texas are the first in the Caribbean. A contest named them Melman (children’s choice, from “Madagascar” movie) and Mandela (adult’s choice, to honor Nelson, who had just died). The zoo has five white Bengal tigers, two of which were born at the zoo and are the first to be born in Trinidad and the Caribbean.
If you visit, be sure to apply insect repellent. My souvenir was a bite, probably from a sand fly, and it left me with big red welts for several days--probably an allergic reaction. Note that the local natural treatment is to rub a lime on bites.
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| giraffe at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad |
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| flamingos at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad |
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
What a great idea to be a small San Diego zoo. I seem to be having a love affair with turtles these days so that photo caught my heart!
ReplyDeleteLove your animal pix!
ReplyDeleteThey make such wonderful subjects!
DeleteThere is so much to see at the Emperor Valley zoo. The baboon looks like it wants to make an escape! Love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteSome lovely colourful animals at the Emperor Valley Zoo. I love the blue macaw!
ReplyDeleteTropical birds always get my attention and the macaws and flamingos are always among my favorites. However, I think the scarlet ibis was the showstopper this time as I've only seen white ibis until now. Truly gorgeous! Ooh, and I sympathize with you on the sand fly bites. I spent much time up and down the Caribbean coast with huge red welts on my legs as I too was allergic to them. Miserable!
ReplyDeleteMore on the scarlet ibis is to come as I write posts about this trip.
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