Join us at Jungle Island as we explore and share our Adventures with our Animals and Gardens.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monkey see, monkey do!
Monkey see, monkey do!
Isn't this the cutest picture you have ever seen? Meet Anjana (baby chimp) and one of two baby tiger cubs that was separated from its mother after Hurricane Hanna. Anjana has taken on the role of adoptive parent to two baby tiger cubs. Anjana has been helping China York, animal trainer, care for the baby cubs at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species. She plays with them and even helps with their feeding.
You can see Anjana daily at Jungle Island's Tale of the Tiger show!
Also, check out these great videos of Anjana's unique story.
Hello, everyone! My name is Maya. I am a Yellow Naped Amazon Parrot from the jungles of South America, and currently I call Jungle Island my home.
I was born in 1966 (which makes me a very spunky 42 year old Parrot), and I was donated to Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle) in 1982. Since then, I have been one of the most famous Parrots here at the Jungle.
I have quite a large vocabulary - over 400 words, which makes me one smart, and of course talkative parrot!
The Animal Keepers here at Jungle Island tell me that I have the intelligence of a 5 year old child, and the emotional capacity of a 2 year old child. Up until 2003, I was a star performer for crowds of thousands and thousands at Parrot Jungle, and since then I have been in retirement, enjoying the sun and relaxation of Miami while sitting on my perch. I spend the rest of my time eating Sunflower Seeds and the occasional Peanut, and of course talking to all of the wonderful people that stop by my cage to say hello on their way into the park.
If you get the chance, stop by and catch me in one of my playful moods when one of my human friends from Jungle Island has fun talking with me.
While it is definite that every visitor will have an unforgettable adventure at Jungle Island, there are those who have experiences that will remain embedded in their minds for a lifetime. Nancy Mendoza, a rising South Florida spanish-pop artist, is a prime example. "I pumped up the trip to my mom for about a week, so by the time Friday rolled around she was excited.", Nancy said. During a recent visit to Jungle Island with her mother and neice, Nancy and company had the opportunity to have numerous encounters with our rare animals, such as our kangaroos, African penguins, and even an orangutan! "I really enjoyed the fact that there are so many great picture opportunities, and that J.I. allows guests to get so close to alot of animals." After a long day of wonderful shows, seeing our exclusive liger and crocosaurus, and a stop by the petting barn, Nancy was delighted! "The experience I had yesterday is one that not many others may experience in their lifetime. I recommend taking your kids and even your parents to Jungle Island. You will experience things there that you may never again see in your life."
To read more of Nancy's blog about her visit to Jungle Island or to learn about her music career, visit http://www.nancymendoza.com/
A green wing macaw parrot suddenly turned up months ago and has decided to make Jungle Island it's home, specifically the Parrot Bowl. It had taken to flying in the beggining of the Winged Wonders show with the other free flying macaws and was seen walking on the net that covers the Manu encounter where again, macaws are flying free and co-inhabit with the squirrel monkeys. Ryan Prentice, who runs our famous bird show, Winged Wonders, thinks that it is middle aged. Since it had no tag, we assumed that it escaped or has been on the loose since Hurricane Andrew, 15 years ago. We didn't know whether it was a male or female, as you cannot tell with parrots, the male and females are equally colorful, all of them except for the electric parrot, where the females are red and the males are green, which it was. Although it is not tame, we managed to catch it and placed it in the Manu Encounter with the other free flying birds. Today, he has become the alpha male of the Manu Encounter!
Sure, there may be plenty of beautiful birds, an array of creepy reptiles, and groups of primates that will bring a smile to your face, but there is one certain thing, there's only one "King of the Jungle". Our Guinness World Record holder, Hercules, is not only the largest liger, but also the largest cat in the world, standing tall at over 12 feet and weighing more than 900 pounds! Here at Jungle Island, the only attraction where Hercules can be seen in person, he has surely swiped the popularity contest for his own as more and more people around the world learn about his presence. Our hybrid of tiger and lion has appeared on countless shows, such as the 'Today Show', 'Good Morning America', and 'Inside Edition' to name a few, warming hearts wherever he goes. Hercules, however, has some competition from his cuter, smaller nephew, Oden, who is also featured at Jungle Island. Oden, a Liger cub, and Hercules continue to show why Jungle Island is a premiere venue in South Florida for rare animals, entertainment, and fun!
Here at Jungle Island, everyone is bound to have an incredible experience with our animals. Although each creature at our park is unique, our newest, furry primates have already stirred things up! Jungle Island is now introducing their newest exhibit, the "Lemur Experience" featuring the "Loveable Lemurs" from Madagascar. We were able to have an encounter with these soft, little critters ourselves. We were greeted by one of the fantastic animal trainers who guided and provided us with a bit more knowledge. Sophie, the ring tailed lemur, was happy to see us. Along with Sophie were the Red-ruffed lemurs and the black and white lemurs, who all seemed very energetic as they played around their cages. These prosimians can grow up to be 24 inches, love eating, and enjoy sleeping! Holding their tiny bodies in your hands and feeding them is such a feeling, it just may bring a tear to your eye. They are truly a wonder to witness in person! Jungle Island invites you to this experience. Call 305-400-7000 to book your own experience, or visit http://www.jungleisland.com/ for more information!
Since 1936, Jungle Island has continued its evolution as a world class destination for entertainment throughout the years. Once a roadside attraction featuring different species of birds, Jungle Island has blossomed into an interactive adventure for the entire family, featuring 18 acres of rich landscape that enhances the experience.
The highlight of the park are the 3 AMAZING shows featuring animals from around the world. The world famous "Winged Wonders" show has exotic birds that will blow you away. Rattlesnakes and cobras will slither into your imagination during the "Reptiles of the Jungle" presentation. Show your wild side with an assortment of rare cats and primates in our fascinating "Tale of the Tiger" show.
In addition to our well known species of birds, we host a vast amount of creatures to spur your excitement! Whether it be our rare fish or cute mammals, all visitors are bound to have a memorable time. Our exclusive animals, including penguins, kangaroos, orangutans and lemurs, prove Jungle Island to be a prime destination.
Jungle Island also serves as an exceptional venue for functions such as weddings, birthdays, and bar mitzvah's. The Treetop Ballroom, located high above the jungle with a view of Miami's skyline, is an ideal choice for any occasion, large or small. Our dedicated staff will ensure your dream event becomes a reality.
We stress the relationship between visitors and the animals they encounter. Therefore, we offer VIP Safari Tours and numerous Kodak packages to ensure you have an encounter unlike any other in South Florida. As the evolution of the Jungle continues, we invite you and your family to be a part of it!
