Planning a trip to the LA Zoo? Here’s a preview.
We visited the LA Zoo a few days ago for the first time in about ten years. We used to have a zoo membership, but let it lapse when our kids got into competitive sports. Compared to local amusement parks, tickets to the LA Zoo are very reasonable. We spent at least half the day walking around the zoo for only $22 per ticket.
Before I post pictures from our visit, here’s a picture from one of our visits in 2011 of Lionel and Cookie, which I took shortly before both lions were euthanized at age 23 due to failing health. We were saddened to learn that Hubert and Kalisa, the lions that arrived to the zoo in 2014, were euthanized in 2020 at age 21 due to declining health. According to a National Geographic article, lions in captivity live to age 25 on average, while lions in the wild have a life expectancy of 12-16 years.
The zoo seemed kind of empty without the roar of a lion.
Our visit over the weekend began with the meerkats:
Here’s a picture I took back in 2011:
On to the flamingos:
Some of the following pictures were a little difficult to get because I had to shoot through glass or fencing, so hopefully some of them turned out ok.
The LA Zoo website states that this monitor species (Butaan) was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1980s.
The Ethiopian Mountain Adder. Venomous, but still a good-looking snake.
The Indian Gharial. The LA Zoo website states that males can grow to a length of 16-21 feet.
The Komodo Dragons were a little obscured by the glare on the windows of their enclosure, but that didn’t stop us from spending some time watching them.
We heard there was a baby koala, but mom was shielding her from our view. We think the little paw in the picture belongs to the baby.
Pretty sure this is Angela, the baby gorilla born in 2020.
I assume this is Angela’s mom, but please correct me in the comments if I’m wrong.
Kelly, the big daddy. He’s a master of the side eye. He was hanging out behind the protective glass, so I didn’t get a very good picture.
However, I did get a few pictures of him back in 2011. Same side-eye glance. I don’t think he likes me.
We spent more than a few minutes looking at the zebras. Their patterns are mesmerizing.
I think this is the scarlet ibis. It was behind a wire fence, so I was pretty happy that I was able to get this shot at all.
I didn’t quite get the fence to disappear, but I love how this roadrunner seems to be staring at the sky.
When I first saw the African Painted Dogs, I thought they were hyenas. According to the LA Zoo’s website, they can reach a top speed of about 44 miles per hour.
I have read that orangutans are extremely intelligent. You can tell that there is so much going on behind those eyes.
The chimpanzees were a lot of fun to watch. They had just received a fresh batch of vegetables. This guy seemed to be striking a few modeling poses.
My interpretation of the next picture (if I’m wrong, let me know, but I’ll probably continue thinking this because it makes me happy)… Mother and child. The child is completely content and happy in the arms of mom, while mom is keeping a sharp eye out for danger. I loved seeing them together.
Shout out to moms everywhere for being our first and fiercest protectors.
The giraffes looked at me the way my kids do when I make a dumb dad joke.
Hey neighbor.
Behind a fence. Just kind of happy I got this picture of the Francois’ Langurs.
The Sumatran tiger is beautiful.
Another unique zoo sight… the $4 can of soda.
The giant anteater taking a dip while keeping an eye us.
I think we missed the California Condor, but I was still happy to see the Andean Condors. Huge.
The elephant enclosure is much bigger than it was the last time we visited. Still, we did get a little sad seeing these beautiful creatures hanging out by themselves in different areas.
After our day at the zoo, I searched Yelp for a nearby barbecue spot and found Max City BBQ on Eagle Rock in LA. It was awesome! A great way to finish a fun Sunday with my better half.
