Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a new resident: a baby mandrill! Say hello to Ivy, born on Apr. 10 to first time parents, Hazel and Linus.
Ivy’s name matches her other family members who have quite the colorful lineup: Olive, Scarlett, Snow and Hazel. Want to catch a glimpse of the adorable primate? See the video below?
In case you aren’t familiar with mandrills, they are a West African Baboon with a brightly colored red and blue face. They are actually the largest species of monkeys, even though Ivy entered the world at just one to two pounds.
According to Disney, mom and baby are doing great and can be seen at the Kilimanjaro Safaris within the park. Ivy’s birth marks a fourth generation of mandrills from the same family at the park, as Disney continues to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Species Survival Plans.
Everybody’s heard of the Bronx Zoo, and there’s a reason: it’s an incredible, beautiful, world-class destination, and New Yorkers are lucky enough to claim it as one of their hometown attractions. The zoo has been enthralling visitors since way back in 1899, when it was called the New York Zoological Society, and has continued to expand its rich offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better. Here’s what to know before you and the family get wild.
The Bronx Zoo Re-opening Update
Julie Larsen Maher
The Bronx Zoo will be open for a members' preview July 20-23, and will open to the public July 24. Tickets are by advance purchase and timed-entry only. Click here to buy tickets. (Entry will be contact-free.)
Expect some changes and new rules: face coverings and social distancing are required, and some exhibits may be closed. You can check what's open on the day you visit via the Bronx Zoo app. (Note that the Bug Carousel, Carter Giraffe Building, Children’s Zoo, Nature Trek, Komodo Dragons in Zoo Center and Camel Rides will temporarily remain closed.)
When You Can Go
The Bronx Zoo is open year-round, and while of course many of the habitats are outdoors, plenty are inside (the popular JungleWorld, and the World of Reptiles among them) making them ideal for a winter afternoon trip to the zoo.
The zoo is closed on select holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Martin Luther King Day. From early November to early April, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; from May to October hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays).
Plan of Attack: The greatest hits and beyond Be forewarned: the zoo is huge! More than 6,000 animals occupy its 265 acres. It’s difficult, if not straight up a bad idea, to try to cover the whole thing in one day. (This fact makes a strong argument for getting a membership, but more on that later.)
If you’re looking to hit the highlights, the zoo itself recommends a two-hour tour of its most popular exhibits: Tiger Mountain, Himalayan Highlands, Congo Gorilla Forest (a must) and the aforementioned World of Reptiles.
But that’s barely scratching the surface. There’s not really a bad exhibit in the bunch, and your choices should be dictated by what interests your family most. Head to the African Plains for giraffes, zebras and lions; the Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary for ever-popular penguins and flamingos, and Baboon Reserve to see Gelada Baboon in action.
Nature Trek
Must-do Stops for Kids
The zoo does a great job of entertaining and engaging its youngest patrons. We’d add to a must-do list the recently-renovated Children’s Zoo, which provides lots of opportunity to interact with, and learn about, different creatures, and the brand new Nature Trek, an elaborate, kid-friendly version of the zoo’s new treetop adventure course for big kids and adults. Nature Trek also provides multiple areas for free play, building with various materials and learning about animal habits.
Extra Extra! There are two kinds of tickets to the zoo: a general admission ticket and a “Total Experience” ticket. General admission gets you access to the most of the zoo’s offerings, and you could certainly spend a whole day doing that. Note: this ticket is only available at the zoo’s front gate; you cannot buy it online. Prices are $22.95 for adults; $14.95 for kids three to 12, and $20.95 for seniors. Kids under two are free.
While the “Total Experience” tickets may sound like an upsell (and we suppose, technically it is), in our opinion, if you can swing it, it’s the way to go. This ticket grants you access to all of the additional “experiences” at the zoo, which someone in your party will inevitably want to check out; otherwise, they are $6 per person, a cost which can add up quickly. Included with this type of ticket is the Bug Carousel (exactly what it sounds like), the 4-D Theater, the Wild Asia Monorail, and the zoo shuttle, which can be a key ally and time-saver when getting around. Prices are $36.95 for adults; $26.95 for kids three to 12, and $31.95 for seniors.
As you can see, a trip to the zoo is not the cheapest outing ever, which is why, if you make two or more trips to the zoo a year, it might be worth getting a membership. For $199.95, two adults, up to four children, and one guest receive unlimited admission and attractions at not only the Bronx Zoo, but the Central Park Zoo, the Queens Zoo, and the Prospect Park Zoo. That’s a lotta zoo for your buck! (That rate is the Family Zoos Plus Membership; the regular Family Zoo Membership is $159.95 and does not include attractions or a guest admission.)
photo: Meghan Maher
Above and Beyond If you are the adventurous type of family with older kids, you’ll want to check out Treetop Adventure, which opened in 2017. Featuring a double zipline experience, as well as a variety of rope courses of varying difficulties, the attraction is open year-round, and provides lovely views of the wooded setting in all seasons.
You can elect to do just the treetop course, just the ziplines, or both. All of Treetop Adventure is a separate admission tickets from the Bronx Zoo, with prices ranging from $24.95 to $59.95. If you’re going, it’s located at the north edge of the zoo, and there is a parking lot (with fee) at the entrance. For GPS directions use: Bronx River Parkway at Boston Road.
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photo: Tammy Lo via Flickr
The Basics
The Bronx Zoo is not the cheapest ticket in town, but of course you do get a lot of bang for your buck. Total Experience tickets (which include Dinosaur Safari) are $39.95 for adults (13 and up); $29.95 for kids 3-12, and $34.95 for seniors. Kids two and under are free. (We list a zoo membership, which for $210 gives you unlimited access to numerous zoos, the New York Aquarium, and more as one of the best membership values for families. This is why.)
For food, the Dancing Crane Cafe in the centrally-located Dancing Crane Plaza serves standard fare and has both indoor and outdoor seating. You’re also allowed to bring in picnics, which can be a good way to save money and skip the typically long lines. This area is also where you’ll find first aid, the gift shop, restrooms, and an ATM.
Strollers are allowed in the zoo, and if you suddenly desire one, they are also available to rent.
The zoo is accessible by mass transit, including the 2 train (at Pelham Parkway), the BxM11 Express Bus in Manhattan, and Metro North. Click here for detailed directions.
Note that if you are driving, parking lots can fill up, and additional parking can be found at Fordham University. Driving directions can be found here.
The Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx
718-220-5100
Online: bronxzoo.com
Just because schools are closed and families are staying indoors for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean your family can’t take a trip to the zoo. So why not visit one of the most famous zoos in the world? The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have tons of ways your kiddos can see animals and enjoy wild adventures, all virtually. From live wildlife cams to learning about plants and animals, here’s a look at how your kiddos can enjoy the Zoo from the comfort of your own home.
Wildlife Cams Catch all the action on the San Diego Zoo’s 10 Wildlife Live Cams. Each camera features animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These live streaming cams will help your little explorers feel like they’re right there among the polar bears as they watch the wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce, groom and play through their day.
Watch any of San Diego Zoo Global’s wildlife cams here:
San Diego Zoo Kids Kids can jump right into the world of wildlife with every visit to San Diego Zoo Kids. This family-friendly website is packed with videos about animals, fun stories, hands-on activities and games. You’ll also find information about how to be a superhero to help save species. Don’t forget to also check out the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel. This channel has tons of videos with “wild and cute” content.
ZOONOOZ Online Many readers are familiar with the print edition of San Diego Zoo Global’s magazine. But ZOONOOZ online includes even more fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world. New articles are posted on the website each week, so be sure to visit often and check out the latest content.
San Diego Zoo Animals and Plants Did you know the slender-snouted crocodile is an avid tree climber? Or an ocelot has different markings on each side? From the African giant pouched rat to the zebra, and from cactuses to trees, they’re all on the San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants website. This awesome online site has detailed information, fun trivia, and a user-friendly A-to-Z guide about the most-asked-about species, many of which call the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park home.
Science Blog Middle and high school students can dig into science on the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research science blog. The engaging posts here cover the latest “flap” from the alala education program in Hawaii.
Help Track Wildlife from the Comfort of Home Anyone can become a “citizen scientist” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers by helping to count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife online. Participants in San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya can view and classify wildlife images that were taken by remote trail cameras.
While life has been put on hold in many ways, it’s business as usual for the animals of San Diego Zoo Global and the crew of wildlife care specialists that are looking out for them. Be sure to virtually visit them soon!
Whether you’ve already traveled with your child or you’re waiting for the “right” time, you know the stressors of bringing a little munchkin. Matt Coyne, the guy behind Man vs Baby and father of six-month-old son Charlie, wrote a hilarious post about traveling with a his little boy. He gives tips that cover everything from traveling to a place with warm weather to the airlines “baby changing facilities.”
So, we’ve just come back from Charlie’s first holiday.
One or two people were a bit judgey about the idea of taking a 6-month old away. “So, you’re taking him on holiday?” Yeah. “Abroad?” Yeah. “Somewhere hot??” Yeah. “On an aeroplane??” …By which point I was tempted to answer: “No, me and Lyns will be going on the plane, but we thought we’d get Charlie there by driving him to Dover and firing him out of a f*cking cannon”.
What I actually said was: “It’ll be fine”. And you know what? It was.
Here’s some other stuff I learnt holidaying with our tiny human..
– We had a checklist for what to pack, it had just one item on it:.. ‘Everything’
The amount of stuff you need to take for a weekend is comical.. to go away for a whole week its roughly the same amount of stuff that the nazis took to invade Poland.
– Don’t take an expensive pram on a flight.. The moment you check-in and that pushchair disappears behind that rubber curtain it is collected by two WWF wrestlers who smash it against a wall for half an hour.. before it is transferred to the runway, where they reverse the plane over it a couple of times before placing it in the hold.
At your destination.. for some bizarre reason you have to collect whatever is left of your pram (a wheel) from a baggage carousel that’s f*cking miles away.. (I’m sure our stroller ended up closer to the airport we’d just left).
– One of our worries about the flight was that we’d get seated next to someone unhappy about being near a baby.. We hoped to be sat next to a kindly old Angela Lansbury type, with a soft spot for babies.. In the end we got sat next to a woman who had a face like a cats arse being burned at the stake..
To be honest, we didn’t care.. after 6 months we’re developing a thick skin for this sort of crap.. Some people have a problem with babies, whether they’re sat next to them in a restaurant or on a flight.. These people are what my dear old nan used to call ‘arseholes’. (Also, I suspect that if the woman in question had greeted us with a smile, rather than a roll of her eyes, we’d have been more inclined to tell her that she’d come back from the toilet with her skirt stuck in her tights, and was showing everyone her arse).
– When airlines say they have ‘baby changing facilities’ what they actually mean is: ‘a shelf’.
– Changing a baby in a plane toilet is like the hardest round on ‘The Cube’. Basically ..imagine trying to carve a turkey in a phone-box.. now half the size of the f*cking phone box, and arrange for an incontinent dickhead to bang on the door every five seconds.
– If your baby will sit quietly during the flight that’s great , if they will sleep.. even better. If like Charlie, your little one likes to ‘stand’ up all the time.. You can look forward to, what feels like a midget river-dancing on your bollocks for the next four hours.
– Baby Passports are, as I suspected, a rip off.. I’ve said before that all babies look like Ross Kemp, but the idea that any baby is still going to be recognisable on their passport photo 5 years after their birth is insane…. Besides which the immigration people barely even glanced at it.. Charlie could have sailed through passport control with a drawing of Gregg Wallace on the back of a beer-mat (..and it wouldn’t have cost us 50-odd quid).
– As for the heat.. It turns out taking a baby to a hot country is fine.. people in scorching climates have babies quite a lot, so it’s a bit daft for us to think that if we take a baby to a sunny place they will suddenly burst into flames, like someone’s opened the curtains on a vampire. It’s just common sense, ..shade, avoiding midday and applying factor thrumpteen suncream.
(Just a note on suntan lotion.. let it dry off before picking them up or anything, otherwise its like wrestling a seal that’s just left a massage parlour .. Charlie was in less danger from the sun than he was from me juggling him like a bar of soap).
– Even with all precautions there is a threat from the sun. To you. You will burn. You will be so preoccupied with keeping the sun off the baby.. You. will. burn. As I write this my face is a haunting red. (I think I applied suncream to myself once in the whole week). In fairness, I did mention to Lyns, before we went, that I wanted to come back with a bit of colour.. I just didn’t particularly want that colour to be the same as an angry baboon’s penis.
– Sandy beaches are a bad idea. A six month old baby puts everything in reaching distance in their mouth so, in hindsight, sitting them down to play on four acres of powdered glass is a bit dim.
– Unless you’re willing to use gaffer tape and a stapler, it is easier to get a squid to wear a bum-bag than to get a baby to wear sunglasses and a hat.
Finally, what I would say to anyone considering taking their baby on holiday is this: ..Go.
For all its pissy little challenges, to spend time together, away from our newly destroyed home, was incredibly special..
I will always remember Charlie’s face as he curled his toes in the sand for the first time. ..His delight at being pushed around a hotel pool on the back of an inflatable crocodile. ..And, his fascination as we sat on a bench, hand-feeding a sparrow some crisps, overlooking the deep blue of the mediterranean sea.
..Small price to pay that it was the same colour blue as my trampled bollocks after the flight home.
Do you remember your kids first vacation? Tell us in the comments below!
