BajaNomad

Baja zoo(s) ?

verichip - 12-5-2022 at 03:11 PM

Are there any? I mean a zoo or two worth seeing? What about the Tijuana zoo, is it worth going out of your way to see?

mtgoat666 - 12-5-2022 at 03:50 PM

TJ has a small zoo. Have not been in it. But the park around it is nice, and some museums perf venues. Best zoos in Baja are SOC and the whale lagoons (in season), more "natural."

If you do tour of TJ parks, check out the sports complexes south and east sides of the airport. They have a nice velodrome if you like cycling.

Alan - 12-5-2022 at 04:01 PM

I believe the zoo in Santiago, BCS is still open. In 1982 I was driving to Mulege. I came up on a beat-up old pickup truck with a full grown African Lion in a cage in the back. We were just south of Catavina in the middle of nowhere. It certainly wasn't anything I was expecting to see there:lol:

WestyWanderer - 12-5-2022 at 07:14 PM

There is a zoo in Mexicali. Have never been but drive by it every time we head south.

Don Pisto - 12-6-2022 at 01:31 PM

Parque Morelos in tijuana is lovely, stroll around for the day eat tacos and enjoy a margie. great place to bring the kids, playgrounds and a small zoo. dozen years ago there was a traveling zoo that would roll up and down Benny Juarez, the only opportunity these kids would get to see lions and tigers and bears:coolup:

David K - 12-6-2022 at 04:04 PM

The Santiago Zoo was closed in 2017. Did it reopen?
Given the horrid conditions my friend witnessed in 2001, and began a fundraiser to rescue the caged lion and others, it was surprising they stayed open as long as they did!
I first visited in 1985 and enjoyed the place. I didn't see any harmed animals, then.

mtgoat666 - 12-6-2022 at 05:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
there was a traveling zoo that would roll up and down Benny Juarez, the only opportunity these kids would get to see lions and tigers and bears:coolup:


Speaking of traveling zoos,… There are a number of traveling circuses in Mexico, very entertaining to see a show if you happen to find one in your travels.

Here in California, I highly recommend Circus Vargas, you’ll find them all over the SW.

Most circuses these days got rid of the exotic animals… a good change, I think.

Zoos are kind sad. I would rather see animals on a ranch, or in the wild.

surabi - 12-6-2022 at 07:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The Santiago Zoo was closed in 2017. Did it reopen?
Given the horrid conditions my friend witnessed in 2001, and began a fundraiser to rescue the caged lion and others, it was surprising they stayed open as long as they did!
I first visited in 1985 and enjoyed the place. I didn't see any harmed animals, then.


I was there about 20 years ago. It was horrid. Bears and big cats in tiny barren concrete cages. Animal abuse.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by surabi]

David K - 12-7-2022 at 08:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The Santiago Zoo was closed in 2017. Did it reopen?
Given the horrid conditions my friend witnessed in 2001, and began a fundraiser to rescue the caged lion and others, it was surprising they stayed open as long as they did!
I first visited in 1985 and enjoyed the place. I didn't see any harmed animals, then.


I was there about 20 years ago. It was horrid. Bears and big cats in tiny barren concrete cages. Animal abuse.

[Edited on 12-7-2022 by surabi]


Exactly, here is Leo (in December 2001) in bad shape:

dravnx - 12-7-2022 at 09:46 AM

I visited
https://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g150771-d413737...

many years ago and it was muy fantastico. Apparently it is still open.

pacificobob - 12-8-2022 at 08:12 AM

I find animal prisons sad.

unbob - 12-11-2022 at 05:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by WestyWanderer  
There is a zoo in Mexicali. Have never been but drive by it every time we head south.
OT but what's the story on the jet aircraft fuselage near the highway on the far south-end of town?

BajaUtah - 12-15-2022 at 09:11 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHWfu4YPyyg

Boeing crash test

AKgringo - 12-15-2022 at 11:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaUtah  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHWfu4YPyyg

Boeing crash test


Thanks for posting that, I always wondered why that plane was there. I am still wondering why it is there, but at least I know what happened.

pacificobob - 12-15-2022 at 04:05 PM

I don't believe Boeing had anything to do with the crash research... Other than the aircraft used was a 727