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photo by Steve VanGunda
A zoo visitor takes a close-up look at an otter at the Jackson Zoo.
Cougars, and tigers and bears. Oh my!
Published Wednesday, June 18, 2008
NATCHEZ — Four cougars have been sighted in Jackson recently — along with a black bear, an elephant and a zebra.
The Jackson Zoo offers 54 acres of these and 221 other animal species that can be enjoyed on a summer day.
“It’s an experience you’re not going to have every day, to see and 8,650 pound elephant or a 350 pound Sumatran tiger,” said Christopher Mims, director of marketing and public relations for the zoo.
One of the most popular attractions is the new Wilderness Mississippi area that shows creatures native to the state, including cougars, bears, birds, snakes and otters.
“(The otters) swim around a lot and you can walk right up and look at them face to face,” Mims said.
The zoo’s African Rainforest Boardwalk and Savanna Boardwalk are also very popular according to Mims. They have pigmy hippos, which weigh about 500 pounds, chimps, rhinos, several other kinds of monkeys and many other African species.
“Among the most popular are the giraffes, elephants, orangutans and the cat species,” Mims said.
Some features at the 89-year-old zoo that could take adults back to their childhood Mims said.
“We still have the train that some of the adults who come will remember riding as children,” he said.
The zoo could easily be made into a full day trip.
“You could picnic in the park or we could feed you here at the food court,” Mims said.
The zoo is building a new $1.5 million educational exhibit for Wilderness Mississippi and a $1 million tiger exhibit, but Mims said neither would interfere with a visit to the zoo.
The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5.40 for seniors and $3 for children under 12. Group rates and rentals are also available.
Comments
Posted by free_radical (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Milking this for everything it's worth, huh guys?! ;D
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wish Natchez had a zoo....
Posted by Pluto (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Jackson Zoo is worth the trip. We took the kids last year and they loved it.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A zoo in the Vid/Nat area would be great! It not only provides hours of entertainment but it teaches young children & some adults about animals that would probably never see unless they go to larger cites. It would make a great class field trip for churches and school. Everyone even the ones that are too proud to admit it love animlas. So why not a zoo in our area?
Posted by BurningStar (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yay. There's a zoo...... In Jackson....... 2 HOURS away..... don't forget your bullet-proof jacket!
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some folks tried to get a Natchez zoo started in the 70's. Leslie Whitt was involved. Leslie ended up taking the job of director at the Alexandria Zoo and has done an incredible job with it. Visit the zoo there and realize that this is what Natchez could have had. But, congratulations to Alexandria because their zoo is well worth the drive over.
Marc Blackwood
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zoos provide people with a considerable number of tangible benefits: they provide revenue, entertainment, education, and conservation for endangered species. All of these add to the cultural fabric of a community. The Jackson Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and provides Mississippians with a good outing.
Posted by areader (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love zoos, too. But, the reporter only gave the price of a one way trip to Jackson. It will cost another $23 for gasoline if you wish to return.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Natchez had a ZOO, i know we have a bunch of wild idiots running around, oh wait a zoo at least locks up there wild beast. ROR
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