Oct 20 2008
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, Part 1 of 2
Wild Animal Park is nestled among the hills of San Pasqual Valley, in Escondido.
Wild Animal Park, San Pasqual Valley
The 1800 acre park is a unique refuge of both wildlife and plant species and leads in the conservation and re-introduction of endangered plants and animals into the wild.
Sign Post of the Conservation Programs of Wild Animal Park
This park started as a breeding ground for San Diego Zoo but it has come a long way since its conception that it is now a separate park on its own. The park is huge, and a walk on its trails to various exhibits can be a long one. However, it is hard to get a continuous walk here even if one could, for there are just so many distractions in the park to slow down your walk.
Giraffes, in African Safari Exhibit
Unless of course, one does not enjoy seeing the animals lounging in an almost natural setting, and is not fascinated by the horticultural treats the park offers, then, walking continuously for several miles can be easily accomplished. From the park entrance, you have a choice to either take the African Aviary to your right
Inside the African Aviary
or just take the walk path directly to Nairobi village, either way, you would be rewarded by beautiful sights of plants and birds. As you emerge from the aviary, you’ll encounter Nairobi Village.
Flamingos @ Nairobi Village
Park’s Pink Back Pelicans and Wild Migratory Birds Party @ Nairobi Village
Hidden Jungle, Nairobi Village
For those visiting with kids, Nairobi Village has Samburu Jungle Gym,
Towards Samburu Jungle Gym
an animal themed playground for kids and Discovery Station that encourages children to learn about Africa while playing. Just behind the aviary on the right is the gorilla habitat, but I usually proceed on my left first towards the Discovery Center, passing the hanging wooden bridge
Wooden Bridge Towards Condor Ridge and Kupanda Falls
and then towards the Condor Ridge.
Conifer Forest, Condor Ridge Area
The first habitat you will encounter at Condor Ridge is a Conifer Forest that provides roosting places for endangered thick-billed parrots, which once ranged in forests across Arizona, New Mexico and North Mexico ( source: Wild Animal Park web page ). At the end of the trail is an observation deck with an interpretative center for the recovery efforts for desert bighorn sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep
and California Condor.
California Condor
The California Condor, North America’s largest flying bird, is symbolic of successful native species recovery programs. From the trail of Condor Ridge, one looks out at the valley below and at the Baja Gardens on the top of the slopes.
Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens
To reach the Baja Garden from Condor Ridge, you trace the trail back to the Conifer Forest where you hear the rushing stream in Kupanda Falls,
Kupanda Falls
make a right turn towards the California Native Gardens. On your way to the California Native Gardens you will pass the Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens.
Old World Succulent and Baja Gardens
Trail @ Baja Gardens
The tallest succulent in the picture above are Boojum, they can reach a height up to 60 ft and live up to 250 years old.
Boojum Bending from its Height
Boojum are rare plants from Baja California, Mexico. Wild Animal Park works not only in the conservation and recovery of endangered animals but also of plants. Boojum are leafless during the dry season, but comes January they will sprout a golden seedpods.
Birds Perched on the Spiny Branches of Boojum
Blogger’s Portrait with the Giant Cacti
More Cacti and Succulents with the Blogger
The trail from Baja Gardens continue to California Native Garden and Riparian Trail, where their full glory can be experienced in spring during their spectacular bloom. At the end of the Riparian Trail you have nowhere to go but to turn back to the Conifer Forest.
Conifer Forest
The Conifer Forest, the Condor Ridge, the Baja Garden, the California Native Garden, the Bonsai Garden are all part of the 1.4 mile trail of the Kupanda Falls Botanical Garden. These gardens are off the beaten path, and many visitors never realize their existence here at Wild Animal Park. There is a downhill trail from the Conifer Forest, this connects to the 2 mile trail of Kilimanjaro Safari Walk. Taking this downhill trail will bring you to the Tiger Habitat Exhibit and the now closed Lion Habitat Exhibit, which had been moved to Lion’s Camp.
@ Tiger Exhibit
From the Tiger Overlook, we take the trail towards the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk which passes through another hanging wooden bridge that sways as you walk.
Hanging Wooden Bridge
Emerging from the wooded trail, you will now see the vast open exhibit of the African Safari.
Kilimanjaro Safari Walk
Giraffes Viewed from the Safari Viewpoint
If you walk straight South from this trail, you will hit Lion’s Camp, however, if you will take a short detour Northwest towards the Roar and Snore Campground and past Herb Garden, you will have the better viewing for the elephants.
Trail Towards Roar and Snore Campground
Past these trees and cabin tents, you will again be in an open space to view the elephants. The East side are the African Elephants,
African Elephants
Mom and Baby Elephant
on the side closer to the Elephant Show are the Asian Elephants.
Asian Elephants
When you are done viewing the elephants, you can trace back the trail you took towards the Lion’s Camp.
Trail to Lion’s Camp from Roar and Snore
Would you be able to hear the lions roar? Hmmm, maybe.
Eezo @ Lion’s Camp
More of Lion’s Camp to Heart of Africa in Part 2 of this Wild Animal Park Walk next…..
