Lowry Park Zoo (Tampa) Zoo Review

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo has been on my wish-list for some time now, since i travel to Orlando to visit family constantly. Lowry Zoo hosts a number of great exhibits, rides and things to do and proudly advertises that they were "Voted #1 Family Friendly Zoo in America!" I must say i have never seen so many babies in one zoo, it is worth it just to see them all!

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo's Baby List: White Tigers(2, 6 months old), Orangutan (2, 6months and 2 years old), Mandril (2, under a year), Guenon (small monkey, 2 i believe under a year), Colobus Monkey (2, really cute and under a year), Wallaby, Flying Fox, Pygmy Hippo, Warthog, Key Deer and possibly more!

I think the highlight of the zoo would have to be the Primate section of the zoo. Tampa has a must see family of Orangutans; 2 proud mothers with 1 beautiful baby each, 6 months and 2 years old. The father is also with them, and he loves getting close to allow for amazing shots, same with the mothers. The 6 month old baby still clings tight to its mother while the 2 year old stays close but loves to explore.

Beware though, on cold days the mothers and babies will not come out. The last day i visited only the father was outside on a sunny, cold 50 degree day. The previous day was about the same temperature but i think they were out because it was super bowl weekend and they had a spike in visitors. But luckily if the Orangutans are not out, you can take the 10 second walk up to the White Tiger cubs!

I didn't find the White Tiger cubs until my third visit in 5 days, and i talked to a docent about them. The mother is 10 years old with two 6 month old cubs, a female and male. The female is the trouble maker who is obviously more agile than the male. The male is a mamas boy and a little less rambunctious. The cubs are very playful with each other and the mom, and will go swimming together in the water, which i gladly witnessed. If you are interested in viewing the White Tiger cubs, please visit the zoo early! They are active in the first hour, looking for the food and enrichments, and slowly get tired before they are let in at 12:00 or 1:00pm. After the mother and cubs are put back in they release the father, who stays out the rest of the day.

The pygmy hippo was very small and cute, the pair were mostly seen in the incredibly stinky water. I laughed a few times as the baby wasn't moving and the mother decided to slowly run into the baby and moved the baby about 10 feet without the baby really minding. It looked like a train pushing a car stuck on a railroad, only at 1 mph.

If you live in Florida i really recommend visiting this zoo, you will not be disappointed. I gladly bought the Annual Membership so i could come back every time i am in the area.