07/23/09

Abomination

by Cleareye

All zoos are an abomination and should be closed permanently. We capture animals, imprison them in unnatural settings, and then pretend to our children that this is good and the animals must like it since they're safe and well fed. How would you like to live that way? Would you put your pet in a zoo? Would you put your child in a zoo? Why animals?

• Pros: A prison for innocent animals
• Cons: A prison for innocent animals

04/24/09

Animal Internment Camp

by Debzz

The LA zoo should really be shut down until it can be re-done in such a manner that it would not be abusive to the animals forced to exist there.

1. The enclosures are shamefully small and inadequate.

2. The bee/yellow jacket problem is out of control - if you suffer from bee sting allergies, avoid this place EVEN if you have an Epi-Pen.

3. The signs that are posted to help you find your way are a joke. If you actually follow signs to leave from that back of the zoo, they WILL lead you in circles.

4. Zoo employees are less than helpful if you need anything.....heaven forbid you need medical assistance while in the park, you might not find a staff member for a long time.

5. Over-priced food/drink BUT isn't that the way it is at ALL theme parks?

6. More walking with less pay-off than to be expected. I have been to many other zoos and they all require a bit of walking BUT with the LA Zoo, you get far fewer animal attractions for the amount of walking you must do. A simpler layout could have been designed to give you the same amount of attractions with less hiking. You should not have to walk for long periods of time with nothing to see as you do at the LA Zoo.

7. This is NOT a stroller friendly place....attractions that have stairs do not warn of this until you are too far in-then it is too much of a pain to back out and try to get in again.

8. Blazingly hot. This is NOT the kind of place you should go in the summer-time. With the amount of asphalt and walking you are required to do there, there should be agro-netting installed over walkways to reduce the heat. OR there should be water/drinking fountains available, if not, a water-misting system would quickly take the temperature down 10-20 degrees and keep visitors and even more importantly, the animals cooler and healthier.

The only real positive things I can say about the LA Zoo is that it is really easy to find from any freeway and there is plenty of parking.

Other than that, I truly believe that all the animals should be moved out and the entire installation should be leveled and re-built properly. Right now, the LA Zoo is one of Los Angeles' biggest embarassments on several levels.

Save your money and splurge on a trip to San Diego's Wild Animal Park and their Zoo.

• Pros: Easy to find the Zoo
• Cons: Shamefully Inadequate

09/01/08

HORRIBLE! Needs to be demolished! Animals go elsewhere...

by UME3

I hadn't been in eight years, previous to that it had been in the early 90's. Whoever wrote previous reviews are rediculous. The truth is....it's filthy..All of the animals are in the exact SAME HABITATS! Even the "snow leopard" is in 90 degree heat. There are plenty of money making souvenier shops. It was dangerous, there were swarms of bee's everywhere there was a trash can. I felt terrible for all the animals, it's a true disaster and a poor representation of LOS ANGELES and of the animals TRUE HABITAT. SHAME ON LOS ANGELES!!!!!! YOU SHOULD CLEAN IT UP!!!!!!!! All animal activists should unite and make a huge impact on bettering the lives of these animals.....i felt as if i lived in a third world country.

• Pros: there are no pro's to seeing animals miserable.
• Cons: the whole thing is a con

10/31/07

It's a zoo

by netter1

I don't normally frequent zoos, but one of my hobbies is photography and there aren't many places in Los Angeles where you can get close up pictures of a Meerkat family. So, every few months my husband and I trek to the LA Zoo to see what's new. They recently put some tiger cups on exhibit...and I'd love some pictures of that. The only think I tire of at the zoo really is the walking and lugging the camera equipment all over...but then again...that's my choice. We don't usually take advantage of the tram...but we just might the next time. I recommend a visit to the LA Zoo...if you haven't been in many years, it's probably time to take another look. The zoo has come a long way in the last 20 years.

05/07/07

large zoo with lots of walking

by juju13es

I remember the one time I went, it was in blazing hot weather and I recall having to walk A LOT. The place was a lot larger than I expected, because we didn?t even have time to see everything. The elephants and monkeys were my favorite. Though I have to say most of the animals looked pretty miserable in the blistering heat. I still like San Diego Zoo better by far~

• Pros: fun adventure, elephants and monkeys!
• Cons: the environment looks a bit drab at parts

03/30/07

Be prepared to walk alot

by sknoneman

I took my 18 month old to the zoo. We had a great time. She loved running around the open areas just as much as seeing the animals. There is alot of construction now so getting around is tough. Following the maps is not as easy as it would seem. We did a lot of walking and still didn't have time to see everything. I would definately go back after construction is complete.

• Pros: Easy parking, price/value, easy animal viewing
• Cons: Traffic getting to zoo, construction, lots of walking

07/07/04

Boasting more than 1,000 animals and a jungle-like atmosphere, it's the perfect weekend safari.

by Contributor

More than 100 acres of mammals, reptiles and amphibians draw city dwellers to this Griffith Park attraction for a taste of the wild life. The Animal Encounters program allows visitors to interact with animals ranging from pythons to bunnies. During the school year, the zoo is often mobbed by busloads of excited kids on field trips. Mornings and late afternoons are the best times to visit, when the sun is less intense. The zoo's animals are grouped by geographic origin. From the imposing elephants to the sleek Sumatran tigers, the residents here are well-cared for. Mahali Mountain, the chimpanzee habitat, and World of Birds, a show highlighting the zoo's extensive bird collection, are especially popular with the tykes. Stands hawking snacks flank the entrance. The zoo also has a couple of full-service restaurants for feeding hungry humans.

09/14/02

its been awhile

by heavenbee

i haven't been to this zoo in ahwile but from what i can remember it was small but still enjoyable. My favortie part is always the monkeys and the runner up would be the birds. Stay away from the gift shop though-the prices are just silly. And if you go on a hot day bring alot of water and comfy clothes. Its a fun and educational day and i cant wait to go back. I hear that alot of changes and exhibits have gone on since so im looking foward to it.See you soon!

08/27/02

Uninspiring

by jimames

Save the eight dollars and drive to the San Diego zoo instead. The entire zoo is painted UPS brown. The animal enclosures are huge concrete behemoths that neither enhance the view, nor recreate the animals natural environment.

• Pros: cheap
• Cons: uninspired exhibits

08/23/02

Best Day!

by myzar

I just love the Zoo. It is educational, fun, and inexpensive.