Z, Zed, The End!

Finally, the end of the alphabet. And it isn't even a whole month since last I wrote--it must be THE END!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!