I’ve been vacationing down south in Mesa Arizona with my girlfriend while she visits her pops and it has been awesome to tag along. As I hear the clouds have opened up back home for day with clouds returning today, I am working on a sun tan and partaking in excellent adventures. Yesterday, we all made a journey to Litchfield for time at Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium. As we arrived, my first thought seemed the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium was smaller than expected, it that a theme with me?, yet after a short walk into the entry that thought quickly changed.
I apologize to the zoologists, paleontologist, and biologists for my lack of understanding of the animal kingdom.
As we walked around and viewed panthers and white tigers, many colorful and white peacocks, rare species of monkeys, kangaroos with their babies in pocket, and even a albino alligators, I was truly amazed at the variety of species and the attention to detail of each exhibit and the care that goes into each of the animals. The park was clean, the staff was friendly, and the animals where active. Besides our small group, there were many schools, YMCAs, and families running around enjoying all the exhibits – which are to numerous to mention. The two most interactive exhibits had to be the giraffe feeding station (pictures 8 & 9) and the petting of the rays in the aquarium exhibits (forgot to take pictures).
To feed the giraffes, just hoof up the 12′ feeding tower, deposit 50 cents into the coin operated feeding machine, and the giraffes extend their long tongues, like a foot long tongue, so patrons can poor tasty treats on them. A smaller, probably a baby, giraffe who had a harder time getting treats, but as you can see (picture 9), he/she had no shortage of a sense of humor sticking his tongue out to us. With the rays we ventured over to the aquarium building where there is a huge pool with 30+ rays swimming around. The zoologist told us to touch them with 2 fingers. With a little apprehension, I tried it out and to my amazement the rays were squishy with a boney backbone.
If you’re traveling down to Arizona from Washington, or another state for that matter, I recommend putting Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium on the to-do list.
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
16501 W. Northern Ave.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
p: 623-935-WILD (9453)
w: http://www.wildlifeworld.com/
Huge opportunity to create own aquarium profile by adding fish. You can upload pictures of your tank and logging progress for your fellow hobbyists to enjoy.
I love aquariums and while at the Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium we had the opportunity to pet some rays – squishy and spiny at the same time.
A few years back I used to live with a friend who was into them and he still has a 14″ Umbi that is a beast. Haven’t seen that fish in a bit since he is being fish sat since the owner is South Carolina for Boeing.