Lions and Tigers and Bears (oh my!)

The Mendoza zoo was a once in a life time experience. We were experiencing animals four feet from where we were standing, not like San Diego Zoo where you have a hard time even making out the animals in their cages. We were thinking this was great just to take pictures of the lions and tigers almost within arms reach, when we came across the zoo caretakers along the path. Jim spoke with them for awhile and the next thing we know they are our personal guides, allowing us to pet the mountain lion named Marcas, pet the bengal tiger, feed the monkeys popsicles, and feed the elephants. The mountain lion is their favorite and they even go into his cage to feed him he is so tame. The others are not as tame, and one even hissed and leaped at me hitting the chain link. Took two years off my life. The bengal tiger we were able to pet only while sitting and not looking at them, or they won't come near. Everywhere we went we could see the liability and danger to the public, yet the caretakers said nothing bad had happened in the 105 years it has been open. Obviously the teenagers in Mendoza are not like the ones in the states, who look for ways to get around the rules. All in all, we would say that the zoo experience tops anything we have done here in Argentina.

Mendoza Zoo with Spencer and Melinda

The zoo was a once in a life time experience. I have over a 100 pictures. I put the picture of the lioness in to show how close we were to the animals. The monkeys were just out in the trees swinging, and that Jacob's sheep has four horns (only found in S. A.). No barriers, no motes, just a little chain link fence. In many of the cage areas you could climb up the rock on the side and jump right in. There were ladders down into the cages for the water animals that anyone could climb down, and the steep terrain was sometimes a hazard. This was the most tranquil zoo experience I have ever had. The animals looked well cared for and healthy. 

Feeding the Monkeys

Obviously not a monkey, but a cute picture of a seal, you could touch his nose. He was all by himself in the enclosure. Sad.

Melinda feeding  Marco the maucho monkey a popsicle. They chew on them just like humans.

Melinda feeding the female. Marco was so mad he threw himself all over the cage and made a racket.

Colette feeding her monkey.

Trip to the Aquarium with Spencer and Melinda

Uncommon friends!

This aquarium in Mendoza was on a blog as being an excellent aquarium with thousands of fish. We all got a good chuckle over that one when we toured the place in 5 minutes and the cost of admittance was only $1.50. The alligators and turtles were cute, laying on each other as if they were buddies. The Sea turtle was huge, and worth the visit. The problem is the water & animals were not well cared for and it was hard to see in the dark, damp enviornment.