LWers go on local safari
TRAVEL
by Joanna Matos
LW contributor
LWers Jim Clement, Rita Tribble and Joanna Matos took a daytrip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park last month. Though it carries the city’s name, the Safari Park is actually located 30 miles northeast in the San Pasqual Valley area of Escondido.
The intrepid threesome was unprepared for the wide spaces and sheer enormity of the park. The Safari Park encompasses 1,800 acres and is home to more than 3,600 animals representing over 300 species.
There are a variety of trails leading to Gorilla Forest, African Woods, African Outpost, Lion Camp, Elephant Valley, Nairobi Village, Safari Base Camp, African Plains, Tiger Trail, Asian Savanna, Condor Ridge, World Gardens and Walkabout Australia. After walking for two hours up and down the well-marked terrain, the African tram was a welcome sight. The trio hopped aboard for am exciting expedition that allowed them to view Africannative wildlife in wide-open, natural habitats.
The group learned that lean and lanky cheetahs are the sprinters of the cat world. Giraffes are the tallest land animals, able to nibble the highest leaves from Africa’s acacia trees. And gorillas are the largest of all the primates; the five gorillas in the park are very protective of their space, which is surrounded by a moat.
The black and white rhinos are actually the same color, a brownish gray. And in any given 24-hour period, lions are known to have short bursts of intense activity followed by long bouts of lying around that can total up to 21 hours.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors—the Zoo and the Safari Park—and they integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education. Visitors to the Park, which offers wheelchair or scooter rentals, have 16 dining options, seven shopping venues, and plenty of drinking fountains and restrooms. There are also numerous benches, many under shady trees, on which people can relax and regroup for the next Safari experience.
