The Zoo entrance was off Niños Drive near the ocean. A large parking lot allowed for easy access but cost US $5.00 to park. The MTD Downtown Waterfront Shuttle also had a stop here on the street (the round light-blue sign). A shuttle ride cost only US 25¢.

Admissions was shaded and nicely decorated. But note that the sidewalk ran around the outside of the parking lot, creating an extra long walk for pedestrians and those who arrived by bus, but a short walk for those who drove.

The sign above admissions read:

ADMISSIONS		MEMBERSHIPS
Adults (13-59)	$12	Individual	$50
Children (2-12)	$10	Family	$80
Seniors (60+)	$10	Your visit can be free!     Apply today's admission     towards a Zoo     Membership. Ask     about other     Membership options
Parking	$5

Sorry, there are no rain refunds.
ATM inside gift store.

Family Meal Deal $36
Includes large 16" pepperoni or cheese pizza, two souvenir cups, and ...

Just inside the entrance was a wide bridge over a stream filled with wildlife.

Just the other side of the bridge was a cafe with food. Off to the right, just out of view, was a gift shop.

The sign describing this Macaw read: "Living in swamps and forests of Central and South America, this macaw's diet includes poisonous fruits and the local river clay, which neutralizes the toxins."

In 2003 the Zoo celebrated its 40th Anniversary. All those who supported that event were credited on a large tile plaque in the main entry courtyard.

The capybara enclosure appeared to be empty, but a capybara was hiding in the shade at the very rear of the enclosure. Several would emerge later at feeding time.

The zoo had a single aviary. One set of double doors led in, and another set led out. The sign read: "For the safety of our Birds, please... Close the outer door before opening the inner door."

The aviary contained birds of tropical Asia. Unfortunately few were in evidence mid afternoon.

Inside the aviary was lushly overgrown with many places for small birds to hide. A patient person could wait and remain still for a while to spot birds, but an impatient person would return at feeding time.

Koi swam in a small pond inside the Aviary.

The white-handed gibbon area was an island festooned with ropes.

The sign on the fence read: "Gibbons are among the most endangered primates. Loss of tropical rain forest habitat, poaching for food, and capturing young gibbons for the pet trade seriously threaten their survival."

The sign on Leopard Tortoise enclosure read: "These beautiful tortoises are named for the spotted pattern on their shells. This colorful pattern helps you tortoises to blend in with their African grassland habitats. Older tortoises can reach a weight of over 100 pounds and therefore need no protection from predators."

These Chilean Flamingo were numbered 13 (closest) and 27 in the rear. Most Zoos display flamingos right at the entrance. These were displayed internally.

Here was a fully grown African elephant inside a huge enclosure. The intention was to give the elephant space to roam, not to diminish its stature.

Windows allowed underwater viewing of penguins swimming.

The tight wire used on this enclosure made a clean photograph impossible. A sign on this enclosure read in part: "Thousands of these vultures clean up over 13,000 pounds of decaying animal remains each year in the Serengeti alone."

A wide path led along the rear of the zoo. At the end of this path was an area for special events. To the right were the train tracks for a train that was not running that day.

The path passed by a sign that showed where one was in relation to the zoo at large. A bench and a statue of a resting elephant.

A statue of a resting elephant. This statue was small, no more then 3 feet (1 meter) high. There was neither a plaque nor a sign to credit the artist.

Near the rear of the Zoo was a children's playground.

A lion rested in its enclosure.

The Baringo Giraffe is found in Uganda and Northern West Kenya. At scheduled times during the day, one can pay to help feed the giraffes.

A sign allowed the passing visitor to place his or her face into a hole at the top. This sign described the family tree for homonids with humans at the top.

The male gorilla named Kivu born 18 August 1991 in Buffalo Zoo, New York. He stands 5'-7" (170 cm) tall and weighs 444 lbs. (201 kgs).

A sign just outside the gorilla enclosure read: "The Forest's Edge: A habitat for endangered great apes."

A sign "Rattlesnake canyon" on the outside of a building. Inside were exhibits of rattlesnakes.

A petting zoo featured goats and sheep. Machines dispensed the proper food to feed these animals. A sink was available to wash one's hands afterward.

Later that afternoon the capybara finally emerged to be photographed.