Luray ZOO

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October 21st, 2008

We decided it was time to travel to Shenandoah for a mid-week vacation. We figured fall in mid-week was the best way to see the fall colors as well as beat the crowds. So our trip was Tuesday through Thursday.

We found the Luray Zoo, is a rescue station mainly for people who didn't want their exotic pets. The Zoo is not run by the city, state or any government entity, but relies on admission and donations for survival. It's a small zoo. It's not that greatly maintained in some areas (one bird exhibit had more poop than I've ever seen in one place). Some of the fencing needed help and a few of the animals needed bigger cages. However, you do get to see the animals pretty close up. Here's what we saw there: MANY snakes (what was astounding to me was the active nature of the snakes. They were rattling their tales moving a lot), a couple tortoises and frogs (one was the oldest tortoise in a small tank and one of the larges things I've ever seen), a couple alligators and some other fish rounded out the amphibian exhibit, which is the largest part of the zoo. The second largest part of the exhibit was probably birds including a Kookaburra, a ret-tailed hawk, a few other birds I don't remember and some condors who spread their wings for us. There were a handful of monkeys, a bobcat, a female Bengal Tiger, and some Wallabys, an Emu, a Coatimundi, a Lynx and a Camel. I think that's all there was as far as exotic animals. There was, and this was the best part for me, a petting zoo. It had some deer, a donkey, a couple young bulls, some goats and sheep I think. There were a few cages empty (I think there was a pig... I could hear it but didn't see it), and I think there was supposed to be a hedgehog or something... but I didn't see it. All of them came up to you. The donkey and bulls scared us a bit as their teeth are huge and they were trying to get the food from us.

Anyway, the zoo was a must visit if you are visiting the caverns. Basically, it's across the street almost from the caverns. you can't miss it (you'll see the big dinosaur out front). there is a gift shop. I did not see any place to eat or drink, and I am not sure there was a rest room (though there might have been). It didn't take long to go through the area (maybe 30 minutes) but when we went we were totally alone and that made for much fun - especially in the petting area.

There is no food/drinks allowed in the zoo. You won't be there too long so nothing special needed except quarters for the feed in the gumball type machine for the petting zoo. I'd recommend MANY quarters, as they are very hungry! Full price admission is 10.00 for adults and 5.00 for kids (under 2 is free). We got in free because of the package we had with the hotel. However, donations are welcome and proceeds from the store go to the zoo for feed and such, so please add a little extra as they need all they can get. I bought just a small fossil and a small piece of agate for my little collection of minerals.

1) A Bobcat 2) Female Bengal Tiger 3) Red-Tailed Hawk I THINK (or another bird) 4) Massive/Old Tortoise 5) A Bull