A Florida institution for over 75 years, Jungle Island has steadily expanded over the years from the small aviary to a jungle zoo with animals from across the world. Set on an island of its own near downtown Miami, visitors can get up close to albino crocodiles, rare white lions from South Africa and our very own kangaroos, as well as free-flying birds of prey which swoop over visitors' heads, and friendly macaws and cockatoos that perch on your shoulder.
Few zoos have as long a history as this Miami icon. In 1936, Franz Scherr created an outdoor aviary, then called Parrot Jungle, where tropical birds could fly freely in replicas of their natural habitats. Over time the aviary expanded to include nature trails, wild animals and exotic plants from over the world. With its increasing fame, helped in no small part by being the backdrop to several films as well as being in the opening credits of the television series Miami Vice, the zoo eventually relocated to a bigger site at Biscayne Bay and was renamed Jungle Island.
The zoo has moved with the times and there are several interactive shows daily where the zoos stars meet their fans. Bird lovers should not miss the Winged Wonders show – duck as a huge vulture flies inches above your head, while if you're looking for the ultimate in cuteness, don't forget to see Pinky, the zoo's famous bike-riding cockatoo who has been entertaining audiences for years. The Tale of the Tiger show in the Jungle Theatre is very popular, as is The Adventures of Dr. Wasabi in the Serpentarium where visitors get the chance to get up close to animals such as African crested porcupines, lemurs and penguins.
For a really special visit, the VIP Safari Tour is worth booking. On the private 90-minute guided tour, you get as close as a keeper to the zoo's most interesting animals – in some cases, getting in the animals' cages. Visitors of all ages tend to fall in love with the orang-utan twins Peanut & Pumpkin and seeing them communicate with the keepers using an iPad is a real eye-opener.
Jungle Island is five kilometres from downtown Miami and is open every day. There is a free shuttle service from South Beach, and you can also reach the attraction via public transport from Miami-Dade Transit.
