shellbff

It’s simply a beautiful place. I don’t care for the downtown city area, but we always drive to the country towards Pedassi. The landscapes will take your breath away. Sky high mountains on one side & the glistening ocean on the other. Truly an amazing place! I go every chance I get.

First of all, I love our zoo because not only is it beautiful, but Jackson the chimp is the best. He will come up to the glass & check you out & perform for you. He also looooves hands & fingers so put them up to the glass & he’ll come & just stare at them. I’m super bummed because soon they will be removing all the chimpanzees, including Jackson, and making room for Bonobo’s, a more endangered species. Although I understand this action, I will really miss silly Jackson.

Second…I loved Ben the gorilla. He was the first gorilla ever @ the Jacksonville Zoo. He was always at the glass looking & all the kids, but he seemed a little sad most of the time & in his own world. Sadly, about a week ago Ben passed away. He was being chased by another gorilla & fell into the moat. The water was chest high but from what I heard, Ben didn’t even put up a fight for his life. By the time rescue made it to him, they could not revive him. He was an amazing guy. RIP Ben!