Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Sarasota

This is an absolutely gorgeous property, lush with brilliant plants, flowers, trees, and animals. The exact animals using this as a habitat changes a bit from time to time because they take in abused or injured animals and some are later released. But there are hawks, Great Barred Owls, huge snakes, crocodiles, flamingos, and exotic birds such as macaws, even cute prairie dogs. This is a place for the whole family. But, parents, if you need a little adult time later in the vacation, Elite Family Care offers nannies and sitters to entertain your kids while you go out for an evening. Call Debra at 941 5561117

I felt at ease and at peace in the park. This a place for family, lovers, children, and those Sarasota Residents who want to take their guests on a unique excursion for the day. It is also an absolute Mecca for Photographers. I find the staff to be friendly and hardworking, and the establishment better managed than I have seen for a long time. There is something very special about the Management, and the Employee's dedication to the Historical Park, that I just want to say thanks for the great time, every time we visit. The best value is in the annual membership- Remember that a place like the Sarasota Jungle Gardens can use the support of the community for contributions and volunteers. We learn at the animal shows some of the local Companies that help out...if you are looking to give back to the Sarasota Community, consider calling them up and finding out how to get involved! Love you guys!!!

This place is terrific for children AND adults !!!! Our whole family visited from NJ and loved every minute ! This guy wrote a comment on 7/12/09...seems he might have enjoyed the day there if THE 'GIRLS' WORKING THERE GAVE HIM A SECOND LOOK !!!!!! hahaha.guess he wasn't there to enjoy the day, but to get a date !! We continue to love Jungle Gardens every time we go !!

I used to work at the gardens as a contracted security officer and I can assure you that the care and attention provided by the handlers is top notch. The girls working there love the animals. I remember them transferring the animals to a safe location in the hours preceding an incoming hurricane. they were there on their own time taking care of the animals when most people in town were taking care of their homes. I watched these dedicated people cry when, on occasion, one of the animals died or had to be euthanized. These wonderful girls are dedicated and they love the animals and what they do. The gardens are great and the shows are enjoyable. And all of it is expensive to maintain. At $15 ($14 with an online coupon) it is a GREAT value. Think what a 2 hour movie costs to get in and you'll know what I mean. If you visit, and I hope you will, You will have a pleasant day, in a beautiful setting, with kind, caring people, and wonderful animals. I'll be returning there next week on vacation. Bill in S.C

This was an awesome place, the birds are beautiful and the pelicans come right up to you. Great place for kids.

by Lisa 2-12-10 We have been visiting the Sarasota Jungle Gardens for 6 years now. My husband and I love the parrots and the flamingos. I always hold Roxy the Blue Amazon and feed the flamingos. I have read the other reviews and they talk about the knowledge of the staff and how pretty the girls are.....come on people!! This place is about the animals and the animals are the entertainment. It is a beautiful peaceful place to visit and the animals are just wonderful.

Well... ten years ago it was awesome!! Nowadays it is basically a botanical gardens... Many of the animals are no longer there, and they haven't replaced them... The Reptile area now is a JOKE!! The variety of reptiles and the basic knowledge of the staff is ridiculous...10 years ago they had a Tiger cubs that you could take a picture with, along with adult black leopards on display and the curator of reptiles did a different show everytime I went. He would change things up, and I felt I got my monies worth everytime. Now it's the same scripted show everytime. BORING! I went three times this year with some friends, & I told them each time that the shows would be different than the one they previously saw, boy was I wrong... they have a girl who at most is an AMATEUR reptile handler. I won't be going back! Lowry park Zoo isn't to far away, more food and drink areas, around the same price, and actually HAS the animals they advertise! Oh, yeah... on another note.... I felt like I was at a feminist rally while there. Not one male employee in the whole place... WEIRD!!! I probably wouldn't have never noticed this little fact, if the female employees were in fact pleasant to look at!! Sorry girls......

Jungle gardens used to be my favorite place to go. The animals and the staff were just wonderful. About 8 months ago everything changed. That's when the owners son took over and things went downhill. I have come to know most of the keepers and the curators personally over the years. You could just see the frustration on their faces at having to deal with a man who has no compassion for the people or the animals he works with. I have met with and talked to the man myself and he is NOT pleasant. He does not see his staff as being capable of doing their jobs and I have witnessed him repremand them in front of guests. That is just not how you run a business, and it's a shame that he is ruining the reputation of the Gardens!!!!!!

Not sure why people complain about this place. My fiance and I stopped in there and loved it. We are in our early 20's and had a great time. It is definitely a must see for those with young children. It isn't a huge place, but at the same time its more than big enough to spend a couple hours having fun. We spent 2.5 to 3 hours there watching the Birds of Prey and Alligator shows. The flamingos were an absolute riot, you walk along a trail with them and can feed them as you go. They bite at you and yell at you as they walk with you. There are tons of parrets there to see and pose with. The price is a little steep, but still its worth going to see once! I'm very happy that I went there and was able to get lots of good pictures!

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the few remaining "Old Florida Attractions". I was completely surprised to find such a beautiful untouched green space just off of the Tamiami Trail! The staff is courteous and very knowledgeable about their charges. I found out that almost all of the 70+ birds and animals that call this place home, were either donated as unwanted pets or given to Sarasota Jungle Gardens by the State and Federal government because they were either abused or rescued from adverse conditions. I'm not in to zoos too much, I have my opinions but this place is a sanctuary for these beautiful creatures. I visit as often as I can and I am considering "adopting" one of their animals! They have a program that you can actually help support their birds and animals. What a wonderful place for these unwanted and abused animals to spend the rest of their lives at. Their shows also educate people on exotic pet ownership, which is why most of these animals wound up at Sarasota Jungle Gardens! I admire what they do and kudos to the dedication and devotion that these people have for the gardens and beautiful birds and animals that call it home!