Sarasota Jungle Gardens

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!

I love Jungle Gardens. Feeding the Flamigos has been one of the best highlights of my life. It's like walking into a tropical secret garden. Parrots, birds of prey, alligators, wwans, peacocks, and pure white peacocks and just a sample of the things you will see. You can keep your crowds at Disney and Sea World, I'll come back to beautiful quiet Jungle Gardens again and again.

It wasn't really spread out, and it was easy to get around. Nice trails to walk on and shaded to keep you from getting blasted by the sun. Able to get right up next to birds. My daughter didn't like being by a flamingo tho! Went to Birds of Prey presentation, and really liked that. Only bad thing I could say is that it was sometimes hard to hear the speakers with all the birds chirping and cawing! Definitely recommend!

Sarasota Jungle Gardens provided an educational, fun environment with hands on exploration. There are animal demonstrations with tarantulas, alligators, parrots and others as well as a walk through a tropical forest. The highlight for children will be feeding the pink flamingoes and watching these exotic birds. The tickets are very reasonable and a season ticket is well worth it if you can plan to visit more then twice in the year.

for the money we paid to get in,they should of had more to show.not all that many of things to see,would not go there again

Not too big so it wears you out, but more like Parrot Jungle in Miami, although certainly calmer and laid back. Lots of helpful employees to answer questions, lush landscaping, and plenty of places to sit and eat and admire the scenery. Bird and reptile shows are very informative. Annual passes available.

It was very fun you can hold an alligator or a bird. A good day long adveture.