Monkey Jungle

"Built in 1933, this is less a zoo than it is a conservation and observation park. In Southwest Miami the jungle is home to around 500 primates, covering some 18 different species of monkeys and apes. Guests navigate the 30-acre park through a series of tunnels—the park’s tagline is "Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild." The animal inhabitants live in semi-natural habitats where they can live as they would in the wild. It’s perfect for families with young children who may not have seen wildlife up this close before, and the information and habitats will also pique the interest of natural science enthusiasts." - Sara Liss, Terry Ward

"Built in 1933, this is less a zoo than it is a conservation and observation park. In Southwest Miami the jungle is home to around 500 primates, covering some 18 different species of monkeys and apes. Guests navigate the 30-acre park through a series of tunnels—the park’s tagline is "Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild." The animal inhabitants live in semi-natural habitats where they can live as they would in the wild. It’s perfect for families with young children who may not have seen wildlife up this close before, and the information and habitats will also pique the interest of natural science enthusiasts." - Sara Liss, Terry Ward

"A 30-acre wildlife park established back in 1933 for the exhibition and study of various endangered monkeys living in a semi-natural habitat, Florida’s Monkey Jungle draws in many visitors with its novel and innovative projects and programs. Near the popular tourist destination of Miami, the Monkey Jungle houses about 400 primates in 30 different species, including orangutans, gibbons, howlers, and more.   At Monkey Jungle, things are the opposite of what most people are used to. Instead of the monkeys being in cages like we’re see at a zoo, the human visitors are the ones caged when they visit this park. The monkeys run loose and visitors walk through tunnel cages that wind through their habitat. Monkey Jungle began back when Joseph DuMond, a man who dreamed of started the first colony of free-ranging monkeys in the United States, released a small pack of Java monkey from Southeast Asia into a ten-acre patch of Florida land. Joe cared for the monkeys, tended to the space, and slowly grew his little piece of paradise. When Monkey Jungle reached 30 acres, three times its original size, DuMond opened it as a tourist attraction. The Java monkeys, though, didn’t take kindly to DuMond’s move; they attacked the visitors. Unable to cage thirty acres or put the monkeys in a smaller habitat, DuMond caged in the visitors. The 1980s and ’90s were tough for Monkey Jungle, which was attacked by animal activists upset that some of the park’s monkeys were being dressed up as cowboys and astronauts. People were also upset that King, the Monkey Jungle’s gorilla, was kept in a smaller cage than the rest of the monkeys. Eventually, King was moved into a 10-acre enclosure that he had all to himself. Update January 2018: The park is temporarily closed for repairs. Update March 2019: The park is re-opened. It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? This facility – essentially a conservation and observation park – has been here since 1933 and so boasts an impressive history. It is home to around 500 primates, covering 18 different species of monkeys and apes. Guests navigate the 30-acre park through a series of tunnels, and indeed the park’s tagline is "Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild". The animal inhabitants live in semi-natural habitats where they can live as they would in the wild. Any standout features or must-sees? There are four main attractions within the general park. The first is the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool, where the cheeky, nimble, Java Macaques wade and dive into the pond on the outskirts of their habitat. The Cameroon Gorilla Forest is home to a huge, silverback gorilla and if you show up at one of the set times, you'll see his keepers interact with him. Wings of Love is a sanctuary for captive parrots that have been displaced from their natural homes or have been abandoned as pets by their owners. Finally, guided tours are available of the Amazonian Rainforest, the only semi-natural monkey habitat in North America. The primates here are free range, and include Squirrel Monkeys, Capuchins and Howler Monkeys. Feeding and photo opportunities with the monkeys are possible and encouraged. Was it easy to get around? The park is very easy to navigate and you can’t go too far wrong given the construction – the humans are corralled rather than the apes and so you can’t wander too far. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Even including the special shows, it’s easy to see almost everything in the park in a couple of hours. It’s perfect for families with young children who may not have seen wildlife up this close before, and the information and habitats will also be of huge interest to fans of natural science in general." - Paul Oswell