Elephants, monkeys, tigers, and reptiles once lived on a corner of a South Florida beach, where I found empty cages covered in graffiti and greenery.
The Crandon Park Zoo opened in 1948 as Miami’s first zoo, according to the Miami Herald. Then a hurricane in the 1980s left it in shambles. The park closed, and animals that survived the hurricane were moved to a larger area. In 1991, the zoo ruins reopened as gardens.
I visited the park in October 2021 to see what remained of the abandoned zoo, and I found a natural wildlife sanctuary.
The first thing I noticed was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present.
According to Atlas Obscura, the ruins are also home to wild alligators, iguanas, and peacocks.
The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free.
Parts of the park were paved, while others felt wild. Some of the land was once a coconut plantation, according to the Miami Herald.
In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks.
I thought it looked like it could have been a unique, immersive attraction and wondered what animals may have lived there decades ago.
Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti.
I peered over high, chain-linked fences and spotted remnants of vandalized structures.
But one large structure remained accessible.
It appeared to once house multiple cages.
Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside.
I was able to see inside a few of the animals’ quarters, which were now empty aside from some leaves, branches, and overgrown vines. The doors were still locked.
The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting.
Peering inside made me think about the animals that might have gotten stuck inside as hurricane waters filled their enclosures.
I tried to imagine what kind of animals could live in these spaces. Based on their size, maybe monkeys, I thought.
I left the park thinking it’s probably a better home now for the wildlife that has taken over.
After my visit, the zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the community in November 2022.
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