Living Desert

(Carlsbad NM)
Visited the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens which had displays of native plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert. They’ve recreated the natural environment fairly well; but, it still felt like a zoo to me.

Bear sitting in front of lair

Black Bear at Living Desert

Mule deer in a zoo

Mule Deer

Critters included birds, javelina, black bear, tortoise, prairie dogs, Mexican wolves, mule deer, bison, pronghorn, elk, bobcat, and mountain lions. The reptile exhibit was closed.

Two prairie dogs on a mound

Prairie Dogs

Two bison in a zoo

Bison

Flora and fauna were in sections appropriate for their habitat. They had an aviary with lots of birds, where I got a shot of a Golden and a Bald eagle. And, a green house with succulents and other desert plants.

Bald eagle in captivity

Bald Eagle

Elk in the zoo

Young Elk

The wolves were in constant motion and behind a chain link fence, so it was very difficult to get a good photo. When I got to the mountain lion exhibit, a group of young kids arrived yelling and making a big fuss. So, of course the pumas hid on a shelf in the rocks. It was a great disappointment.

Lobo sniffing around

Mexican Wolf

Pumas on a ledge

Mountain Lions

There was a $5 entry fee and it was a nice diversion for an hour or so, with lots of spots to rest and observe. But, I went quickly as I had another stop planned for the day.

Site: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens SP
Scene: Desert flora & fauna

4 Responses to Living Desert

  1. Sara April 6, 2014 at 10:39 pm #

    That’s a good price for a zoo

    • Pleinguy April 6, 2014 at 11:06 pm #

      It’s small as zoo’s go. I don’t pay entry fees much, but once in a while it’s worth it.

  2. Gypsy April 7, 2014 at 4:48 am #

    After seeing bison roam free in Theodore Roosevelt NP last summer, I feel sorry for those in a fenced zoo. Too bad about the noisy kids – I’d love to see the pumas up close.

    • Pleinguy April 9, 2014 at 2:15 am #

      Yes, it seemed the animals were sad, and I felt sorry for them. However, the info said all critters in the zoo were rescue cases.

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