BayouCityGirl Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I went to the zoo yesterday with a friend and we went by and saw the animals. I felt bad for them because you know our zoo is really shameful looking if you compare it to San Antonio's zoo. (as well as the people who work the food kiosk have no idea where any of the animals are located!) So anyway we walked around and we came upon the Zebras. Well they looked like typical grass eating zebras. There is one that stands out VERY well. His name is "Adam" a zookeeper told us. Zookeeper also told us that he was hand raised and someone thought they could use it as a pet and train it as a horse but it started biting (They must have watched, "Racing Stripes" a bit too much!) so it was donated to the zoo. My friend and I were just totally loving and playing with this Zebra from our safe distance of course! First he comes up to the pen as close as possible! (I couldn't believe that) He came when called if he moved away from the pen for a while. If we asked the Zebra to smile, he'd grin his upper lips. (As much as a Zebra) could smile! But this gets better. After the smiling he took his rubber food bucket he plays with. He dragged it from the back of the pen and started rubbing it against the fence, and trying to throw the thing over the fence and playing with it. Then Adam came to the front of the pen with his food container, and he tried to show it to us. He was pressing it against the fence. (Like here you have it) So after a long day my friend told the Zebra..."bye, we have to go...byeeee.." and we started walking. The Zebra was following us alongside. We decided to run by and the Zebra ran side the pen... When we ran not only running but he was bucking and kicking playfully. He was so enjoying our company. When my friend and I left...we noticed other people trying to get him to run too. btw, to identify the Zebra if you go to see him he has a small dot on the side of his face hear his cheek bone. (or if you want to see him ask the zookeeper for "Adam") he's really one of the most unusual semi-wild Zebras I have ever seen. I asked the zookeper, "did you know the Zebra fetches?" and she only said, "I have seen him playful but I have never seen him this happy!" THEN I call for a cab to go home and this cab (if you are interested I have his card I can give you in whisper) was THE COOLEST cab I have ever been in! (if you need it) The guy had a awesome stero system with bass and 2 TVs in the back with a DVD playing in it. (Probably had more I didn't ask about) Well wanted to tell ya about this awesome Zebra if you wanted to check him out for yourself! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 That was the COOLEST story ever....lol..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I like that duck they have that growls. Or is that all ducks. It's scary, but funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouCityGirl Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 We may not have the best zoo but we have the best animals!! LOL! So personable! I still can't get over the Zebra! If anyone goes, please let me know if the Zebra acts that way to y'all too!! I am curious! My friend and I are actually interested in "zoo adopting" the Zebra to suppport it! We're looking into it. We'll let you know what comes of it. BTw, never heard of a duck that growls...was it at the duck pond? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 (edited) BTw, never heard of a duck that growls...was it at the duck pond? It was in the children's area. Past the petting zoo. There are some restrooms right by it. Maybe he was hissing. He had teeth which I didn't know ducks had.Did they finish renovating the main entrance? If that's what they were doing. I was there last in December and we had to enter through the gift shop because they had the entrance closed off. Just inside to the left, near the front, they added a new indoor tropical and desert animal feature which is really neat. They have the cutest mother otter and her daugthers (about four or five of them). It was their feeding time and they sounded like little kitties crying for their food. They're so fun to watch. My neice was having her birthday party there that day under one of the pavilions outside and it was freezing (and we had ice cream and lemonade), but because of the cold, the whole place was pretty much a ghost town. Just about the entire zoo was ours for that day. That was very nice. I want to go again soon while it warm, but not unbearably hot. Edited March 13, 2006 by KimberlySayWhat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Great story, bayou Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouCityGirl Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 I noticed everytime people came near the pen the Zebra stamped his leg too. (was it a warning?) LOL! he loved watching kids too. next time I'll see if I can get pictures. I'm planning on going back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 As a zoo, Houston's is pretty depressing. But it has some of the best animals out there. Lots of personality. And the people taking care of them seem to care a lot. I got a VIP tour behind the scenes one day and got to go into a lot of places and see a lot of interesting things (like a wolf under anesthetic being carried on a stretcher to surgery).Two pieces of advice:> Do not try to feed a giraffe by putting a slice of yam between your teeth and leaning back. He WILL stick a long blue tongue down your throat.> If an orangutang urinates in a cup and then drinks it -- run. It means he's about to spit it on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 As a zoo, Houston's is pretty depressing. But it has some of the best animals out there. Lots of personality. And the people taking care of them seem to care a lot. I got a VIP tour behind the scenes one day and got to go into a lot of places and see a lot of interesting things (like a wolf under anesthetic being carried on a stretcher to surgery).Two pieces of advice: > Do not try to feed a giraffe by putting a slice of yam between your teeth and leaning back. He WILL stick a long blue tongue down your throat. > If an orangutang urinates in a cup and then drinks it -- run. It means he's about to spit it on you. I aquired my hatred of zoos when I worked at the children's zoo during the summers in junior high school. I just wanted to free all those animals trapped in cages and "habitats". But the zebras were my favorites-so exotic and with so much personality. I don't know if anyone besides myself remembers Hi-C and Hi-Cecilia but they were the coolist giraffes ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayouCityGirl Posted March 14, 2006 Author Share Posted March 14, 2006 too bad the Grey wolves aren't there anymore. Just the Maned Wolf. The African animals will be taken to the new African Exhibit when its finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Where did the big locomotive go that used to sit in front of the lake by the zoo? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 MMP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Where did the big locomotive go that used to sit in front of the lake by the zoo?last week their little chipmunk exhibit was gone fromthe small mammal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnu Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Where did the big locomotive go that used to sit in front of the lake by the zoo?to elaborate on midtown coog's reply....http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive....id=2005_3897554 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 (edited) seriously though, where are the chipmunks are they coming back? Maybe they found their back back to Alvin. (Note to non-Houstonians, and those under 40: (1) Alvin is a small community several miles outside of Houston. (2) "Alvin and the Chipmunks" was a popular animated cartoon series in the 1960s. And explaining that still didn't make it funny, did it? Ah, well.) Edited March 23, 2006 by dbigtex56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Thanks gnu. I was sitting there scratching my head going "MMP?" LOL!! Duh! I'm a little slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexAmerican_Moose Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 i had some good times climbing that big train in hermann park when i was little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashikaga Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Is the Hermann Park Zoo located in Midtown? I went there as a kid. Is it still open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Is the Hermann Park Zoo located in Midtown? I went there as a kid. Is it still open? Ok, not to be a smart ass here, but the Hermann Park Zoo is located in Hermann Park. Houston Zoo There is no zoo in midtown, inless you count some of the people partying down there on Friday and Saturday nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Where did the big locomotive go that used to sit in front of the lake by the zoo?Not sure if anyone ever answered your question about the cool old locomotive at Hermann Park. So here goes, about 2 years ago it was relocated to Minute Maide Park. As far as I know it is outside somewhere. I guess in front. It was at Hermann for a long time. I recall seeing it there even in the mid-60's. The only rail line that should be expanded is that tiny little train everyone rides in Hermann Park. Someone would gripe about that too I guess. Hey they could raise it up like a miniature monorail wouldn't stall in a flood like the Metro Rail. They could run the miniature train down Richmond. Would take too long to get to work and people would probably crash into it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 (edited) i had some good times climbing that big train in hermann park when i was littleHey Moose, you remember how HOT that friggin' metal got ? It was like playing on the sun.I don't think i actually ever climbed on it, I just remmeber touching it and nearly searing my hand. Edited January 24, 2007 by TJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 The train with all the oranges in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 The train with all the oranges in it? No Puma, not the one the rabbit rides back and forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 No Puma, not the one the rabbit rides back and forth. Actually, now that the train is over at Minute Maid Park area, it probably has homeless fans living inside of it. Instead of oranges it's Strawberry Hill wine bottles. Rabbit probably got clunked on the head for his spare change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brerrabbit Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 The whole process of getting it from Herman Park to MMP was the subject of a show on the History Channel called Mega Movers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 it was moved fall of 2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 (edited) Hermann Park mini-train to be replaced From 11 News staff reports Hermann Park's mini-train is going away, but it will be replaced by a new one. The Parks Department said the new train will go a long way to alleviate traffic problems around the park. The train will have a new route and three new stops, including the Museum of Natural Science and Miller Outdoor Theater. The existing train contract expires in September, and then construction will begin. For a minute there I thought they were going to close down. Wheoo..close call. Edited June 8, 2007 by Vertigo58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 How long has the current train been there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 (edited) How long has the current train been there?this configuration was part of the hermann park upgrades so maybe 8 yrs or less. but the trains themselves are old. Edited June 8, 2007 by musicman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 How long has the current train been there? I am almost certain since mid 1940's is what mom said. You can tell by the style of the existing train (which is one of the reasons I love it) Looks like a Lionel Toy Train set like the ones we played with as kiddies. Except I crushed mine with rocks (thought I was Godzilla) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Wow, that long? I wonder what they'll do with it. Hopefully put it on display somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Wow, that long? I wonder what they'll do with it. Hopefully put it on display somewhere. Kind of looks like this. and your right they better not melt it down or something stupid like that which Houston is historically known for. Maybe it will go on auction or something insane. We could get all of Haifmeisters to jump on one day we would probably end up derailing it or something. All aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Vertigo58:better not melt it down or something stupid like that which Houston is historically known for Yes, I know, that's why I'm concerned. I was going to suggest that Houston ought to open up a Houston history museum, but there wouldn't be anything to put in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Wow, that long? I wonder what they'll do with it. Hopefully put it on display somewhere.i hope they are just reconfiguring the tracks like they did during the hermann park improvements phase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 How about putting the old train in a plexiglas box or something like that along with a historical marker and placing it somewhere in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 How about putting the old train in a plexiglas box or something like that along with a historical marker and placing it somewhere in the park.they are supposed to have a story at 6 on 13 news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transit Nut Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Here's a link (there are others too):http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/kho...n.2ab7aed5.htmlBased on various news stories from Ch. 11 and 13, it sounds like there will be stations near the Museum of Natural Science, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and at least one of the METRORail stations.Actually, with the connections to METRORail, this may end up like something Mr. Spieler joked about last April 1 (scroll to the bottom):http://www.ctchouston.org/blogs/christof/2006/04/01/35/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 my dad went to work for the railroad here in houston when he was 16 (he was born in 1936). he worked on 982 during his apprenticeship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Here's a link (there are others too):http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/kho...n.2ab7aed5.htmlBased on various news stories from Ch. 11 and 13, it sounds like there will be stations near the Museum of Natural Science, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and at least one of the METRORail stations.Actually, with the connections to METRORail, this may end up like something Mr. Spieler joked about last April 1 (scroll to the bottom):http://www.ctchouston.org/blogs/christof/2006/04/01/35/this has been in the planning stages for quite a while...the red line didn't quite meet expectations for access to the park. mayor's office had complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumber2 Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Oh great! One more thing that didn't need fixin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 How long has the current train been there?Not sure where I heard this. I have posted this before, but got no confirmation. My understanding is that at least one of the trains running at Hermann came from Playland Park when it closed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Starting July 1, going to the Houston Zoo will cost more.The zoo's board of directors voted to increase adult general admission from $8.50 to $10 and children's admission from $4 to $5.Zoo officials also announced a discount ticket program with Fiesta Mart. Tickets will be available at the 33 Fiesta Mart locations for $8.full articleThey need more money but announce a program to sell them cheaper than they currently are selling them for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Starting July 1, going to the Houston Zoo will cost more.The zoo's board of directors voted to increase adult general admission from $8.50 to $10 and children's admission from $4 to $5.Zoo officials also announced a discount ticket program with Fiesta Mart. Tickets will be available at the 33 Fiesta Mart locations for $8.full articleThey need more money but announce a program to sell them cheaper than they currently are selling them for?Wow, I remember when dad would take me there and it was free. I had to drink out of the lions head fountain even if I wasnt thirsty. I always got a helium balloon on the way out. It had a colorful mickey mouse head shaped balloon on the inside of a clear round balloon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Wow, I remember when dad would take me there and it was free. I had to drink out of the lions head fountain even if I wasnt thirsty. I always got a helium balloon on the way out. It had a colorful mickey mouse head shaped balloon on the inside of a clear round balloon.I thought we pay taxes to keep up that place, and yes, I thought it was free too, or at least a meaningless amount. That is as much as a movie ticket now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehou Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Does anyone remember when they started charging admission. I'm thinking it had to have been 10-12 years ago. And when they started, it was 50 cents for kids and I think $2 for adults. In that short period of time admission has skyrocketed to $5 for kids and $10 for adults. That's a prohibitive amount for many families. Families could always turn to the zoo for a day of fun. Then you could go have a picnic in Hermann Park. Good, clean, CHEAP family fun. The article says the zoo is trying to become one of the top 5 zoos in the nation. That's a tall order, especially in our climate. How much of the zoo is air conditioned?With the price increases over the years for the Museum of Natural Science also (with separate fees for the butterfly room, IMAX, parking, etc), you'd have to have at least $150 bucks on hand if you want to take your family of 4 or 5 to that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Does anyone remember when they started charging admission. I'm thinking it had to have been 10-12 years ago. And when they started, it was 50 cents for kids and I think $2 for adults. In that short period of time admission has skyrocketed to $5 for kids and $10 for adults. That's a prohibitive amount for many families. Families could always turn to the zoo for a day of fun. Then you could go have a picnic in Hermann Park. Good, clean, CHEAP family fun. The article says the zoo is trying to become one of the top 5 zoos in the nation. That's a tall order, especially in our climate. How much of the zoo is air conditioned?With the price increases over the years for the Museum of Natural Science also (with separate fees for the butterfly room, IMAX, parking, etc), you'd have to have at least $150 bucks on hand if you want to take your family of 4 or 5 to that area.Our former mayor Kathryn J. Whitmire was the reason it went from free to a fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moni Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 This fare increase is not fair. Houston's zoo is not very large and should be free. I was raised in St. Louis where there is a wonderful zoo, it was free and still is. If St. Louis can offer a free zoo, then Houston can. I think the families of Houston deserve this and this would make an excellent campaign issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Yes, I remember it being free years ago, but it was an extremely pitiful zoo and they constantly asked for donations to upkeep the zoo and such.I went back a couple of years ago and was amazed on how much they had improved it, from what some of my friends have said, the new Meercat exhibit is awesome. While I'm not sure what funding the St. Luis zoo gets, if it's from the city, then I'm sure they have a good sized Tax rate. If it's by donations, then their city is more generous than our own. The thing is to find out WHY St. Louis is free as opposed to our own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 The thing is to find out WHY St. Louis is free as opposed to our own.Chicago is free, too. But not as good as Houston's (but pretty close). It's something like the 5th biggest tourist attraction in the city, and 10th in the state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 (edited) remember, the city doesn't operate it anymore. they handed it over to a private corp to operate. they have raised the prices several times. Edited June 23, 2007 by musicman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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