A visit to Parrot Jungle Island is an adventure that includes animal stage shows, one-of-a-kind aviaries, plant nurseries, jungle trails, a petting farm and educational exhibits.
The centerpiece of Parrot Jungle Island is the theme park featuring a Jungle Theater, a spectacular open-air arena where visitors will "oooh" and "aaah" at the extraordinary performances celebrating the wildlife of the world. Guests can come "face-to-beak" with more than 200 parrots and macaws in the Manu Encounter, the world's only aviary replicating the clay cliffs of Manu, Peru.
The magic of Parrot Jungle Island really comes alive at the 1,200-seat Parrot Bowl, where visitors delight in the park's world-famous bird shows, featuring the hilarious and amazing antics of trained parrots, cockatoos and macaws.
The Everglades Habitat, sponsored by South Florida Water Management District, recreates South Florida's unique "river of grass" and its wildlife. The park's huge collection of reptiles and amphibians, including an extremely rare albino alligator and a 21-foot crocodile, are housed in the Serpentarium.
December 2, 2003, Parrot Jungle Island celebrated the birth of twin orangutans. This was the first recorded birth of orangutan twins in almost twenty years. The non-identical babies will make their official debut in a "Twins Celebration" as part of the park's "Bird Day" celebration, honoring the park's one year anniversary at its new location July 24 & 25, 2004.
History
Walt Disney isn't the only man to leave a legacy of his dreams in Florida. Austrian-born Franz Scherr did too. Owner of a feed and supply store in Homestead, he had a few birds in the store. He noticed how friendly and easy-to-train they were. After talking with his friend Joe DuMond of Monkey Jungle in Miami, he decided to start his own jungle.He rented 20 acres of hammock land south of Miami for $25.00 per year, moved to the area and started developing the attraction. His family had little faith in this venture. They were sure the birds would fly away, but Franz had more faith in nature.
He had a winding trail dug through the coral rock and hammock land, leaving the natural flora untouched. An entrance building was built. And, finally, a shipment of 25 Macaws arrived from Laredo, Texas. The birds adapted to their new home quickly, and on December 20, 1936, about 100 curious visitors paid 25 cents admission to see and listen to Franz Scherr describe his birds, trees, and flowers.
The attraction, that a romance with nature started, continued to grow, even after the death of Franz Scherr in 1973. It eventually housed 1,100 tropical birds and 2,000 varities of plants.
Although Parrot Jungle remained a part of the Miami community since 1936, the original facility located on what is now known as the Pinecrest Gardens was closed November 3, 2002 in order to relocate to the NEW Parrot Jungle Island which opened June 28, 2003; and, although it is now privately owned by aviculturists and business people, Franz Scherr would be proud that others are still trusting in nature.
Information & Directions
Admission to Parrot Jungle Island is $27.95 for adults, $22.95 for children and $25.95 for seniors (65 and over). Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Parking is $7.00 per vehicle. Call 305-2-JUNGLE or visit Parrot Jungle Island at www.parrotjungle.com for more information.Parrot Jungle Island is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, between downtown Miami and South Beach just off the MacArthur Causeway.
