Jack Hanna Trail

[CastleOSullivan]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

This was a fun encounter with Bob the Boa. He was just grazing with his handler, and I happened to get a close up video. What I find interesting about him is that his skin is partially iridescent. If you look closely you can see reflections of green and blue (like a soap bubble).

 

[Lord Robert]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I need to watch the shows in that area this year once the weather behaves.

 

[Mushroom]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I absolutely LOVE it when the handlers take the snakes out to play. I don't even like snakes, but they're surprisingly playful and they move with a surprising amount of elegance. Definitely one of my favorite animals to see out on the paths.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

While I don't particularly care to cuddle up with a snake like I would with a cat or dog; I find them to be fascinating creatures. Seeing these animals up close just bring out that appreciation much more. I mean look at that snake in my video- that reminds me of my cat yearning for attention.

On that same day I saw a red footed tortoise named Karumbe (sp?). He was moving pretty fast, all things considered. I would love to say that as part of my job, I walk tortoises.

 

[Alf33]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

While walking through the hamlet yesterday I noticed that a short section of the pathway was widened. They cut some of the landscaping back and took the railing out right by the corner of the Pet Shenanigans stadium right as you start to go down the hill. I happened to notice the color difference in the pathway. I figure it had to be done in the off season as I don't remember it being that way during CT.

 

[Mushroom]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

For those who don't know, Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve has been devastated with cuts to the zoology program this season. Several major exhibits have been removed, including the Conservation Station, Animal Ambassador pen, and the snakes. They have been replaced with fields of grass, leaving massive and heartbreaking gaps in the area. Sadly, Lorikeet Glen is now the only animal encounter remaining on the Aquitaine side of the Wild Reserve.

Pictures of the removals and what remains of the Wild Reserve can be found at Busch Dominion here: https://buschdominion.com/2017/03/19/invadr-project-2018-more-bgw-preview-day-2017/#wildreserveremovals.

 

[James]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

As sad as I am to see those exhibits disappear. I'm even more sad that there isn't something if anything in their place. That entire section of the park is extremely bare when you think of other areas. I hope they plan on doing something there soon.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

It's worth noting that even the cabanas are missing right now. Not sure whether or not they'll be returning, but that just adds to the "Wait, did I wonder backstage...?" feeling throughout that area right now.

 

[Nicole]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

It is just empty and depressing. I miss the animals.

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I feel like I could write multiple paragraphs about the issue. Simply put though, I fucking hate management for pulling this shit. Not only does it impact the park from an aesthetic and value proposition, but it flies in the face of what they've been trying to convey in response to Blackfish backlash and proves Animal Rights people correct when they paint the parks as viewing animals as disposable.

 

[RKRCC]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I noticed on the map it is now labeled as a 'service animal relief area'.  I have been to the park hundreds of times and have only seen a service dog once or twice....  Oh well, it is just empty and depressing in this area now.  I hope they do something nice to it.  Its not much of a wildlife reserve now.  It hardly seems worth it anymore to name it after Jack Hanna...  I wonder what he will think of the changes this weekend when he comes to visit.

 

[Username]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I also noticed this weekend that the park now distributes plastic straws at the food stands. This used to be a big thing at all Seaworld Parks as they didn't distribute straws or lids because the plastic could end up in an animal enclosure and the animal could choke on it (many zoos do the same thing).

I guess they figure they don't have enough animals to bother....

 

[Zachary]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I don't know why, but that post really stuck me. Bringing back straws is basically a statement of "Yeah, animal conservation isn't something we do here anymore."

Tragic.

 

[Rhaw757]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I'm really hoping they do something with the section next season. I rarely ever go through that area, but it's always something I appreciated the park having. It's one of those "I'd rather have it and not want it than want it and not have it" kind of thing. I would occasionally wander over there on slow days when I wasn't in any hurry to do anything and it was always enjoyable to see. It was just depressing walking over there this past weekend and just seeing everything wiped out with no explanation. Hopefully something goes there at least by next season. Doesn't have to be animals, just something instead of the nothing we have there now.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

A source contacted me today and passed along that due to lack of sales, the cabanas will not be returning. I was hoping their return would bring at least a little life back to the area, but I guess not.

 

[Nicole]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

Perhaps, if they had bothered to maintain the cabanas, people would have rented them more often.

 

[Celticdog]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

There is some new activity near the Aviary. Scrim walls are up. A mini-excavator is visible. Construction is happening. This the was area that was used to display the parrots, rabbits, tortoise, etc.

 

[BGW Family]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

Game of Thrones...something, something...Direwolves...something, something...Ghost...something, something...

Seriously, Odin is a beautiful beast.

 

[Mushroom]

RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

I meant to mention this months ago, but the park is now calling Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve the "Jack Hanna Trail," probably because of the area's enormous loss of wildlife.

 

[Eric]

You know I had no idea how quiet,serene, and beautiful some parts of this area of the park really are. One of the mask free relaxation zones are currently in Jack Hanna's Trail as well.