Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre, Nassau, Bahamas

Sister Sarah and I went to the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre today.

In the heart of Nassau, more than four acres of lush tropical gardens are inhabited by a variety of animal species, including the national bird of the Bahamas, the Caribbean flamingo. Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre was created by Jamaican horticulturalist Hedley Edwards in the 1950s. He developed the picturesque and exotic gardens as a nature preserve, later bringing in flamingoes from the southern Bahamas. In 1980, the gardens were purchased by Norman Solomon, whose passion for wildlife and conservation education inspired him to incorporate more animals into the gardens and create a boutique zoo. Today, thousands of visitors visit annually to marvel at the tranquil, restorative gardens; enjoy close encounters with our collection of over 135 animals; and admire the long-legged flamingo beauties National Geographic has called “Ballerinas in Pink”. The opportunity to enjoy this rare gem will be a highlight for visitors of all ages.

Ardastra Gardens depends on philanthropic support from the public to meet its operating needs and to fulfill its educational and conserving missions. 

Conservation education is truly a window on the world, allowing us to share in the global commitment to preserving natural species of plants and animals. The team at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre dedicates much of its time, expertise, and resources to promoting conservation through programs which ensure the survival of many endangered species, as well to encourage recycling, reusing and the use of environmentally friendly products. 

By providing a sanctuary and survival centre for the plants and animals of the world's vanishing natural habitats, Ardastra can help visitors and researchers learn more about these creatures, while giving them a chance to flourish and breed in a near natural setting. 

It was a $15 cab ride or a $1.25 bus ride so we took the bus.  It was about a 10 minute walk from the main road when we got off the bus.

Me

Sister Sarah

Admittance was $16 each and there were lots of birds, reptiles, animals and plants.

We got there in time for the lory parrot feeding, which was fun.  We were let into a cage where there were lots of lory parrots.  Everyone was given slices of apples and the birds came flying to us.  It was a very cool fun experience!

Sister Sarah

Sister Sarah

One of birds I fed

Is he having fun or what?!

Everyone had fun!

Another one I fed ... this was kind of messy!

Sister Sarah

Sister Sarah feeding one

Sister Sarah

Yum yum!

Got any more?

Sister Sarah

Me

Me

Me

Then we walked around looking at the other critters.  Some were in in cages while others were out and about.

Toby, the cockatiel

Black spin-tailed iguana

Lunch!

Lunch!

Barn owl

Flamingos, the national bird of the Bahamas

These two were having words!

Crazy the way they sleep!

White peacocks

A cute North American raccoon ... we see them in Toronto all the time

Capybara

The turtles were chillin' and catchin' some rays

Ring-tailed lemur

Australian black swan

The back feathers look ruffled

Prevosts's squirrel

Joe, a rescued macaw

I couldn't entice this guy to open his tail feathers

I love going to zoos and seeing animals.  This one was fun because there are interactive things (like the lory parrots).  It's a chance to get up close to many animals.

It's definitely something to check out if you are in Nassau.  As a head's up, bring a hat and water because it was really hot and humid.