Jungle Experience Zoo

I’ve had this in the queue for a few years now but fell into the cycle of seasons where Halloween takes over, and then I don’t feel like doing anything else for the rest of the year. With summer at a close, I have a back-to-school thing planned for next week, so now’s the time if ever.

Every summer, we head up to western Mass. This locale has the benefit of bordering on two states, so places that would otherwise be too far to drive are then within reach. What’s another few hours when you’ve already done three? One such place is Jungle Experience Zoo, and if repeat visitation is any indication, this is a winner since it’s been a must-visit for three years running.

Nestled in upstate New York, it’s among the miles of hills, valleys, and farmland that dot the state, proving that if NYC fell off into the ocean, the rest of the population would be all the better for it. I’ve written about my fondness for the untouched swaths of land, and everything north of Albany fits the bill.

I’ve been to plenty of zoos, and most fall into one of two categories. Some are large and sprawling, taking the day to explore and feel like you never quite saw everything—either because of size or because nothing wants to emerge out of the thick vegetation in the mini-habitats. Others are smaller and privately run, but tend to have quality of life issues that hamper your experience as I assume they do for the animals.

Jungle Experience manages to straddle the line. With only a handful of staff on hand, the place is somehow immaculate, which is no small feat when dealing with animals. All too often weeds, waste, and water does a number on the establishment, which makes it all the more amazing how bright and clean they somehow keep it. The worse offense is an aura of musk, but there’s little that can be done about that.

Upon entering, you’re greeted by a peach-colored parrot that probably has a proper name, but I don’t have any idea what that may be. The point of interest is that it likes me and wants to ride on my shoulder. I’ve found that parrots like people with beards, so if you have one, then you’re in luck. A real beard, though, none of this GameStop employee patchy fuzz business. You’ll get a beak to the nose in that case.

A giant emu and several geese with laryngitis also flitter around underfoot. The emu will probably pee on you, but the others generally avoid being stepped on, so there’s not much concern. The other animals include otters, foxes, medium cats, capybaras, and a reptile arena. They don’t fight or anything. I’m not sure why I called it that.

For an extra fee, you can enter the cages and let the animals climb in your hair. Not the otters, though. They’ve been rascals a few too many times. And probably not the ocelots either, since I’ve seen how they act when a chicken cutlet is thrown into the cage. Hair will be the least of your worries.

And that gets us to King Rooney. There are several monkey/ape specimens there. Some roam around looking for apples on a stick; others sit idly around with their hands out despite the signs to never get within arm’s reach. But the baboon is cut from another cloth. The last few times I’ve visited, he’s calmed down a lot, but the first was an experience—a Jungle Experience, if you will.

Whether it was being bum-rushed from across the cage, having droppings somehow expelled and thrown at you in the same charge, or the rather indecent tallywhacker growing and wagging in your face, it’s an intense encounter, to say the least. The signs warn you not to taunt him, but generally walking by is enough of a personal offense.

There is a tube to feed him, and he will settle down at times with his hand at the end to grab the peanut. It needs to be the right food for the mood, however, or else he’ll throw it aside, and you just wasted a dollar. I admit, I’ve fed the female next to him to make a point as I’ve looked over and endured eye contact to drive the point home.

I’m under my word count, and I’m not going to justify it by being over on the last article. So let’s talk about another place nearby. Ashville Exotics is closed now, actually. We managed to catch the last year of operation. It definitely fits more into that backyard zoo vibe, where everything fits into a property that might also double as the owner’s personal residence.

We were greeted by a peacock on the rooftops screaming off into the distance with its distinctive call. There are no shortage of them around, and be they up high or wandering around, you’d be sure to run across several during the trip.

Other points of interest were the parakeet feeding rooms, the baby emus, and black swans and an ostrich that you could feed Cheerios as long as you held them in your knuckles. If you did it well, you not only got to keep your fingers, but it would also perform a mating dance. It’s a confidence booster for sure…