NEWSWORTHY STORIES AT JUNGLE ISLAND

Jungle Island Announces Grand Transformation

Jungle Island has announced a master plan to transform the popular landmark attraction into a destination for eco-adventure and events. The conceptual plan includes new attractions that tie in the diverse culture of the 18-acre park's South Florida surroundings with journeys authentic of the jungle. A significant investment will be made in order to add a new entry atrium, destination restaurants, pool areas and waterfalls, zip lines, and other aerial activities, new interactive environments for animals, and much more.

New VIP Tours and Bucket List Travel Adventures

There is no need to travel to Madagascar, Australia or even South America to see some of the world's most fascinating animals. Jungle Island has over 450 of them and gets guests up-close-and-personal to many of these exotic creatures through three new privately-guided VIP tours: Go Wild, Go Wilder and Ultimate Jungle Trek. Interact with lemurs, red kangaroos, sloths, the only tame cassowary on the planet, Andean condor, sloth, and much more. Numerous celebrities including Hayden Panettiere, Beyonce, Christian Slater, David Caruso and Salma Hayek also flock to Jungle Island for these once-in-a-lifetime “bucket list” experiences. 

Private Beach and Rainforest Riptide

After getting up-close to some of the world's most fascinating animals, park guests can head to the attraction's private beach at Parrot Cove for more adventures under the sun. At this oasis located at the tip of Jungle Island, visitors can relax on lounge chairs, hammocks and cabanas, and then cool off by wading into Biscayne Bay where the Rainforest Riptide awaits. This massive water playground features a series of fun obstacles including balance beams, action tower, trampoline, bridge, cliff, high jump, catapult, slide and swing. An adjacent climbing wall gives even the most gifted climbers a test of strength and endurance.

Hangin' with Sloths Encounter

What has two toes, likes to hang upside-down, sleeps up to 20 hours per day and is easily a fan favorite? The new sloths at Jungle Island! Park guests can get interact with these slow-moving, nocturnal mammals should they wish to add-on a Hangin' with Sloths encounter to their general park admission. During this hands-on encounter, visitors get to help feed and pet these fascinating animals.

Beloved Orangutan Underwent Chemotherapy

Peanut is one half of beloved 11-year-old twin orangutans at Jungle Island. In 2012, Linda Jacobs, a Jungle Island volunteer referred as the attraction's “orangutan mama,” noticed that instead of Peanut turning somersaults and blowing raspberries, she was more listless. Doctors diagnosed Peanut with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Peanut was the first orangutan to undergo chemotherapy, aided by veterinarians and “human doctors” from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Andean Condor Attracts Royalty

Royalty from around the world including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Japan and Spain have visited Jungle Island just to touch the white collar of the park's rare Andean condor. Legend has it that the collar of this spectacular bird will bring infinite good fortune and health. The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in the Western Hemisphere.

Nearly 80-Year History At Jungle Island

Jungle Island is proud of its nearly 80-year history that started with its former location in Pinecrest Gardens. Did you know that Sir Winston Churchill visited the park and was given a VIP tour in 1946? Or how about that Jungle Island was home to Pinky, the bicycle riding cockatoo, as well as flamingoes who were made famous in the opening credits of the hit 80s television series, Miami Vice? Hank the Crocosaurus, who measured a whopping 20-feet, was a popular attraction, too. Jungle Island is home to over 450 rare and exotic animals and is continuing its legacy through a grand reinvention of the park.