An encounter with nature and the wildlife of the Ciego de Ávila zoo complex, Cuba. [ENG] [ESP]
Hello, travelers of the 
For many, exploring nature and observing wildlife is a deep longing, though few manage to fulfill it.
Zoos emerge as a gateway to that world—spaces that house and care for exotic animals to showcase them to the public. Today I want to share with you my visit to the zoo complex in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Do you remember the last time you visited a zoo? I invite you to explore it with me!
¡Hola viajeros de la comunidad
Para muchos, explorar la naturaleza y observar la vida salvaje es un anhelo profundo, aunque pocos logran cumplirlo.
Los zoológicos surgen como una puerta a ese mundo, espacios que acogen y cuidan animales exóticos para mostrarlos al público. Hoy quiero compartirles mi visita al complejo parque zoológico de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. ¿Recuerdan cuándo fue la última vez que visitaste un zoo? ¡Los invito a recorrerlo conmigo!
To start this tour, let me show you this Methodist church that caught my attention on the way to the zoo. The building looks great and very modern; according to the locals, it's a Protestant Christian congregation, founded in the 19th century, mainly by American missionaries.
As you probably know, it's dedicated to supporting people in need, helping the regional community, evangelical education, and activities for youth and families. Very close by is the Lovers' Park, with its significant statue in the shape of a romantic couple.
Para iniciar este recorrido, les presento esta iglesia metodista que captó mi atención de camino al zoológico. La edificación se ve genial y muy moderna, según los lugareños es una congregación cristiana protestante, fundada en el siglo XlX, principalmente de misioneros estadounidenses.
Pues como ya saben se dedica al apoyo de personas necesitadas, ayuda a la comunidad regional, educación evangélica y actividades para jóvenes y familias. Muy cerca está el parque de los Enamorados con su significativa estatua en forma de pareja romántica.
Upon arriving at the facility, the entrance fee is 25 Cuban pesos for adults and 10 pesos for children. So once you have your tickets in hand, the tour begins—quite accessible and affordable, truth be told. There's no excuse not to explore it.
Amid wide stretches of lawn, paths at the entrance surrounded by abundant plants, decorative sculptures, murals, and statues of animals like lions, my recreational adventure begins.
Llegando a la instalación tiene un costo de 25 pesos cubanos para adultos y 10 pesos para niños, así que una vez con los boletos en la mano inicia el recorrido, bastante accesible y económico a decir verdad, no hay excusas para no explorarlo.
Entre amplias extensiones de césped, caminos en la entrada rodeada de abundante plantas, esculturas decorativas, picadas y estatuas de animales como leones, comienza mi travesía recreativa.
The first creatures I saw were some adorable red-eared slider turtles basking on logs, an iguana resting on the orchids—very photogenic, hehe—and a few crocodiles or caimans taking their afternoon nap or simply watching the public with their mouths wide open.
The atmosphere is calm, with trails surrounded by tropical vegetation that give you a sense of connection with nature.
Las primeras criaturas que vi, fueron unas adorables jicoteas que aprovechan los troncos para tomar el sol, una iguana descansando sobre las orquídeas, muy fotogénica jjj y algunos cocodrilos o caimanes que tomaban la siesta del día o simplemente observaban al público con su boca bien abierta.
El ambiente es tranquilo con senderos rodeados de vegetación tropical que dan un sensación de conexión con la naturaleza.
As we kept walking, we came across more impressive Cuban crocodiles, a symbol of the island's wildlife. Observing them up close allows you to appreciate their strength, their scaly skin, and the importance of protecting this species.
Although the space is modest, the park's caretakers strive—despite the economic challenges the country faces—to keep the animals in adequate and safe conditions, following proper feeding practices and basic welfare standards.
Al seguir caminando, nos encontramos con más impresionantes cocodrilos cubanos, un símbolo de la fauna de la isla. Observarlo de cerca permite apreciar su fuerza, su piel escamosa y la importancia de proteger esta especie.
Aunque el espacio es modesto, los cuidadores del parque se esfuerzan mediante las situaciones económicas que presenta el país en mantener a los seres en condiciones adecuadas y seguras, siguiendo prácticas de alimentación y bienestar básico.
The aquarium was undergoing structural remodeling and reorganization of the tropical fish that abound in the tanks.
Further ahead, I came across an enclosure for collared peccaries—mammals belonging to the family Tayassuidae (Tayassu tajacu), which are often mistaken for wild boars.
El acuario estaba en remodelación estructural, y organización de los peces tropicales que abundan en las peceras.
Mas adelante encontré un cautiverio de pécari de collar son mamíferos que pertenecen a la familia Tayassu Tajacu, que a menudo se les confunde con los jabalíes.
They're quite friendly—they let people feed them—and they're curious animals, very similar to wild boars.
Even though it's a smaller complex compared to others in the country, its welcoming atmosphere and diverse offerings make it a spot that's very beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Son bastante amigables, se dejaban darle comida y animales curiosos, muy parecidos al jabalí.
A pesar de que es un complejo más pequeño en comparación con otros del país, su ambiente acogedor y su oferta diversa lo convierten en un sitio muy querido por locales y turistas.
Among the mammals closest to the walkways are the ponies, which are often used for short children's rides or simply observed as they graze peacefully. There are also Ankole-Watusi cattle, a bovine breed famous for their enormous horns.
They're friendly and just went about their normal lives, not bothered by the staff at all.
Entre los mamíferos más cercanos a los caminantes están los ponis, que a menudo se utilizan para pequeños paseos infantiles o simplemente ser observados mientras pastan tranquilamente. Además de los Ankole-Watusi una raza bovina, famosa por su enorme cornamenta.
Son simpáticos e incluso seguían con su vida normal, sin preocuparse del personal.
Continuing with the stroll, there was the camel, which came up to the fence looking for interaction with us, so we gave it a few leaves. They always stand out for their peculiar hump, formed by an accumulation of fatty tissue.
It's described by the center's staff as a super affectionate and sociable animal—to the point where you can touch it, feed it, and observe it up close.
Continuando con el paseo, está el camello que se acercó a la cerca buscando interacción con nosotros y le dimos algunas hojitas. Siempre destacan por su peculiar joroba formada por acumulación de tejido adiposo.
Es descrito por los trabajadores del centro como un animal súper cariñoso y sociable, al punto de tocarlo, darle comida y observarlo muy de cerca.
Elsewhere, behind metal cages, a group of primate mammals—many species of the genus—truly the best thing at the zoo until the arrival of the white tiger.
They're very photogenic, accept food, and play with the staff, with an active social life. They belong to the same taxonomic order as human beings. That interaction, though simple, creates a special moment, where the animal watches you almost as much as you watch it.
En otra parte, detrás de jaulas metálicas, un conjunto de mamíferos primates, de muchas especies del género, la verdad es lo mejor qué hay en el zoológico hasta la llegada del tigre blanco.
Son muy fotogénicos, aceptan comida y juegan con el personal, con una vida social activa, pertenecen a la misma orden taxonómica que los seres humanos. Esa interacción, aunque sencilla, crea un momento especial, donde el animal te observa casi tanto como tú a él.
As for the chimpanzee pair, they were resting in their area, trying to reach for food outside the cage, without much interest in contacting people. But at least they let us enjoy their antics and natural-looking environment.
Founded several decades ago, this zoo has served as a space for environmental education and recreation, combining animal exhibits with green areas and rest zones within the park.
En cuanto a la pareja de chimpancé, descansaban en su área, intentaban coger comida fuera de la jaula, sin mucho ánimo de contactar con las personas. Pero al menos nos dejaron disfrutar de sus travesuras y ámbito natural.
Fundado hace varias décadas, este zoo ha servido como espacio de educación ambiental y recreación, combinando la exposición de animales con áreas verdes y zonas de descanso en el parque.
One of the most striking moments was coming across the majestic peacock, displaying its blue and green plumage and stealing all the attention in the place.
It turned slowly and vibrated its feathers so that everyone could appreciate its splendor, while letting out a sharp call. It was the first time I had witnessed this phenomenon in person.
Uno de los momentos más llamativos fue encontrarme con el majestuoso pavo real, desplegando su plumaje azul y verde robándose toda la atención del lugar.
Giraba despacio y vibraba las plumas para que todos apreciarán su esplendor, y emitiendo un sonido agudo. Es la primera vez que estaba presente ante este fenómeno.
Finally, we reached the big cat area—the spotted hyena, the most abundant carnivore in Africa. All studies show that the spotted hyena is an efficient predator in its own right.
They were resting in their area, without much interest in contacting people. But at least they let us enjoy their coat and natural-looking environment.
Finalmente llegamos al área de los grandes felinos, la hiena manchada el carnívoro más abundante en África. Todos los estudios demuestran que la hiena manchada es un depredador eficiente en su propio derecho.
Descansaban en su área, sin mucho ánimo de contactar con las personas. Pero al menos nos dejo disfrutar de su pelaje y ámbito natural.
On July 11th, the zoo in Ciego de Ávila received its new visual star: a majestic 6-year-old white tigress.
Her imposing presence and dazzling coloration became the crowning jewel of an unforgettable visit, where attendees enjoyed fascinating discoveries and the wonderful coloring of this specimen.
El pasado 11 de julio, recibió la nueva estrella visual del zoológico avileño: una majestuosa tigresa blanca de 6 años.
Su imponente presencia y su deslumbrante coloración se convirtieron en el broche de oro de una visita inolvidable, donde los asistentes disfrutaron de descubrimientos fascinantes y color maravilloso del ejemplar.
Lastly, the hippopotamus, which usually spends most of the day on a ledge or submerged in the water—but I was lucky enough to see it while it was eating. Off to the side, there was also a cute, sociable Conga hutia.
There's so much wildlife and so many new things that there isn't enough time to enjoy them all at a leisurely pace. Unfortunately, the sun was too strong, it was very hot, and time flew by rather quickly.
Por último, el hipopótamo que suele estar en un estante, gran parte del día y sumergido en el agua; pero tuve la suerte apreciarlo mientras comía, además al costado una tierna jutía conga sociable.
Hay tanta fauna y novedades que no hay tiempo para disfrutarlos todos con calma, por desgracia había demasiado sol, mucha calor y el tiempo pasó bastante rápido.
If you liked it, don't forget to leave a comment and follow me for future posts. I'd love to know your opinion and ideas for the next one. Regards
Si te ha gustado, no olvides dejar tu comentario y seguirme para próximas publicaciones. Me encantaría saber tu opinión e ideas para el siguiente. Saludos
!worldmappin 21.838451 lat -78.752598 long d3scr
All photos were taken by my IPhone 12 Pro and edited at InShot. English is not my native language, I used www.DeepL.com/Translator.
Todas las fotos fueron tomadas por mi IPhone 12 Pro y editadas en InShot. El Inglés no es mi idioma nativo, usé www.DeepL.com/Translator.
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