Vivarium: Knowledge, learning, and fun

Theme Park Tour

1.Evolution:

1st Evolution Path.2nd Evolution Path.

3rd Evolution Path.

2.Interactive Zone. Understanding: Workshop.

Educational Classroom.

Turtle Land.

Feed the Babillas.

Crocodile World.

Wetlands of the Caribbean.

Crocodile Route.

Attracted by the world of reptiles and amphibians, I visited a new tourist attraction in Cartagena de Indias: The Vivarium (place of life). I was intrigued by this fantastic adventure that focuses on three main elements: Education, recreation, and conservation. Taking advantage of a great weather, I started my journey at 9:00 AM riding on a private car through the Vía al Mar. A few meters before arriving at the Marahuaco Toll’s Roundabout, I took a turn to the right, onto the road that leads from Pontezuela to Bayunca. Less than five minutes from finding the detour, on a road with perfect conditions, the sign on the right, at the entrance of the park made me stop suddenly: “Vivarium: Theme Park. Open every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.”

Evolutionary Phase

After paying my entrance fee, and after I listened to an introductory talk by Sergio Medrano Vitar, a biologist and the creator of this project, I started the adventure. The first stage of this theme park displays three evolutionary routes properly set and assembled. These are meant to educate and make the visitors aware of the importance of this fauna in the whole ecosystem.

First Route

During these activities I got to learn a lot from the evolution process of life, a world that I thought was not of my interest, but I was wrong. The more I got to listen our guide, the more I wanted to ask him. On the first path of evolution, I enjoyed the display of terrariums, paludarios and dioramas. There is also a simulation of a marine aquarium, where you can see the recreation of life evolution on the sea.

Among others, the sea sponges, corals, flatworms, and a display of the layers of the Earth, stand out. The disgusting cockroaches, lots of snails, beetles, spiders and centipedes, are all part of this module. In adapted spaces, where they look unarmed, they still attract attention. I stopped for over five minutes to observe and read, with detail, all the available information about these species. On the left, you get to see beautiful fishes through the aquariums glasses: They display striking mojarras amarillas, the elusive seahorses, and the óscares from the black waters of the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers.

Second Rout

As the tour was moving on, it turned a lot more exciting. When I took the path that leads to the second route of evolution, a few species caught my attention: There was a swamp's eel, as well as frogs, toads, sapos de la caña, poison dart frogs; I could also observe babillas, hicoteas, turtles, tapaculos, and the curious Mata Mata. The display is complemented by the beauty of African, North American, and Central American fishes.

Third Route

When I started this route I was surprised. But I was even more amazed at the beautiful anaconda guío, and at the exuberant African Phyton. Not to mention the boa constrictor, the rainbow, the patoco, and the interesting rattlesnake. From this exhibition, the fishes that drew more attention among the visitors, were the "nervous" piranhas of the Amazon. Even though it sounds contradictory, these piranhas look harmless, beautiful and elegant.

Interactive Phase

With my mind still processing the images of piranhas and snakes, I left behind the educational stage, and went into the interactive one. I went into the sculpture workshop, where a local artist uses raw materials such as resin, fiberglass, plaster, cement, and wood, to create replicas of fossil skulls from ancient and gigantic crocodiles, turtle, and snakes. These artistic representations are used to decorate the park. In the future, this workshop will constitute a displaying stage of exotic species.

Turtle Land

After you get a necessary lesson on the importance of turtles, you can walk into the Reptiles' Daycare and feed the morrocoyos with violet flowers. After that, you can share with the big ones at Turtle Land. For sure, a very sweet and tender experience.

Feed the Babillas

One of the most anticipated moments occurred at the beautiful artificial lake. There were 120 babillas and one crocodile waiting to be fed by the visitors.When I threw a sausage shaped bait, full of protein and collagen, a big group of these amphibians jumped into the water, where the most sagacious, with one bite caught the prey, and with a pull released it. This interaction is both exciting and fun. It simply requires concentration and fast thinking. This module, called Feed the Babilla, and the following one, Crocodile World, are the favorites among children and adults.

Crocodile World

Incredible, but very true. Just by touching the palm leaves, crocodiles get out of the dam and start making poses as any professional model. It is a striking connection the one that these animals share with their audience. There are 70 crocodiles living on this fenced space, which also counts with a special area where visitors can learn everything about these amphibians, and how to keep a crocodile farm. The eggs are transferred to the incubator, and when they get born, they are moved to the pools until they grow up and go to their designated “worlds”.

Interesting Facts: There are 23 species in the world. Colombia hosts 6 of them. 4 types of alligators, and 2 kinds of crocodiles. The environment temperature at which eggs develop, will determine the sex of the new subject.

Caribbean Wetlands

Taking another road on these 2 hectares theme park, I found the Caribbean Wetlands. There are dozens of Creole and Chilean ducks, pisingos, and chavarríes, that can also be fed by the visitors. At this large place you can relax, refresh, taste some delicious empanadas costeñas, take a walk along the paths that surround the lake and take the time to contemplate the ecosystem. In there, and without any fear, I got photographed with a beautiful and harmless albino python around my neck. 

Crocodiles Trail

The last route on this marvelous adventure. A great ending for this tour, where you get to watch huge and robust crocodiles strut about their territory, while the park’s employees feed them.

Vivarium is the ideal place for you to enjoy an amazing ecological family experience. Recommendation by: Mile Conrado.