Austrian born Franz Scherr came to America in 1911, and 25 years later, he started a most unusual tourist attraction, Miami’s Parrot Jungle.
Franz introduced himself to the beauty of this country by working at his trade, carpentry, at many scenic spots as he crossed the nation from New York to California. It was his dream to someday be involved with nature. He returned to Chicago, started a family, and pursued a career in construction. It was a brief stay in the Midwest, for he soon moved the family to Homestead, Florida, during the land boom of the twenties. The depression touched the Scherr Family as it did others throughout the nation, and they lived off the land in Florida preparing tropical fruits and vegetables for market. Later, Franz purchased a feed and supply store in Homestead.
This is where the idea began, building an attraction where birds would "fly free". Franz had a few birds in the store, and he noticed that the birds were friendly, and easy to train. So, after talking with his friend, Joe DuMond, of Monkey Jungle in Miami, Franz decided to start his own Jungle. He rented 20 acres of hammock land south of Miami for $25.00 per year, moved to the area and started developing the attraction. His family was sure that the birds would fly away, but Franz had more faith in nature.
A winding nature trail was dug through the coral rock and hammock land, leaving the natural flora untouched. An entrance building was built on Red Road. It was nearing time for the official opening of The Parrot Jungle, and the first shipment of 25 Macaws arrived from Laredo, Texas. The birds adapted to their new home quickly, and on December 20, 1936, about 100 curious visitors paid 25 cents admission to see and listen to Franz Scherr describe his birds, trees, and flowers.
From this rapport with nature, Franz Scherr created a most unusual attraction. Jungle Island is now the home for 1,100 tropical birds, 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers, and the best trained bird show in the world. It is a place where exotic birds "fly free" everyday.
Franz Scherr passed on in 1973, but the attraction he started from a romance with nature is still a very special place for his birds and visitors alike.
Services: Aquariums Zoos
Location Map By Google
Contact:
Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trl, Miami, FL 33132
Phone: 305.400.7000
Fax: 305.400.7291
E-mail:
ajuska@jungleisland.com
Website:
http://www.jungleisland.com
other Aquariums Zoos Near Jungle Island
1. Miami Seaquariumunstarred
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL
(305) 361-5705
Category: Aquarium
2. Miami Metrozoo
12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL
(305) 251-0400
Category: Zoo
3. Flamingo Gardens
3750 S. Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL
(954) 473-2955
4. Miami Science Museum
3280 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL
(305) 646-4200
